Should I take the tablets?

[veryhotcook]

I have been diagnosed with Arnold Chiari's Type I four years ago. Yesterday I saw my neurologist here in the Canary Islands as I had been experiencing sharp pains behind my left eye which then radiated down my face and into my jaw and teeth. I had been managing to keep it under control with a combination of Ibuprofen and a codeine phosphate preperation that my GP had prescribed a couple of weeks ago. If I take this combined medication I can keep the pain under control. However yesterday my neurologist prescribed Verapamil 160mgs daily, Dacortin, a steroid, at 30mgs a day for 15 days, Zomig 2.5mgs up to twice a day if necessary and pantoprazol, which I believe is similar to Omeprazole. I had to undergo a ECG yesterday before I can take these drugs as they can affect your heart? I am a 61 year old male, am overweight, a heavy smoker for more than 40 years and am seriously concerned that these drugs may do more harm than good or even cause more problems for me. Can anyone give any advice as I am frightened to take them. I cannot talk freely with my neurologist as there is a bit of a language barrier! I do not have high blood pressure but I am borderline diabetic, diet controlled and my cholesterol is on the high side.

[Goodsoulette]

IS the treatment for angina? all these drugsare on my nan's careplan for angina. thats not to say they aren;t for anything else. Find a chemist in the canary islands and ask them. In the interim period, I would take the medicine as advised.

[veryhotcook]

Thanks for that. I would like to add that I do not have angina nor any other heart problems. They said I had to have the ECG to make sure I could take the tablets. I still think that it seems like taking a sledge hammer to break a nut. I will visit the chemist but do not think they will go against the Dr, that is why I wanted an annonymous, unbiased opinion. Muchos gracios though!

[Goodsoulette]

veryhotcook, I on many occasions have to take steroids for asthma, 80g a day because of weak lungs. All they do is take over a function that your body isn't doing properly. As long as you follow the doctors instructions, and never stop taking them suddenly (that can make your condition worse) then they are probably no riskier than paracetamol.