MEDICATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS.

Medication and complications.

One of the problems with having a serious health condition, such as my heart failure, is dealing with the side effects of not only the disease itself but with the medications, supposedly designed to deal with it.

One of the by-products of having had a life-saving procedure, as I did, such as 6 by-passes(in 1992) is the fact that they are indeed by-passes. Now, consider that there are also 12 splices into the arteries where the by-passes were inserted! It was about 10 years later that I had another heart attack as a result of another blockage at one of the splices from the by-pass. This involved a cardiac cath, including an angioplasty, and a stent. Hmmm! That incident resulted in a 40% loss of heart function. So now my heart is operating at only 60% of normal.

This is only the beginning of the complications. Now I have to start taking medications to make my blood slippery and also thinner, thus allowing the blood to flow easier through any restrictions.  And so, it continues.

The saga of my, fortunately, long journey, into cardiac care. It is now 24 years later, and I am still alive at age 80, taking about 20+ medications, and supplements. If it weren't for modern medicine, I would have died several years ago.

All of this leads up to the fact that I have a certain propensity to obsess on my own health.

It has been strongly suggested that I should go to the VA for analysis and treatment for mental health. This in order to try and expand my horizons and facilitate insertion back into the mainstream of life. "Whatever that means."

As I mentioned on FB, I have been having spots of dizziness due to Vertigo.

I visited with my Cardiologist who of course ran a whole series of blood tests, then looked me in the eye, and said we need to make a minor change in your medications. Also, we will place a Heart Monitor on you for 24 hours. The results of the Heart Monitor showed that my heart function remained the same as it was when the same test was run a couple of years ago.

The medication that was changed was a blood pressure medication called Hydralazine. I currently take 50mg's three times a day. It is changed to 100mg's three times's a day. I am then to keep a log of my blood pressure at least three times a day.

I just know that I am already feeling better, after just 2 days. Let's hope it continues to work this well.

Thank you, God, for your many blessings. Amen.

until the next time: ga hillbilly.


"(C) Copyright by Victor Winebrenner"

A change of venue.

A Change of Venue.

Well, I received a rather unwelcome change in my schedule today. Instead of having my colonoscopy this coming Friday the 1st of March in the Doctor's office, it is going to be done on Thursday March 7th in Piedmont Hospital Downtown.

Earlier today the anesthesiologist who was to assist the doctor called me and reviewed my medical history. As a result of that interview he wanted the procedure location moved from office to hospital. He turns out he is a little worried about my heart problems and wanted more resources on tap while I was under. Fortunately my daughter will still be able to accompany me on this change of venue.

While this is really totally inconvenient for me, it is costing me $70.00 for the cost of the medication used prior to having the colonoscopy. Fortunately the doctor's office is sending me a prescription for a free replacement.

 Blessings from the gahillbilly.
  

"(C) Copyright by Victor Winebrenner"