: : Granny’s Condition : :

Today is both a good day and a bad day.

Bad Day

I know that Granny’s doctor got mad at me when I questioned him about the high-blood pressure medication he gave her was making her feeling tired and losing her appetite even though it was controlling her blood pressure. Reason is that after I told her not to talk it after feeling so bad this week, she recovered her appettite slowly but surely over the past two days.

How did the visit went? To me, I could not understand why he did not immediately give me alternative solutions until I asked him directly after much prodding. I know doctors are stressed out and all that, hence no firing or loud words. But still, I didn’t feel comfortable. Even though he could be right that the calcium blockers should not make her lose her appetite or make her feel tire and lethargic, he still could not explain why it as soon as she stop taking the medicine, she felt better. Of course, he did recommend for a full checkup as there could be another problem, which I did agree to but not at his clinic and never again will I bring her there. The only reason we went there was because she needed to have a checkup before her cataract operation and this physician was the nearest.

I should have been more suspicious when we went into his clinic and it was not jammed packed with patients. In Asia, if a specialist is very good, his clinic is so pack that you cannot see him without an appointment. If one can just easily pop by to see a specialist as easy as a normal GP, well, bears thinking a bit.

And like I said, even though he could be right, the way he dealt with Granny and myself leaves much to be desired for.

Good Day

After a phonecall to Miri to another doctor cousin, I found another physician. Another cousin in Kuching who knows this physician has so graciously made the appointment to see the doctor on Saturday morning and agreed to show us to the clinic. Even found out that my uncle doctor goes to him. I feel a lot better now.

At the same time, I bought a blood pressure monitor tonight from the pharmacy so that I can check on Granny’s blood pressure. Surprisingly, the monitor registered her at 140/86 at night compared to this morning at 180/95 at the doctor’s. Note that she has not taken any medication for the past two days. I’m getting suspicious.

We’ll see how tomorrow goes. Not feeling so good at the moment. Am thinking why didn’t I bring her earlier. Both of us thought it would not get this serious as she is getting old and suffers the occasional backpain (she had a slipped disc years ago) and leg pain. Sigh.

And reading this article about calcium blockers doesn’t help at all.

Common Blood Pressure Drug May Not Be So Useful for Heart

Blood Pressure Drug May Increase Risk of Death

Blood Pressure Meds: Pricey Isn’t Better

Popular Blood Pressure Medicine May Do More Harm Than Good

Another point to note : the brand of drug that she is taking is not even listed on WebMB which makes me suspect that it hasn’t pass approval for FDA. Not to mention that the 2nd batch of pills that she had from this doctor did not come packaged individually but loose pills. Wonder how old they are.

I’m just tired of this and so is Granny. I hope that tomorrow will be a good day and we’ll finally see the end of this whole problem.