What medications are you taking?

[Lisa Salberg]

choose 1 box that best fits your cardiac medications. We will be using "classes" rather than brand/generic name.
Example:
Corgard is a beta blocker
Verapimil is a calcium channel blocker
Amio is an antiarrythmic
Lasix is a diuretic

:arrow: **this poll was updated with new options on January 12, 2003**

[mflanagn]

My son's HCM has worsened over the past year. His blood pressure is 72/38 at rest and he has bradycardia. He currently only takes a beta blocker. Doctor was talking about putting him on a calcium blocker/beta blocker combo since he cannot increase his dose of beta blocker. My son only weighs 48 pounds and is 46 inches. He doesn't grow fast enough to increase his meds to meet the need of his heart. My question is for the people who are on both, do you have more check-ups, ie blood pressure checks, doctor visit etc while on these meds? I work at a hospital and read up about both medications, it stated that people who take both need to be closely monitored. What are your experiences with taking both medications.

I am still waiting for doctors decision as he is consulting with pedicatric HCM specialists in Cleveland and Chicago. We are set up for an EKG/Echo follow-up appointment in April. :?

[Lisa Salberg]

I would suggest a consult with and HCM specialist before you start changing meds around. If you can not wait then go ahead and make changes but remember that each medication can have side effects and it may be hard to tell what is the med and what is the HCM.

I take beta and calcium - I do not see the doc any more often then I did on beta alone.

Lisa

[Rich Miller]

I am taking toprol XL 100 mg 1pd,accupril 5mg 1pd, warfarin 5 mg 1pd,aldactone 25 mg 1pd and lasix as needed.these are all new ,had been on verapimil 240 mg 1pd and atenolol 100 mg 2pd , heart had gotton sgnifigantly weaker so meds were changed.

[Ken Crawford]

I am much, much older, but they immediately put in a pacemaker for Bradycardia. My bpm were down to 19 when put in place. I take all kind of medications but it would appear your son needs assistance from a pacemaker.

[Sarah]

COUMADIN

L, please add coumadin (warfarin) to the med list.

S

[Lisa Salberg]

Sarah - I have no more room for other options - at this point just use other
I was thinking of adding an A-Fib poll and go into the COUMADIN thing there.
lisa

[Chris Brown]

What is the category for Digitek.
I'm taking metroprolol. digitek and warfarin. No cat's meow their!
Chris

[bryan]

I am currently on 480 mg of verapamil. I was also taking 25 mg of lopressor 2x a day, but the Dr.s took me off of it seeing it made me VERY tired

[Reenie]

Well, my husband is taking atenolol and Zocor. The doc thinks that although his cholesterol is slightly high, the Zocor may have other benefits. Anyone know anything about this?

[Bobby Raines]

I am currently on 420mg verapamil and my docter wants to put me on paxil for anxiety. any advise :?

[Sarah]

Dear Bobby,

Do you think your anxiety is so great that it prevents you from functioning normally? That should be the test for whether you take something like Paxil. Some people have had a lot of problems with Paxil.

Are you seeing an HCM specialist? I don't know enough about your situation to give you any worthwhile advice at this point. You can PM me in total confidence anything you don't want to post to the board.

However, I would be very careful about taking any anti-depressant or anti-anxiety unless you really can't move without it.

S

[Marty]

I was recently changed from verapamil (240) and maxide to mavik, plavick and zocor. I don't see anything (so far) on the site about ACE inhibitors. Anyone have any comment?

[rilda moore]

choose 1 box that best fits your cardiac medications. We will be using "classes" rather than brand/generic name.
Example:
Corgard is a beta blocker
Verapimil is a calcium channel blocker
Amio is an antiarrythmic
Lasix is a diuretic

:arrow: **this poll was updated with new options on January 12, 2003**I take 180 mg of verapimil , 50 mg of topral 2 times a day,2.5 mg of lisinopril once a day & 1 spirnolacton (25 mg) a day.

Thank you for a great web site. Makes me feel better to hear what others are feeling and taking for this problem. It took a long time for my Dr. to decide this was my problem. I had been bothered for several years before I was told what I had.

Best wishes to all of you and take care.

Rilda

[Karen P]

I have 3 family members taking meds for HCM and are all on something different.

My husband; atenolol, coumadin, lasix, 200 mg CoEnzymeQ10.

My daughter takes 50 mg atenolol, florinef (for fluid volume), 100 mg CoEnzyme Q10.

My son takes 50mg atenolol, 75mg CoEnzyme Q10.

[Danielaeh]

Dear Karen P:

I read your family takes CoEnzymeQ10.
It was advised to you by your cardiologist?
What is your experience with it?
I will appreciate any response from you or the forum taking CoEnzymeQ10. :D

[Danielaeh]

Hi!

I forgot to write the info. in my letter.
Here it is:
My husband Ron (35 years old): atenolol (betta blocker) - 25 mg a day.
+ Amiadorone (anti arrythmics)- 100 mg. a day.

My son Matan (5 years old): Amiadorone: 50 mg. / day + Deralin (Propanolol): 12.5 X 4 a day. It is a lot!!! Like For an elephant and not an infant!!! :shock:

[Karen P]

Hi Daniela,

Co Enzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance or chemical found in every human cell. It's highly concentrated in the liver & in the heart. Its job is vital in the production of energy in the cell.

CoEnzyme Q10 is used for many different reasons; cancer, diabetes, muscular dystrophy & the heart. Studies have shown that it's effective in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and benefits patients with congestive heart failure and angina. Our pediatric cardiologist also feels that it can help to keep the heart in a normal rhythm, but there really isn't much data out on that.

Certain medications can actually lower your co enzyme levels in your body including some beta blockers. Also, as we age our natural Co10 levels begin to decrease.

It's an expensive supplement and for a long time my husband didn't feel it was doing anything for him, except rob him of his $$. In 1999 he ran out Co10 & decided he wasn't going to buy anymore! From December of 1999 to June of 2000 his health declined drastically. It was a horrible time in our household- he was exhausted, sleeping at lunch & before the commute home. He actually lost his job in June 2000 due to his failing health, though his boss never said those exact words. Sometime before June, Roy told me that he stopped his Co10 which I didn't realize. He started up again & his health greatly improved after a couple of weeks! It wasn't overnight, but after time he got his strength back & wasn't as symptomatic, especially the fatique. He is now a believer (so amI) & will never let the bottle run dry. It's always nice to know that what you are taking is truly helping. But it's not the same for everyone - I know that. You need to run it by your doctor and see what they think.

WARNING IF YOU ARE TAKING COUMADIN - this supplement interferes with coumadin. You need to be followed closely by your doctor until your INR is at the proper level.

Daniela, I hope this helps! Take care.

Karen

[nancylv]

My 15 yr. old son takes cq10 100 mg everyday. He also takes a mega vitamin everyday. All I can tell you is that he is very active and has more energy than I do without a genetic heart disease. He says when he doesn't take them that he doesn't feel as good. He has no obstruction, is either 17 or 29 on septum depending on which Dr. you talk to, no symptoms, sudden death 1st and only symtom in 2001, AICD 3 days later. Thankfully, no problems so far to date. :D

[Dee]

Right now Dylan is taking 120mg Propranolol and 60mg Verpapmail. He's almost 4 years old and 31 pounds.

Dee

[Danielaeh]

Dear Karen!

Thank You!!!
And all the people sharing their stories!
I will ask our cardiologist about Q10 next time.
We will have an examination tomorrow.

[Beverly Raskind]

I take 160mg of Inderal LA, 15mg of Zestril & 20mg of Lasix 3 times a week or as needed.

Beverly Raskind

[mjesaitis]

Being in end-stage HCM, besides my HCM meds I was taking 160mg of Lasix(generic Furosemide) daily for the fluid retention I am constantly having due to CHF.

About a month ago I started seeing a Nephrologist (Kidney/Hypertension specialist) because of an ER doc's recommendation during my last visit to the ER. The lab work for my kidney levels was not good.

The Nephrologist changed my diuretic to 80mg of Demadex (generic Torsemide) daily, and it has made a world of difference! He said it would be easier on my kidneys than the Lasix. My next appointment with him is Friday and hopefully, my lab work will be back to normal. I feel 100% better though so I'm happy with that. Thought I'd share in case anyone else is finding that Lasix is not working as it used to or you're having to increase dose to get same results.

Matt

[murrayfan33]

I take VERAPAMIL, 180 mg. per day, ATENOLOL, 250 mg. per day,NORPACE,450 mg. per day, ASPIRIN, 81 mg per day, PRILOSEC,20 mg per day { to keep the stomach under control } and PAXIL,20 mg per day, for the depressed days.[/i]