On February 3rd I wrote about my Angioplasty and the insertion of a stent that took place on January 23rd. My last sentence read “Just remember, if your body tells you there is a problem keep checking until they find out what is wrong. Your life depends on it.” My doctors cleared me to travel to South Africa on February 4th, a trip that had been planned a month before my operation. I did everything in moderation and felt fine during my 12 days in South Africa. I will be posting a story about that trip soon.
Upon my return I noticed a few problems. I was bleeding after every bowl movement (and was going to the toilet more than normal) and had my first nose bleed in 40 years. I had trouble walking more than a block without stopping to rest. My knees and legs felt weak and unsupportive and I noticed that I bruised easily. I seemed always to be tired. I saw my gastroenterologist who recommended a colonoscopy (it had been 5 years since my last one). However, he could not perform that procedure because I was taking a blood thinner that acerbated the bleeding. I went back to my primary doctor who took a blood test to check my kidney functions and my thyroid. Back to the cardiologist for another stress test & echo-cardiogram. My blood pressure was fine as was my heart functions. So what was the problem?
I had been given three new prescriptions to assist with my heart problems. Before the operation I only took vitamins and a generic for an under active thyroid. Now I added Atenolol which is a beta-blocking agent that reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. It is also used to treat chest pains. Its side effects include: Diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, numbness and shortness of breath. I was told I had to take Plavix for at least 6 months. It discourages the formations of clots, thereby improving the blood flow to the heart, brain and body. It reduces the risk of heart attack and dangerous chest pains. Some side effects include: Bleeding, back pain, bruising, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and fatigue, swelling and fluid retention. In addition there was a mention of itching, joint pain and rashes. Add my third new prescription Lipitor which lowers cholesterol in the blood. It is a Stantin that blocks the enzyme that makes cholesterol and reduces high blood pressure. The side effects include: Liver problems (hence the blood test), muscle weakness, constipation, joint pain, gas and diarrhea. I was also told to take an aspirin every day.
I saw a definite pattern by reading the warning labels and searching the internet. I know drug companies list everything as a side effect to protect themselves legally. I told all my doctors about the problems and had several changes implemented. Switch to ½ aspirin every other day and stop the Lipitor for a few days to see how I felt. The echo-cardiogram showed no problem with either the stent or my heart functions. The blood test showed I was anemic and my thyroid was under active but my liver was fine. Voila, a simply solution was to increase my thyroid medication, add iron pills, stop taking aspirin and go back to the Lipator. It was explained to me that all the bleeding that occurred caused the anemia. My doctor felt this was good news and explained clearly why I was fatigued all the time.
As previously mentioned write everything down when your body seems to change for better or for worse. And tell your doctor(s). Don’t worry about taking up their time as your life depends on it.
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