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Avatar universal

how much meds?

After 3 failed ablations and a pacemaker to "back me up"... I am on the medical management program for the arrhythmias.  It seems to me OBSCENE how much medicine I take.  How much do other people take every day to try to balance a rhythm problem.  Is everyone else taking 30-40 pills a day?  Does it frustrate you to craziness?  
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Avatar universal
Because I have moved a lot ( from my husband's job)... I have had 8 cardiologists involved in all this.  I am now in Spokane, WA.  In part we came here for the Spokane Heart Institute- to be close to good medical care.  My current md DID decrease the amount of meds I take.  He was the first one to just not add more.  Until then, every md added something else to the mix.  Sacred Heart IS one of those places to go to for high level cardiac care.  We had reached a point where we had a choice, so we came here.

We know that the drugs are causing me problems, BUT they are also helping keep a rhythm reeled in, keep me resting on my pacer, keep further decline in function at bay, en shallah.

Flecainide, coreg, lisinopril, diltiazem.  Aspirin, CoQ10, fish oil, cardiac vits.  Magnesium, pottasium.  occasionally- lasix, propranolol, metoprolol, labetalol.
Ibuprofen, benadryl, ativan and frequently antibiotics.

Obviously, the first 4 are the top shelf.  I have them in the reverse order of how I drop them if my bp is not holding up.  First, the dilt, then lisinopril...  I really WANT to be able to take that because it is the only one with any restorative potential.  If I can maintain a bp up to 90/50, I will take it.. then drink lots of water.

My life revolves around taking them all, on time, in the right amounts to keep tenously balanced.  There have been others, there has been more and there has been less, but this is where we have arrived at... to a degree, it works.  I don't know what I would do if I weren't a nurse though.  I certainly see how and why little old folks get their pills all mixrd up.  Thanks for the input.
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63984 tn?1385437939
If I were in your position, I'd get a second opinion.  Are you living close to a teaching hospital? That's exactly where I would start, and I would start there as soon as possible.  Some health insurance companies have health professionals that can advise you as well and that could be a start; I used that type of service when I had a bowel obstruction and their advice possibly saved my life.   I'm betting that the drug cocktails you are taking are causing much trouble for you.  Like Ireneo advised, taking that many drugs almost certainly is causing some problems.  There are some very bright people who monitor this site, you might also post the drugs you take to get some input. However, if possible, I'd get a second opinion from a doctor at a different institution as soon as possible.  Best wishes.  Please keep up informed.
  
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Avatar universal
Not live too long is nebulous at best.  I do understand that the md can not see the future any better than I.  I would love to know a number, but that can not be pinned down.  How long can a person just go 200 beats a minute, before the heart gives up.  I did do the 6 months straight before, but it was not easy.  I find that 15 years later, I don't tolerate it as well.  I used to just get tired, now I pass out.  Every now and then, I stubbornly refuse to go near the back pack, but if I go a day... I'm desperate for the meds to stop the fast and irregular rhythm that takes my breath away.  In that light, I do not even know HOW to give up.  Is it giving up to stop taking it all and just let it happen or is it giving up to quit fighting it all and just do what they say without any further questions or investigations.  I thought it would be a compromise I was willing to do telling my md I would take the next step- whatever it might be.  The answer was only, ... there is nothing we can do to stop it.  I was devastated and am still trying to come to terms with it.  Thanks for the help.
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
I understand the "not live too long, or well" as a motivator.

In April of 2007 I was told to talk to a surgeon about mitral valve surgery.  When I asked what if I don't, I got the above prognosis.. along with a misery in the passing through stages of congestive heart failure.

I decided to have the surgery, in November 2007.  It went well, so I now have a much higher regard/faith in surgery.  Still, I'd not want to go again, and I was fortunate to have a valve that could be repaired, so there's no clocking ticking on a mechanical valve wearing out in my heart.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Honestly, I don't really do all that well with them all the time.  The hardest part is really that I switch back and forth between day shift and night shift, so I hardly know whether it is morning or night on some days.  I switch back and forth because I am a night shift nurse (on a cardiology floor at a big cardiac hospital).  That nurse part of me does help me to keep it straight to some degree.  I know them all by generic and trade names, and their interactions, doses...  Just knowing them does not stop me from having side effects.  Obviously, the biggest problems is HYPOTENSION.  I have never had high bp really, but taking a slew of BB, CCB, ace inhibitors, antiarrythmics.. drops me like a tree sometimes.  I manage it all myself at home.  When I complain to my md, they just tell me I am doing a good job.  I have been wondering if I actually just show up with a bp of 60/30 instead of telling them about it later, maybe they would see it much a nuisance as I do.

I take the fish oil too- but only one.. whenever I remember.  It is not in the back pack with the rest, because they are too big.

I had been told if I don't take my medicines, I wouldn't live too long.  I've had half a mind to try it, but I don't want to just lose more function as an experiment.
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
In addition to self prescribed Fish Oil, Multi Vitamin and 1/2 an aspirin I have only three doctor prescribed meds:  Zocor (generic version), Toprol SR (generic version) and Warfarin.  These do not stop my AFib, the only existing know problem I have with my heart.  I have decided against HARD arrhythmic drugs and abalation is not recommended by my ER or my Cardiologist due to my tolerance to AFib.  

I am even living under the assumption that as long as I keep my coagulation INR between 2 and 3, I have only a very slight increase in risk of a stroke than the general non-AFib population.

I don't like AFib and I felt a lot stronger when in Sinus, but I feel comfortable at moderate physical activity levels even with AFig...just no more jogging (slow running).

From what I've read on this community the P(V/A)C is much more debilitating than is AFib, at least to me.  I hardly notice it when sitting or strolling on level ground, never when sleeping or in the process of going to sleep.  

So, my bottom line is 6 pill types a day, I take the fish oil three times a day.  I wish you such good fortune and wonder how you keep track of 30-40 pills a day.
Helpful - 0
187666 tn?1331173345
I would worry about interactions between so many medications. How many different meds are you taking? It could be 10 meds at 3-4 times a day. I've had 3 ablations and still have brief tachy times, PVC's and PAC's and occasional bits of chest pain. But I only have one pill (Diltiazem) that I take if my tachy gets stuck and won't stop. I'm not required to take it every day. Are all your pills related to heart arrhythmia?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am desperately searching for other answers.  Thanks.  Does the amiodarone give you much problems.  The flecainide I am on is not too easy on me, but I have heard about respiratory probs on long term amiodarone.  You would be shocked if you saw the backpack full of meds I carry around.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have occasional atrial fibrillation and I only take 200 mg of Amiodarone a day as well as 50 mg of Metoprolol twice a day. The combination seems to be working fine. I am sorry to hear you have to take so much medication. I'm shocked.
Helpful - 0
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