More medications added to my increasing collection of pills

[Starryeyes2]

I saw my PCP the other day to go over my blood tests. My cholesterol is still high and she wants to start me on the generic version of Zocor. The concern is that my bp and cholesterol are both high and I am on med for that and they think I could have a heart attack or artery disease .

I also have to start on Nexium for GERD and now I Need a scope to go down my throat with a camera to look for ulcers? Any advice on these meds?

The irritating part about all of this is that don't eat at Mcdonalds or fast food. I don't understand why then high cholesterol. I'm told it's genetic. Ugh! I couldn't have inherited a brilliant mind or fast working thyroid...

Oh well, what can we do? We're glad to be alive and feeling as good as we do.

Advice from anyone else taking the cholesterol meds?

Thank you!!
Kristi

[HVAC]

Kristi,
   Tests are no fun and it is normal to be nervous. My worry about tests and procedures has always been way worse than anything has ever really been. I have learned to stay in the moment because nothing is never really to scary right in the moment. As for pain I remember a time when I did not feel the pain and that helps.

I get into always thinking, something is always this way. Even in my worst experiences there are good moments as well. May be it is just one staff member treating me kindly, the guy wheeling me into a procedure I focus on that. I try not to go in with bad expectations or with a chip on my shoulder. I am good at expecting the worst. I am learning to have an open mind.

Good luck.

Alex

[Starryeyes2]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess I've been in denial about my health. I waited a while before getting on my bp meds bcuz I didn't think I could possibly have high bp at my age. I'm under 40, not overweight, I don't drink or smoke. I think there is a bullseye on my back that I'm not aware of. My other 5 sisters are in good health.

I took my first cholesterol med last night. It's called Simvastatin which is a generic for Zocor. I have heard horror stories about ppl losing their hair, body aches, liver trouble...I feel like I have enough problems...can the focus be on someone else for a while? Haha

I have had stomach stuff for yrs and couldn't get dx of anything. They sd I have gastritis and put me on Prevacid. The symptoms would come and go. Now I have like a reflux thing where my lower esophogus burns and I'll go into this coughing fit. It feels like my throat is super scratchy.

Anyway- thanks again for the support. I am nervous of the upper GI.

Kristi

[HVAC]

Kristi I totally get your frustration. I am sorry you have more added problems.



I eat healthier than anyone I know and have no working digestive system do to the MS. My Doctor says I just have to live with it. I also exercise well. I have not had a drink or cigarette since I was in high school. I am now on 22 different pills a day and I am only 48 years old! My Doctor says she wishes all her patients had my good health habits and shakes her head at all my health issues. I stopped looking for the sense of it.

get mad that is good.

Alex

[essdipity]

My med for GERD was just doubled in strength by my PCP. It's just omeprazole, generic for Prilosec, but at 40 mg/day it would still be pricey in those over-the-counter versions., maybe $30 a month. For OTC? Yipes.

I considered that option because I had had probs with insurance with the drug, can't imagine why, because it's cheap. Anyway, I did ask what my price would be after insurance, and lo and behold there was NO copay. So for me, free (except of course for the price of belonging to this group).

Well, I'll just take free and not try to figure out their convoluted marketing strategies. And omeprazole works fine .for me, you'd never know I have GERD.

This week I just paid $90 for 90 days worth of Lexapro, Lyrica and levothyroxine, and I have a very 'reasonable' drug plan. Many pay much more. So no more new pills! At least I hope.

ess

[Lulu54]

Genetics -  Yep, that's why my husband had his quadruple bypass at the age of 51, his cousin dropped dead at the age of 50, and another cousin had open heart before he was 35.  

Genetics. Nope.  It can't explain my heart attack at 53.  Go figure.

I am on lipitor - take the cholesterol drug at night before bed.  If you develop unusual body aches/pains be sure to talk to your doctor.  That is a known side effect of the statin drugs. Of course with the MS it's hard to tell what is causing the aches and pains.  But for lowering cholesterol fast, it really does work.  Be sure to throw in regular exercise.

Nexium?  Ask for a prescription for a generic version and you can get those $4 rx's that are a lot cheaper than the OTC nexium.... that stuff is pricey.  I take a version of prevacid.  You need to take a calcium supplement - it can strip your calcium and set you up for osteoporosis.  My EGD is scheduled for mid-June.  I've had it done once and it really was ok.  They give you twilight anesthesia, which for me means I go into a deep sleep.  

if you have more questions, be sure to ask.
Lulu