DEAR DR. GOTT:
My wife is 68 years old, a diabetic, has high blood pressure and is bothered with a constant throbbing in her head, especially in bed at night. She takes Digitek, Amlodipine and HCTZ plus two others I can’t remember the names of.
If you have any ideas that will help her, it would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, your article on grape seed extract helped her cure her Parkinson’s immediately. She had it over 5 years. Thank you very much.
DEAR READER:
Most headaches are minor and can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, while others can signal a serious medical problem. It certainly appears your wife falls in to the latter category.
Digitek is generally prescribed for cardiac-related conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure but can also be used for impaired kidney function, electrolyte and thyroid disorders, and more. This product can cause visual disturbances, headache and several other problems. Amlodipine (Lotrel) is used to treat hypertension. A noted side effect is headache. HCTZ, also used for control of hypertension, can produce headaches as a side effect.
It would be my guess her physician is attempting to treat several conditions with several medications and there is a reaction occurring between them with headaches being the unwanted result. She could simply be over-medicated.
I urge her to return to her primary care physician or the specialist that ordered the drugs initially. As long as her medical conditions are under control, he or she may wish to experiment by reducing one medication at a time. If the headaches disappear, she will have her answer. If not, a specialist such as a neurologist might be consulted. Perhaps she can become involved with a headache clinic that can provide answers and relief. I’m sure she is frustrated, but I urge her to follow through until the answer can be found.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Hypertension”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
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