Time for another 'Oldest Living Blogger' rant, perhaps...

Last week, I got the results of some routine tests from a specialist, who then sent me for more, to check for occult blood in the urine and stools. We found some in both of those samples, and the hotshot young specialist didn't want to be the one to tell me about it, because he's the guy who put me on at least one of the medications that might be causing it.

So he left that unpleasant chore to my family doctor, who now says I should probably have a colonoscopy just to be sure. While discussing all that, because I have a definite reluctance to having a camera shoved you-know-where, I happened to mention that lately, I'm getting large blood blisters periodically inside my mouth, in the cheeks. My family doctor commented that that was likely a side effect of the medications I'm on. I said, "If I get a bubble of blood like that in the brain, I probably won't have time to say 'Goodbye, Garry'..."

He said, "That's a different thing..."  Maybe so, but Medicine is an inexact science with very few guarantees.

But it got me thinking....and so when I got home, better late than never, I went into the Merck Manual for some information on beta blockers and anticoagulants, and then did a search on the computer for the side effects for the drugs Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) and Bisoprolol. I quickly discovered that the Xarelto might be the cause of that blood in the samples, and that Bisoprolol shouldn't be taken by those diagnosed with asthma. And I've been told that I have asthma, along with my COPD.

A wise old doctor, before he retired on me a few years ago, said that quite often, the patient is his own best doctor, because he knows something is wrong before the doctor finds out. I'm getting a better understanding of that every day.

Please Note:

To clarify, I should add that I'm on Bisoprolol to do two things: help the heart's own timer control the beats better, and thus to control blood pressure. And I'm on the Xarelto to reduce the likelihood of clotting due to Atrial Fibrillation, which is something that often 'comes with the territory' for us Old Farts. And both of those drugs are doing their thing quite well. Everything's a 'trade-off', and there's no cure for Old Age. There's only a delaying action, and as the cute little gal on the floral counter at the supermarket said, "Quit your bitching, Ray - you're already well past your expiry date!" I replied, "And thank you for noticing, Darling! Where's my Seniors Discount?"