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Medication?

sillav nitramsillav nitram
in Not Sports Related
As I’m nearing the end of my sixties, predictably my health is deteriorating and I now find myself, on what feels like a lot of medication 💊!

Heart, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Gastric and the rest, I’m consuming 6 pills a day, which to me feels like a lot, I’m sure others may take much more?

Of course if it prolongs my life, then of course it’s a no 🧠 er.

But there’s so many arguments for and against these days, depending on each agenda? I’m not totally convinced about the Doctors recommending even though their experience and knowledge would suggest they know what their talking about but pressure from pharmaceutical companies makes me wonder?

I’m also not convinced that all these chemicals are sitting comfortably with each other, even though it’s suggested side effects are rare, weight gain always seems to be one I experience despite the suggestion that the medication doesn’t do this?

My brother always suggests for me to explore the alternative route but my body has already endured a lot and the alternative route wouldn’t kick in for some time. So, one asks do I have the time to try it out?

Anyway, a bit long winded but how do you feel about the medication 💊 you take, means to an end or otherwise?
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Comments

  • bobmunrobobmunro
    edited August 2023
    Thankfully I do not take as many as you - just three - one for blood pressure, a statin and one for my gout. My blood pressure is maintained within the normal (for my age) range when previous to taking the medication it was quite high, the statin keeps my bad cholesterol within the normal range, again whereas before it was significantly above normal, and finally I haven't had an attack of gout since starting the medication whereas before it would flare up once every couple of weeks.

    I am therefore very happy to trust my GP on this.
  • letthegoodtimesrollletthegoodtimesroll
    other than the occasional tablet for a headache and the Covid and flu jabs of course I usually try and avoid any sort of medication. Sounds like we are around the same age.
  • StarinnaddickStarinnaddick
    Blood pressure within the range after taking 3 pills over some time. Put on allopurinol for gout which has been excellent. Going for blood test tomorrow as GP seems to think I may need to go on blood thinners for my heart. 
  • sillav nitramsillav nitram
    letthegoodtimesroll said:
    other than the occasional tablet for a headache and the Covid and flu jabs of course I usually try and avoid any sort of medication. Sounds like we are around the same age.
    69? Oooo Matron;)

    What are the reasons for avoiding if it’s not too personal a question  @letthegoodtimesroll?
  • sillav nitramsillav nitram
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    sillav nitram said:
    As I’m nearing the end of my sixties, predictably my health is deteriorating and I now find myself, on what feels like a lot of medication 💊!

    Heart, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Gastric and the rest, I’m consuming 6 pills a day, which to me feels like a lot, I’m sure others may take much more?

    Of course if it prolongs my life, then of course it’s a no 🧠 er.

    But there’s so many arguments for and against these days, depending on each agenda? I’m not totally convinced about the Doctors recommending even though their experience and knowledge would suggest they know what their talking about but pressure from pharmaceutical companies makes me wonder?

    I’m also not convinced that all these chemicals are sitting comfortably with each other, even though it’s suggested side effects are rare, weight gain always seems to be one I experience despite the suggestion that the medication doesn’t do this?

    My brother always suggests for me to explore the alternative route but my body has already endured a lot and the alternative route wouldn’t kick in for some time. So, one asks do I have the time to try it out?

    Anyway, a bit long winded but how do you feel about the medication 💊 you take, means to an end or otherwise?
    Listen to what your doctors in the various disciplines recommend. Listen to what they have to say and in my opinion it’s best to exactly follow that advice. With the greatest respect to your brother alternative routes are for the birds. I’m presuming that your various health problems are being addressed by specialists in their fields and not just on the advice of your GP. Doctors are not on a commission for prescribing medication and they need to justify any treatment using evidence based practice and will be challenged on anything outside of that. Best wishes that it all comes together and you feel tip top.

    MrOneLung said:
    i would suggest any medicine prescribed is done so for a reason 
    Of course, the evidence is there, so I do   @mronelung

    I’m inclined to agree with you and I am seeing relevant specialists. @shootershillguru

    However, I was taking a prescribed opioid for 4 years which later was withdrawn and is no longer prescribed because of its addictive qualities. The Sackler family who produced Oxy Contin and have been highly discredited for their lies about their product. So, I don’t think these companies are beyond question?

    Equally when combined with another medication I was taking at the same time, it had a side effect, know as “drop attacks” where I’d fall over for no apparent reason, I once fell down the stairs at Tottenham Court Road tube station. Thankfully I was only shaken up, rather than badly injured. Unbelievably, when I spoke to a medic, saying what if this was to happen when crossing the road, their reply, could you not cross roads!!!! Doh!

    I’m not necessarily advocating alternatives or specifically listening to my brother, on the other hand I don’t think all alternatives are unfounded. Having read, ‘A Statin Nation’ written by a doctor, it can’t help but make you think?

    I’m also not suggesting doctors are on commission and I know they have to be accountable but they do get pressurised by pharmaceutical companies to use their products over another’s.

    So I don’t think all is what it seems?

    Thanks for your well wishing 🖖
  • ShootersHillGuruShootersHillGuru
    edited August 2023
    sillav nitram said:
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    sillav nitram said:
    As I’m nearing the end of my sixties, predictably my health is deteriorating and I now find myself, on what feels like a lot of medication 💊!

    Heart, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Gastric and the rest, I’m consuming 6 pills a day, which to me feels like a lot, I’m sure others may take much more?

    Of course if it prolongs my life, then of course it’s a no 🧠 er.

    But there’s so many arguments for and against these days, depending on each agenda? I’m not totally convinced about the Doctors recommending even though their experience and knowledge would suggest they know what their talking about but pressure from pharmaceutical companies makes me wonder?

    I’m also not convinced that all these chemicals are sitting comfortably with each other, even though it’s suggested side effects are rare, weight gain always seems to be one I experience despite the suggestion that the medication doesn’t do this?

    My brother always suggests for me to explore the alternative route but my body has already endured a lot and the alternative route wouldn’t kick in for some time. So, one asks do I have the time to try it out?

    Anyway, a bit long winded but how do you feel about the medication 💊 you take, means to an end or otherwise?
    Listen to what your doctors in the various disciplines recommend. Listen to what they have to say and in my opinion it’s best to exactly follow that advice. With the greatest respect to your brother alternative routes are for the birds. I’m presuming that your various health problems are being addressed by specialists in their fields and not just on the advice of your GP. Doctors are not on a commission for prescribing medication and they need to justify any treatment using evidence based practice and will be challenged on anything outside of that. Best wishes that it all comes together and you feel tip top.

    MrOneLung said:
    i would suggest any medicine prescribed is done so for a reason 
    Of course, the evidence is there, so I do   @mronelung

    I’m inclined to agree with you and I am seeing relevant specialists. @shootershillguru

    However, I was taking a prescribed opioid for 4 years which later was withdrawn and is no longer prescribed because of its addictive qualities. The Sackler family who produced Oxy Contin and have been highly discredited for their lies about their product. So, I don’t think these companies are beyond question?

    Equally when combined with another medication I was taking at the same time, it had a side effect, know as “drop attacks” where I’d fall over for no apparent reason, I once fell down the stairs at Tottenham Court Road tube station. Thankfully I was only shaken up, rather than badly injured. Unbelievably, when I spoke to a medic, saying what if this was to happen when crossing the road, their reply, could you not cross roads!!!! Doh!

    I’m not necessarily advocating alternatives or specifically listening to my brother, on the other hand I don’t think all alternatives are unfounded. Having read, ‘A Statin Nation’ written by a doctor, it can’t help but make you think?

    I’m also not suggesting doctors are on commission and I know they have to be accountable but they do get pressurised by pharmaceutical companies to use their products over another’s.

    So I don’t think all is what it seems?

    Thanks for your well wishing 🖖
     The days of drug reps trawling around GP practices with little freebies for doctors are long gone. Evidence based practice is king for a reason and all are now governed by strict NICE guideline which provides guidance as to the best care and  treatment for specific conditions. Working outside of these tried and evidence based guidelines would require a doctor to seek permissions in the first instance from his practice and then from the local health fund providers. Quite honestly it just doesn’t happen. All drugs available for prescribing in this country have undergone the strictest of tests and there will be peer reviewed research available for every single one. There are always scientists that are outliers for anything you care to think of. That’s from drug prescribing to climate change. Statins like all drugs are not without their side effects and risks but to use statins as an example, they have saved countless lives worldwide. The medical profession is as well governed as is humanly possible and the doctors and scientists that work in it are pretty special people. I’d treat any advice or information outside of the norm as very suspicious. That’s only my opinion and of course everyone must do what they see fit for themselves.
  • wightaddickwightaddick
    Prescribed
    Antidepressant
    Prostate
    Erectile dysfunction 
    Acid Reflux
    Vitamin B12
    Self Prescribed
    Glucosamine (I’m a runner)
    Magnesium (Restless Legs)
    Multi Vitamin supplement

    They all allow me to keep doiing what I want to at 67.
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  • CafcWestCafcWest
    I'm a similar age @sillav nitram and take blood pressure, thyroid replacement tablets and Lanzoprazole daily, plus some voluntary supplements.  I did some work for the NHS in Medicines Management a few years ago and the average 65 year old male is on 5 different medications a day.  All part of the joy of getting old!

  • Mr. HappyMr. Happy
    I'm 42, been on blood thinners since I was 3 years old, allopurinol for gout and I've just been prescribed 3 more medications (couple of blood pressure and a beta blocker) due to my 'good side' of the heart getting a little sluggish.

    Thinking of investing in those little cups they have in homes so I can at least pretend I'm doing a shot when I take them all.
  • usetobunkinusetobunkin
    Just started on Metaformin, 2 tabs twice a day
    1 statin.
    Feel fit as a fiddle, chipper, up on my toes.
    67 next Jan, 
    Trouble is having worked the motor trade for nearly 45 yrs my hearing is shot too pieces.
  • sillav nitramsillav nitram
    edited August 2023
    However, I was taking a prescribed opioid for 4 years which later was withdrawn and is no longer prescribed because of its addictive qualities. The Sackler family who produced Oxy Contin and have been highly discredited for their lies about their product. So, I don’t think these companies are beyond question?

    Equally when combined with another medication I was taking at the same time, it had a side effect, know as “drop attacks” where I’d fall over for no apparent reason, I once fell down the stairs at Tottenham Court Road tube station. Thankfully I was only shaken up, rather than badly injured. Unbelievably, when I spoke to a medic, saying what if this was to happen when crossing the road, their reply, could you not cross roads!!!! Doh!

    You didn't respond to my point  @shootershillguru ? 

    Some of my work takes me into the NHS and I'm a big supporter but we know they're cracking at seams. I'm also aware of the NICE guide lines but that doesn't mean they're impregnable, not necessarily at the 'coalface' but higher up and beyond. Even dear TS was massively into the war against opioids.

    We only need to look at our society/world to know how corrupt politicians and big business are, their only remit not being the wellbeing of the population but feathering their own nest with greed and making themselves more powerful to hang onto their power.

    I think it would be foolhardy of me to take anything at face value.

  • sillav nitramsillav nitram
    paulie8290 said:
    I have been taking medication for Epilepsy since i was 14(im now 33) and will do for the rest of my life

    I take 6 tablets a day(3 in the morning 3 in the evening) if it stops me having a fit i would happily take 10 tablets a day 🤣
    Hope they continue to give you relief and the help you need  @paulie8290
  • ShootersHillGuruShootersHillGuru
    sillav nitram said:
    However, I was taking a prescribed opioid for 4 years which later was withdrawn and is no longer prescribed because of its addictive qualities. The Sackler family who produced Oxy Contin and have been highly discredited for their lies about their product. So, I don’t think these companies are beyond question?

    Equally when combined with another medication I was taking at the same time, it had a side effect, know as “drop attacks” where I’d fall over for no apparent reason, I once fell down the stairs at Tottenham Court Road tube station. Thankfully I was only shaken up, rather than badly injured. Unbelievably, when I spoke to a medic, saying what if this was to happen when crossing the road, their reply, could you not cross roads!!!! Doh!

    You didn't respond to my point  @shootershillguru ? 

    Some of my work takes me into the NHS and I'm a big supporter but we know they're cracking at seams. I'm also aware of the NICE guid lines but that doesn't mean they're impregnable, not necessarily at the 'coalface' but higher up and beyond. Even dear TS was massively into the war against opioids.

    We only need to look at our society/world to know how corrupt politicians and big business are, their only remit not being the wellbeing of the population but feathering their own nest with greed and making themselves more powerful to hang onto their power.

    I think it would be foolhardy of me to take anything at face value.

    I think you are correct that you question your medication but I also think for 99.9% at least of us, we’re taking a big risk in not following the advice of experts. In this case doctors. In years gone by there were many drugs prescribed that have ultimately been replaced with better and in the case of opioids and their derivatives along with anti depressants now rarely prescribed and as a last resort because of the risks you mention. It wasn’t too long ago that doctors were a law unto themselves and unless there was negligence or malpractice they pretty much did as they pleased. Not so these days. Working outside of NICE is likely to have legal implications. It’s that strict. The bottom line is that we’re all at the mercy of experts be they doctors or car mechanics. It’s within everyone’s right to choose how they treat their bodies. Ultimately you take the advice or not. I know what I’d do. 
  • LincsaddickLincsaddick
    I take a stack of pills to keep at bay . cancer, diabetes, copd, acid reflux, high blood pressure, and a few more  I've forgotten about ..  still alive so far .. as the Doc says, 'keep taking the tablets'
  • Stuart_the_RedStuart_the_Red
    I have Type 2 diabetes and a slight cholesterol problem, which means I take three tablets at breakfast, one at lunch and two at dinner plus an injection in my belly when I go to bed. The up-side is that my blood sugar levels are better than they have ever been, the down-side is I now need to take an additional tablet for erectile disfunction.
  • sillav nitramsillav nitram
    Stuart_the_Red said:
    I have Type 2 diabetes and a slight cholesterol problem, which means I take three tablets at breakfast, one at lunch and two at dinner plus an injection in my belly when I go to bed. The up-side is that my blood sugar levels are better than they have ever been, the down-side is I now need to take an additional tablet for erectile disfunction.
    I'm sorry but that did make me laugh, though I know it's definitely not a laughing matter. Apologies if you take offence but rest assured I know that problem too:(
  • DaveMehmetDaveMehmet
    In addition to my insulin, I've been on low dose statins and blood pressure tablets for about 20 years. Questioned why I needed them at the time as never suffered with high cholesterol or BP and the doctor simply said and you're never likely to in future if you take these. Had my annual health check recently and my blood pressure was spot on and cholesterol level 3.4. I do generally look after myself, plenty of exercise and careful what I eat (most of the time) but the medication must be helping. 
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  • ElfsborgAddickElfsborgAddick
    The quack out here in 🇧🇷 has put me on pills for my testosterone levels, he certainly knows his stuff.
  • sillav nitramsillav nitram
    ElfsborgAddick said:
    The quack out here in 🇧🇷 has put me on pills for my testosterone levels, he certainly knows his stuff.
    What are you doing in Brasil, long way to go to see a doctor or are you Ronnie Biggs son?
  • letthegoodtimesrollletthegoodtimesroll
    sillav nitram said:
    letthegoodtimesroll said:
    other than the occasional tablet for a headache and the Covid and flu jabs of course I usually try and avoid any sort of medication. Sounds like we are around the same age.
    69? Oooo Matron;)

    What are the reasons for avoiding if it’s not too personal a question  @letthegoodtimesroll?
    I just think it’s a slippery slope and doctors are too quick to prescribe them sometimes.
  • ArsenetattersArsenetatters
    I take a couple of pills for bipolar and a gut one to stop bleeding if I take ibuprofen.
    Happy to take the bipolar ones as I’m really unwell without them but I try to resist taking others where possible. 
    I’ve had a few experiences where I’ve been given medication for something and it has a negative effect on bipolar. One was a steroid injection in the backside that a head of rheumatology gave me without telling me what it was or that it was voluntary- oh and also not looking to see if i was taking anything else or had any other illness that might be affected. Pretty pissed off about that. 
    So I tend to do as much research as possible into anything that’s given to me before I decide if I want to take it. 
    I also think alternative therapies have their place. Trying acupuncture at the moment.
  • StigStig
    I think there's a danger with this type of thread that everyone with a long list of meds piles in and those with few or none keep quiet, giving a false representation. So just for the record. It's none from me. Guess I've just been lucky so far.
  • DaveMehmetDaveMehmet
    You need it if you want to be a record breaker 

  • redmanredman
    I must be high on the list for pure number. Around 30 a day of which just a multi vitamin is self prescribed. Over half of those are creon for digestion of view following a bile duct cancer op. 
    The only one I baulked against was statins. I had been warned off so when my doctor suggested them a few years ago I said I would try and adjust my diet to solve. Blood pressure and cholestoral been fine since so glad I resisted that one.

    Despite all this most people consider me one of the healthiest and most active people of my age of 70. 

  • iaitchiaitch
    I'm type 2 diabetic, take Metformin three times a day after a meal. As well as quick acting insulin (Novorapid) three times a day and a longer acting insulin (Levemir) at bedtime. 

    Also take Lisinopril and Amlodipine for blood pressure, Atorvastatin for cholestrol, Levothyroxine for sluggish thyroid (off for a blood test this morning to see if it's working ok) and take a Vitamin D tablet once a day..


     
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