Question: I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and emphysema, and I am on oxygen 24\7. I was in ICU two years ago from burning leaves that included poison ivy, and the doctors put me on Coreg. I found out that Coreg is for high blood pressure, but I have very low blood pressure.
I’ve read Coreg shouldn’t be given to patients with COPD and to those in ICU. I am taking colloidal silver, and have bought a generator to make the silver. Can you give me some healthful hints?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Sell the generator! Your introduction to colloidal silver may very well introduce you to a premature death. Colloidal silver preparations are potentially dangerous, and have serious adverse side effects. Do not use them.

Colloidal silver consists of silver particles mixed into a suspension, and has no medicinal value when taken by mouth. Silver is not a required substance for our bodies; there is no such thing as a silver deficiency; and there is no condition helped by colloidal silver.

Accumulation of silver results in a serious condition called ARGYRIA. Argyria causes a blue-gray discoloration of the skin, nails, and organs.

It is not reversible and has no known effective treatment. Toxicity may result in neurological disorders including seizures, renal (kidney) failure, and headaches. Silver will also interfere with the absorption of a number of important medications including some antibiotics.

While topical silver preparations are used for their antimicrobial effect in topical burn treatments, ingestion or injection of silver preparations may be hazardous to your health. The FDA (our drug safety agency) has issued warnings about the use of colloidal silver preparations, and recommends against their use.

Even though cautions exist in prescribing drugs such as Coreg to patients with COPD, there are occasions when it is quite acceptable, especially in cardiac patients whose COPD is stable, despite the insert cautions.

Coreg is a beta blocker medication used for cardiac rhythm disturbances and also for management of some heart failure patients. It has been shown to decrease mortality in patients with heart failure. It is not usually used to regulate blood pressure.

Low blood pressure while taking Coreg usually requires discontinuation or dose reduction as well as treating the underlying conditions that are either causing or coexisting with the hypotension. Concentrate your efforts on improving and optimizing your lung function with your doctor’s assistance.

This will lessen the load on your heart and reduce recurrences of congestive heart failure. Stay clear of remedies advertised on the Internet, such as colloidal silver. You have your hands full as it is without adding more complications to your health picture.