My Experience With Doctors

[Random2]

March 2003- Was having a panic attack after having 10 beers & 5 shots for 4 days straight. He prescribed Altace & Toprol. He ran an EKG. Everything was fine. Referred to a nephrologist.

April 2003- Altace gave me horrible side-effects, switched to Lotrel

May 2003- Slowed down my drinking to 3 beers a night (was drinking 6 from 22-32). I'm 33 now. Doc. put me on 1 mg of xanax

July 2003- Was taking 2 mgs of xanax. Slowed down to 2 beers a night

August 2003- No drinks during the week. Occasionally on the weekends

February 2004- New doc. switched me from Toprol to Atenolol

May 2004- Blood tests run including CBC, Panel, Metabolic++++. B/P is running
158/80 in the office 115/75 outside. All blood tests turn out normal

June 2004- New doc. leaves this practice referred to the other doc.

July 2004- B/P is 120/85 on July 12th at the new docs office. I still take the same meds., including the xanax. It still averages 115/70 or so outside of his office. He refuses to take me off of some of the b/p meds. even at 33 & 5 '11 153. He said that I can wean off of the xanax when I don't feel as anxious.
Jad another EKG & chest xray (I don't know why). They turned out normal


I don't want to switch again. I have even gone to 2 pyschiatrists. One wanted to see my liver function AST 16 ALT 20. Normal goes from 0-50. The other didn't prescribe benzos like xanax & said that I don't need to be on it, even though I wasn't abusing it & it was helping.

5 doctors= no help at all so far. I feel healthy. Everything is perfect. B/P & anxiety levels are going down. Why no plan to get me off of the b/p meds???
Now maybe some of you can shed some light on our lousy medical community.

[CASSIEBEL]

Mind if I ask what part of the country you live in and what kind of health ins you have.
I have had some bad experences with a few doc's but most are willing to at least listen.
Cass

[Random2]

South Florida-United Healthcare
It's a POS Plan as well, which is excellent.

My 1st doc was a cardiologist before. Referred me out to a nephrologist even before asking me what my lifestyle habits were. I ditched him because he continued to tell me that "Toprol & Altace are good drugs". He gave me an EKG. which turned out perfect.

The nephrologist orderered all of the standard tests. All came out perfect including Thyroid.

The 1st psychiatrist wanted to see my liver function & she didn't believe in benzos (like xanax) & thought that I had an addictive personality.

The 2nd doctor took all of the blood tests through the practicioner & switched the Toprol to Atenolol. She tried to wean me from 2 mgs of xanax to none within 9 days. Idi*t!

The 2nd psychiatrist said that he didn't prescribe benzos & said that since my Dad was an alcoholic that I have those tendencies in my blood. How the ****** does he know. I drink a max of 1 drink a night at times (not every night). My liver function for the dum* 1st psychiatrist was AST 16 ALT 20. 0-50 is Normal. My liver enzymes are actually perfect.

The 3rd doctor prescribed 1 mg of xanax & said to keep on the Lotrel & Atenolol. My B/P 2 days ago when he said this my b/p was 120/85 (nervous) in his office. I asked when I can wean off of these drugs & he said that I could wean off of the xanax when I wasn't nervous anymore. He said that Atenolol & Lotrel are good drugs. When you wake up everyday & your stomach hurts a bit 3-4 days a week from the drugs & you are 33 & all the tests have come out perfect what is next???? He gave me an EKG (1 year after my last one) & a chest xray. Everything was perfect. My B/P runs 115/65 on these drugs. I really don't get it. I have gone from 6 beers a night to none, or one glass of wine occasionally. I no longer have binges on the weekend like 16 months ago. I have made all of the necessary changes. If anything I am thin at 153 & 5 '11. What does ones b/p have to be to wean??? 100/60????

I'm just pi**ed, because I don't want to go to another doctor after I have had every test run known to man & they have all turned out perfect. The doc. wants me to come back in 4 months for a B/P check.

Any advice? This is getting extremely frustrating. He will wean me off of what calms me down, but not the drugs that give me side effects. He said that if my stomach still hurts from time to time then he will switch the atenolol.... I bet it will be to Propanol. I'm thinking about going to medical school. I can do a better job then these clowns.

[CASSIEBEL]

I really don't know what to say,
I have had HBP for 25 years. Had more doc's than I can count. 3 different ins
(the last and current one provided by US Gov, Hubby retired military) I never had a problem like that. I have had my meds reduced or changed many times due to intolerable side effects, even with BP higer than yours at docs.
I also take Atenolol (50mg) used to take 100, but atenolol doesn't cause me a problem. I also have anxiety (take ativan)
I'm sorry! but they all sound like quacks. But GEEZE after so many, How could they all be so in love with just these two drugs when there are newer, better ones that work just as well or better. I bet you would do great on an ARB, They have few, if any side effects.
No wonder you are frustrated. All docs preach "life changes" and you do them and nothing changes.
If it was me I would hound them untill they at least tried lower doses. My doc would be thrilled if my BP was that low.
sorry, I really don't know what to tell ya.
Cass

[Random2]

Cass,

I have done a lot in the past year. I would get readings like 158/80 even in February. I have learned & done the following things in the past 16 months. Keep in mind I'm only 33 5 '11 153 & in good shape.

1) Gone from drinking a 6 pack a night to 2-3 drinks during the week.

2) Practiced deep breathing. I am a lead singer & my vocal instructor works with me on relaxation & deep breathing... that is what I did yesterday.

3) Yes they all seem like quacks. My latest one was happy with my low readings in his office, so he figures if my stomach hurts a little hear & there, so be it.... at least my b/p is low. I said that since it is normal in his office & 115/65 outside of his office can I lower my dose. He said that if I continue
to have stomach problems once in a while he'll switch the atenolol (probably to propanol imo). The 2nd doc. was going to get me off of the Lotrel & keep me on the atenolol. I really think that none of these pill pushers no what the ****** they are doing. My 1st was a cardiologist & he swore by Altace & Toprol.
That was the worst. He said the typical line that I have heard from 2 out of 3 of the docs "They are good meds." They may have side-effects, but if they control your b/p then I'll see you again in a month... now it is 4 months. Pretty soon it will be 6 months & they still won't change the meds. I asked about Benicar+ & they said that Lotrel is a good drug. I don't get it..... Do they get more incentive to prescribe certain drugs like Lotrel, Altace & Toprol??? Do benicar & diovan not give them enough kick-backs? Everything is fine. He looked at me dumb founded after he looked at my blood tests & checked my b/p & asked what brings me there. Well your office scheduled the appt. for a b/p check & Atenolol & Lotrel make my stomach hurt 1st thing in the morning. "They are good meds. & are controlling your b/p." What about lowering the dose & I can check to see if there is a big difference. Doc- You can cut back & taper off of the xanax when you feel more relaxed. I understand that doc., but what 115/65 on average & the b/p measurement in your office." Doc- It's not low enough. The doctor went to lunch & asked me to have an ekg taken & chest xray. The office called me back 3 hours later & said that my heart is healthy. So I have good b/p, a healthy heart, perfect comprehensive blood tests, but feel like junk in the morning from the meds. What would any sane doc. do???? Change or cut one of the meds & monitor.... not any doc. that I have been to. This has been a nightmare. I have to drink strong coffee in the afternoon, because I feel so tired from these meds. even after all of this time.