My father is 84 had congestive heart failure,dementia and high calcium and has been told he should have surgery to remove parathyroid gland(s) but has refused.
The issue is he has been feeling bad and wanted meds for arthritis but when he called dr he just asked for pain meds. The doctor called him in metoprolol succ 25 mg. and he took one. I've read this is for blood pressure issues and those recovering from heart attack. He has not had a heart attack but he does suffer from hypertension and already takes meds for that. I worried this med my cause harm...also I read a person should not immediately stop taking this med orbit could cause severe problems. Well he's not going to take it again but that's causing me worry too. Any thoughts?
You're best bet is to contact your Dad's primary doctor or his Cardiologist.
Rule of thumb: if your dad's doctor has prescribed a medicine, give it to him as prescribed. If you observe worrying side effects, stop giving it to him AND call his doctor urgently for advice. If you're just anxious about it but haven't noticed any problems, don't stop giving it to him but do call his doctor for advice. And in the ideal world, accompany your father to all significant appointments and ask questions at the time (I realise it's a little late for that in this case!).
The trouble with patients of our parents' age is that very often they have complex co-morbidities, and with multiple problems go multiple prescriptions, and with multiple prescriptions go problematic drug interactions. Now while it is true that Dr Perfect will carefully review a patient's drug chart before prescribing anything, in the real world Dr Normal is likely to be pushed for time. It is therefore up to you as the patient's advocate to HELP the doctor - as opposed to argue with and challenge - by taking a lively interest in what is being prescribed and highlight any issues that come to your attention. E.g. my mother has severely impaired renal function. She also got gout. The gout medication's patient information leaflet said the medication was contraindicated by impaired renal function. To give or not to give? That is the question. So I called the doctor, the doctor explained that while we'd rather avoid it, treating the gout takes priority: go to it. So we did, and happily the attack was short-lived and no lasting harm done.
What a good many people do, sadly, is go their doctor for advice, get given a prescription, and then second-guess the doctor without having the courtesy to inform the doctor that they're going to ignore his advice. Well, we're all consenting adults (not to mention paying customers, in the US) and free to do so. But don't then blame the doctor for getting it wrong because that is Not Fair.
In any case, Tanya, none of this addresses your father's arthritic pain. Do not be tempted by over the counter remedies: if your father hasn't yet been prescribed pain relief, that's something else you might want to call up about.
As for my parents, I have no idea what pills they are taking... I have too much on my own medical plate to have to try to remember what they are doing. Plus I feel since my parents had decided they are able to live alone independently in their large single family house at the age of 90+, then they can take care of their own meds. Honestly, I am too tired to deal with that aspect, I let their geriatric doctor handle it. Once my parents decide to move into assistant living, then I will have more time to focus on that aspect.
My previous response to the issue of mail order pharmacies was addressed to anyone who may be caring for someone on that type of having their filling prescriptions filled. They save one out of three month's charges for medications, are convenient for people who don't drive or have transportation, and offer the services of a pharmacist.
I am not sure of your age, freqflier; but, I wish I had had your insight and perception when I began my life as a care taker!
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