topic Re: Heart Medication in Wellness

Heart Medication

gloriajean — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 04:53:48 GMT

My husband MyCharted his doctor about the severe leg cramps from his heart med, and in the morning he will pick up a new one, no cramps are on the side effects but a lot of other stuff. The new medicine he will be on is called Micardis. Anyone know anything about this one? He was reading some of the side effects on line, and some are scary, like lightheadedness and fainting. We hope and pray he won't have any bad side effects this time.

Re: Heart Medication

hckynutjohn — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 05:37:09 GMT

@gloriajean

I think the Prescription Med you mention is not specifically a Heart medication. It is listed more as a High Blood Pressure medication. High Blood pressure is certainly a factor for anyone diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease(CAD).

There are very few prescription medications that do not have a long list of side effects. I have never had high blood pressure, but after my 2nd heart attack! My Cardiologist wanted me to take a Beta Blocker blood pressure med.

He told me he wanted my BP as low as I could get it, without it interfering with my way of life. He changed the dosage 3 different times because my Diastolic number was too low. It effected me with being light headed if I stood up too quickly from a sitting position. I don't consider that as a scary high risk event.

Other than that, I had zero side effects. I took that same prescription for over 10 years. The only reason I stopped is because I wanted to do Complete Inversion with a Teeter Inversion Table. He agreed to let me quit taking it, as long as I had a nurse in his office check my BP every week, for 1 month. I did and my BP stayed just fine. Haven't taken it since.

I have my own theory when patients, especially men, get what I see, as overly worried about side effects. Some do it while at the same time forgetting the seriousness of why their doctor prescribed it.

I sometimes see this as being Psychosomatic, if one thinks it will cause something, they will probably believe it is happening, even if it is not. The mind is a strange thing. Worry chronically about certain things long enough, you can make yourself believe it is.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Heart Medication

Pook — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 11:23:49 GMT

@gloriajean My SO's cardiologist prescribed potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent severe leg cramps from the med he is taking after getting the leg cramps.

Re: Heart Medication

Kachina624 — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:09:13 GMT

@Pook wrote:
@gloriajean My SO's cardiologist prescribed potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent severe leg cramps from the med he is taking after getting the leg cramps.

@gloriajean @Pook Or he could eat a banana or orange daily to get the potassium he needs.

Re: Heart Medication

Pook — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:32:01 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@Pook wrote:
@gloriajean My SO's cardiologist prescribed potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent severe leg cramps from the med he is taking after getting the leg cramps.
@gloriajean @Pook Or he could eat a banana or orange daily to get the potassium he needs.

These supplements were prescription strength and not just over the counter. Eating a bananna daily would have done zilch!

Re: Heart Medication

hckynutjohn — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:26:07 GMT

@Pook wrote:
@gloriajean My SO's cardiologist prescribed potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent severe leg cramps from the med he is taking after getting the leg cramps.

@Pook

Happy to hear that your SO Fort relief from adding these minerals. Unless an individual is deficient in them, none of my doctors, Cardiologist included, prescribe higher dosages of any minerals to their patients.

Most of the CAD patients I met during my many weeks on the Heart Floor of the hospital were not there from dehydration or mineral deficiencies. They all had some type of Cardiac Event, not caused by either dehydration or mineral deficiencies.

There were very few during those hospital stays, or in my 72 Cardiac Rehab Classes, that were not on some type of Statin. A high percentage of them had these leg cramps described by @gloriajean for her husband.

Many of those patients were either prescribed a different Statin, or their dosages were decreased. Those types of cramps seem to be the major side effect of those I met that were on a Statin prescription.

I was, and am currently, still taking the Generic for Lipitor, every night. I will say I have had spend a little more time stretching my upper and lower rear side leg muscles, but it is very rare for me to have any of them go into a spasm. When I do have them, it has never been during my sleep. It has more to do with my physical workouts that day, and then sitting to soon, and for too long.

Glad to see you post and offer what seems to be working for your SO. Wish the same things worked for everyone, wouldn't that be great!

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Heart Medication

hckynutjohn — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:33:25 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@Pook wrote:
@gloriajean My SO's cardiologist prescribed potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent severe leg cramps from the med he is taking after getting the leg cramps.
@gloriajean @Pook Or he could eat a banana or orange daily to get the potassium he needs.

@Kachina624

Now that would be dependent on his amount of deficiency. Could also throw in Avocado/Spinach or Sweet Potato. If only one very deficient could get by with eating a banana or 2, or a big helping of spinach. That would be great!

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Heart Medication

PamfromCT — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:45:47 GMT

@gloriajean, I am so hoping for relief for your DH.

My DH experienced bad muscular side effects from the statin drug he was prescribed. It was several years ago, when many docs were not expecting potential problems with these drugs in some patients.

My DH’s PCP (internal medicine board certified) offered a potential solution for trial. I offer this saying a cardiologist should be supervising such a trial.

There is an over-the-counter medication, “Nature Made Cholestoff Complete,” using plant sterols, that he recommended. Under his cardiologist’s supervision, My DH tried, and blood tests confirmed, that this was working for him.

Caveats:

1. Must be the “Complete” version.

2. The trial should be supervised by your doctor.

Every drug has consequences, even a “baby aspirin.” When trying a drug new to you, one never knows.

Re: Heart Medication

Cakers3 — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 22:16:54 GMT

@Pook wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:

@Pook wrote:
@gloriajean My SO's cardiologist prescribed potassium and magnesium supplements to prevent severe leg cramps from the med he is taking after getting the leg cramps.
@gloriajean @Pook Or he could eat a banana or orange daily to get the potassium he needs.
These supplements were prescription strength and not just over the counter. Eating a bananna daily would have done zilch!

@Pook It may not work for some and it may work for others.

Yet I can tell you I had a friend who could not eat bananas because of the potassium content affecting her heart. Diagnosed by her doctor and recommendation was made.

No need to get ruffled.

Re: Heart Medication

gloriajean — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 01:00:30 GMT

Thanks for your responses and John for all your advice and sharing your experiences. He started his new medicine this morning, and so far, no side effects. Hopefully he'll get a good night's sleep!

Re: Heart Medication

hckynutjohn — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 05:59:25 GMT

@gloriajean

I am happy to hear your husband is so far having no side effects. I hope this continues for him without any problems. Glad to hear something I shared helped both of you.

Sharing my experiences with you is rewarding to me, if it helps only 1 person on this forum. I know I ramble on, but to me these things can be very important to some.

My best wishes to both your husband. 🙏

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Heart Medication

Growing — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:53:16 GMT

Wanted to mention that I have been using an over the counter magnesium cream that is absolutely the best thing for cramps and muscle pain I have ever found. It is called Theraworxx. Found at drugstores or on Amazon. This cream works like a charm for me, even eliminates the fibromyalgia like pains I get in my thighs (I am not diagnosed as my blood work is always great). I have tried epsom salt baths and they no longer work. I get calf muscle cramps when I have intestinal issues and it takes that away immediately. I've used it on the shoulder where I had surgery. I just can't believe this works so well.

Re: Heart Medication

gloriajean — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:23:48 GMT

Growing - thanks for that recommendation. It sounds like a good thing to have on hand.

He had a good night last night - slept well, and with no heat on his legs last night. So far no side effects! That's wonderful!!!!

Thank you, John! You are very helpful.

Re: Heart Medication

Trailrun23 — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 17:31:07 GMT

I take 500 mg potassium prescription tab daily. Dr said you would need a truckload of bananas to get what I need. I agree that if you read everything on the paperwork that comes with most meds, you would never take it. Legally, they have to list every possible side effect, even if the chance is small. DH takes asthma meds and one of the side efffects on the lengthy list of side effects is asthma. Go figure.

Re: Heart Medication

gloriajean — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 20:04:55 GMT

Here's an update: He gained 4 pounds since taking it, was told to watch weight gain, still leg cramps,

and he's not feeling well as he did on the other med.

He is scared - may be fluid around his lungs or heart, he's on his way to the VA Urgent Care to get X-Ray of his chest, and see what they say.

If he's scared, I'm scared.

Re: Heart Medication

gloriajean — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 21:52:50 GMT

He found out that he should stay on the same medication, it's doing good for him, drink lots of electrolites, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, bread is bad, but I make my own bread without salt, but it does have blackstrap molasses in it, maybe that has too much salt? I make health breads, guess he should limit his intake. No alcohol. The new med takes a while to get used to, the doc said.

For leg cramps use over the counter stuff to rub in. He will try that theraworx.

Re: Heart Medication

Icegoddess — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 22:01:49 GMT

Avocaos have more potassium than bananas.

Sometimes a simple change in meds can work. I was on Crestor for cholesterol and was miserable. I felt like an old lady with no energy and aches and pains. Doctor took me off and after several months at my physical it was checked again and he wanted me back on a statin. Put me on generic Simvastatin and I haven't had any problems whatsoever with that. Newer isn't always better I guess.

Re: Heart Medication

Q4u — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 20:43:45 GMT

I have used Theraworxx and what has been said upthread is absolutely true. I swear by it. I have trouble with staying hydrated and that results in calf cramps. I will jump out of bed and apply it according to directions and I'm happy with the results! You can also find it at WalMart and it's worth the price!!....

Re: Heart Medication

gloriajean — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:50:48 GMT

My husband has had trouble with his feet, arthritis etc. for some years, and needs good shoes every six months. Well, this time his shoes wore out, and he couldn't wait for the VA's time for the new shoes, so he bought himself a good pair, since then no leg cramps, except the foot turning sideways. That we cannot find out how to fix. He is getting a referral to PT, and see what she can do for that. Several times during the night he foot or feet will turn sideways, and he has to get up and step on them to stop. But no more of those awful, terrible leg cramps since the good shoes. He tried theraworx too. Before the new shoes that didn't help him. PT should help with the foot turning sideways, maybe some exercise will help that. Other than that, everything else seems to be going okay with the new medication.

Re: Heart Medication

hckynutjohn — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 07:08:39 GMT

h@gloriajean wrote:
My husband has had trouble with his feet, arthritis etc. for some years, and needs good shoes every six months. Well, this time his shoes wore out, and he couldn't wait for the VA's time for the new shoes, so he bought himself a good pair,

@gloriajean

Does your husband do a whole lot of walking? I am talking hundreds of miles. If not, why do his shoes "wear out"?

since then no leg cramps, except the foot turning sideways. That we cannot find out how to fix. He is getting a referral to PT, and see what she can do for that. Several times during the night he foot or feet will turn sideways, and he has to get up and step on them to stop.

I have no idea what "his foot turning sideways means". When standing and/or walking, feet pronate or supinate. That means that the ankle turns inwards or turns outwards.

My feet are completely flat and they pronate. I had custom made Orthotics made years ago to correct that problem. I was running about 120 miles a month back then, and bought new running shoes every 500 miles.

But no more of those awful, terrible leg cramps since the good shoes. He tried theraworx too. Before the new shoes that didn't help him. PT should help with the foot turning sideways, maybe some exercise will help that. Other than that, everything else seems to be going okay with the new medication.

If one has a foot problem, be it pronation or supination, it can work it's way all the way up the backside of one's body. I am talking:

Achilles Tendons/Calf Muscles/VMO Muscles that support the knees/Lower Spinal Muscles of the Lumbar Area, up to and including the/Cervical Muscles supporting the neck.

I gained all of my knowledge from experts in the fields of Podiatry/Orthopedics/Lumbar Specialists/Cervical Specialists, and several Sports Medicine Registered Exercise Physiologists. This was over several decades.

Why? Because originally I had most of the problems, and secondarily, to help prevent ongoing injuries from my choices of physical activities and fitness.

Up to my present age of 83, mostly very physically active years! I still have my own hips(no hip issues)/my own knees(no knee issues). Many my age either have had a hip, maybe both, replaced. Same with the knees for most of them.

I have had tons of injuries/several major surgeries, but none that changed how I lived my active life. Throw in 2 heart attacks and 2 episodes of Pulmonary Embolism(PE), and many Respiratory issues!

Hopefully some of this very long post gives you some insight to the importance of having ones feet balanced. Foot problems can lead to awake and sleeping problems, which include muscle spasms(cramps), at any time of the day. Hydration can also be a very key factor in all of the above.

Wishing both of you the best,

hckynut 🇺🇸