BP Med recommendations from Conf

[BrooksK]

I failed to get the names of the drugs that were recommended for controlling HBP when one is also on Beta-blocker(s) and disopyramide.

One of the best outcomes from my Cleveland Clinic visit in January was discontinuing the ACE-inhibitor and amlodipine, but my blood pressure has increased. I had other side effects from diuretics, but I thought Dr. Lever and Dr. ? made some recommendations for some other drugs that worked well with the Beta-blocker and diso. Anyone else write them down?

In a somewhat related question: Will HCMA publish the Q&A session and post it on the Web?

The conference was incredibly informative, but it is still difficult for me to form my "action plan" when my HCM doc is in Cleveland and my PCP and local cardiologist is in Portland, Ore. Have people succeeded in getting the various docs to talk to one another rather than bouncing from one to the other and getting contradictory advice?

I realize that everyone is different, but it is difficult to monitor one's condition and be an informed advocate for oneself when info and expertise is not shared.

Anyway, if someone would forward those HBP med recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

[Cynaburst]

I do not know what high blood pressure drugs you are referring to. However, I wanted to address your other point.

Ideally HCM doctors should communicate treatment plans with the local doctor and they should work together to treat you. I know that at Mayo, Dr. Ommen who is my HCM expert will dictate a letter detailing what was done to me or what was discussed at the Mayo visit and will send it to my home doctor. After my myectomy he also called both my cardio and E.P. to discuss my discharge plan and follow up.

The home cardio should ideally call and discuss any significant change of treatment plan with the HCM expert. They don't need to consult about every little med change...just when the treatment goes in a new direction.

Sometimes, however, with the time schedules of busy doctors and the egos involved this does not happen. So, if I were you, what I would suggest (and what I personally do) is to take the suggestion of the change in direction from the home cardio and tell him or her that you would like a little time to think about it and you will get back to them.

Then, pick up the phone yourself and call the HCM expert and discuss.

If you act as the middleman, noone has to get their feathers ruffled and you will get the benefit of both opinions, and you may even get them to talk to each other if there is a difference of opinion.

I personally would not have had a myectomy unless I had done the above. I had two local doctors who initially were against my having the surgery. After a bunch of intermediary work by me, they all came around to be in favor of the surgery and they were never insulted or felt that I was not listening to their recommendations. After all, YOU are the patient and it is your decision to make, noone elses.