Medication Nightmare

[B010Hlthy]

My 62 year old cousin takes a lot of prescriptions (Singular, Toprol, Furosemide, Actos, Glyburide, Hydralazine, Lisinopril and Metaformin HCL) because she has asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and congestive heart. She is experiencing severe hand/feet cramps and swelling making it difficult for her to walk and hot flashes. The doctors increased the Furosemide (Diuretic) to decrease the swelling, but one of its side effects are muscle cramps. It seems like she is in a vicious cycle of drug side effects and more drugs. I am interested If anyone has any similar experiences or insights.

[faeriegirl25]

My mother has congestive heart failure and is on some of the medications your cousin is on. She takes furosemide 120mgs a day plus a potassium pill. I was wondering, is your cousin on any type of potassium supplement? Low potassium levels can cause muscle cramps. Potassium levels are very important. Both can be dangerous if high or low. My mother was hospitalized when her levels were below normal range of 3. Hers was close to a 1.

With many diuretics(furosemide, hctz, and others) it is important to have supplemental potassium prescribed by a doctor. Especially if she is taking a high dose. I would suggest she get a blood test to see what her potassium levels are.

Take Care
Fae

[feelbad]

she should bring all of her meds in to her doc one day and discuss the actual needs for them and make sure that her primary really knows what all meds she is taking.Also spending some time with the pharmacist who she goes to and discussing the actual need for certain meds she is taking along with any possible cross reactions between all of the meds.there could be something that was overlooked by the pharm and the doc that she was Rxed and is not supposed to be taking with one of her other meds.this happens alot when on multiple meds espescially if there is more than one doc Rxing her meds.just some suggestions.I hope she feels better soon.FB