Over on the "Headrambles" site, Grandad has been waxing lyrical about the Pharmaceutical Industry and their lotions and potions so I thought I would add a personal observation to this.

A few years ago I was again diagnosed with high blood pressure, something that I had known about all of my life. By high I mean it is above the national average and like everyone's blood pressure, the reading depends on the circumstances in which you take it. If you are stressed and in pain it will be sky high whoever you are. If it is first thing in the morning after a good night's sleep your blood pressure could be very low indeed. Anyway, because I was in my late forties and had never taken a prescribed pill in my life to that point, I was ripe to become a customer of "Big Pharma."

Apparently once you are in the system and buying pills the issue becomes extra and repeat business for them. You will find new things happening to you as a result of the pills you were put on and these new things will require that you take other pills to counter them as well. So my first encounter with the specialist saw me leaving with a prescription for one anadin tablet each morning, a beta-blocker with it, a dual purpose tablet called "Twynsta" and a statin cholesterol tablet each night just to top it off. A veritable feast you might say.

The Beta-Blocker caused my blood pressure to go so low that it cut oxygen to the brain and I blacked out on two occasions because of it. Hospitalised twice overnight for these incidents I hurt myself very badly the second time I passed out and nearly a year later and plenty of Physio, I'm still not right. But the consultant on the second occasion put it down to the Beta Blockers and took me off them immediately. It prompted me to ask why I was put on the fucking things day one and the medical ranks closed on that pretty fast. No blame could be apportioned and all medication had side effects and it was my own responsibility to inform myself of these – full stop.

This is where it gets hilarious though. The Twynsta tablet is a two-in-one laddie containing 'telmisartan' and 'amlodipine,' (whatever they are). Being the knowledge-hungry beaver that I am, I looked up the known side effects of both ingredients. I do not expect you to read down carefully through these horrific lists but scan them even swiftly and you'll get the drift. Are you sitting down?

Telmisartan:
"As well as its needed effects, telmisartan may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention. If any of the following side effects occur while taking telmisartan, check with your doctor immediately":

Rare
    •    Changes in vision
    •    dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
    •    fast heartbeat
    •    large hives
    •    painful urination or changes in urinary frequency
    •    swelling in the hands, lower legs, and feet

Incidence not known
    •    Blurred vision
    •    chest pain or discomfort
    •    confusion
    •    dark-colored urine
    •    decreased urine output
    •    dilated neck veins
    •    extreme fatigue
    •    flushing
    •    hives or welts
    •    hoarseness
    •    irregular breathing
    •    irritation
    •    itching
    •    joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
    •    large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
    •    muscle cramps or stiffness
    •    numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
    •    pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
    •    pounding in the ears
    •    rash
    •    redness of the skin
    •    slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
    •    sweating
    •    swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips
    •    tightness in the chest
    •    trouble breathing or swallowing
    •    trouble with speaking or walking
    •    trouble with thinking
    •    unusual tiredness or weakness
    •    unusually warm skin
    •    weakness or heaviness of the legs
    •    weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
    •    weight gain

Some telmisartan side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

Less common
    •    Abdominal or stomach pain
    •    back pain
    •    bloating or gas
    •    changes in appetite
    •    coughing
    •    diarrhea
    •    dry mouth
    •    ear pain or hearing problems
    •    fever
    •    general tiredness or weakness
    •    headache
    •    heartburn
    •    increased sweating
    •    muscle pain or spasm
    •    nausea
    •    nervousness
    •    runny or stuffy nose
    •    sneezing
    •    sore throat

Incidence not known
    •    Acid or sour stomach
    •    belching
    •    decreased interest in sexual intercourse
    •    difficulty with moving
    •    inability to have or keep an erection
    •    indigestion
    •    joint pain
    •    lack or loss of strength
    •    leg cramps
    •    loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
    •    muscle aching
    •    stomach discomfort or upset
    •    swelling
    •    weakness

Now you will notice these are all pre-fixed with words like rare, unknown and less common but they are all still put there for you to know about. This is the small print shit that nobody reads but it is a solid defense in court in the unlikely event you ever get that far. 

And what about the lad 'Amlodipine?'

"Not all side effects for amlodipine may be reported. You should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice.
For the Consumer
Applies to amlodipine: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating
In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by amlodipine. In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking amlodipine":

More common
    •    Swelling of the ankles or feet

Less common
    •    Difficult or labored breathing
    •    dizziness
    •    fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
    •    feeling of warmth
    •    redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, 

Upper chest
    •    shortness of breath
    •    tightness in the chest
    •    wheezing

Rare
    •    Black, tarry stools
    •    bleeding gums
    •    blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
    •    blood in the urine or stools
    •    blurred vision
    •    burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
    •    chest pain or discomfort
    •    chills
    •    cold and clammy skin
    •    cold sweats
    •    confusion
    •    dark yellow urine
    •    cough
    •    diarrhea
    •    dilated neck veins
    •    dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
    •    extra heartbeats
    •    extreme fatigue
    •    fainting
    •    fever
    •    itching of the skin
    •    joint or muscle pain
    •    large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
    •    numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
    •    pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
    •    painful or difficult urination
    •    pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
    •    pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
    •    red, irritated eyes
    •    redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, 
    •    redness, soreness or itching skin
    •    shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
    •    slow or irregular heartbeat
    •    sore throat
    •    sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
    •    sores, welting, or blisters
    •    sudden sweating
    •    sweating
    •    swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
    •    swollen glands
    •    trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
    •    unsteadiness or awkwardness
    •    unusual bleeding or bruising
    •    unusual tiredness or weakness
    •    weak or absent pulses in the legs
    •    weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
    •    weight gain
    •    yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known
    •    Abdominal or stomach pain
    •    clay-colored stools
    •    diarrhea
    •    headache
    •    loss of appetite
    •    nausea
    •    rash
    •    unpleasant breath odor
    •    vomiting of blood
    •    yellow eyes or skin

Some of the side effects that can occur with amlodipine may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:
Less common
    •    Acid or sour stomach
    •    belching
    •    heartburn
    •    indigestion
    •    lack or loss of strength
    •    muscle cramps
    •    sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
    •    stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Rare
    •    Abnormal dreams
    •    anxiety
    •    back pain
    •    bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
    •    bleeding gums
    •    blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
    •    bloating
    •    bloody nose
    •    burning feeling in the chest or stomach
    •    burning while urinating
    •    burning, dry, or itching eyes
    •    change in color of the treated skin
    •    change in sense of smell
    •    change in taste
    •    changes in vision
    •    constipation
    •    continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
    •    cracked, dry, or scaly skin
    •    decreased sexual performance or desire
    •    depression
    •    difficulty with moving
    •    difficulty with swallowing
    •    discharge, excessive tearing
    •    double vision
    •    dry mouth
    •    dryness of the skin
    •    excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
    •    excessive muscle tone
    •    eye pain
    •    feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
    •    feeling of unreality
    •    feeling unusually cold
    •    flushed, dry skin
    •    fruit-like breath odor
    •    full feeling
    •    general feeling of discomfort or illness
    •    hair loss or thinning of the hair
    •    headache, severe and throbbing
    •    hearing loss
    •    hyperventilation
    •    increased appetite
    •    increased hunger
    •    increased sweating
    •    increased thirst
    •    increased urge to urinate during the night
    •    increased urination
    •    irritability
    •    irritation in the mouth
    •    lack of feeling or emotion
    •    loose stools
    •    loss of memory
    •    muscle pains or stiffness
    •    muscle tension or tightness
    •    muscle weakness
    •    nervousness
    •    pain
    •    pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
    •    passing gas
    •    problems with memory
    •    redness and swelling of the gums
    •    redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
    •    restlessness
    •    runny nose
    •    seeing double
    •    sensation of spinning
    •    sense of detachment from self or body
    •    shakiness and unsteady walk
    •    shivering
    •    sleeplessness
    •    sneezing
    •    stuffy nose
    •    sweating
    •    swollen joints
    •    tenderness in the stomach area
    •    thirst
    •    trouble in holding or releasing urine
    •    trouble sleeping
    •    twitching
    •    unable to sleep
    •    uncaring
    •    unexplained weight loss
    •    unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
    •    waking to urinate at night
    •    weight loss
Incidence not known
    •    Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

And don't get me even started on "Statins." One of yesterday's papers had the following to say about them. "Regular statin drugs used as prescribed is linked to dementia, muscle wasting, and muscle pain. Diabetes, cataracts, liver dysfunction, fatigue and now add advanced aging. In a recent study published in the Journal of The American Physiological Society scientist discovered an unintended effect of statin drugs that can affect the rate at which one ages. In other words, speeds up the aging process!"

If like me, you are just an ordinary person trying to get by in life the best you can then that litany above is an absolute scandal. People who have spent years in University have told me to take these things and private companies who command universal respect have spent billions devising them for our welfare. The above cocktail was foisted on me to prevent a heart attack. So one afternoon I had a consultation with my pharmacist, a lovely credible guy who knows his stuff.

I asked first, "If I continue taking the pills, am I guaranteed not to have a heart attack?" and the answer was no. So I re-phrased it and asked, "If I stop taking them then am I guaranteed I will get one instead?" and again the answer was no. "It's all down to risk," he told in summation. "But I could get knocked down by a car as I leave here," I argued. "That's true," he replied signaling the end of the interview.

My brother told me once about a very complex individual he knew and he summed the guy up by saying, "Even his tendencies have tendencies." 

Could that describe modern medication?