Are you on drugs?

[WhoDaresWins]

I take a very lose-dose ACE inhibitor for my borderline HTN. I also take 2000 units of Vit. D-3 daily. I have never felt that any of my docs have pushed medicines in support of big pharma. Quite the contrary.

 

[RetireAge50]

OP here. Sorry for starting this and disappearing, was distracted and forgot to get back. Thanks for great discussion. I do not really have a doctor and have never been prescribed anything other than antibiotics and such for injuries (which I took).

I am hoping that my older years will be the same as my younger years. My examples in real life seem to all be seeing doctors and taking medications so was wondering about the experiences of folks here. Thanks again.

 

[donheff]

I take a very lose-dose ACE inhibitor for my borderline HTN. I also take 2000 units of Vit. D-3 daily. I have never felt that any of my docs have pushed medicines in support of big pharma. Quite the contrary.

With respect to drugs I don't think many people take issue with the good intentions of doctors. What everybody is complaining about are bad studies, missing negative studies, and the lack of head to head studies of equivalent drugs. Doctors are often the victims.

 

[Closet_Gamer]

If the spirit of the OP's post was to be skeptical of the easy way out and relying on drugs when a bit of hard work or self-discipline will suffice, I share his skepticism with our scoeity's reliance on meds.

That said, I'm a huge fan of better and longer living thru chemistry...as I suspect the OP will be the first time something goes really wrong.

Trust me, when your heart suddenly decides to stop working like it used to, those little pills look like a great idea!

Getting old sucks.

 

[Meadbh]

I am hoping that my older years will be the same as my younger years.

I have news for you. Good luck with that!

How Health Declines with Age

 

[AnIntentionalRoad]

my own observations and opinions during my first few visits to a doctor (and can we communicate well?) are all helpful.

Plenty of quacks are good communicators. Doesn't mean you should buy what they are selling.

 

[timo2]

I understand the OP blurt about meds. after my heart attack 10 years ago, I was on 8 different meds (the usual one size fits all cardio package). My successful plan to get off as many of the drugs as possible included determining the criteria used for prescribing the drugs and working via lifestyle changes to make my test results more acceptable. I approached every blood draw like I was preparing for a test or exam. It was a long term plan, but after 5 years I was off of 4 of them. In October this year, the Dr. took me off of the beta blockers. I now only take a statin at the lowest recommended dose. I'm not saying I'm in great health, just saying I focused my cardio rehab efforts to try to eliminate the reasons for prescribing me drugs.

 

[Dash man]

I'm on two blood pressure and two asthma medications thanks to bad genes on my father's side. I also take Celebrex for arthritis and some pain meds as needed when cortisone injections wear off just to make life bearable. I've had my doctor for 8 years and her knowing my history has been invaluable, but the past few years new regulations are more concerned with abusers than those who truly need some medications.


Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

 

[Goonie]

I've had my current doctor for over 20 years, and I have developed great confidence and trust in his diagnosis and treatment. He's definitely not a pill pusher. His #1 prescription for treatment of most ailments, is lifestyle changes (exercise, eating habits, weight management, etc.). He does prescribe medications to control and alleviate ailments, but also regularly monitors his patients' progress, and adjusts or eliminates their medications accordingly. He takes the time to listen, encourages you to ask questions, enjoys hearing about your activities, hobbies, and travels, and shares his own as well. My Mom and quite a few of my friends go to him, and are of the same opinion.

If you don't like your current doctor, or don't trust his diagnosis, opinions, judgements, or prescriptions, go find a new doctor! I did 20 years ago because my old one didn't care to listen to his patients, and handed out prescriptions for everything under the sun, without proper testing or diagnosis. He never even checked my b/p, because I wasn't "old enough to have high blood pressure".....WHAT Quack-quack-quack!!! BTW, he had been my doctor since childhood. When he finally retired, I didn't bother getting my medical records from him, because I figured they weren't worth the paper he wrote them on.

I'm on two meds, one for high blood pressure, and one for high triglycerides. My b/p before starting the med, was 191/94. It is currently 114/60.....consistently! My triglydes were, IIRC, 249, and are currently 84. Because of changes in my eating habits, exercise, and weight loss (down 70# in past 12 months), my Doc cut my triglyde med dosage in half, and my eliminate it completely after my next visit and blood work in a couple of weeks!

Would I ever consider just stopping taking my meds on my own, without major cause, or without talking it over with my current doctor? Never! YMMV

 

[audreyh1]

just turned 55

I am on some serious vitamin therapy. Doctor has me taking 10,000 IU vitamin D plus multivitamin. He's trying to manage some of my blood chemistry - trying to boost vitamin D, iron and vitamin B12.

He also, just last week, told me to cut out the gluten. This is because I have thyroid antibodies attacking my thyroid. I was very surprised that he wanted to try this (or look for other food sensitivities if this doesn't work) instead of just prescribing some hormone to supplement my (slightly) underperforming thyroid. So I'm really going to give it a good try even though it's a drastic change in diet. And maybe getting gluten out of my diet will help me drop that 20 pounds I should lose.

And he started me on progesterone because my (still pre-menopausal) hormone ratios are out of whack.

So I am officially on drugs now.

I have had to create a system, because it's very hard for me to remember whether I have taken my pills.

 

[W2R]

Well, if you don't have a competent doctor, then I think it's crucial to make the effort to find one. IMO none of us are brain dead and we can and should be able to decide on criteria by which to decide whether or not a doctor is competent.

For me, an outstanding US medical education and association with a major hospital are bit pluses, as are strong recommendations from other doctors I respect, strong recommendations from friends whose judgement I believe to be excellent, and my own observations and opinions during my first few visits to a doctor (and can we communicate well?) are all helpful.

my own observations and opinions during my first few visits to a doctor (and can we communicate well?) are all helpful.

Plenty of quacks are good communicators. Doesn't mean you should buy what they are selling.

Yes, I couldn't agree more that that should not be a sole criterion for doctor selection (as you can see when my entire post is quoted, which I did above with bolded criteria that weren't mentioned in your quote from my post, in order to clarify). I am sure you understand what I mean, when I say that being a good communicator is a necessary, but not sufficient, attribute that I look for in a doctor.

I also forgot to mention that I look for a doctor that is board certified in his specialty. Very important, to me if not to everyone here.

 

[meierlde]

I told my physician that a vastly prefer generic drugs where possible not so much for the cost but because by the time a drug becomes generic any serious side effects have likley shown up. Considering the number of failures recently released drugs have had when they go into general use and a much larger population takes them it makes sense to view the period when a drug is patent protected as a stage 4 trial with a very large test base for bad effects.

 

[sengsational]

You know why flying is generally so safe? Because the pilots have a big stake in the game! You know why trusting just any old doctor to prescribe med for you is not so safe? Awww, shucks. A dead patient. When was that tee time again?

 

[Walt34]

You know why flying is generally so safe? Because the pilots have a big stake in the game!

The age-old quote about that is that "The pilot is always the first one at the scene of the crash."

 

[outdoorgirl02]

Sometimes you find that the quality of life is better with than without. But hey, give it a try.

Totally agree. I use to hate that I had to take prescription drugs everyday but after awhile, I have become very thankful for the drugs that give me a much better quality of life.

 

[redduck]

OP here... Sorry for starting this and disappearing, was distracted and forgot to get back....

"Distracted, forgetful"? I think there's medicine for that. You might want to ask your doctor.
I never heard of a medicine that helps with your condition of "disappearing". I don't even know what sort of specialist you would see for that condition.

 

[target2019]

OP here. Sorry for starting this and disappearing, was distracted and forgot to get back. Thanks for great discussion. I do not really have a doctor and have never been prescribed anything other than antibiotics and such for injuries (which I took).

I am hoping that my older years will be the same as my younger years. My examples in real life seem to all be seeing doctors and taking medications so was wondering about the experiences of folks here. Thanks again.

I see some problems in a blanket statement. There are certain meds one might need to cope with a real deficiency.

But I see some in the family are over-drugged, and might benefit by taking less of a certain med. I know from experience what it is like to take one drug to make a number go down, and then another number goes up and the doc has another scrip waiting. Then it is time to understand what ails you, and find a new doc to work with you.

 

[kitesurfer2]

Basically, hiding our heads in the sand doesn't keep us from growing older and eventually dying. In order to achieve a good quality of life in old age we need to fight the health issues and negative effects of aging head on! IMO seeing a good and competent doctor regularly and following his instructions in every detail is a no-brainer as we get older.

If you exercise, eat no sugar/low carb diet and fight the health issues and negative effects of aging head on, why the need to see a doctor--REGULARLY? every 2 years for a finger check is regular for me...

 

[travelover]

......... As a physician, I am still in awe of the knowledge and skills of us medical folks........ .

I admire most doctors a great deal, too. But I also know that too many take payola from drug companies in "speaking fees" for prescribing the "right" number of drugs.

So, credibility is not black and white and it is prudent to not blindly trust your physician.

 

[ls99]

I know a fellow who is taking around seventeen prescribed meds each day. He did have multiple bypasses some ten years ago. As one who does NOT meddle in others' medical issues, it seems to me that is a lot of stuff. He sees several specialists.

Another guy walks around with 4x6" plastic box with many rubriks filled with meds for his wife who had a stroke, she is a walkie but not talkie. they come in the diner requently. The box of meds is to me a midblowing sight.

Can't help but wonder if any one of his docs ever does a comprehensive review of all the stuff he takes, check for interactions and most importantly eveluates the need for all of them. He says all docs' nurses write down all the stuff he takes, each time he visits the office.

Is it possible for a doc to look at the list and from memory identify and understand all the needs for them and nderstand the interactions? Along with the exam, all in 15 minutes or often less.

My guess is that the last line of defense for interactions is at the pharmacist.

Frankly I hope never to be in a situation needing that many meds.

 

[braumeister]

Can't help but wonder if any one of his docs ever does a comprehensive review of all the stuff he takes, check for interactions and most importantly eveluates the need for all of them.

An excellent point. There are quite a few drug interaction checkers online. You might ask if he has ever used one. I just googled it and found online checkers at:

• drugs.com
• medscape.com
• rxlist.com
• webmd.com
• healthline.com
• walgreens.com

 

[M Paquette]

I admire most doctors a great deal, too. But I also know that too many take payola from drug companies in "speaking fees" for prescribing the "right" number of drugs.

One more reason to favor larger HMO setups. Doctors and prescriptions get decoupled from the pharmaceutical salespeople. The HMO's automation monitors prescriptions and makes suggestions. It's harder to wind up with an excess of conflicting prescriptions.

Now, some folks might be upset by the idea. "Oh noes! Prescriptions are protected free speech! Oh, and more oxycontin, please?" Overall I think this sort of system produces better treatment outcomes and lower costs, though.

 

[athena53]

Can't help but wonder if any one of his docs ever does a comprehensive review of all the stuff he takes, check for interactions and most importantly eveluates the need for all of them. He says all docs' nurses write down all the stuff he takes, each time he visits the office.

DH did go through that when his 80-something year old mother moved in with him. He thinks there were 13 prescriptions (including Premarin to relieve post-menopause symptoms). The doc cut it down to 3.

 

[donheff]

Is it possible for a doc to look at the list and from memory identify and understand all the needs for them and understand the interactions? Along with the exam, all in 15 minutes or often less.

My guess is that the last line of defense for interactions is at the pharmacist.

The pharmacist who wrote Are Your Prescriptions Killing You believes that many doctors, particularly specialists, don't revisit what other doctors have prescribed - they simply prescribe over them if there isn't a major contraindication. The result is med piled on med with problems inevitable at some point. As we get very old some of the meds we have been on for years make no sense in the current context (e.g. why would you keep someone in the final stages of Alzheimers on statins or BP meds?). By the way, I highly recommend the book especially for us aging boomers. The author provides a wealth of information on things to watch for in meds are we get older.

 

[ls99]

An excellent point. There are quite a few drug interaction checkers online. You might ask if he has ever used one. I just googled it and found online checkers at:

• drugs.com
• medscape.com
• rxlist.com
• webmd.com
• healthline.com
• walgreens.com

I would do that for myself. As I noted, I will not meddle in others medical or other issues. If by some magic my opinion would be solicited, I'd suggest.