Thursday, 26 September 2019

Drugged up

We had visit from Isabel a pharmacist who probably thought that she was going to give a talk but which was soon hijacked by a lot of questions and discussion from each of the group members.
It was a very interesting chat and I think it was a great opportunity for group members to be able to ask questions about a range of topics and have the full attention of a very knowledgeable pharmacist.
One of the drugs is Entresto and what side effects this could have.
The interaction between certain drugs and commonplace food items such as turmeric or grapefruit was discussed.
What happens if we forget or run out of drugs when we go away is a topic that we don't think about, until it happens.
I think everyone contributed and learnt something useful, I was certainly interested.

Some links that may be useful
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/medication
In general the BHF website is full of useful information some of which can be downloaded or ordered in booklet form.

Friday, 20 September 2019

Musings

It's 13:17 on a gloriously sunny Friday and we have been around Clevedon shops.
I spoke to an older woman who said that she had recently had her medication changed to what she used to have thirty years ago. She said she was waiting to see whether there would be an improvement or if there would be bad side effects.
It got me thinking once again about my own long term medication.
The tablets I take are fairly low dosage but still have a powerful effect. I am amazed how little the actual compounds are that do the job. I am on artovastatin, this tablet is a normal size but has reduced my cholesterol from over 5 to 2.5.
I wonder in the future whether there will be regular medical check-ups for everyone similar to dentists check-ups and a preventative tablet prescribed.

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Another day at hospital.

There are better ways to spend a sunny day, but at least at Southmead hospital there is a friendly welcome.
Then if you walk to the far end, there is the Friends café.
I had to attend for an appointment that had been postponed for about six months. Whilst this could be annoying, I see it that I am considered low priority for the problem I have, which suits me. I hope that it's not that I am simply low priority!
Anyway I was the last patient to be seen in the day and they were running an hour late.
I saw the consultant who seemed to consider that I was indeed doing well but he did request a blood sample to be taken. I will have to await the results.