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Just a reminder folks to check your medications and their side effects.


DD's hubby got a lung blood clot some few months ago. They missed it at first thinking a pulled muscle he got with hiking; when pain continues they found the clot. He started on one of those newer blood thinners pradaxa. He may be one of those Covid cases where blood clotting problems can occur and is now "on the list” to watch for same.


Comes his next PSA test and the thing is off the charts. They have been monitoring his number for a while and worried. He asks his Kaiser MD "could it be that new blood thinner I am on" and the doctor says "No. No relation whatsoever.”


So my DD looks it up and I look it up, and you got it. Right! Pradaxa is known to raise the PSA.


Be your own advocate as much as you can. The docs don't know everything, and those who are less bright PRETEND THEY DO. You need to look up your medications. Any disturbing jump in any numbers on your annual blood work then type in your medication plus the test. For instance "PSA tests and Pradaxa" or "Pradaxa and PSA tests.”



Let's be careful out there.

A year ago , my mom called me because her script to lower her heart rate, looked different, the pills where a different shape, nothing on the bottle. She was still doing her own meds. I told her no problem, we went back to the drug store. And they did made a gigantic mistake. They doubled the meds.

Honestly I figured mom just wanted another trip to the store, but never said anything.

That was a really close call
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I find that my PHARMICIST is the best go-to with medication questions. They catch a non-compatible drug before the Dr does.

So I really do ask THEM questions and not the Dr.

Drs cannot possibly know everything!
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Doc was about to give me a steroid for an acute issue. I was already on one for a longer term issue. Right there in my chart.

I brought it to her attention, so she didn’t add the med that she was thinking of giving me. She was grateful. So was I !
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And drs can make mistakes. I had a new one who read my online info wrong and prescribed me half my normal synthroid dose. Fortunately I caught it. talked with the pharmacist who contacted the dr who reactified his error. You need to be watchful. That's only one of several errors I have experienced.
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Yes drug store are usually good, mom insist on going to rite aid and they are all in bad shape. But she has been going for 30 years, and doesn't wanna change.
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Alva, you are so right. I started a new anti depressant on my S I L's recommendation. Citalopram. One night I bit into a bagel and couldn't swallow it. In fact I choked on it. I thought it may have been a one of. But after that everything I tried to eat I couldn't swallow. The only way I could eat anything was if I gulped down a lot of fluid just to get it down.

Dysphagia was not listed as a side effect of this medication but I went onto a reddit forum and sure enough there were others who this had happened to. I immediately stopped taking it.

So yes, be careful. A lot of docs just prescribe the latest pill based on the pamphlets the pharm reps leave with them. Be your own advocate. Always.
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Alva,

Great reminder to all of us.

I ask my doctor questions, plus I verify any concerns with my pharmacist.

There are concerns about side effects from prescription medications, interactions even with over the counter drugs and food and beverages as well.
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I had some serious shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain for about a week. It felt like I over did at the gym (which I haven’t been to) but 10 times worse. I went to my Chiropractor, for about two weeks, a little improvement. I then saw videos on YouTube about side effects of Statins. Comments were having severe pain like I was having. Told my Chiropractor I’ve been taking Rovastatin for about 4 years. He told me to stop taking it and see what happens…pain stopped and I am feeling like a different person. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.

I had my appointment with Primary Care doctor not too long after. I told him what had happened. He said that I have been taking that medication for a while now so I shouldn’t be having side effects. I told him comments were that some people had side effects more quickly and some were on for a long period of time before having side effects. He said there tapping his pen at me…So I am off the Statin for now.

I have talked to quite a few people who have been on Statins and had issues also. So I’ll see next month where I go from here.
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Lisa,

I have the same side effect from Statins. I have severe muscle aches if I take them.

My husband has absolutely no side effects at all to statins. We are all different.
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Needhelp, muscle aches are a side effect of Statins. A man I know can't take them for that reason. He can't do his job.
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We HAVE to be our own Advocates. It has been proven that Statins contribute to Dementia. I refuse to take them. Everything that goes into your body should be questioned by you or a family member. Pharmacies now give a paper with each prescription tell you side effects, read it. Do you know a Pharmacist will see an interaction problem before a doctor? Doctors DO get kickbacks from Pharmaceutical companies if they get their patients to use that companies Drugs.

Check your LOs med list. Mom had a fast heart rate because of graves desease. She was put on meds to lower the rate at the hospital. She was then was put on Thyroid meds, by a specialist, which eventually brought her heart rate down. But, she was still taking the heart rate meds and I questioned it and they were removed. So was her Statin. Stains will effect the liver after long use. So does the Thyroid med Mom was placed on. So her specialist took her off the Statin. When I said she had been taken off before for enzyme reading, he said she should never have been put back on. Me, less is best.
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Speak to your doctor about your particular situation. Don’t rely on generic studies or suggestions. Doctors will have various opinions. Studies will show various results as well.

JoAnn,

I believe you about the gentleman that you know.

My muscle aches were so bad that I couldn’t even walk across the room without being in pain. My doctor took me off of my statin.

Now, I am dealing with high cholesterol levels. I exercise and eat well the majority of the time. My BP has been erratic lately. On meds. Not working well. Will discuss thoroughly today with my primary care doctor.

I went into the ER last Friday. They admitted me into the hospital.

My heart rate dropped so low that they were considering installing a pace maker. Hopefully, they will know more after wearing this heart monitor for a month. I’m still having some symptoms.

My husband has no issues whatsoever with taking a statin. Our doctor believes that he should be on statins and that the risk is very small in getting dementia.

My brother takes Repatha because he can’t take a statin either.

We absolutely have to be our own advocate. Trust me, I am a bit concerned about my own health right now.

I have a follow up appointment with my primary care doctor this afternoon. I have over 20 test results in my portal right now from the hospital.

Wish me luck in finding out what is going on.
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Are statins for cholesterol or HBP?

Editing this, never mind I googled it. Cholesterol
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Needs, I suspect that some people can eat right all there life and still have issues with cholesterol and BP.

Some smoke, eat horrible and live to 90s

A lot of it is hereditary

Not that we shouldn't do are best to stay healthy, but we can't blame it all on bad eating habits
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