Nearly all of those with HCM are on some type of meds...

[Deedee]

Oh really? I was surprised to read that. It really makes me wonder why I'm not on anything.

In fact, I've been told I don't even have to worry about any pre-meds at the dentist.

Of course "no meds" is barking right up my tree as I hate meds so I haven't argued the point with anyone, that's for sure.

This statement on the forum info got my attention though, that's for sure.

~Deedee

[Lisa Salberg]

Are you obstructed?
Yes, most are on meds to help the heart relax. You should speak to your doctor about your options.

Lisa

[Sarah]

lisa

i'm surprised you didn't jump on "no pre-medication for dentist appointments" in the post.

Lisa had a stroke because her dentist told her she didn't need to premedicate.

you may want to reconsider.

S

[Lisa Salberg]

I did not 'Jump'..because I am waiting for a little more information. Those without obsturuction may not have as great a need for pre-meds- although I THINK WE ALL NEED IT BECAUSE YOU MAY BECOME obstructed with provocation!...
So I will wait for the answer..then I will likely go into my "I have been there and you do not want to go there..." bit :wink:

lisa

[Deedee]

As far as I know, I am not obstructed. Save yourself, I got the idea already. No really - I do! I do!

*hugs*

Deedee

[nirvana]

I was diagnosed couple of months ago after a flu check up. Very few symptoms but a high gradient. On the suggestion of the cardiologist I started on Toprol immediately. Few weeks after taking toprol I started getting chest pains which I had never exprienced before diagnosis. I started seeing a specialist and tried Verapamil for a couple of weeks and the chest pain continued.

I figured that the medicines were causing the chest pain and in consultation with the specialist I went off medication. I feel much better (no constant tightness in the chest) though I still have pain once in a while. I am off medication now - have been told that medication is only for reduction in symptoms so if I feel better without the medication there is no need to take it.

[Deedee]

I felt that way too, I hate meds and honestly have a lot of issues around why they're produced, for what and whom, etc. And like you if the only reason a med is taken is to mask symptoms, I dodge it.

But a EMT friend of mine said if I have heart pain to think about it as relieving heart pain (he said) actually helps it to relax. So I guess in this case it might do more than just mask the symptom, it might help reduce the stress the heart is under and actually help it and feeling less pain is sort of a side-effect benefit then, if you see my meaning.

Well lucky for me my recent problems with pain have subsided, so I get to go back to dragging my heals on the issue. I figure when I get to that bridge, I'll worry about crossing it then but I just wanted to share that thought.

Deedee

[Glen Beamish]

DeeDee, I guess it really depends on the severity of the individuals cause for the symptoms.
Beta Blockers and Anti-arrythmias are potentially life saving meds that do more than just mask symptoms.
Beta Blockers slow down and soften the heart beat so the heart is not over working which in the long run will cause the heart to just burn out.
Anti-arrythmias will keep some life threating irregular rythyms in check.
I agree that a lot of people are over medicated and in some cases they are given more meds to take care of symptoms caused by other meds they take.
My sister is a prime example, over the years she has had so many meds added that she was like a zombie all day. She was taking dozens of pill every day.
We had her check into a hospital where they wiened her off all the drugs and started her over on just what she needed.
When she came out of the hospital, she told us she didn't know where the last two years went.
That's scary.

[cynthia]

A former cardiologist of mine (he's now retired), told me that if I did not pre-medicate (...and I have NO obstruction),before dental procedures, it would be like playing Russian roulette....better safe than sorry! And as far as other meds are concerned, I take a beta blocker --- not just for irregular beats , but to make my heart relax as Glen stated...I want this fat heart to beat as long as possible!