Interview HF10

Age at interview: 84

Brief Outline: Diabetes 1982. 3 heart attacks; 1986, 1991,1996. Colorectal cancer 1988. Several small strokes. Uncertain when heart failure diagnosed - possibly during 1990s.

Background: Retired customs and excise; married with 2 children.

Reads out his medication from a list and works out that he takes 15 pills a day.

Yeah, well, you may know what they're for, I'm not altogether sure I do... but I take frusemide... that's for the heart, to sort of relieve my water. Lisinipril, I think that's for the heart; isosorbide mononitrate - I've got no idea what that's for. Thyroxine -  two lots of that thyroxine, that would be for the thyroid. Glibenclamide, that's for the [diabetes].  Amiodarone - I don't know what that's for - got no idea these days...amiodarone... Then I take an aspirin, and then at night cimetidine for the stomach ulcer. 

Ok and what do you take in the day for your diabetes?  

Well the glibenclamide wouldn't it?  I take two of those in the morning and two at lunchtime.

Do you know off hand how many pills that is in a day you're taking?

I can tell you [laughs]... 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10,11... and at lunchtime three, and at night one, so that's 15 isn't it?  [laughs].

Quite a lot to remember isn't it?  

Well that's why they're written down isn't it?  I, I can remember.