Overmedicated for Hypertension

[crs111]

My 79 year old mother, who lives in another state, is on medication for hypertension. She takes Carvedilol, Diovan, Dilitiazem, and Clonidine. Her doctor even talked about putting her on a fifth medicine. I'm not a doctor, but it doesn't make sense to me for anyone to have that many different prescriptions for one problem.

[crs111]

Yes, she is competent. Thanks for your responses. I'll let you know what happens.

[Londres70]

Yes, please dump this GP and find another physician, preferably an Internist and a specialist mentioned in my previous post to sort this out.  

[caregiver222]

You have to get her to sign a medical proxy. Without that, physicians are gun-shy about releasing records.

Armed with the proxy request copies of all her blood tests, diagnosis, and medical records.

[crs111]

Two of my siblings are going with her to her next appointment with this GP to find out why he's prescribed all this medication, and to get her records. Then we'll find another doctor.

[Londres70]

That is alot of medication.  

I have seen that much prescribed for someone with heart disease/heart condition, but NEVER for treating hypertension ONLY.  

I surely hope a Vascular Specialist or a Cardiologist is managing all this medication, not a GP or a Family Physician.  

Is she competent enough to question all of this?  If not, is there someone to help her out with this?

[SassyLassie]

You are right, that does seem like a lot of meds. I would suggest she see another doctor and get off most of them, I mean, all those dog-gone drugs could over-medicate her.