
What Are The Side-effects Of Isoptin?

Current meds -
Isoptin 240 mg x1daily (20+years). Was ceased by patient for a couple of days as BP dropped significantly to 105/44 consistently from her normal extreme of elevated BP despite medication changes to address.
Zimstat 40 mg (1/2 @ night)
Aldactane 25 mg (1/2 daily)
Dithiazide 25 mg (1/2 x twice daily)
Cartia 1
These were medications that were taken for long period but have been stopped in last 3-4 weeks:
Diabex XR 500 mg 1@ night - this has now been replaced with insulin injection XXXXXXX press 1 mg TDS - ceased 1 month ago
Lisax 20 mg - ceased 2 days ago
Nexium - ceased about 2-3 weeks ago
My elderly mother has been on this cocktail of medications for a very long time. Despite her hypertension and Diabetes is in very good health and is diligent in self care ( eats well, supplements, exercise)
In the last few months she has had some random symptoms that come and go intermittently.
The first was bowel motion changes: usually loose stool and evacuating 4-5 times first thing in morning (Chronic IBS) and sudden shift to chronic constipation ( no motion for up to 7 days. This occurred for about three weeks and was addressed with organic herbal preparations and now settled to good stool twice to three times daily. Then chest pain with severe shortness of breath and odeoma in legs and hospital admittance with diagnosis of fluid on lungs. Fluid treated and discharged and now all good.
The latest has been what she describes as throat closing and feeling as if choking. Can't swallow can't breathe, gets distresses and it worsens and breathing restricted further. She says that if she can burp it relieves it and she can breathe again and her choking subsides. This has occurred not only whilst eating, it can be when drinking and even without food or drink!
She has now had 4 diagnostic tests including Barium Swallow/Fluroscopy and Marshmallow test, an Ultrasound of throat and thyroid and Panendoscopy.
Results show all clear. The only findings were internal nodules on thyroid but Specialist did not believe this would cause choking as no protrusions evident. Symptoms ceased for about 4 weeks and now has returned.
She has been eating small meals, no irritant foods, head down and focused whilst eating and finds that very soon after eating she feels full, can't eat anywhere near as much as she used to and eats Very slowly.
She has lost considerable weight, feeling very tired and fatigued, anxious now about eating and potential consequences and so increased stress.
Could the long-term use of Nexium for her past indigestion be a reason for her experiencing a recurrence due to the suppression of HCl and stomach/pancreatic enzymes? Or maybe the long -term use of Isoptin ( rare-side-effect listed as indigestion- burping etc)?
Thanks in advance
Points not in favor of drug related side effects...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Based on your description, your mother developed alternating loose stool and constipation which settled down with herbal preparation. She also developed symptoms of chest pain, breathing difficulty and limb swelling which points towards volume over load (probably from cardiovascular condition). Fortunately this was treated at a hospital. However lately she developed symptoms similar to choking with breathing issues.
I understand you are worried that the current set of problems especially her latest symptoms are secondary to her medications (antihypertensive, water pill, oral hypoglycemic, statin and proton pump inhibitor). Well, side effects of medical pills are not clear. However your mother's symptoms are not the common side effects. Therefore in my opinion the points are not in favor of drug side effects. The close possibility that I considered was acid reflux; but normal endoscopy report proves me wrong. In this circumstances, I would consider:
1. Consider restarting nexium. I am not sure why it was stopped. Nexium induced achlorhydria (Hcl suppression) presents more with abdominal pain, bloating and fullness. So don't see it as the cause. Moreover keeping acid secretions low and preventing reguritation can improve this choking sensation.
2. Drinking plenty of fluids. It will keep her hydrated and improve intestinal function.
3. Make sure she doesn't swallow ear which chewing and swallowing.
4. Consider gastroenterologist consult to rule out other missed out causes.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need clarification.
Regards

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