Arguably, this is the end of my youth. I always hoped that my life would never need to be sustained by medication and that I would live drug-free to the end of my days. But at the grand old age of 71, reality has finally caught up with me.
Ten days ago I knew virtually nothing about blood pressure or indeed cholesterol but following a rather accidental, unplanned health check all that has changed. Yesterday, I agreed to be put on low doses of both "Amlodipine" for my blood pressure and "Atorvastatin" to address mild cholesterol concerns - preventative really.
I know that if was inclined to find out more about The Green Bay Packers or The Irish Potato Famine then Google would open up vast granaries of knowledge. And it's the same with antihypertensive medications and statins. There are YouTube videos, learned papers, lists of side effects, comparison debates, reviews etc.. Before you know it a whole world of previously unrealised knowledge has appeared in front of your eyes.
This is just the start. I will have to check my blood pressure regularly, attend more doctor's appointments and so on. It's possible that my medications may need to change - dosages upped or brands replaced. I will also need to watch out for side effects such as swollen feet.
It's a little depressing to admit to myself that these medications will now be part of my life till the day I die but of course the up-side is that I will probably live longer than I would have done without them.
Finally, why do these drugs have to have such unmemorable and unpalatable scientific names? I would much prefer it if "Atorvastatin" was called "Misty Forest Path" and "Amlodipine" was called "Ramalamadingdong". Yes - that would be much better.
I like your names for them! To reach 71 without taking any meds is a feat worth celebrating. You beat me by nearly 20 years.
ReplyDeleteThere are times you shouldn't research things on the internet. I hope they get it right for you the first time. My husband has struggled to find the right one.
ReplyDeleteI also was incredibly healthy until diagnosed with an autoimmune disease about 5 years ago. I wish my daily medication had a fun name, too.
It was hard for Gregg to accept taking medicine for high blood pressure, too. He was late 50s. His brother (an otherwise very healthy guy) has had to take meds for bp since his 20s and told him he didn't have room to complain.
ReplyDeleteUncontrolled high blood pressure is deadly, so I'm glad you're addressing it. Do it for your family if nothing else.
Carlos takes Misty Forest Path and it helps! But neither of us is on Ramalamadingdong.
ReplyDeleteI take both of those, plus a bunch more. I think they add one more pill each year after 70.
ReplyDeleteLike Margaret said, making it into your 70s without being on regular medication is exceptionally good. And as you say, you will probably live longer than you would have done without them.
ReplyDeleteBut I know what you mean - for me, regular check-ups for my eyes and daily drops have been part of my life for some years now, and because I already have those four appointments a year firmly in my diary, I am absolutely not motivated to add any more hours spent in waiting rooms if I can avoid it. But it is my eyesight that's at stake here, and it matters enough to me that I take my drops and my appointments seriously.
Swollen ankles as a side effect indicates there must be a fluid reduction component to your blood pressure medication. I never had that symptom nor the possible extra urine output.
ReplyDeleteYou have been fortunate to have reached the age of 71 with a fit and healthy life before needing a little chemical assistance to keep you going.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it comes as a shock to suddenly be presented with the realisation that your body may be slowing down (I know it did for me) but I hope you have many more years to enjoy with your family.
ReplyDeletei take the Amlodipine, can never say the wretched word at the chemist. Just watch when you take it would be my advice, when I started taking it early in the morning I became rather dizzy (low BP) so I take it with my coffee now at a later hour. As for cholesterol, tame your diet;)
Just keep taking the tablets and keep your fingers crossed YP. You'll live to see your grandchildren graduate from University if you follow the doctor's orders!
ReplyDeleteI think that once you reach a certain age it's assumed that your blood pressure and cholesterol levels will be elevated and you'll be put on medication.
I'm up to 7 pills. When my dad fell and broke his leg they asked him what medication he had, and were astonished the answer was 0. He was 85. I thought I would be the same until two and a half years ago. I think my dad might have been treated differently with a long list of pills, because they then put him on traction - really a no-no for someone of that age, and he developed a fatal chest infection. It might have been different if he had not been in bed.
ReplyDelete20mg for the statin? I have 10, perhaps my cholesterol isn't as bad as I imagined. We have the same BP dose though and if it gives you heartburn get a prescription for those pills too, cheaper than over the counter stuff. Don't think of these as drugs, think of them as necessary additions. I don't bother with regular pressure checks, if I can't hear my blood pounding in my ears (heartbeat) then I know I'm okay. If I can hear it, I drink more water and take an extra walk or two.
ReplyDeleteI recently watched an episode of some show and the old people were discussing their daily pills and seemed to be trying to outdo each other with the numbers, as if being on 9 or more pills a day is something to brag about.
Like you, I'd prefer to not need any, but raised blood pressure is a symptom of aging whether we like it or not.
I love the names of the drugs that you came up with! I frequently wonder where some of these names come from. I am glad you are joining the ranks of those of us who need to take these meds because that means that you'll be around much longer. My dad died young, a massive heart attack. My brother had stents put in when he was in his 40s. I didn't want to take pills either, but I looked at the alternative and now taking these meds has become part of my routine.
ReplyDeleteI feel no side effects from mine whatsoever. I hope yours are the same.
ReplyDeleteJust think of them as boosters, like rocket fuel.
ReplyDeleteI'm on more pills than that but if it keeps me going, it is an easy thing to do. I have no bad side effects and would rather stay out of the hospital. It's good that you are active and busy and I hope these will help you keep doing that, Neil.
ReplyDeleteAmlodipine is one of my three different BP pills. I don't know how it works in Britain, but here, because of our high cost protection system for prescription medicines, one has to deal with more than one name for each kind of pill, because it can vary from one time to the next which brand of the same substance that one gets, and what they have chosen to call it. And at least as confusing as the different names is the fact that the same pill can vary in size, shape and colour from one brand to another... So far I'm able to handle it, but sometimes I do find myself wondering if I'll still be able to at age 90 or whatever... (i.e. if I live that long!)
ReplyDeleteI agree with those who say you are lucky to have reached your ripe age with no medication....especially if these heart issues are genetic! Genetics!! That's what gets us every time! Unless your life style is really horrible and then it might be something different. Don't know much of my paternal side of the family but every single person on the maternal side has succumbed to heart disease and/or diabetes. Including all my siblings! So, I guess I am lucky to still be breathing and writing this extended message to you!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am lucky to receive this message from my surrogate big sister. I thought I was invulnerable - tough as old boots and capable of living forever without medical assistance.
DeleteYou are very lucky indeed to have reached the age of 71 without any medication. I've been on them for over 20 years. Taking medication is not a sign of defeat but a sign of wanting to live a long and healthy life.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Addy - that is how I should look at it.
DeleteHiya YP it's Steve from Occupied Country here - I take both your drugs plus another six to help with my various ailments. This week I've also had to add a drug to combat Parkinson's disease. Life's just one long social whirl. Keep having days out - I'm looking at getting a mobility scooter. Old age eh?
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you Steve but I am sorry to learn of your ailments. That Michael Parkinson has got a lot to answer for! If you do invest in a mobility scooter, please make sure it has got "go faster" stripes on the sides.
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