Yet another wasted trip to the doctors resulted in another attempt on my life! OK, a little melodramatic I know but, it is all starting to get a little Agatha Christie on the prescription front. I nearly had a heart attack there and then when the sensible receptionist got me an appointment to see the doctor for the same day, but as usual the meeting degenerated into the issue of blood pressure. Never mind that my eyesight still hasn’t returned to normal; I should go and pay for an eye test and trust the commercial opticians NOT to try and sell me something I do not need. After all, they would refer me to the eye infirmary if they found anything wrong, apparently doctors haven’t got the brains to do that now.

Still no results back from the hospital on brain scan etc, apparently can now take up to a month, presumably so they only have to treat survivors  thus reducing waiting lists. Meanwhile, more blood tests for doc and of course more tablets to reduce the blood pressure despite me pointing out they were not doing anything apart from giving me side effects.

When I got the prescription I checked the list for killer side effects. I know, I was a bit slow, I should have checked before I even put the prescription in but, after all the doctor had told me they were relatively harmless. In relation to playing: Russian roulette with five chambers loaded, jumping off the top of Nelson’s Column, playing cricket in the fast lane of the M6 during rush hour.

What was really interesting was the number of bloggers slamming these tablets, over thirty on one site with as many again posting comments agreeing with the posts. They are now back with the chemist and I have sent my GP a nice letter explaining why I shall not be taking them:

Reference:   DOXAZOSIN 2mg twice daily

Dear Dr Gupta,

I am writing to inform you that I shall not be taking the above medication because of all the adverse side effects. There are sixty one listed including: Sleepiness, tiredness, Bronchitis, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, stroke and heart attack.

Whilst I appreciate, both yourself and Dr Motwani, have my good health at heart, I cannot see any advantage in lowering my blood pressure at the cost of being reduced to semi-conscious incontinent state.  I am still working and need to drive at least four days a week, previous medication (Ramipril) left me struggling to stay awake and extremely lethargic. I am already in a continuous state of tiredness due to my snoring causing poor sleep. Furthermore, I have every reason to believe these tablets would have the same effect and I am definitely not taking any medication that confesses to adding to the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack.

As previously stated, on my visits to the surgery, every medication has apparently lowered my blood pressure for the first two weeks or so but then, they appear to be ineffective. I don’t believe throwing increasingly large doses of more extreme medications is the answer and refuse to be drawn into taking anything that will lower my standard of life.

However, I don’t believe there has been any investigation into the cause of my high blood pressure and would be keen to partake in anything that may prevent the condition occurring.

Finally, I have written this letter rather than discussing the matter in person because of the increasing difficulty in getting to see medically trained staff at your surgery. Despite the deserted waiting room there are never any appointments available. Last time I asked to see the nurse to get my blood pressure checked, I was told I would have to wait at least ten days. High street pharmacists will take your blood pressure in twenty minutes without prior appointment.

I hope this clarifies my position on the above medication and I am willing to discuss the matter in person if it will help.

Rather diplomatically I did not point out that the recommended starting dose was only 1 mg a day and that the doctor had put me straight onto to four times this.