HOW RUSH REALLY FEELS ABOUT SANDRA FLUKE

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Blood Pressure Report & Questions

I am feeling well. There is some occasional "aching"
feelings on both sides of my upper chest, which I
attribute to muscle cramping or chest wall type pain.
Twice since I last communicated with you, I
experienced some shortness of breath. These
occurrences were while walking up hill in 90 degree
plus heat. I cannot say I have had any chest
tightness, a la the symptoms I had before beginning
the medical program you have me on.

The most frequent symptom I have, occurring once or
twice a day for as long as a couple of hours, is
lightheadedness. Sometimes it is quite noticeable,
but I have not felt like "passing out." I also have
heartburn on several days a week, which I attribute to
gastric reflux and is fairly well relieved with
Pepsid.

I began taking Fosinopril 10 mg at bedtime on Sunday
evening. I noticed this morning that I actually was
supposed to begin it on July 18, so I mistakenly
jumped the gun by one week.

Here are my vital signs since my last report:

Date Time BP P
06/23 7:45 am 110/58 68
06/23 4:00 pm 110/80 80
06/23 8:25 pm 110/64 80
06/24 7:00 pm 100/74 64
06/24 9:00 pm 90/56 68
06/25 8:45 am 90/60 74
06/25 9:25 pm 100/58 76
06/26 11:00am 96/60 58
06/26 6:00 pm 110/76 58
06/27 10:30am 92/58 70
06/27 noon 90/60 76
06/27 6:00 pm 96/60 76
06/27 10:00pm 90/64 62
06/28 7:00 am 100/70 70
06/28 8:45 pm 120/86 * 92 *
06/29 9:30 pm 90/58 76
07/01 10:38am 96/62 76
07/01 11:00pm 110/66 74
07/02 8:00 am 100/70 68
07/03 8:00 am 108/80 66
07/03 5:40 pm 90/60 84

(07/04 - Moduretic increased to 2 tabs q am)

07/04 9:20 am 100/60 60
07/04 8:00 pm 94/68 70
07/05 8:30 am 86/58 66
07/06 8:30 am 110/64 68
07/07 6:00 pm 100/62 66
07/08 11:30am 90/62 68
07/08 7:30 am 86/60 86
07/09 8:20 am 120/56 76
07/09 6:40 pm 100/60 84
07/09 10:40pm 100/56 68
07/10 4:00 pm 130/80 76
07/11 5:45 pm 92/76 74
07/11 8:20 pm 100/72 88
07/11 10:30pm 90/72 66
07/12 4:30 pm 100/58 60
07/13 8:40 am 90/62 64

Now for the questions:

My neurologist wants me to take Lipitor 10 qd because
of plaque in my carotid arteries he says can lead to
stroke. I told him I really don't want to take it and
he cited patients he has had on statins for 10 to 15
years who have actually demonstrated a lessening of
athersclerosis in their carotids over the years. I
told him I would run it by you.

Would Lipitor be contraindicated with any of the
medications I am now on?

These symptoms of lightheadedness: They are somewhat
disconcerting, particularly when I am at a social
event. They do not seem to be related to activity or
food or alcohol ingestion.

Will these symptoms subside or get worse as I increase
the dosages and amounts of medication I am taking?

Do you have any suggestions for treating the
lightheadedness?

Given the fact I started the Fosinopril a week early
by mistake, should I adjust the dates I am to increase
it or go back to the schedule as outlined in the
medical program you provided me on June 2?

I guess that's all from this end. Hope you had a
great Independence Day weekend. Rebecca and I did.
We went to New York City and saw a Broadway show and
then went on to Connecticut to visit my mother. This
week we are in Nashville for a conference.

Jeff