natural to chemical b.p meds - doctors hmo ppo ?

[EFT56]

Im back with yet another question or ?  this past weekend I ran a small test on myself , I slowly weened off my b.p meds chemical brands ccb and dieretic - and started taking a new Natural med for stubborn high blood pressure , is top rated online ! and says its fully garnenteed to work?   well it didnt work at all -  sure I felt good on the new stuff.. but b.p spiked super high !  so had no choice but to go back to the wonderfull life of chemical drugs for b.p.  (yahoo)
I have now tryed 12 diffrent brands of Natural meds - None work !  
all I really wanted was to stop the dog gone side effects , I get from the chemical drugs ! and try to feel normal again ?
( I dont know what its like to be normal )  that word Normal has left me forever I fear !    

I also wondered if any one noticed this, as beign in a hmo plan or ppo plan insurance?  Where you go into a Doctors office
and you get called in - and told to sit down in small cold room - you end sitting there for at least 15 to 20mins ?
then the Doctor comes in and spends about  5 to 10 mins with you , and out the door you go , with a bag of pills
or samples of pills ?  
My point is :  were paying for the 15 to 20mins when hes not there ? and that is our time per visit we need !!!
I think its wrong and unfair to everyone !  
as this could be a reason so meny people have problems with meds and Doctors !  as how can any doctor do a good job ,in 5 to 10 mins ?  no way !!!   its not enough time to really do anything right .  
dont know , just think its not right !  

booger the nose

[ireneo]

I know I'm going to be the oddball here. Most people do complain about the treatment they get from their HMO. My experience has been that the doc spends too much time with me. I just want to pop in and then get out.

Our HMO has the option of emailing your doctor which I use so I can avoid the visit to the clinic. That's been helpful and she writes back to me within a few hours, we sort things out and take care of business. I get to keep my clothes on. LOL  Problem with that is it works both ways. On occasion I've opened my email to find a note from her which I didn't expect. Makes my stomach flip.

Overall I've only had one doctor that I didn't like at all and I switched to someone else.

[EFT56]

quick replay back to ya.  
I bet your not in California ? or lost angeles area !!  I have never found a good careing or Interested Doctor as yet !  not here !

I understand there are better Doctors in other states with less people
rushing to see the doctors.  

I know Kaiser had somekind of  e-mail plan , but they killed my father
so I would never go back to them again !!  

but anyways thank you for your reply !  booger (name to change soon)

[ireneo]

Nope, I'm north of you. Why change the name? I've grown used to it and it makes me smile. Yeah, I have a weird sense of humor.

[EFT56]

Okie - will keep the name !  you talked me into it, I was short on names that day..
and was laughing too when I made it up .. if it make a person smile - its worth keeping !

thanks  have a nice day
the boogernose

[Momto3]

Yeah boogernose, no need to change the name, it's grown on us : )  

As for the medications, I feel so badly that you have so much trouble with the "typical" BP meds....I'm wondering if changing doctor would help???

I'm very fortunate that my doctor (especially the cardio and EP) spend enough time with me, and no bags of pills.  I did have an internist who was big on dosing out RX's....I didn't like that at all!!  I didn't need a quick fix, I needed to get to the source of the problem....

Is there another cardio in the group that you might feel more comfortable with?  In my experience, the seasoned doctors have a lot to offer, lots of experience, plenty of research.  But, the newbies can be so thorough and are sometimes very eager to help....My EP is in Ohio, who I'm am blessed to have found.  But, since I live in NC now, I also have a local cardio.  He is relatively new to the profession (not just out of school, but not what I'd call a veteran) and he's been great.  Also, very thorough....

[EFT56]

Hi : boogernose it is ..  if it can make people happy or smile.. then it stays !

Yeah im one of the few people in the world ,who cant tollerate b.p meds - im mostly allergic to the fillers and get the worst ever side  effects !   doctors give up on me !
and iv been kicked out of doctors offices a few times, for asking questions about my problems or health !   How dare me do that !!   well heck im paying for a service !

Im thinking I should maybe take a trip next summer back east usa.   and find a good
Doctor , as here in california  it seems most doctors are there for the money !  and
dont really care about people.  I have found this to be true , after 12 doctors already.

the cardio groups here in los angeles.. iv been 4 already , its all the same routine
ekg -treadmill test - and come back for a nuke xray test ?   nothing new !!  
iv alredy had 3 nuke xray tests and scans done - ultra sounds - ekgs - blood work
so on..  nothing found bad.   just high blood pressure

at my age , I cant keep going to the same routine b/s doctors  - as they dont go the extra step to serch for a problem or why I have problems with side effects ?

well thanks to a few boneheaded Doctors iv had , I ended up in the E.R.  4 times !
due to side effects -  

by the way,  Im on verapamil  and maxzide   - got swollen ankles daily  and they ache bad .. doctor told me to take more maxzide  and they ankles will be fine ..
ahhh. nope !   took it and got dehydrated fast !   ankles didnt change .. went to E.R.
got hydrated - they cutt me down on the maxzide and half the verapamil  - bp is fine !
im not dehydrated  but ankes still are swollen ..  the ER doc , said its the verapamil doing it .. side effect !  go to a new doctor , get changed to diffrent medication for b.p
and it will stop and get better.

well friday lets hope !   as I get a new Doctor !!  

im pretty fed up with these hmo' ppo plan doctors !!   I think the worse ones are on the west coast !    even the older Doctors are brainwashed - to hand out medications ..
guess its the pretty women who deliver the drugs to them.  or the free vacations and cars
they get .. or bonus checks !     something ??

im not happy ! not now !   but I can smile .. sort of ?  

take care  Booger the nose

[BionicBabe]

You crack me up, even though you're discussing a very serious problem. I don't mean to laugh, but it's better than crying. I also live in California (in the S.F. Bay area) and I've experienced much of what you described and I've also been screwed over by Kaiser myself. I have an HMO and I have been fortunate to find pretty good doctors. All my current docs are fairly new, but so far so good. MY GP and EP both spend as much time with me as I need and for the most part have been pretty prompt. Sometimes the EP is running late, but he's an EP and sometimes has more important stuff to do and I'm okay with that, because if I was the more important stuff I'd want him there, if that makes sense. Anyway, I do wonder about the drugs I've been prescribed and whether or not I really need them. I do think the pharmaceutical industry has too strong a hold on the medical community in general and this does worry me. Kenkeith recommended a book to me called "Recapture your Health," I just picked it up at the library and it's all about using diet (whole foods), exercise and relaxation to conquer cronic health conditions and lead a healthy life. I just started reading it but so far it makes sense. Good luck sorting out your meds and I hope you find a good doctor that will show you more respect. I always enjoy your posts.

Carmen the Bionic Babe

[EFT56]

Thank you and Thank you !  

can I say this ? hmo's suck !  ppo's are so -so  -  so far open access plan is okie !

your right about the big pharm companys and Insurance companys in control -  
along with big bussniss !  

You know , I sent a few medications (generic types)  beta blocker and cal channel blocker and a dieretic  to a frined backeast u.s.  who is a Brain !!  he works with chemicals  forget what hes called -?  I think Bob ?   anyways he said he will take apart the pills and report to me whats inside them - fillers  and how real medications are in each pill .. % wise -   well its been months! no word .. wonder if he was paid off , by the pharm companys ????????     now I will never know, whats in the meds - newspaper clippings mashed - cement ?  tree sap !   who knows ?

Needless to say!  I dont look forword to seeing a Doctor in California.   or los angeles.
I just cant trust them !  as so meny iv talked to lied to me about meds iv taken
and had problems with !  

well there I go again . sorry !

Thank you - your very kind !   all the best wishes to you - and have a good day !
booger the nose ..

[Momto3]

Don't fall into the trap that you have nowhere to turn.  As difficult as it is, remain perserverant because the right doctor is out there!  He will not be a miracle man, but a compassionate professional with an open mind and heart.  

If I understand correctly, your main complaint (except for the insurance stuff) is that the doctors all want to throw medications your way despite the fact that you have explained the difficulty you have in taking them.  Is that right?  

Do you have a list (or, maybe an EXCEL spreadsheet) that documents the various BP medications you have tried, as well as a list of the side effects you experienced?  If you haven't gone to the new doctor yet, try and take a list with the information AND go in with the most open mind and heart you can muster.  When you get out of the car, leave the frustration and anger in the back seat.  Speak ever so kindly to everyone you encounter and express your frustration and fear of impending cardiac disease.  Don't put your armour on, and HOPEFULLY, this new doctor will feel your frustration and be willing to work with you on traditional and/or alternative therapies....If it's a disaster, it's back to the drawing board, but you will have given it your best.  If it's successful, maybe, just maybe, you're headed in the right direction.

The other thought I had was maybe seeing a CHF specialist.  I know you don't have CHF, but they are highly trained in managing overall cardiac care with meds, etc.  Just a thought....

Keep us posted
connie

[EFT56]

First ansure is Yes !  I have a world or problems with side effects from pills -
allergic ?

2nd ansure : I have always printed a liste of meds iv taken before - handed to the doctors
to be honest , the Doctors iv seen (all of them) no jokes here !  have trashed it , right in front of me-  saying dont bring me paperwork ! I dont have the time to read it and wont !
its pretty common to hear this.  

as far as frustration and being upset when I see a new Doctor, I always try and be happy
and open minded - and clear headed - I go in thinking , well lets give it go ! and if he or she is a idiot or acts stupid.. I walk out the door simple as that !  I dont yell or act mad
to them.. never do !!  im very nice and mild when seeing them.  

Its always after I see them -when I get mad and frustrated - as everyone of the Doctors
iv seen , treat me like junk !  and always try to hand me -the same old meds iv taken before , and had problems with ! when I dare to refuse them , thats when they get mad
at me !!   ( they dont listen or take the time to read anything )   so it becomes a big problem for me !    I have a good friend in las vegas , who is on b.p meds now..and is having probems like the ones iv got now !!  so im not alone on this issue !!

I dont as yet have CHF (thank God ) !
but some of these meds , iv taken have effects that you would think were CHF sytmptoms !  

booger nose

[EFT56]

sorry about the spelling !  I typed fast and lots of typo's !!!  my bad !!!  
must be the meds im on .. loling !! sorry ...

[Momto3]

Hey BN,

No problem on the spelling.....I following right along : )

I'm appalled to hear that your doctors have "trashed" your list!!   That's so rude and unprofessional!!  Boy, that makes me mad!!

My dad takes about 14 medications and he carries a list with him at all times.  When I've gong to appointments with him, the docs and nurses appreciate the list....

Does it help if someone goes with you??  Two to one might help : )

I've come across some of the cold and seemingly heartless docs, but fortunately, I've found others who are skilled experts with huge hearts.  I'm hoping this new doctor has a completely different outlook with you.  You deserve that!

[EFT56]

I hate to say it , but I think the main streem Los Angeles based Doctors -Stink !  
at least if conected to a hmo or ppo plan insurance company !  they are controlled !!
and limited to what they can or can not do!  

I went to a foot Doctor -instead of the new Doctor for b.p problems.  as my left foot hurts!
I had athleets foot on one toe ? can you belive it one toe !!  so bad it bleeds and got slightly infected -  so did that first,  well he was a super Nice man a older man and was very smart and talked to me for about 35mins !! I enjoyed his company and knowledge .
however here is the kicker !  he perscribed me a anti fungi mediacation to take daily
I found out after reading ( I always check side effects and Interactions )  for my own safety and well being , as I cant trust anyone !!    I found out that this medication totaly
Interacts with my verapamil and also maxzide .. so I had to cancle the perscription
it also does damage to the liver in at least 90% of who takes it !   tell me , who in there
right mind would take this drug ?  knowing that !!

Now I must call him back and ask for another medication that wont interact ..
here we go again !  

well no matter how nice the Doctors are , they just dont take the time to read or have
the correct information on Interacations or side effects..  
I told the pharm dept where I ordred the meds at .. please check these 4 sites.. plus
the mfg site for the medications , its there in black and White !!  Interactions !!

for me this is unbeliveable ..   and I would really say its careless and some sort of malpractice .. as a person could be hurt or killed taking drugs that interact !  

well - I got another Natural medication in the mail today, for high blood pressure
im gonna try it next weekend ..  hope it works !
make it no# 8 for me ..  or so . forgot the count .    keep trying  I cant give up ..

thanks for you advice and help here .. its like a pat on the back !  
and God knows I need one !  

Booger the nose

[Momto3]

I also don't understand why the doctor would not check to see if the RX would interfere with your current meds : (

Cleveland Clinic (and some other hospitals) are going to the computer based system where all of your doctors (and you) can keep up with visits, notes, rx, etc...Quite a sophisticated system.

I was amazed that my family doctor was up on all I had gone through with cardio and neuro....nice to know.

Let us know how the new BP med works.....It's a new day for Booger the nose : )

[peekawho]

I'm south of you, about 45 minutes south of L.A.  I'm in an HMO.  I've had really good luck with my doctors.  

[EFT56]

Oh thank you for your kind repsonce here !  you are one of only maybe ahhh 3 people
in los angeles or around l.a.  that like there hmo system or ppo plan .. ugg !
you really are luckly !  im not jokeing -  as most hmo systems stink around los angeles
I have yet to meet anyone , here that likes there hmo doctors or plan or services !

but ok !  hey im happy for you -  and wish you the best of luck !  
wish I had it as good ?  


thanks again  take care . Booger the nosehole !