He has survived Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (1988), a 5 way by-pass surgery (1991), stroke (1997), and two carotid artery surgeries (1997 and 1998). He has type two diabetes as a result of his lymphoma chemotherapy. He is in kidney failure, was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2005 and myelodysplasia.
He regularly sees an oncologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist, urologist and cardiologist. His medications include pain relievers, blood thinners, cholesterol reducers, calcium, vitamins, water pills, and many more.

I would like your opinion. We have insurance which I am very thankful for. I respect his doctors and their opinions as I do yours. I am worried, though, that he is over medicated. I also am worried that if he stops any of these, it would be his end. He leads a fairly normal life other than sleeping a lot, but given the situation, I would expect this. He does not do much, cannot play golf and is no longer sexually active (even though he would like to be). It is just not possible for him to do the things he wants and enjoys the way he used to.

DEAR READER:
Your husband has several serious medical ailments for which he is taking various (and mostly appropriate) medications. In your list, I do see two medications that I believe could be safely stopped. Valtrex is given to individuals with genital herpes as an outbreak preventive or treatment. Because your husband is not sexually active, there is little risk of him passing this condition on to you. You also state that your husband sleeps a lot. I note that he is taking Lunesta which is a sleep aid. If he is getting more than adequate sleep (7-8 hours) I don’t believe he needs this. If he is taking it because he cannot fall asleep at night, perhaps this is a result of him sleeping too much during the day. Try to keep your husband as active as possible during the day and he should have no problem sleeping at night.

Before making any modifications, I suggest you discuss your concerns with his physicians. Perhaps they would be willing to set up a conference call or meeting at which you and your husband can discuss the necessity of his medications and whether or not any can be modified, reduced or stopped. It is important, given his various ailments, that all his physicians agree on medication modifications. Perhaps now is also the time to involve a primary care physician who can help you sort out his medications and treatments. This will also help in the future if his situation becomes worse. At that time he may wish only to have medication to make him comfortable. Your husband’s quality of life should be of the utmost importance and if he is not enjoying his life and is missing out on the things he loves, his is, in my opinion, suffering. This can also lead to depression.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

He is 57, has had two heart attacks but is now healthy and has a low blood pressure. He is on Zetia, Benecar, Lipitor, aspirin and Effexor.

His problem is that when he lies on his left side, he hears a pulsating blood flow noise in his right ear. It has the same timing as his heart beat. If he turns his head to the right or lies on his right side the noise stops. Occasionally it happens while he is standing or sitting upright. It is not debilitating but is very irritating to him. If he presses on the carotid artery, the sound stops but resumes once he releases the pressure. He cannot remember if this started before or after his heart attacks.

His hearing has been checked and is normal.

We would both appreciate any suggestions you may have. He claims he will even sleep with a bar of soap under his neck if it will help.

DEAR READER:
A noise in the neck that stops when pressure is applied to the carotid artery suggests that there may be blockage in that artery.

This possibility can be very dangerous. If left untreated, the blockage will get larger and may severely reduce or stop blood flow through the artery. A piece may also break off and be carried to the brain where it could lead to stroke.

Therefore, I recommend that your husband ask his physician to order a carotid ultrasound. It is safe and easy. This will diagnose a blockage if one is present.

If, as I suspect, your husband has a blockage, treatment will depend on the severity. He will most likely need to start anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin (Coumadin). He may also benefit from a procedure called angioplasty that uses a balloon-like device to break up the blockage and restore blood flow.

Your husband’s cardiologist is the best source for more information about causes and possible treatment options. I suggest you start with him or her and bring along a copy of my response to your letter. Let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Coronary Artery Disease” and “Stroke”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).