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I am using the nitro patch, and my cardio is suggesting possibly adding Imdur. Can anyone give me their experience with Imdur, and also if anyone has used both the patch and Imdur at the same time. I am not sure what Imdur does that is different from the patch.
Tylenol Exercise Surgery Nexium Hydrochlorothiazide Albuterol Carafate Beta blockers Plavix Niacin Angina Lupus Coreg Stent Norvasc Zocor Stress Heart disease Toprol XL Asthma GERD Aspirin Sleep apnea Imdur Lisinopril CPAP Autism Pain Heart attack Edema Heartburn Depression
well I'm on the tablets that go under the tongue. I'm also on Imdur 60 mgs a day. They do the same thing for me to help angina. I didn't have any side effects from the imdur so It might work different for you. I hope it works for you and give you relief.
Imdur is a long acting nitrate medication that stays in your system longer than just popping a sublingual (under the tongue) nitroglycerin. It is given for angina and is a vasodilator that is supposed to dilate the coronary arteries and keep them open longer throughout the day to prevent the pain. My Cardio added it when I continued to have angina along with my BetaBlocker and Calcium Channel Blocker. I also take the Nitro under the tongue if it gets too bad, but have been needed much less of it since I added the Imdur. It has been really helpful in controlling my angina symptoms. It can cause headaches, and I had them for about 2 weeks, but they have since subsided, and I only get an occasional headache now. Tylenol seems to work well for the HA. If you are struggling with ongoing chest pain, I would highly recommend you at least give it a try, because it has helped me so much. You have to just try to hang in there the first couple of weeks with the headaches, they will get better. The benefit has far out weighed the side effect of the headache, for me anyway.
Good luck and keep us posted.
I think Imdur and the nitro patch do about the same thing so that is interesting that your doctor wants to use both. Would one be in the morning and one at night or both at the same time? The only thing with the patch and Imdur is that it must be out of your system for a time each 24 hours so that your body does not get used to it and it no longer works. Let us know how that goes.
Joyce
I have been having a lot of of chest pains lately, and my cardiologist started me on Imdur 30. That did not do very well, so he increased it to 60 mg. The 60 mg. is working pretty well. It is amazing that it is not giving me headaches, because nitro usually starts up my migraines, which I have had since I was 23 years old. One time I did take a nitro pill also, so I laid down instead of being active and I got away with it, without the migraine. Good luck with it.
Myra
I want to thank you all for this information. I am not sure if he will keep me on the nitro patch and add Imdur together. I will let you know. I am really having a lot of symptoms lately. I hope the stent is OK.
I am on Imdur for daytime stress, and also NTG patches as needed. The body needs a break of about 12 hours between doses, needing arginine for synthesis, I think (it has been so long since I studied this). I do remember that the athletes training for the Winter Olympics would take L-Arginine, since the vasodilatation properties were thought to prevent frostbite. When I studied this, I realized that I could also use NTG patches for Raynaud's symptoms, where the blood vessels in toes, finger, ears, sometimes nose can go into vasopasm. It works great for me when I cut the patches in half and place on my feet, and it certainly can't hurt my heart. I was able to get off of the Beta-Blockers that were prescribed for the Raynaud's.
ps You can find L-arginine, an amino acid, at health food stores, or on line. I also take NTG pills during my warm-up exercises, and then midway, to prevent chest pain. It did improve my exercise tolerance, but be careful if you try this since it may cause a very short drop in blood pressure. Just remember to listen to your body. Good luck.
Dear Kippy2,
What strength of L-Arginine are you taking? I got an e-mail tonight from my cardio telling me he was going to put me on Imdur when he returns from out of town. I really do not want to go on another medicine, but I am really having problems. The nitro patch is not doing it now. I get chest pressure/hard to breath/ and jaw pain. The symptoms have gotten worse in the last few days. I am at the point that I am affect though out the day. I asked once about using nitro before exercising, and he said no. I always wear the patch for 12 hours. I use to take the pill during exercising, but he does not want me to do it. I hope I can get off the beta blockers. Why did they let you stop?
I'm on Imdur as a replacement for the patch, to which my skin was beginning to react. I'm also on Norvasc for spasms and beta blocker since my original MI.
I've been happy with the Imdur. My cardiologist told me not to be afraid to use nitro (spray) preventatively, as in before engaging in exercise.
Over the summer I've been getting more and more breathless and my GP has increased my Norvasc to see if that helps while we wait for a cardio appointment. It has somewhat, but I wonder if it's possible that the IMdur is losing it's effectiveness over time?
Penny
Dear Penny,
It is good to hear that you are pleased with the Imdur. I am not sure if the cardio is going to take me off the patch or not. I have worn it for along time. I have the nitro pill to use if I need it, but my cardio does not want me to use it before exercising. I am not sure why. I still have a lot of blockage. I have had open heart surgery and a stent put in 4 months ago. I am getting more symptoms. The last few days they have gotten worse. I have chest pressure/ hard to breath/ some jaw. The thing that is really disturbing me is the symptoms are lingering throughout the day. I am on Coreg, Plavix. 2 aspirin, Zocor, nitro patch.
Dear Houston,
The recommended dose of L-arginine can be from 4,500 to 6000 mg taken in divided doses on an empty stomach (sugar can decrease absorption from stomach into your system). Just like anything else, arginine can have problems. or side effects. It is directly contraindicated with herpes, and it does cross the blood-brain barrier, so it is not good to use if there is any depression. There is another drug that you didn't mention that may help, called Ranexa. Prescribing medicine is really an art and not an exact science since every person's body responds differently on a microscopic level. It wouldn't hurt to ask your physician to look into this, but he or she may say no if they are not familiar with it. Many physicians prefer to stay with the older drugs that have a good history of safety.
I am always trying to decrease the drugs that I am on, and I do it without asking the permission of my doctor (a "no-no" and I usually tell them after the fact). I don't recommend that anybody do this on their own; I do it because I am the only one that knows how my body is responding and feels with different drugs, and it helps to have some medical background. Of course, if I screw up, I don't have anybody but myself to blame. On the other hand, I don't want my days to revolve around counting pills!
Dear Knippy2,
That is interesting information about L-Arginine. I can see you do your research. I have read about Ranexa, but I take Best Pill / Worst Pill, and they said to wait 5-7 years to take it. Are you familiar with the publication? I would love to have a doctor see how my body responds to medicines. I have trouble with a lot of them, but I am afraid the cardio I am seeing is going to insist taking them. I am also wanting to decrease medicines. I have already approached him about decreasing my medicines. He replied that the medicines were keeping me alive. I have done the same with medicines - cutting some of them down. I am surely not taking a drug that makes me feel worse. I would love to find other ways to deal with it. I am not happy adding another drug to the list. I really do not want to add Imdur. I would think the nitro patch would be enough. I don't want to spend my days around counting pills either. I am now taking 4 for the heart and he is going to add a 5th - plus the patch. The heart is the only thing I take medicine for. That seems like a lot of pills. At least it is too much for me. Have you ever looked for a doctor (integrative) that might do something different?
I take Ranexa. I was the 1st patient my cardio put on it. While I was leery of a brand new drug, I was at the point of being nonfunctioning & I was grasping at straws. The Ranexa made me functionable. I even have a part time job now. Granted, my job is babysitting a 93 yr old man & I don't do much but before I wouldn't have been able to commit to getting dressed & out the door on a schedule. I still get angina with activity but it is nice to be able to feel like I contribute something to my family even if its just the copays for my scripts.
Dear MMaslek,
Did you get any affects from Ranexa? I am sort of leery of taking a new drug. I am glad it is helping you.
None. I swear by it. It really changed my life but thats just me. I wouldn't have taken a new drug either but I was at the end of my rope with not other options at that point. I have 4 blockages & spasms. They don't want to do bypass again because they don't think the ticker will restart. They are looking at transplant but I'm not quite sick enough yet & they're not even sure that I'll be an acceptable candidate because I have lupus. Anywho, Ranexa has me functioning like a mostly human being quite a bit of the time. The only cardio medicine I have trouble with is Niacin. The flushing is extremely irritating. I rip at my skin to the point I leave welts and can get the flushing at different times of the day not just the hour after you take it like a normal person. Doc says good outweighs the bad, though. Good luck with your decision!!!
Amy
Ranexa ( 500 mg bid) and Coreg ( 6.25 mg BID ) and Zocor ( 10 mg qHS ) first drugs for me on 10/7/09 !! I must admit for the first time in 3 weeks I have some energy again..and the chest pain has subsided greatly. Resumed church this morning ..and lunch eating out - a salad an potato while everyone else ate the forbidden foods !!- but I'm still ready for a nap before my next errand in an hour !! And I'm going to take one !! Back to work tomorrow with little time for afternoon naps !!!
Dear Maternalcaregiver,
If you do not mind me asking, what problems do you have causing the chest pain? I also take Coreg 6.25 - 2x day, Zocor - 40 mg, Plavix, and 2 aspirin. The cardio e-mailed me last night and told me I could up the nitro patch to 0.4. He has limited my exercising, which I hope he lets up on.
houston,
I just started this heart journey. I'm only 41 , 42 in December. My dad had his first CABG x4 at age 45, and his brother had his first coronary event at age 30. I am not menopausal yet..but estrogen must be down..as I have pretty much been diagnosed with Micro vascular heart disease. I also have asthma and GERD, but this chest discomfort was so different...and with the ankle edema SOB and extreme fatigue I knew something was up !!! Hence my ER visit and admission 9/25/09-9/29/09. Of course the hosptial cardio thought I was just stressed..because the cath was clear. And in retrospect my medical insurance is NOW denying my admission..saying I should of been outpatient instead. Well the ER doc admitted me thinking probable MI, I had EKG changes ,and it was the weekend. What was I supposed to do,sign out AMA and stay only 23 hours ?? and pull off my heart monitor and Heparin drip !! I will fight BCBS.
I had a stress test in 10/08 with my outpatient cardio..because of family hx and vague intermittent chest pains..and that was all clear too. Echo showed LVH, Diastolic dysfunction level 1 ??? I was told to follow up as needed. But the past 3 weeks I've really been ill. However, the meds I started last WED have me much more functional..still minor chest discomfort..but tolerable and no longer SOB and extreme fatigue. I see my cardiologist 10/22/09 for f/u...and we may tweek the meds. He told me last WED that if I responded to the meds, I have Micro disease. At least he listened to me, and truly cares..and did'nt blow me off as another anxious female. I like him.and glad we will work toghether to get me more healthy and feeeling better. I can exercise..and I have been walking 15-45 minutes a day since Friday. Major lifestyle changes are mandatory NOW, I can no longer put it off !!! I don't want an MI or CABG in the next 10 years !!!
MC
Dear maternalcaregiver,
You surely are too young to have to experience all these problems with the heart. It is terribly that your insurance is giving you problems too. I am glad that you have a doctor that is willing to help you. From what I have read about micro disease, it sets you up for major heart disease. One article I read said that one can have a heart attack with micro disease. You have a family history that people had heart disease early. My family history is the same. My mother died at 51 of heart disease. If they treat you now before this keeps going, they probably can keep you from major heart disease. It surely sounds like you have micro disease. I know it must be frustrating when someone tells you nothing is wrong. I passed all the tests before open heart surgery and was told nothing was wrong. I went to Johns Hopkins on vacation time ( I teach) and was told that you can't always go by the tests. He said that there are people with serious problems pass the "tests". I was told there that I needed open heart surgery. So, listen to your body! Let me know how you are doing.
Houston,
I will listen to MY body even if the docs are clueless, glad to have you as a friend !! I am actually a Family Practice Physican Assistant..and ashamed to say it but I was unaware of MICRO vascular disease until NOW !! I will be referring many more of my female patients to cardios sooner after this personal experience. In the medical field we are taught to look for CAD in men, not women..and of course many male physicians EASILY see women as "emotional " basket cases. Even my friends have told me this recent experience I've had is just "stress". Well "stress" is a constant in my life..this chest discomfort and fatigue is NEW..and I feel I handle my stress load well, especially with my faith.
And you are very correct..I have a greater chance of MI or MACRO vascular disease within the next 10 years..because of the MICRO vascular diagnosis. And yes, being aggressive now .not to mention I've been symptomatic..with CARDIO f/u , MEDS, and of course MAJOR lifestyle changes might just keep me from ending up with full-blown CAD in my 50's .
Being a medical provider , it's been pretty tough swallowing a "patient" role..and digesting the fact I have heart disease as well. Called my Dad and told him I've officially joined the "heart club" with him last Wednesday after my hospital f/u cardiology office visit.
I sent you a friend invite. Looks as if we are both in the Southeast. Our 12 yo son with Asperger's- high functioning autism--saw a DAN ( defeat autism now ) practioner from Point Verde Beach I think. She comes to GA for consults....but our money tree died because of course autism isn't covered by medical insurance either !!! UGH !!!
Have a great week. I have to work tomorrow...so to bed really soon..and when I get home tomorrow my house will be clean thanks to my husband and kids. NOT !! I wish it would !! They are all going to have to start helping me out alot more !! Contrary to popular belief..I'm not SUPERWOMAN !!!
Goodnight !!
Dear Maternalcaregiver,
Don't feel badly, because from what I have read woman still are not recognized as having problems with the heart. Certainly mirco disease is really new to them. My mother was told she was stressed, and it was all in her head. She died from heart disease - young. The Johns Hopkins cardio told me to always listen to your body and be assertive. A lady I know only had heartburn and was sent home from the ER. She went back a couple of nights later with the same symptoms and had had a heart attack. One of the symptoms I started getting on the treadmill was heartburn. I also got a little lightheaded and slight jaw sensation. I figured that I was cured after open heart surgery. I never dreamed that I had an artery that was almost fulling closing in 2 years.
I have heard health care providers say that it was difficult to be a patient. I know this is hard for you, especially being so young. The good thing is you are finding out about this young. You can take steps to try and control it. They still have much to learn about small vessel disease, but I bet they will come up with something. Remember that symptoms are not normal.
I have taught some children that are high functioning with autism. I teach science taking half a class at a time. One of my autism students made the highest score in the class. I was able to teach all the learning styles teaching small numbers of children.
This is amazing - I live in Ponte Vedra. I moved here 3 years ago. The school system I moved from took care of testing for autism. They had specialist come into the school to help them and special classes. I did not realize the insurance would not cover it.
I will try and figure out how to to to your friends page. I would love you on mine too. I am not too good with this site.
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