HealthBeat News

Category: Drugs and Alternatives

  • A Response To “Blood Pressure Meds – Are the side effects worth it?”

    It never ceases to amaze me; the side effects from prescription drugs that people are willing to put up with – even consider to be a “benefit.” Here is an example:

    Iggy writes:

    I take Hytrin, mainly for my prostate, but my blood pressure was occasionally a little high. Fortunately, my only side effect has been that I sleep much better. Now 7 or 8 hours, compared to 3 or 4 before.
    I believe I will add hawthorn to my supplement regimen as you recommend. I’ll be 69 in May.

    Nurse Mark replies:

    I have to congratulate Iggy on making it all the way to 69 years, in spite of the best efforts of conventional medicine.

    The following is information taken directly from the government website MEDLINE regarding the drug Hytrin, aka terazosin:

    Terazosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. It also is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Terazosin is in a class of medications called alpha-blockers. It relieves the symptoms of BPH by relaxing the muscles of the bladder and prostate. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.

    Terazosin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section are severe or do not go away:

    • weakness
    • tiredness
    • stuffy or runny nose
    • back pain
    • nausea
    • weight gain
    • decreased sexual ability
    • blurred vision
    • swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
    • pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

    Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

    • hives
    • rash
    • itching
    • shortness of breath
    • rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
    • painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours

    Terazosin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

    A few comments:

    Terazosin looks to me for all the world like “A drug in search of an indication” – really not all that good at anything, but not dangerous enough to not be sold for something, so the drug companies are promoting it for anything and everything that they can think of. Therefore, any condition which might respond to increased small-vessel blood flow is “an indication” – fair game for a trial of this drug. I’m sure that Iggy is sleeping better – two of the top side effects are weakness and tiredness.

    Hawthorn, which works by dilating (opening) coronary and peripheral blood vessels and improving oxygen utilization in the heart muscle is a great choice for Iggy, though if he uses it and then complains to his doctor then that his blood pressure is becoming too low, he will most likely be told to stop the Hawthorn so that he can continue to use the Big Pharma Drug!

    Further, the proanthocyanidins (PCO’s) in Hawthorn have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and decrease the size of cholesterol-containing plaques in the arteries. This will not be popular with conventional medicine either, as it might cut into the profits they rake in from their expensive statin drugs…

    For improved sleep, Iggy might want to try a more natural solution in the form of Melatonin taken before bed – it is an excellent antioxidant that should be part of any anti-aging and longevity program, and oh, by the way, it helps most people sleep better.

  • Deficient in Iodine, But Allergic – What to do?

    Our recent article on Iodine stirred plenty of interest – it truly is a forgotten and misunderstood mineral. One of the more prevalent medical myths is that of the “Allergy to Iodine” – a frequently asked question by both doctors and nurses – who should know better. What they are really asking is “are you sensitive to Providone/Povidone-iodine (Betadine) topical (skin) solutions or iodine-containing injectable contrast medias?”

    Marilyn B writes:

    I’ve had low thyroid all my life, but am allergic to iodine (the doctor gave me iodine drops and my jaws locked). I use iodized sea salt. I have just about every disease you mentioned in the next-to-last paragraph… arthritis (everywhere), fibromyalgia, lumps on my thyroid and low thyroid, ovarian cysts (hysterectomy), breast cysts, chronic bronchitis… what can a person who is allergic to iodine do?

    Nurse Mark replies:

    No-one is truly allergic to iodine, any more than one could be allergic to water – iodine is a trace mineral that is essential to life. It is naturally present throughout our bodies. Many people have reactions to other components of things that may contain iodine, and iodine has been unfairly implicated – it is important to be sure that one is not reactive or sensitive to other ingredients or components of preparations or products that also contain iodine.

    It is interesting to note that Marilyn describes using iodized sea salt. Iodine is iodine, and iodized means iodine has been added. Obviously, the problem that Marilyn experienced when given “iodine drops” (and we don’t know what these were nor how they were administered) was not due to the iodine but to some other ingredient or component of the “drops.”

    What can someone like Marilyn do? She can work with an iodine-savvy holistic physician like Dr. Myatt who will help her to correct the iodine deficiency that is causing so many problems. A skilled physician will get to the bottom of the “allergy” so that appropriate forms of iodine supplementation can be used and the deficiency is corrected.

     

  • Drug Therapy For High Blood Pressure – Are The Side Effects Worth It?

    Questions about blood pressure and drugs used to control blood pressure are common here – we get them often. Big Pharma is constantly working to have Big Medicine declare lower and lower blood pressures to be “normal” – meaning that anyone with readings above that “normal” becomes a candidate for a lifetime of expensive drug therapy. It used to be that 120/80 was the norm, now it is being proposed that 115/75 should be considered the “gold standard” above which drugs should be prescribed.

    Warren wrote recently with the following comments and question:

    I am currently taking medicine for high blood pressure. It is reducing my energy level. Anything I can do to restore my energy would be a blessing. I am 65, but I work out 5 times a week.

    Warren, as you know, these drugs are not without side effects – and most people do not really appreciate how many and how serious these side effects really are. The drug companies are certainly not going to ‘fess-up to the problems that their toxic concoctions can cause, except in the tiny print of that little package insert that comes with the drug (that no-one reads…)

    Here is a summary of the more popular antihypertensive (blood pressure) medications and their more common side effects:

    Brand Name (Generic Name) Possible Common Side Effects Include:
    Accupril (quinapril hydrochloride) Headache, dizziness
    Aldatazide Diarrhea, fever, headache, decreased coordination
    Aldactone (spironolactone) Cramps, drowsiness, stomach disorders
    Aldomet (methyldopa) Fluid retention, headache, weak feeling
    Altace (ramipril) Headache, cough
    Calan, Calan SR (verapamil hydrochloride) Constipation, fatigue, decreased blood pressure
    Capoten (captopril) Decreased sense of taste, decreased blood pressure itching, rash
    Cardene (nicardipine Hydrochloride) Dizziness, headache, indigestion and nausea, increased heartbeat
    Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) Dizziness, fluid retention, headache, nausea, skin rash
    Cardura (doxazosin mesylate) Dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache
    Catapres Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation
    Corgard (nadolol) Behavioral changes, dizziness, decreased heartbeat, tiredness
    Corzide Dizziness, decreased heartbeat, fatigue, cold hands and feet
    Diuril (chlorothiazide) Cramps, constipation or diarrhea, dizziness, fever, increased glucose level in urine
    Dyazide Blurred vision, muscle and abdominal pain, fatigue
    DynaCirc (isradipine) Chest pain, fluid retention, headache, fatigue
    HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide) Upset stomach, headache, cramps, loss of appetite
    Hygroton (chlorthalidone) Anemia, constipation or diarrhea, cramps, itching
    Hytrin (terazosin hydrochloride) Dizziness, labored breathing, nausea, swelling
    Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) Constipation or diarrhea, tingling sensation, nausea and vomiting
    Inderide Blurred vision, cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite
    Lasix (furosemide) Back and muscle pain, indigestion, nausea
    Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) Diarrhea, itching/rash, tiredness
    Lotensin (benazepril hydrochloride) Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache
    Alozol (indapamide) Anxiety, headache, loss of energy, muscle cramps
    Maxzide Cramps, labored breathing, drowsiness, irritated stomach
    Minipress (prazosin hdrochloride) Headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness
    Moduretic Diarrhea, fatigue, itching, loss of appetite
    Monopril (fosinopril sodium) Nausea and vomiting, headache, cough
    Normodyne (labetalol hydrochloride) Fatigue, nausea, stuffy nose
    Plendil (felodipine) Pain in back, chest, muscles, joints, and abdomen, itching, dry mouth, respiratory problems
    Procardia, Procardia X (nifedipine) Swelling, constipation, nausea, fatigue
    Sectral (acebutolol hydrochloride) Constipation or diarrhea, gas, chest and joint pain
    Ser-Ap-Es Blurred vision, cramps, muscle pain, dizziness
    Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) Headache, constipation, dry mouth, weakness
    Tenoretic Decreased heartbeat, fatigue, nausea
    Tenormin (atenolol) Nausea, fatigue, dizziness
    Veseretic Diarrhea, muscle cramps, rash
    Vasotec (enalapril maleate) Chest pain, blurred vision, constipation or diarrhea, hives, nausea
    Visken (pindolol) Muscle cramps, labored breathing, nausea, fluid retention
    Wytensin (guanabenz acetate) Headache, drowsiness, dizziness
    Zaroxolyn (metolazone) Constipation or diarrhea, chest pain, spasms, nausea
    Zestoretic (lisinopril hydrochlorothiazide) Fatigue, headache, dizziness
    Zestril (lisinopril) Labored breathing, abdominal and chest pain, nausea, decreased blood pressure

    Wow – quite a collection! Nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue are a common thread through this – and also commonly reported with many of these drugs are the very undesirable side effects of loss of libido, impotence, sexual dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction.

    Fortunately, for those like Warren who want to avoid these drug-induced energy-sapping side effects, there are alternatives.

    Chiropractic therapy has shown positive results in the treatment of hypertension. A study published in The Journal of Human Hypertension demonstrated a significant lowering of blood pressure in hypertensive patients after only one chiropractic adjustment of the atlas vertebra. The study showed a reduction in blood pressure immediately following the adjustment as well as a full eight weeks following the adjustment. Blood pressure in the group receiving the chiropractic adjustment was lowered by an average of 17mmHg BP systolic and 10mmHg diastolic BP. According to the authors of the study the decrease in blood pressure was equal to taking two antihypertensive drugs at once.

    Dr. Myatt has a great deal of useful information and recommendations on our webpage discussing Hypertension – check it out!

    Reference:
    Bakris G, Dickholtz M, Meyer PM, et al (2007). “Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study”. J Hum Hypertens 21 (5): 347–52. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002133. PMID 17252032.

  • More On The Bisphosphonates Scandal – From A Dentist

    Our recent article The Ugly Truth About “Bone Building” Drugs For Osteoporosis drew plenty of responses expressing outrage that these drugs, with their potentially devastating side-effects, are being so heavily promoted – pushed – by drug companies and conventional doctors.

    One regular reader of HealthBeat, a well-known, straight-shooting dentist in Phoenix, wrote to say that he and his colleagues were well-aware of the dangers.

    Dr. Denny writes to say:

    Yep, dental dudes and dudettes have been aware of the Bisphosphonate scam for a couple of years; NOTHING will fix the necrosis, either- lots of therapies/protocols have been tried, none successfully.

    WORSE: even if a patient discontinues a [bis]phosphonate right here right  now… the half-life is 7-10 years !!!  SCREWED !

    Some pharmacologists have argued that the risk/benefit ratio is very much in favor of society-at-large, and the incidence ratio IS very low (essentially unknown)… it must be ok… unless… you come out to be one of the unlucky rarities.

    So…take it, and face a myriad of problems; discontinue it, but it will continue to plague you for a decadeor so…. yeah, sterling bit of pharmacological heroin mentality: hooked forever, even when you quit!

  • Blood Thinners, Rat Poison, And Purple Toes

    It seems that “blood thinners” are one of the more commonly prescribed drugs by conventional doctors – and any hint of a cardiac arrhythmia, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis – usually a clot in the lower legs), concerns about stroke, recent surgery, implanted parts and junk like stents or other metal, or just about any other excuse will find your conventional doc whipping out the prescription pad for warfarin, or Plavix, or heparin, or some other “blood thinner.”

    There are over 2 dozen conditions that can predispose to blood clot formation – and conventional “blood thinning” drugs only address about a third of those – leaving both doctors and patients to have a false sense of security with these drugs.

    For more information regarding blood viscosity, blood clotting, and thrombosis (clots) check out our webpage on Stroke, Thrombosis, and Phlebitis.

    There are natural ways to effectively normalize blood clotting and “blood viscosity” – that don’t have the potential side effects that come along with the “blood-thinning” drugs that your conventional doc is likely to prescribe. Some of these side effects are common, some less so – but all can be serious and don’t forget that all these drugs require frequent blood tests to monitor their performance and safety.

    Here is an example of one person’s experience with a very common anticoagulant drug – Sandra wrote recently to ask about coumadin (AKA Warfarin – AKA “rat poison”) and to express her dismay at her doctor’s lack of apparent concern with a reaction she had reported:

    I started taking coumadin a couple of weeks ago and after 3 days my big toe was very painful and turned a red/puplish color and is very cold. I have recently read that it could be a serious medical problem, however, my doctor does not seem concerned and the toe continues to be painful enough to wake me during the night. Should I be concerned? Or could you suggest what else I might do or if I should see another doctor? Thank you.

    And here is our reply:

    Hi Sandra,

    While we cannot comment on or provide advice for individual medical problems, your condition is certainly one that should cause you some concern. My strong recommendation would be for you to consider arranging a Health Optimization Consultation with Dr. Myatt who can help you sort out this problem and also help you to find other means of controlling your blood’s clotting factors than coumadin. You can find more information about consultations here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/consultations.htm and here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/consultbrochure.htm .

    You may wish to ask your doctor just why he feels that this is not of concern and if he / she is unwilling to answer or the answer does not satisfy you then you are certainly within your rights to seek the opinion of another doctor.

    Here is some information regarding a condition called “Purple Toe Syndrome” that can affect people using coumadin – taken from PubMed – the National Institute of Health’s website for doctors:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12741443?dopt=Abstract

    2003 May;23(5):674-7.

    Purple toes syndrome associated with warfarin therapy in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome.

    Talmadge DB, Spyropoulos AC.

    University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA.

    Purple toes syndrome is an extremely uncommon, nonhemorrhagic, cutaneous complication associated with warfarin therapy. It is characterized by the sudden appearance of bilateral, painful, purple lesions on the toes and sides of the feet that blanch with pressure. The syndrome usually develops 3-8 weeks after the start of warfarin therapy. A 47-year-old man with a history of purple toes syndrome that resolved after discontinuing warfarin–prescribed for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right lower leg–experienced an acute, proximal DVT in his other leg. Warfarin again was prescribed; 1 week later, purple toes syndrome developed in that extremity. Warfarin therapy again was discontinued, and intravenous unfractionated heparin was started; the patient’s clinical picture indicated a possible pulmonary embolism, and laboratory analysis suggested antiphospholipid syndrome. The patient’s toe pain resolved, but the purple discoloration persisted. Follow-up laboratory analysis confirmed antiphospholipid syndrome, and warfarin was restarted with close monitoring. No further complications occurred with long-term therapy. Although a rare complication of therapy, clinicians should monitor for the development of purple toes syndrome in patients taking warfarin.

    Publication Types:
    Case Reports

    PMID: 12741443 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

    I hope this is helpful!

    Cheers,
    Nurse Mark