Time for a drug review?

For the past few years I've been taking rivaroxaban (a blood thinner), to which have been progressively added amlodipine for high blood pressure, atarvostatin for high cholesterol and levothyroxin for a slightly low thyroid count. Recent tests have shown that my blood pressure, cholesterol and thyroid levels are normal - has anybody successfully come off those drugs and maintained a lower level?

[sandybrown]

When you say the number are normal, what are the numbers?

[Hidden in reply to sandybrown]

I haven't the faintest idea! They just said normal. If they had told me the numbers it wouldn't have meant anything as I'm not a doctor.

[TebbyBear in reply to Hidden]

I would like to ask you mrsredboots if you know whether or not your low thyroid levels are due to Hashimot's Thyroiditis? It is a very common cause of Hypothyroidism. You need to find out for sure. It has to be treated forever, or could progress really fast. If it does, it can progress into what is called Myxedema. I have had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis for years,. I stopped taking Levothyroxine as I could not afford to see a doctor for a couple of years. I went into Myxedema and almost died. You really need to do some research online regarding your medical conditions as most doctors are not that concerned until things get real bad. You need to have your T4 levels checked as well as your T3 levels. General practitioners are helpful, but they are not Endocronologists ( thyroid specialists).

Now regarding your other issues, If you are eating healthy, exercising, taking care of yourself physically, you can possibly end up not needing Cholesterol and High Blood Presdure medications, but you need to talk to your doctor about that. Everyone needs to take a proactive role in their own health and medical issues they have. Doctors make mistakes, and most doctors are too busy most of the time so they are not usually giving your health problems all that much focus. I also take Blood Pressure and cholosterol meds. Stopped taking cholesterol meds, ate healthy, lost weight, and still cholesterol was high. Some people need these meds for life. Do the research, ask questions, talk to your doctor regarding your concerns. Extremely important. Be informed. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to TebbyBear]

I think you must not live in the UK if you can't afford to see a doctor - I'm so very sad for you. Here, all medical treatment is free at the point of use (obviously it is paid for out of what's called National Insurance). I don't have Hashimoto's - I have friends who do, and I certainly don't have any symptoms like them! It was a mild insufficiency, now under control. Our routine blood tests are extremely thorough and do inform doctors of what may or may not need attention (which is why they didn't flag up this diabetes issue last summer, when I wish they had; instead they started fussing about my white cell count, which turned out to be a storm in a teacup!).

[TebbyBear in reply to Hidden]

Hello! Yes, I live in Seattle, United States. You are lucky to have the health care system that you do in your country. The US is so far behind, in great deal of things. Glad to hear you do not have Hashimoto's. It is really a pain in the hiney. When I went into the Hospital for Myxdema I qualified for Medicaid thank God. Seven days and the bill was about $75,000 dollars. Insane amount of money. You have Diabetes? I am so sorry. I have pre-diabetes and trying to keep it from going full blown diabetes. I truly wish you the best!

Susan

[Hidden]

That was not actually what I was asking - I do actually trust the do tirs to know when the numbers are within normal range. What I was asking was whether anybody had successfully either reduced or discontinued their various medications, and whether asking the GP for a drug review was a good idea.

[sandybrown]

Medication can keep blood test numbers normal!!!, there is a big but.

There are ways to control blood numbers. NHS doctors work under NHS protocol.!!

Before considering any change to your doctor you need to discuss it with your doctor.

Medication for blood cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure are long term medication. Each individual have different reactions to medication in control therefore members comments may not apply to you.

There is risk analysis tool a doctor care use to explain your issues and can offer advice you on what medication needs changing.

[Hidden in reply to sandybrown]

Exactly. I wouldn't dream of changing any of my drugs without first discussing it with my doctor. The haematologist has reduced my dose of rivaroxaban, and I shall be on a lower dose from next week, which is what has given me the idea of asking for a review. If they say that it is the drugs that are keeping me stable, fair enough - and I'm on a very low dose of both levothyroxin and amlodipine. I'd like to reduce the statins, if possible, but they may say it would be a bad idea.

[GreenGB]

Finally!! I thought I was going mad!! I to have got my cholesterol down to 3 something with a mixture of diet , excercise, plant stenals and some ezetimibe( not a statin). Before this I was made to feel like I’d die tomorrow if I didn’t take something straight away!! Had a really bad reaction to a statin previously. I think it’s ok to question these treatments and find something that works for us as individuals. Good on you👍🏼

[GreenGB]

Oh really? That’s very interesting to know!! I’ve had so much conflicting info from different Drs! The lipid clinic have suggested that 3. something still needs to be halved!! I think it’s good enough. One doc said don’t worry , another doc said to go on statin!! Who to believe!!🙄 Plus my husbands cholesterol is 6.5 and they aren’t chasing him or sending him for test. Makes you wonder where’s the consistency !.

[Hidden in reply to GreenGB]

I don't think there is much consistency. I know I spoke to the doctor I really trust about going on statins, and she said not to worry about my cholesterol as I'd probably never had it tested by the practice and it could have been worryingly high for years!

[GreenGB in reply to Hidden]

It’s sometimes very difficult to interpret what your being told and the docs I’ve seen lately just don’t know how to talk to the general public making things very drawn out and complicated. No wonder we Google everything.!

[Hidden in reply to GreenGB]

Either that, or they tell you everything in words of one syllable, as though one had no brains or education, and don't tell you what you actually need to know!

[Hidden]

I'm sorry your doctors have been so poorly educated that you know better than they do - although, of course, it is your body! Almost all of mine seem to be excellent (there is one I feel did a knee-jerk reaction rather than thinking things through). I'm afraid a printout would mean less than nothing to me, as I have no scientific education whatsoever apart from O Level biology. Having said that, I am hoping they will allow me to reduce my dosage of Atorvastatin from the current 40 mg per day to maybe 20 mg? I don't know what the dosage should be. I do know my cholesterol was thought to be life-threateningly high (26? Something like that), but am told it is now within the normal range. I think I will speak to the pharmacist when I pick up my next 2 months' supply of medication tomorrow, and see whether they think it would be worth while requesting a drug review. By the way, I've no idea whether I had any side-effects from the Atarvostatin or not - I was told they could cause aches and pains and to take them at night for that reason - but I am 69 years old and expect a fair few aches and pains at my age, so have no idea whether they are caused by the statins or not!

[GreenGB]

My total was 8.9 before I started, got it down to 6.5 on my own then started ezetimibe which brought it down below 4. Haven’tseen any print outs or results other than what I was told as all consultations have been via telephone!

[Hidden]

It is the GP who issues the prescription. If they insist on maintaining the current dose, I either don't take it all all (probably unwise, in this case) or take what I have been prescribed.

[Hidden]

The "how much" isn't an issue; when your doctor prescribes you 40mg tablets, you either take them or you don't. There is no way of cutting down the dose.

[GreenGB]

Why did they make such a fuss then?

[Hidden]

These particular ones can't be cut in half, and I would be very reluctant to change anything without first discussing it with my GP; the tablets may have worked, but that doesn't mean my cholesterol levels would remain low if I stopped taking them. However, you do you.

[sandybrown]

We all have to look after our body to live a healthy life. No one need to push their strong belief to others.

I have been here for more than 8 years. I have read many people comment their views.

All you need to do is listen to your body reaction to medication, food and drinks, and take care of it.

There are many medical people in my family, what ever health problems come, every one needs to look after it. Doctors can get it wrong as well.

[Hidden]

UPDATE: Spoke to a different doctor who explained that the blood test I'd had that they diagnosed diabetes was accurate even though it had been taken after lunch on a hot day, and that I must go on metformin. Sigh. Then he said he wanted me to stay on the 40 mg atarvostatin for now, as I was still "a smidge" over 5 (down from well over 20!) and he wanted me under - he thinks the metformin might help with that. And the levothyroxin and amlopidine probably ought not to be discontinued. Very deep sigh. Anyway, if the metformin works (first tablet this morning), it should make a big difference to all the numbers - I am to have a review in 3 months and they will see.

[Hidden]

I was replying to Sandybrown above. As it is, they want me to stay on this level of statins for the next 3 months, and will review again then.

[Hidden]

Yes, I think it was the HbA1C test - I believe it was over 80! So I shall try the metformin for 3 months (gradually increasing the dose, as recommended) and we shall see what we shall see... As for cholesterol, it does so vary from practice to practice. If the statins are controlling it, I needn't bother too much about diet. I do eat healthily - too much ice cream, but that's really all that I could change. All the other things suggested I already do!

[Hidden]

Most of the suggestions are things I already do anyway!

[Hidden]

I am happy with neither; however, I would prefer not to die of a stroke or heart attack for at least another 20 years! And, as I said, I already do eat healthily....

[sandybrown]

Yes, it is time for your medication review. The conversation here can give you stress therefore watch out. We are all different and react differently to medication.Please look at you your blood numbers and ask your doctor for review of medication.

[Hidden in reply to sandybrown]

I already did, thank you! And I agree, I dislike being told that doctors don't know anything (they only trained for ten years or so, after all) and having all my decisions second-guessed. I am going to take no further part in this conversation, and will seriously consider whether to remain in this community. The thrombosis community here is far more supportive!