My used-to-be self only took one piece of Panadol when I had a headache . . . .
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| This is the medicine chest Florence Nightingale took to the Crimean War, I'm told. It included a mix of medicines and herbal remedies: from bicarbonate of soda, essence of ginger, to powdered rhubarb. |
Here's a recap of what PH is:
Pulmonary hypertension is a rare, progressive lung disorder in which the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through the vessels. As a result, the blood pressure in these arteries -- called pulmonary arteries -- rises far above normal levels. This abnormally high pressure strains the right ventricle of the heart, causing it to expand in size.
The most common symptoms of IPAH include:
- shortness of breath when physically active
- tiredness
- dizziness
- fainting
- swelling in the extremities, including legs and ankles
- chest pressure or pain
- racing pulse
- hoarseness - most likely due to the compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve between the normal aorta and dilated tense pulmonary artery (Ortner's syndrome)
To manage these symptoms, these are my must-takes:
Sildenafil
1/2 tablet, three times a day.
What it does:
Sildenafil is a vasodilator anti-hypertensive medication. It relaxes pulmonary smooth muscle cells, which leads to dilation of the pulmonary arteries. It also eases the pressure in the pulmonary arteries, helping with blood flow to the lungs.
Sildenafil is also more commonly known as Viagra.
Side effects:
- Nose bleeds
- Headache
- Upset stomach and heartburn
- Flushing of the skin
- Difficulty sleeping
- Worsening shortness of breath
- Nasal congestion
Digoxin
1/2 a tablet, in the morning.
What it does:
Derived from the foxglove plant, digoxin can improve symptoms by strengthening the heart muscle contractions, and slowing down the heart rate.
Side effects:
- Dizziness
- Changes in mood and mental alertness, including confusion, depression and lost interest in usual activities
- Anxiety
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Headache
- Rash
Spironolactone and Frusemide
1/2 tablet, of each, in the morning.
Both are diuretics, and they serve to remove extra fluid from the tissues and bloodstream, which reduces swelling and makes breathing easier.
Side effects:
My two diuretics cancel each other out in the case of increasing/decreasing potassium levels - which is a side effect of diuretics.
But, their other side effects are:
- low sodium levels
- headache
- dizziness
- thirst
- increased blood sugar
- muscle cramps
Water
PH patients are instructed to restrict their total fluid intake to less than two liters per day. Reducing fluid intake helps prevent swelling and fluid retention. More importantly, it also helps prevent an increase in blood volume - easing the load on the heart.
Ezetimibe
1 tablet, at night
Ezetimibe is a drug that lowers plasma cholesterol levels. It acts by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the small intestine.
Side effects:
- numbness or tingly feeling
- mild stomach pain, diarrhea
- tired feeling
- headache
- dizziness
- depressed mood
- runny or stuffy nose, cold symptoms
- joint pain, or back pain
Seretide
1 puff in the morning, and 1 at night.
The inhaler has two medications that help prevent lung inflamation, and/or an asthma attack.
Side effects:
- Hoarseness
- Headache
- Soreness of the throat or tongue
- Muscle cramps
- Increase in heart rate
Avamys
1 puff in each nostril, in the morning
Since I have multiple allergies, I have been prescribed this to help ease these symptoms: stuffy, runny, or itchy nose; sneezing; and red, itchy, or watery eyes. Simply delightful!!!
But, here come the side effects:
- back pain
- cough
- fever
- nose irritation or pain
- nosebleeds
- sore throat
- stuffy nose
Disflatyl
1 tablet - to be chewed - whenever I need it.
This medication is used to ease the symptoms of gas build-up in the stomach - leading to discomfort and pain. Simethicone helps break up gas bubbles in the gut.
I've always had a somewhat delicate stomach. An avalanche of medicine poured into it, every day, doesn't help it any. So, it is a delicate balance of taking my meds, eating just enough to keep my stomach happy, and trying not to tip the balance and invite a gas build-up. Some days, it is easy-peasy. Other days, I think walking a tightrope in the Andes would be easier.
There really aren't any side effects for this, but there might be an allergic reaction:
rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing - none of which has happened to me. Fingers crossed!
