Seniors

A 90 year old woman was diagnosed with penumonia about 4 weeks ago which required hospitalization. She was placed on an antibiotics was not getting any better. Was rushed by ambulance to the hospital for choking and was placed on prednisone of 50 mg/day for a week with a plan to have the prednisone decreased by 10mg/day every week there after, until weaned. She starts today with 20 mg(s)/day for the next week, but has not regained any of her energy. I am praying for a miracle that she will regain her strength, but it does not look very promising. Was the initial dose of 50mg/day too much for her system. Her pneumonia appears to have cleared up, but she is so short winded, fatigued, always wants to sleep and has lost interest in her usual activities. Prior to the pneumonia, was washing p...

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I am 73 years old. Just starting AMPHETA S/COMBO 5MG TAB BARR today. Would like to know how it has affected other seniors (60-older). What can I look for? ## jimmie 300 if you type in ampheta s combo on your search engine it will give you the medical information on the med. I looked it up, what did they prescribe it to you for? looks like it can be useful for several things. Just remember as we get older we do have different reactions to meds, so just be aware of this. ## Hello, Jimmie! How are you? And thank you for the post Karen, you are correct. The main different with medications used in seniors is they may experience more side effects, because their bodies are more sensitive to many medications. Thus, you may experience more nervousness, dizziness, headache, irritability and weigh...

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My insurance company informed me that they will no longer cover prescription for Cyclobenzapr for patience over 65. Because of the problems seniors develop from this drug. My doctor did not know what they meant and said I could just pay for it and still get it. $4.00 at Walmart so I will continue but is the insurance co. correct or lying, is it dangerous for seniors, if so in what way? Very concerned! ## Hello, The concerns that your insurance company expressed may actually be valid. Based on my research, the FDA states that the use of Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine) In the elderly may increase the frequency and severity of adverse events associated with or without concomitant medications and should be initiated with a 5 mg dose- then titrated slowly upward. That is the most pertinent inform...

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I need to know if anyone knows if Percocet is better than Vicodin for a senior citizen ## There is no set answer to give to this question. It's really going to depend on various factors, such as their overall health, other medications they may be taking and their sensitivity to such medications. Neither is really recommended over the other, but some doctors may choose to avoid both due to the Acetaminophen in them and how it can affect the liver, so they may prescribe something else entirely. Learn more Vicodin details here. Learn more Percocet details here. Which one has been prescribed?

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I believe seniors WILL get Dementia more rapidly by not being able to keep their teeth clean, etc. We must have Medicare and Medi - Cal put this back in their insurances as seniors need help with their teeth just as much as a child does. This is not right or fair. Do you know the paid a senior can also go through? I think you should see that this comes to an end before we are all Hitler's. ## Proper hygiene is certainly a top priority for most human beings these days. Not to come off blunt, but I believe preventative measures for good health are more important than treatment options for those who choose not to take care of themselves (i.e. not brushing their teeth, showering, etc). What ever happened to eating your fruits and vegetables, exercising daily, meditating, & socializi...

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AARP is not an organization looking out for seniors and getting savings on drugs. AARP should have the following information at their fingertips and I have brought it to their attention in 2 separate emails. Pfizer has revised their patient income limit. The new limits are $47,080 annualy for a single person. If your income is below that level you can get drugs like Celebrex, Lyrica and others for FREE. Previously, my prescription for Lyrica and Premarin put me in the donut hole by March. Now, since I get them FREE directly from Pfizer I am nowhere near the donut hole. Pfizer is a great company looking out for seniors. AARP should be ashamed to themselves for not getting this information out to their subscribers.l Go on the site Pfizer Pathways and you will get all the info you need to ...

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The medicine cost 200.00 dollars why doesn't someone let Medicare know this medicine is needed for a lot of seniors. Please help me. Can you send me the name of the manufacture of this pill. ## It isn't Medicare who won't pay for it, United Health which is your Medicare Prescription Part D Drug Plan is the one who won't pay for it. You need to appeal their decision to not pay for it. ## This is LIBRAX (chlordiaxepoxide HCL and clinidium bromide; the BDP is Librium, a mild tranquilizer and the other is an antispasmodic, anticholinergic.) these are cheap drugs. I remember about 10 years ago order 12 x 100 on a generic manufacturers brand for my Dad It was cheaper than his $5.00 copays! Look at LIRAX on Wikipedia (one of the few drug sites I whole approve of; they're ge...

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Started taking Trintillex. Had bad side effects and stopped too fast which caused withdrawal. Now my Dr. has prescribed Escitalopram 5 mg. How long does this take to start working? Or is Zoloft 5mg better to start taking? Thanks so much. ## Zoloft is for middle aged women going through menopause It depresses young adults and seniors ## Iam waiting for a response regarding my questions about is Zoloft better or Lexapro which is escitalipram. ## Joni, which one may help you the most depends on the specific symptoms being treated, as well as any health conditions you may have, and other medications you may be taking, so it is best to try the one that your doctor has recommended. For example, since Sertraline can cause weight gain, and Fluoxetine(Prozac) usually doesn't, my husband woul...

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I don't understand why I have to suffer so much and I've lost out on so much in life. It doesn't seem fair. I live in southeast ky. I need a doctor close by. I wish I could find one close to Berea ky. ## The dea is totally stupid making seniors suffer because some young kids buy fentanyl illegally from other countries while so called pain clinics have become a billion dollar industry torturing seniors.

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Hi, I found a bottle with peach colored pills. on one side of the pill, it has a 1G and on the other side , there is number 282. name: cyclobenzapr 5mg. On line I found a 5mg pill, blue, one side is 1G and the other side is 283. Is this the same pill? Back in Nov. 2015 my husband was prescribed medication for shoulder pain. I found it in medicine cabinet and wondered if I should save them for another time since we are seniors with Arthritis. Thank You for your help. ## Hello, Esther! How are you? Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that's used to help treat the pain and spasms that can occur from strains, sprains and injury. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache and dry mouth. It will not alleviate arthritis pain. And yes, both tab...

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pain medication ## My 89 year old mother-in-law was prescribed gabatentin for pain (specifically pain in the back, hips and legs). She is a cancer survivor (breast and 2-time colon) and has arthritis. Would like to get more information on this drug. She was telling me last night that since she's been taking it (approx. 1 month: dosage 2 tablets at bedtime), her speech is slower; she doesn't feel as confident; and is not as social as she was (she lives in a seniors building in Milwaukee and has been rather active). Please advise. ## My 86 year old Mom was just prescribed this-she has peripheral neuropathy due to chemo and radiation six years ago-the side effects of this med sound like problems she is already having-i.e.-loss of balance-help? ## What you are describing sounds like...

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Almost every singular boards and all American pharmaceutical Assoc's & AMA, APHA FDA, AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION WERE OVERRULED BY THE UNLIMITED POWER OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE (DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DECREE OF PSUDO -QUASI DEMAND ANTI DRUG CORRUPTION & Attys blanket powers passed this horrendous uncalculated uptick of a switch to CII FROM NO CONTROLLED PREVIOUS CLASS Rx. It may save a few laws,but the disabled and nonamulatory Very I'll elderly seniors Must appear in person every month for a hard copy script WITH NO REFILLS ALLOWED. SUICIDES WILL SPIKE, AND THE POWERLESS FOLKS WILL SUFFER INTRACTABLE VICIOUS UNRELENTING EXCRUCIATING SEVERE PAIN WITHOUT ANY WAY TO TRAVEL OR WALK MAY JUST SUFFER, AND THE PAIN WILL INTENSIFY UNTIL THEY LOSE THE WILL TO GO ON AND UNRELE...

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I am a 67 yr old white woman who had been taking Dexilant 60 mg for over 10 years for Hiatus Hernia and Gerd. When I was on Empliyer Insurance I maybe received $50 toward each Dexilant prescription. Now I am on Medicare Plan F Prescription Ins. And Dexilant, (company) will not help senior citizens at all? I am through the loop end of my Medicare Prescription plan and Dexilant went from $93 for 3 months to $282 for 3 months. It seems my pay per yr is too high, so basically no help for Seniors Citizens s with cost of out of pocket total cost for Dexilant? ## Hello, Linda! How are you? Have you spoken to your doctor about? There are other medications in this class that are available as generics, such as Omeprazole and Lansoprazole, which would be much, much cheaper and your Medicare may ev...

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I am 74, in good shape, and recently received a pacemaker to compensate for a left bundle branch block and leaky mitral valve. I monitor my BP daily. My 6 yr average is 128/68; consistent. I am on 12.5 mg Losartan (3 months) which has lowered my systolic to ~120 but raised my diastolic to ~76. I now have minor dizzyness (after getting up) but no other significant side effects. Why is the diastolic higher? Is this a potential problem? ## Normal readings are considered to be 120/80, and a little higher for seniors, so those aren't usually dangerous numbers, according to FDA reports. However, the dizziness might be a concern. You said it isn't severe, but it would be a good idea to inform your doctor of the issue to be safe. It could be that this just isn't the right medication...

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I've been taking lisinopril 20 mg twice daily for several years, filling it through Walmart Mail-Order whose supplier is Lupin Pharmaceuticals. The pills have always been pink and the same size until my most recent refill, when the size is now half of what it was previously, about the same as the hydroclorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg pill I take as well. Although the latter is pale peach in color while the former is pink, both pills are round in shape and the similarity between the two is quite problematic, especially for seniors like myself or anyone with poor vision, particularly when trying to distinguish between them in low light. Apparently pharmaceutical companies are legally allowed to change a pill size without FDC permission and with no requirement to advise customers of the chan...

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at the age of 79 triple bypass at 83 showing a fib on halter monitor . 15 mg xarelto started. Last year (7/14/15), st jude clinical trial pacemaker placed in left ventricle doing well but since bypass (5 years previous) began having memory issue (dx early dementia) and taking nemantine (20 mg bid) and (10 mg qd) Aricept. uses inhaler two puffs (bid) Symbicort (not always compliant w this med) question (finally) quality of life affected w xarelto his primary dr didn't even understand why he was placed on the drug (since a massive amt of seniors are walking around with a fib and just on aspirin therapy. his cardiologist said he needed it. I just retired as an RN ed tripped one day and landed on his hip and had a massive bruise his hands are bruised he cant work in the garden he is becomi

Been taking amlodipine 5mg for a week for high blood pressure. I'm feeling jittery, a bit spaced out, uneasy and vaguely unwell. My blood pressure and pulse are within normal ranges now. I'm 68. How long will (what I assume are) side effects take to go away? ## It may take about 4 to 5 weeks for them to go away, once your body gets used to the medication, according to NIH reports. You may also experience nausea, dizziness, headache, increased urination, and hypotension. Are you on any other medications? Sometimes side effects can be more severe for seniors. ## Im taking atenolol 50 mg for 3 years now and planning to take amlodipine 5 mg..im afraid to take amlodipine..im afraid of the side effects. Can anyone help me? ## Ed, been on amlodipine for years now.As far as I can tell, ...

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I have been a smoker for 54 years and have tried everything over the counter to stop smoking including acupuncture. Nothing worked for me. I realize you have to be committed to quit and I really was this time. My last cigarette was May 17th with Chantix. There have been no ill effects so far and I don't expect any. At times I still have cravings but I keep telling myself "you've come this far, don't go back now." I will be 72 next month and the best gift I can give myself as well as my family is to never smoke again!! ## Congratulations, Gram! That is so awesome!!! Seniors can be more sensitive to the side effects of medications and may experience them more intensely, as reported by the FDA, so if you do start to experience any adverse effects, including depression o...

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My doctor put me on Xifaxan 3 X daily for 14 days because he had no samples. Walgreens called to inform me my copay is $844.00 which I can't pay! I know this works for SIBO bc I've had samples from him before. The cost of this antibiotic is excessive! ## I have now spoken with 3 pharmacist about coupons etc about cost of this Xifaxin! Without my Part D plan my insurance said my cost would be $4500. 14 days supply! Even the insurance rep tried to help but nothing anybody can do. Across the board this medicine is too costly! Many people have SIBO/ IBS & need this med. Our government should step up & help the seniors with these Big Pharm. Unless you are on Medicaid or have SSI or other subsidy you are screwed. Most seniors are barely making it on minimum social security as ...

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I have psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. I've always been prescribed Percocet 10/325 for my pain. This morning my pharmacy told me that the price has increased by $2.00 by my insurance company (UHC) has not yet adjusted their coverage price. Therefor my prescription for 120 Percocets (or generic) will be $240. I find this to be unbelievably irresponsible of you and your associate manufacturers. I'm on SS and do not have Medicare -- how am I supposed to afford 1 prescription that costs me $240? I'm just one of the millions of peoples that are prescribed this drug, especially Seniors. What are you thinking? What can I do? What will you do for me? ## This site has nothing to do with the pricing of medication. You ne...

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