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I Hate Meds

Old 03-15-15, 08:58 AM
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I Hate Meds

Meds are kicking my butt! Bike season is almost here, and I have no energy, no stamina, almost need as much rest as work......... sucks to get old!

allopurinol 100 MG tablet
Commonly known as: ZYLOPRIM

metoprolol 25 MG 24 hr tablet
Commonly known as: TOPROL-XL

pravastatin 10 MG tablet
Commonly known as: PRAVACHOL

nitroGLYCERIN 0.4 MG SL tablet
Commonly known as: NITROSTAT (only as needed - never taken)


lisinopril 5 MG tablet
Commonly known as: PRINIVIL,ZESTRIL

Tamsulosin HCl 0.4 MG Caps

pantoprazole 40 MG tablet
Commonly known as: PROTONIX

clopidogrel 75 MG tablet
Commonly known as: PLAVIX


Plus over the counter meds prescribed by Doc.

75mg Aspirin

1000mg Red Yeast Rice twice a day

600mg Fish Oil twice a day

My various docs say they will reevaluate in 6 months ----- yeeek!

Last edited by Wanderer; 03-15-15 at 09:27 AM.
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Old 03-15-15, 10:21 AM
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I take Lysinopryl and an asprin type drug and others. I understand. For me, on ride day, I use coffee. It helps. Don't know if it is safe for you, that's up to the doctor and you. Good luck, I agree it sucks.
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Old 03-15-15, 12:01 PM
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red rice yeast contains a very small amount of Lovastatin, (or is supposed to, the amount is very small so as to make sure the FDA does not regulate it). This is similar to Pravastatin you are taking. Might be worth discussing this with your doc the next time you go in.
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Old 03-15-15, 01:11 PM
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Walking/cycling pharmacy--make sure your doctor knows about your sport and wishing you the very best!
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Old 03-15-15, 01:13 PM
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I was in hospital for an op following an accident 10 weeks ago. When being booked in to the ward I heard several other people around my age being signed in as well, and was astonished at the list of meds they were telling the nurse they took. I'm very lucky in that I don't take any regular meds but I often wonder about the combined effects that a cocktail of meds might have, possibly leading to other symptoms - including tiredness and lethargy.

For example, following a slight prostate problem a few months ago I went to the docs. After a cystoscopy and prostate examination, plus ultrasound scans I was given the all clear, but my doc suggested I use Tamsulosin. I asked what it did and how long I would take it for. He said it lowered the blood pressure, thus easing prostate pressure, and that I would take it permanently. Now a) I have a healthy blood pressure and b) I do not want to go on permanent meds unless absolutely necessary so I said no. Not decrying meds at all, and I have often taken them when necessary, but I do think docs are too quick to prescribe them.

I believe docs should sometimes take a more holistic approach rather than prescribing drugs for every symptom.

I hope this isn't seen as being critical of your medicine regime in any way at all, as I know nothing about you or your health, but it is a general concern I have as I get older. I am of course speaking as a medical ignoramus.

Good luck with your cycling this year. It's got to be good for you.

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Old 03-15-15, 01:31 PM
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I take 300 mg of allopurinol, it beats the hell out of having gout. When my gout kicks in I ain't riding anywhere. I take 40 mg of lisinopril + another B.P. med which I hope to reduce by riding. As much as I hate to take meds gabapentin 100 mg 3x a day is allowing me to ride again. I didn't get to ride any last year I hope that taking them allows me to exercise enough to get off at least some of the stuff
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Old 03-15-15, 03:15 PM
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I have to wonder about interactions among all those meds.

FWIW, I am with Gerryattrick. I don't take anything; my wife takes Synthroid, because she is a thyroid cancer survivor.
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Old 03-15-15, 03:34 PM
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Unfortunately for me I had to start taking Farxica and Starlight for my diabetes. Then doc put me on 325 MG aspirin twice a day plus a statin med so I will not have cardiovascular issue due to my diabetes.
I am envious of all who are lucky enough not to take meds every day.
I battle lack of energy on a daily basis so I started to ride my bike again in hopes it will help me build my stamina again and maybe get my diabetes under control so I can quit taking two meds for it
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Old 03-15-15, 04:06 PM
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Believe me, meds is a constant conversation, with all my docs, at every appointment. They all know how badly I want to be off this stuff, and I am always reminding them of all the others are prescribing.... Cardiac, Internist, Urologist, Hematologist, Gastro, even the Dentist.......... LOL

And, I see all of them at least twice a year.

My Internist, whom I designate to coordinate all these docs, is an avid bike rider himself - and always asks if I am still riding, and to what extent. It helps that they are all in the same clinic, and I know he talks to them about me, as he has even done it in my presence.

My Cardiac event a year ago, is the chief culprit in this demise............
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Old 03-15-15, 04:20 PM
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Ditto on the daily meds shutting me down:

100 mg Metropolol
10 mg Rosuvastatin
160 mg Valsartan
1 baby Aspirin
40 mg Crestor

It takes most of my energy to stay awake thru the day. Luckily I managed to survive 2 major heart attacks where both times there was someone who was able to perform CPR. The last time happened 5 weeks ago.

So now I have my own implanted defribilator, as a third time may not be so lucky with CPR. It always worried my wife as several of the trails I bike on are often deserted, or even if there were other riders or hikers, not easily accessible by any emergency vehicle, so definitely would be a goner if the heart attack should happen in those areas.
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Old 03-15-15, 04:27 PM
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The strange part of my Cardiac event, was that I never had a heart attack, even though they had to place 4 stents in my heart. Three blockages 95%+. Cardiac Doc, and Internist, say it is because I did so much bicycling, and my heart was very strong even though limited in blood supply. Cardiac Interventionist is still amazed that there is no damage, considering what he did!
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Old 03-15-15, 05:07 PM
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I forgot to load my week med box with BPH med w statins. MPH avg went up by over 1 mph
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Old 03-15-15, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by ctpres
I forgot to load my week med box with BPH med w statins. MPH avg went up by over 1 mph
+1 on instant turbo!
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Old 03-15-15, 10:31 PM
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I think, I now take meds, to fix the side effects, of the other meds I take.
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Old 03-16-15, 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by SlowSpinner
I think, I now take meds, to fix the side effects, of the other meds I take.
I feel like this ------ A LOT !
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Old 03-16-15, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Gerryattrick
I was in hospital for an op following an accident 10 weeks ago. When being booked in to the ward I heard several other people around my age being signed in as well, and was astonished at the list of meds they were telling the nurse they took. I'm very lucky in that I don't take any regular meds but I often wonder about the combined effects that a cocktail of meds might have, possibly leading to other symptoms - including tiredness and lethargy.

For example, following a slight prostate problem a few months ago I went to the docs. After a cystoscopy and prostate examination, plus ultrasound scans I was given the all clear, but my doc suggested I use Tamsulosin. I asked what it did and how long I would take it for. He said it lowered the blood pressure, thus easing prostate pressure, and that I would take it permanently. Now a) I have a healthy blood pressure and b) I do not want to go on permanent meds unless absolutely necessary so I said no. Not decrying meds at all, and I have often taken them when necessary, but I do think docs are too quick to prescribe them.

I believe docs should sometimes take a more holistic approach rather than prescribing drugs for every symptom.

I hope this isn't seen as being critical of your medicine regime in any way at all, as I know nothing about you or your health, but it is a general concern I have as I get older. I am of course speaking as a medical ignoramus.

Good luck with your cycling this year. It's got to be good for you.
Although it can lower BP, Tamsulosin doesn't relieve prostate problems that way. It specifically relaxes muscles in the bladder-neck and prostate easing urination. Lowering BP is a (sometimes unwanted) side effect. Addressing difficulty urinating is an important issue for men over fifty. The harder the bladder has to work to expel urine, the thicker it grows (like any muscle), leaving less room to store urine, leading to more frequent trips to the bathroom, leading to working the bladder harder, and so on, and so on.
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Old 03-16-15, 10:55 AM
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After I had a second cardiac incident involving an arrhythmia, ventricular tacycardia, I had a cardiac ablation but they were unable to resolve the issue so I ended up with an ICD and prescribed beta blockers. They totally sapped my energy and I felt like I was stuck in second gear. My cardiologist finally got sick of my complaining and took me off them. Then the ICD fired so it was something that had to be delt with. The cardiologist refered me to a specialist in Electro Physiology, ablation, who performed a second ablation. He seems to feel that he found the source of the v-tach and resolved it. That was two months ago and so far so good. He put me on an ace inhibitor, Lisinopril 10mg, not for BP - mine isn't high- but to strengthen the ventricle. I have none of the side effects with the ace inhibitor that the beta blockers caused.
I did a 50 miler on Sat. and 32 on Sun. without any issues. Jury is still out but so far so good. My feeling is I'll do almost anything to avoid taking meds but when all else fails so be it.
Aside from the Lisinopril I don't take any other meds.

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Old 03-16-15, 12:08 PM
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I consider myself very fortunate in not having to take any prescriptions. I do take a daily vitamin, but that seems to have no effects one way or the other. My wife, on the other hand, takes a laundry list of meds. That might explain why she has so much difficulty with any sort of physical exertion.
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Old 03-16-15, 05:25 PM
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Wanderer, my brothers list of drugs looks like yours,
I decided that's not for me but I couldn't figure out why he was such a mess..

I was on Amlodopine and Lisinopril, both 10mg for blood pressure.
I got off my med's completely, NO pills for me !
Blood pressure is perfect, Cholesterol Is great, Got a correct weight for my height now,,,
I Did this simply by eating right, no special diet, just real food,
Oh and my bicycles helped me alot.. I owe them the rest of my life

I went to his house, started going through his kitchen,, I found out why he's dying on drugs and I'm not.
He was not cooking, he was opening cans and doing frozen dinners in the microwave.
He watches way more TV than I do,
Has a Play Station 3 or 4,
Has become quite sedentary,
Had never considered doing real workouts,
He paints and takes pictures,

I'm, 5'11" 175 pounds and lean,
He is 5'10" 130 pounds and skinny,,too skinny..

His body is dying,,,

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Old 03-16-15, 06:39 PM
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When I went in hospital for trauma repair surgery one of the docs wouldn't believe my lack of drugs. He told me "you should be taking these drugs" so he put them on my chart. Point is that docs, of whatever stripe, are only human. They only have so much time and have to contend with a variety of factors. One of those factors is that patients sometimes lie. They lie deliberately, or by just not remembering. So, they put people in categories. Most of the time those categories are useful. Sometimes not.

If you are concerned about your drugs, as opposed to Elder Whining, which we all do, see another doc. Tell the doc you want less drugs. Tell the doc what you are willing to put up with. It may be you have a couple less but higher quality years of life as a result. If so that decision is yours and yours alone.

Especially if you haven't seriously faced mortality I recommend the book "Being Mortal". This is written by a doc but uses simple language we can all understand. The key points in the book are that we have to acknowledge mortality(death) and that everyone (family, doc, social services) have to be on the same page when discussing how we will live to the highest quality.
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Old 03-16-15, 08:24 PM
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Beta blockers such as metoprolol (TOPROL XL) are well known for causing fatigue and low energy so you may want to discuss trying another medication during your next evaluation.
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Old 03-16-15, 08:40 PM
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NO SUGAR, NO GRAIN! Read Wheat Belly - Total Health or Grain Brain. Got off of all my meds excpet a baby asprin (I am Leiden Factor V positive)
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Old 03-17-15, 04:04 AM
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Those are some cocktails of drugs many people are taking.

Our family doctor closed her many decades old practice down and went a holistic + standard medicine direction. 2 or more hours per visit. Family history, TALKING, body inspection and touching with soft warm hands , listening, blood work, toxic and element workup, scans if needed all for a total body approach.

I had a body puncturing-bloody triathlon bike crash and was told to go to the ER for further attention and stitches after being in the med tent for an hour after finishing the 70.3 event but went to my doc instead. Cleaning, examining, sliced onion for swelling, honey and a special home made salve on holes and deep road rash worked great. Not one sign of infection and minimal scaring where stitches would have been.

Informed healthy eating, exercising, a realistic approach to living with NO LOOKING AT LIFE THROUGH ROSE COLORED GLASSES is my MO until death. I consider myself to be fortunate being drug free at 65 and working to remain that way if possible.
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Old 03-17-15, 09:56 AM
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Finally someone on more drugs than me!

metoprolol - I was on that one at twice the dosage. I hated that one. Now I'm on a much smaller dosage of another beta blocker. It still holds down my heart rate and slows my cycling, but not as bad as the metoprolol.

I recently found out that my wheezing while sleeping for the past few years was asthma. The inhaler has helped my sleeping AND riding! I like that one.

Lisinopril sometimes gives me a dry cough, but otherwise not a problem.

The only time I've used nitroGLYCERIN was right after my heart attack and that was in the ER. It sure helped the pain. I carry a little bottle of it in my bike bag, but never used it. Probably time to replace the bottle due to shelf life.

GOUT! I have that also. Fortunately I can pretty well control it through diet changes and keeping hydrated. Unfortunately part of the diet changes include less beer, shell fish, and even peas and beans. TIP: My cardiologist put me on a diuretic to reduce my blood pressure and it did dropping my BP about 10 points overnight. BIG MISTAKE. I started having gout attacks about every two weeks. Diuretics work by dehydrating you somewhat. Not good for gout or riding.
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Old 03-17-15, 10:53 AM
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My primary care doc moved away and in my search for a new one, I found a sports med specialist who took me on. He spent a lot of time working with me on BP meds and the fatigue has been minimized. I now take Amlodipine for my bp and the fatigue has faded away. But yeah, I hate meds too.
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