General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

I have run out of Irbesatin (Avapro) and do not see my cardiologist for another 2 weeks when it is likely he will halve my current dose. Meanwhile MrsP was on Candesartin until recently and we now have unused medication. As the 2 medications are both ARBs could I use MrsPs left over Candesartin until my appointment?

That's what I take. This is one of those drugs where two months supply is received. Did that not happen? I also didn't realise it came in different strengths.

 

[tgh]

Irbesartan ...I am awash with the stuff, taking half the prescription and overflowing, might set up a stall at the local flea market

 

[Quickstatus]

As the 2 medications are both ARBs could I use MrsPs left over Candesartin until my appointment?

Not recommended
While same mechanism of action, the problem is that the dosages are not interchangeable, so there is no way to know.
Just get pharmacist who dispensed the most recent box to give you some to tie you over until the next script.
Or just ring your GP to get an electronic script

I also didn't realise it came in different strengths.

Avapro: 75, 150, 300mg
Candersartan: 4,8,16,32mg

 

[drron]

Seem to be turning the corner.
Yesterday had my hair cut for the first time in 17 weeks.
Last Sunday first visit to a restaurant for a meal in 9 weeks. Though exhausted afterwards.
Starting to cope with the fatigue - learnt it is OK to get up at night and use the computer. It actually lessens the pain and reduces the worry of sleeping most days.
So getting back to planning travel. For what e want prices have started to drop.

And I may be even able to force myself to finish the TRs for the last holiday.

 

[love_the_life]

Seem to be turning the corner.
Yesterday had my hair cut for the first time in 17 weeks.
Last Sunday first visit to a restaurant for a meal in 9 weeks. Though exhausted afterwards.
Starting to cope with the fatigue - learnt it is OK to get up at night and use the computer. It actually lessens the pain and reduces the worry of sleeping most days.
So getting back to planning travel. For what e want prices have started to drop.

And I may be even able to force myself to finish the TRs for the last holiday.

Hope things continue to improve for you and the pain ceases. You said it would be a long haul. A bit of trip planning will help I am sure.

 

[VPS]

@ellen10 how is your husband

 

[ellen10]

Seem to be turning the corner.
Yesterday had my hair cut for the first time in 17 weeks.
Last Sunday first visit to a restaurant for a meal in 9 weeks. Though exhausted afterwards.
Starting to cope with the fatigue - learnt it is OK to get up at night and use the computer. It actually lessens the pain and reduces the worry of sleeping most days.
So getting back to planning travel. For what e want prices have started to drop.

And I may be even able to force myself to finish the TRs for the last holiday.

@drron glad to hear that you have turned a corner. And starting to enjoy the little things that you have missed and enjoyed in the past.

What an ordeal you have been through and @mrs.dr.ron

 

[ellen10]

@ellen10 how is your husband

Thanks @VPS heres our update:

We are going along, some ups and downs, but generally a little better.
INR (for the Warfarin levels) seems to have levelled out so last test on Monday was 2.9, so within the required range of 2-3. so after tests every second day we don't have to back for a week, which is on Monday.

AFib is still too high, has remained the same range since coming out of hospital for the second time, its around 110, they are wanting to get well under 100, around 70/80. Still on medication which we are supposed to reduce dosage each week. We have a Cardiologist appointment Monday week (18th) where he will decide if they need to go in and zap or prod the heart to get the rhythm regular or whatever they do.
Specialist surgeon appointment the following week.

On Monday's visit to our GP I pointed out Mr ellen10's red angry/hot spreading around the drain wound in his chest, (which has healed over). He now has an infection, so is now also on antibiotics, another set back. Which probably helps explain the continual too much fluid build up he still has, he is still taking Frusemide for the fluid, and still struggle in his breathing. He also still wears the TED stockings.

Today we had his first appointment with the cardio rehab clinic at our local hospital. It involved a nurse consult and physio consult. Mr ellen10 starts there at the end of next week. I think they will be good. They reassured him that it all takes time and to take the rehab and recovery slowly as he has had a few setbacks. Back to the GP tomorrow as rehab clinic says he needs another repeat of his antibiotics as the infection is not gone yet.

Still sleeping in the recliner chair, but has had a couple of better sleeps, which makes him feel much better. We have had some lovely visits from family and friends, lots of kind calls and messages and even a couple of coffee dates with friends, which boost's his moral.

I think overall we are getting there slowly, with a few setbacks. He originally really thought that by 4 weeks after the operation he would be feeling much more energetic and not struggling, as he was quite fit and active prior to all this, but as they pointed out today, its been a major shock to his heart and system and healing is slow.

 

[Seat0B]

Glad to hear he’s on the mend @ellen10 and I hope there is some respite for you too. It’s hard to be the carer.

 

[RooFlyer]

We have a Cardiologist appointment Monday week (18th) where he will decide if they need to go in and zap or prod the heart to get the rhythm regular or whatever they do.

Sounds like a cardio version. Very simple; I've had 3. Lie back, put just under, paddles & little zap (mine is usually only 50 joules, about 12 calories ), wake up. Of course with MrE10's current situation it'll be a bit more complicated but if its a cardio version, its a simple procedure.

 

[Quickstatus]

Called Dc cardioversion -which is the same as what the Packer Whackers do
Some people call it a "Jumpstart".
Though a lot less energy and the energy delivery is synchronised to a part of the heart rhythm in your case.

50J is the minimum setting.
Can go to 360J.
Those who have an implanted defibrillator in the chest may only need 1J but it does feel like a punch in the chest.

Sometimes they do a TOE cardioversion -ultrasound of the heart using a probe put down through the oesophagus sort of like an endoscopy to look for blood clots in the heart before the Jumpstart. If blood clots are found Dc cardioversion is not possible.

 

[ellen10]

Called Dc cardioversion -which is the same as what the Packer Whackers do
Some people call it a "Jumpstart".
Though a lot less energy and the energy delivery is synchronised to a part of the heart rhythm in your case.

Sometimes they do a TOE cardioversion -ultrasound of the heart using a probe put down through the oesophagus sort of like an endoscopy to look for blood clots in the heart before the Jumpstart. If blood clots are found Dc cardioversion is not possible.

I think there was a mention of doing a TOE cardioversion, or something similar I think. We have had some different versions mentioned for treatment.

But won't really know until the Cardiologist appointment, Monday week. Good results for the INR it seems to have stabilised at 2.7

 

[Pushka]

I think there was a mention of doing a TOE cardioversion, or something similar I think. We have had some different versions mentioned for treatment.

But won't really know until the Cardiologist appointment, Monday week. Good results for the INR it seems to have stabilised at 2.7

I gather there has been a diet discussion re INR etc? My niece in her thirties is on warfarin and she experienced significant issues when she tested positive for Covid. I got lucky. I escaped the INR route by being prescribed Xarelto. That was before they determined I had APS but they didn't want to change midstream. Doctors were waiting for niece to experience a blood clot (same doctor as me) as she follows in my footsteps amd had the blood markers for it. She immediately went on to warfarin.