Medicines

See that little group of words, down towards the bottom, in the right hand column? Notice how big the word medicine is? That's because, as of this date, I have blogged more about medicine than anything else. I was hoping to change that one day, but today is not the day. Several people have asked for more details concerning the type of medications I take, so here they are, in no particular order.

Veletri is an intravenous medicine that is given continuously through a catheter that runs into my chest and straight to my heart. Veletri is an epoprostenol, which helps dilate (open up) blood vessels in the lung, allowing blood to flow more easily. The PVOD has scarred much of my lung tissue and there will be no regeneration of this tissue. However, the Veletri is opening up what is left. (The scarring the PVOD left behind causes the backing up of blood in the pulmonary artery and that is what caused the right sided heart failure. The Veletri helps relieve some of that pressure on the heart.)

Digoxin is a medication used to treat heart failure. It helps make the heart beat stronger and with a more regular rhythm. The interesting thing about Digoxin is that it is made from the leaves of the digitalis, or Foxglove, plant.

Furosemide is a diuretic that is used to treat edema, or swelling. Unfortunately, some diuretics, like Furosemide can cause hypokalemia, low potassium levels. So, potassium supplements are often prescribed.

Spironolactone is another diuretic that treats edema. It's actually a potassium-sparing diuretic. However, I take this in addition to the Furosemide and still have to take Klor-Con Potassium several times a day due to hypokalemia.

Furosemide and Spironolactone are often called water pills. Without them I'd probably look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Those little pills do amazing work.

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent the formation of blood clots. A lot of people refer to these as blood thinners. Warfarin is essentially rat poison. It was created in 1948 and used to kill rats and mice. Lovely, eh?

In addition, I take a Vitamin D3 supplement. Most people, especially those living in Ohio, are deficient in Vitamin D3 and should have their levels tested. Research has shown that Vitamin D3 is essential for aiding in the absorption of calcium.

I have very low blood pressure, so I walk a fine line between what medicines I can take and still be properly treated. I've been asked why I'm not on this or that, but I leave such medical decisions up to my team of doctors--pulmonary doctor, cardiologist, transplant doctor, bone doctor, allergist, and more. They include some of the best at Cleveland Clinic and are specialists in their field. And, just as their patients are different, so are the treatments they prescribe.