Drugs, drugs and more drugs!

[Rjw2014]

So having been prescribed bispropolol to control SVT probably caused by the pred I have been experiencing eye problems, for which I now have hypromellose eye drops. comes to something when you have drugs to control the side effects of drugs to control the side effects!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It happens all the time unfortunately - sometimes it is laziness on the part of a doctor who can't be bothered to think about another drug that would do the first job without the side effect. And while they know the interactions between drug A and drug B, they don't know what happens when you are also on drugs C,D,E and F.

It is thought that about a third of patients in medical wards are there because of interactions with polypharmacy (lots of medications). An uncle was on about 10 drugs and collapsed in Spain on holiday. The hospital had a fit, stopped them all and started again. He came home on 2 drugs and 30lbs lighter as he no longer had fluid retention. Here I am on pred for PMR and calcium/vit D. Just think what I'd be given in the UK! The first option I was given for atrial fibrillation gave me a rash - so they changed it altogether. To my knowledge I have no side effects from the mix I have now but I also don't have something which is only there as the result of a side effect from something else.

By the way - my atrial fibrillation was not due to the pred, it is due to the autoimmune part of PMR. It can cause all sorts of damage but the doctors either don't know or won't tell us.

[maria40]

I do sympathise. I too am taking bisoprolol for SVT and use hypemellose drops after 15 yrs on prednisolone for PMR/GCA. There are days when I'd like to chuck the whole lot away but right now I am reducing slowly,slowly and feel alright, though I'm now seeing a dermatologist about rough red patches on my legs which I'm told are probably also caused by long term steroid use. I try to refuse or simply not take any medication which I feel unnecessary therefore no omprezole (s?) no alendronic acid and only Adcal for bone protection. So my daily meds are pred, aspirin (75mg), Adcal and hypemellose and currently fucibet for the skin problem. But I press on hoping to get back down to a maintenance dose of 4-5mg which is preferable to the total immobility which I experienced at the beginning. All this is ironic as until I was diagnosed with PMR I was one of those people who boasted of never taking anything but the occasional paracetamol. Obviously tempting fate!

[Hidden in reply to maria40]

Hi maria40, I am interested in your comments you make about not taking any medication you feel not necessary. On the subject of alendronic acid (AA), I was told to take it to protect my bones while taking pred for PMR. I have read a lot about AA and it sounds an absolutely diabolical medication. I am taking it under duress because my doctor said it would be dangerous not to take while on the pred as the AA would stop the bone loss. As you have been on pred for 15 years, how are your bones? I really do not want to take AA because I think it give me other pains as well! Surly there must be a better way of protecting bones, maybe a combination of vitamins and minerals, but doctors never recommend the safer alternative. Anyway do you know it your bones are OK. Best wishes from PeTEE70 (70 year old male)

[Rjw2014 in reply to maria40]

I too was a no pills unless "dying" person before this, so having to fit my life around the drugs is so irksome! I'm sure there is a light at the end of the tunnel somewhere though.

[maria40]

Hi PeTee

I've just had a bone density scan done and am awaiting results but the last one I had done - 3 yrs ago - was fine so I'm hoping I'm still ok.

When I first started taking the steroids I was prescribed Phosimax and within two weeks I had an extreme oesophagal reaction which felt as though I was being strangled and fighting for breath. I decided then I would stay with the Adcal alone and my then GP was sympathetic and respected my decision. My current GP - when I get to see him, which is not often - is concerned about osteoporosis but I think at 74 I'm prepared to take my chances. I try to eat a calcium rich diet insofar as that coincides with a low cholesterol intake and as much load bearing exercise as I can. I also have osteoarthritis but I don't take any medication for this following a bad reaction to methotrexate. I take ginger naturally on porage, in soups and other food as well as turmeric and watch my citrus intake. Fortunately the arthritic pain fluctuates and I manage to keep fairly active - have just survived four days sitting for my six year old grandson and my daughter's four month old Labrador puppy and managed to keep up with them both without collapsing! I think we have to find our own way through this pharmacological nightmare and beware of GPs and consultants who reach for the prescription pad before they've even considered all the possible contraindications. This site is a lifeline, can't imagine how I managed without it. I'm also lucky enough to be in an area with a support group which is great. I hope you can find one near you. Also I don't think we should feel under duress to take things we feel unhappy about . Best wishes. Maria 40 .