General Medical issues thread

[cove]

My new cardiologist put me on AlphaPharm Inpler 50mg that I cut in half seeing the 50mg and 25mg are the same price and are not on the subsidized list. It works but it took weeks for my body to get used to it so the thought of going to a substitute was not what I wanted to do. AlphaPharm were pretty relaxed about the non supply and keep extending the availability date.
I was just so happy to get the two packs which is 4 months supply.
I updated my nitro spray and after almost 23 years I have never had to use it. My heart bypass unwritten warranty is still working ok.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

My new cardiologist put me on AlphaPharm Inpler 50mg that I cut in half seeing the 50mg and 25mg are the same price and are not on the subsidized list. It works but it took weeks for my body to get used to it so the thought of going to a substitute was not what I wanted to do. AlphaPharm were pretty relaxed about the non supply and keep extending the availability date.
I was just so happy to get the two packs which is 4 months supply.
I updated my nitro spray and after almost 23 years I have never had to use it. My heart bypass unwritten warranty is still working ok.

Yes, I have to cut my blood pressure medication in half too. It does make a difference when you are paying the bills !

 

[sinophile888]

Yes, I have to cut my blood pressure medication in half too. It does make a difference when you are paying the bills !

I don't like cutting my tablets in half. Sometimes the "halves" aren't equal. Plus I worry that the absorption may be different with the cut side not having any coating.
But I am now on the free list so I just fill any new prescription which calls for a decrease in dose.

 

[cove]

So many in Australia just don't realize they have a blood pressure issue it seems according to National Seniors. I was given a second chance so I feel lucky.
My cardiologist suggested cutting the tablets in half so I acquired a really good pill cutter.

 

[wandering_fred]

OTOH if you take half of something twice a day, the precise division of a tablet seems less critical... :shock:

And it's somewhat less disastrous when you forget a dose...

Just wandering

Fred

 

[Pushka]

OTOH if you take half of something twice a day, the precise division of a tablet seems less critical... :shock:

And it's somewhat less disastrous when you forget a dose...

Just wandering

Fred

Taking something twice a day for me meant I'd often forget the second tablet.

 

[straitman]

Taking something twice a day for me meant I'd often forget the second tablet.

That's something I can relate to. I take one table once a day and often have to think about whether I have or haven't taken it. Fortunately it doesn't matter if I take a second and ultimately I know if I haven't taken any at all.

 

[JohnK]

I don't like cutting my tablets in half. Sometimes the "halves" aren't equal. Plus I worry that the absorption may be different with the cut side not having any coating.
But I am now on the free list so I just fill any new prescription which calls for a decrease in dose.

Sometime no choice.

When I was on 15mg Methotrexate weekly the 50 x 10mg tablets worked out cheapest as they charged the full PBS subsidised cost of around $38 for 50 tablets. Forget the cost of 10 x 10mg or the 5mg tablets but it was close to the full cost of $38.

With Xanax I take 2/3mg, 1/2mg or 1/4mg doses depending on the severity of the anxiety at the time. It would be a shame to throw away the rest of the tablet. It's not that they are expensive tablets but I don't want to keep running back to doctor for prescription.

 

[Pushka]

Sometime no choice.

When I was on 15mg Methotrexate weekly the 50 x 10mg tablets worked out cheapest as they charged the full PBS subsidised cost of around $38 for 50 tablets. Forget the cost of 10 x 10mg or the 5mg tablets but it was close to the full cost of $38.

With Xanax I take 2/3mg, 1/2mg or 1/4mg doses depending on the severity of the anxiety at the time. It would be a shame to throw away the rest of the tablet. It's not that they are expensive tablets but I don't want to keep running back to doctor for prescription.

You still have a choice.

 

[bosox76]

My new cardiologist put me on AlphaPharm Inpler 50mg that I cut in half seeing the 50mg and 25mg are the same price and are not on the subsidized list. It works but it took weeks for my body to get used to it so the thought of going to a substitute was not what I wanted to do. AlphaPharm were pretty relaxed about the non supply and keep extending the availability date.
I was just so happy to get the two packs which is 4 months supply.
I updated my nitro spray and after almost 23 years I have never had to use it. My heart bypass unwritten warranty is still working ok.

Thanks for letting me know. I'll have to ask my patients if they're having similar issues. Great that you've had a good result from your bypass and that you haven't had to use the nitro.

I often suggest cutting pills on half to save on costs. Although some tablets are enteric coated so technically shouldn't be cut. A good pull cutter can be easily obtained from the pharmac_.

 

[Pushka]

Unexpected results from blood test. Cholesterol in four months gone up from 4.7 to 6.6. Damn. Have not changed diet. Raised AST and ALT above reference point. (Liver function tests.) LD higher for me but within reference. CRP just above reference whereas always not detected previously. CK raised and just below reference point. Raised creatinine and lowest for me egfr - 68. Lucky I have a follow up specialist visit next week. Auto immune liver issue? Maybe something to do with the coagulation issue? These tests were well within normal range four months ago and seem to have suddenly spiked. I don't look yellow. No gall bladder pain. And I havent done an alcohol binge either in fact reduced it due to cold. Also didn't eat much either for last few weeks again due to heavy cold.

 

[JohnK]

You still have a choice.

To throw away unused portions of tablets? No. I'll take a chance that I am doing the right thing and saving money in the process.

 

[love_the_life]

Unexpected results from blood test. Cholesterol in four months gone up from 4.7 to 6.6. Damn. Have not changed diet. Raised AST and ALT above reference point. (Liver function tests.) LD higher for me but within reference. CRP just above reference whereas always not detected previously. CK raised and just below reference point. Raised creatinine and lowest for me egfr - 68. Lucky I have a follow up specialist visit next week. Auto immune liver issue? Maybe something to do with the coagulation issue? These tests were well within normal range four months ago and seem to have suddenly spiked. I don't look yellow. No gall bladder pain. And I havent done an alcohol binge either in fact reduced it due to cold. Also didn't eat much either for last few weeks again due to heavy cold.

Should I be worried for you? Glad to hear that your specialist appt is sooner rather than later. And we certainly took alcohol and food consumption easy on the cruise.

 

[Pushka]

Should I be worried for you? Glad to hear that your specialist appt is sooner rather than later. And we certainly took alcohol and food consumption easy on the cruise.

Clearly we shouldn't have as it might not have mattered! But hey, it was soooo expensive.

I'm hoping the specialist will say it's a blip or meaningless in the overall context or measurements. The GP did the usual 'deer in headlights' thang. Can't understand what happened with the cholesterol though - it isn't supposed to jump around so much - given 4.5 is a great target which I achieved then 4 months later it's 50% higher with no diet or Med change. What's up with that!!!!

 

[sinophile888]

Although some tablets are enteric coated so technically shouldn't be cut.

That is what I worry about with cutting tablets.

 

[Pushka]

To throw away unused portions of tablets? No. I'll take a chance that I am doing the right thing and saving money in the process.

Dispose of not throw away. But yes I agree in practice.

 

[JohnK]

Unexpected results from blood test. Cholesterol in four months gone up from 4.7 to 6.6. Damn. Have not changed diet. Raised AST and ALT above reference point. (Liver function tests.) LD higher for me but within reference. CRP just above reference whereas always not detected previously. CK raised and just below reference point. Raised creatinine and lowest for me egfr - 68. Lucky I have a follow up specialist visit next week. Auto immune liver issue?

I'm not an expert but have had these issues through the years.

Around 15 years ago GP said I'd be on cholesterol tablets for the rest of my life. A few years later all was fine and no further issues.

I've had high liver function since the 80's when I first started on immune suppressants. Liver function has been been very good the past few years but was slightly elevated again last blood test. Fatty liver doesn't help either.

Platelet count is another that has suffered. I generally hover around 100,000-120,000 and the highest I remember is around 165,000.

Regular use of medication doesn't help. I hate reading the side effects so don't bother anymore.

 

[Pushka]

JohnK - Did you have the liver issues before you started immuno suppressants or as a consequence of them? I'm only on plaquenil now.

 

[love_the_life]

Clearly we shouldn't have as it might not have mattered! But hey, it was soooo expensive.

I'm hoping the specialist will say it's a blip or meaningless in the overall context or measurements. The GP did the usual 'deer in headlights' thang. Can't understand what happened with the cholesterol though - it isn't supposed to jump around so much - given 4.5 is a great target which I achieved then 4 months later it's 50% higher with no diet or Med change. What's up with that!!!!

Yeah, that's an odd one, but given your medical history probably par for the course. From what I've heard the CRP can be elevated in response to an infection; maybe still a hang over from the cold and cough thingy you had.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Clearly we shouldn't have as it might not have mattered! But hey, it was soooo expensive.

I'm hoping the specialist will say it's a blip or meaningless in the overall context or measurements. The GP did the usual 'deer in headlights' thang. Can't understand what happened with the cholesterol though - it isn't supposed to jump around so much - given 4.5 is a great target which I achieved then 4 months later it's 50% higher with no diet or Med change. What's up with that!!!!

You are on statins aren't you? So the increase has happened while on them? Hope it is all just a blip and goes back to normal soon.

i have managed to get my cholesterol from 7.5 to 6.4 with diet and hoping to get it down lower.