topic Re: Medications in Wellness

Medications

bullyluv — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:54:42 GMT

Just curious...is there anyone not taking any medications? it almost seems like the norm to be taking some kind of medication.

Re: Medications

Harpa — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:01:47 GMT

Do you take any?

My DH and I do not. He's 65; I'm 61. We take vitamins and other supplements. I eat healthy; he eats healthy occasionally. I walk most every day; he gets exercise at work, going from building to building.

Re: Medications

Justice4all — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:56:58 GMT

Harpa, congrats!

Re: Medications

bullyluv — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:03:23 GMT

No I don't take any, I'm 46, and I never had aside penacillan when needed and even that is very rare. My grandfather never took any either and he lived to 88. It just struck me, when I went to the dentist, they asked what medication I was taking, they just assumed I was. They were stunned and asked 'really, nothing?' It got me thinking...most people I know are on some sort of medication...

Re: Medications

culebra — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:06:50 GMT

I just finished taking 5 years of a strong cancer medication. I am now not taking any medications. I feel like my body is going back to normal.

Re: Medications

fbm8282lsm — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:07:01 GMT

I am 58 and so far so good, no medications. I do watch what I eat and excercise regularly and come from a healthy gene pool.

Re: Medications

Stella Dallas — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:07:05 GMT

Well, yes, a lot of people are. In earlier generations they would have died at a young age; now days medications (such as for heart conditions, diabetes, etc.) enable people to live longer, healthier lives. Also, we live in a much more pressured and polluted environment that people did 100 years ago.

Re: Medications

hckynut — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 16:56:59 GMT

I take 10 prescriptions daily and I have a monthly injection of vitamin B 12. Is that the norm? I would suggest to you, the OP, this would depend on how many serious health issues a person has had, and I just happen to be a person that has had many.

Re: Medications

kaydee50 — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:09:36 GMT

DH is 69 and I just turned 65 and enrolled in Medicare. We take no prescription medications and whenever we have to fill out a form or get asked about it, people are surprised that we don't. We do take a multi vitamin and a couple of other vitamins but that's it. We both thank God that so far we have no major medical problems that require meds.

I sometimes wonder about those who take so many meds. What would happen if they gradually stopped or reduced the amount of them?

Re: Medications

LilacTree — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:33:19 GMT

I take three. If I took all of what has been prescribed for me by doctors, I would be on at least twenty. I refuse to take them. No pain meds, no statins, no bisphosphonates, no biologics, etc., all of which not only have hideous side effects, but also can cause an increase in the very conditions they are supposed to treat, with sometimes fatal consequences. I am going to try to die as naturally as I can, thank you.

Some of the problems I have now can be traced back to meds I took from prescriptions by doctors in the past.

Of the three I take, two have caused some of my chronic problems, but I can't wean off them, as the side effects are too painful. So I have to live with that. I often wish I could sit here for just one hour and not be aware of my body. OMG, what heaven that would be!!

Re: Medications

Sunshine — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:50:32 GMT

John, I take as many as you do. There are so many health problems in my family. I'm envious of people who don't need to take any meds. ??

Re: Medications

Chrystaltree2 — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:50:34 GMT

There are many people, at all ages, who are not taking any prescription meds. We have a dear friend who is 91 years old and he doesn't take any prescription medications. He has none of the chronic illnesses that we associate with aging. My husband is 54, healthy as horse, he takes no meds. However, almost every other person I know who is in their mid 50's and older takes something. Usually a blood pressure medication or medicine for gastric reflux. A lot of women I know take thyroid medication. Being on any type of medication isn't a bad thing and there's nothing to be proud of if you aren't on it. Just be thankful because prescriptions and copays are expensive. I'm grateful for my meds because 50 or 60 years ago, the conditions that I take meds for would have led to a stroke or a heart attack and very early death.

Re: Medications

RedTop — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 18:24:13 GMT

I look at this situation in a slightly different way. My husband was diagnosed with diabetes in his mid 40's. A year later he survived a big heart attack known as the widow maker. He has 30% damage to his heart muscle, which is permanent. He takes 10 oral meds daily besides 4 injections of insulin; some of his meds are for his actual health issues, and some of his meds are taken as preventative measures to his risk factors. For instance, he takes a low dose blood pressure medication daily, as the doctor does not want him to ever develop high blood pressure. My husbands medical records prior to, during, and after the heart attack, do not show even one recording of a high blood pressure----however he will take this medication for the rest of his life. Both of my prescription medications are for preventative measures, due to family history and other risk factors. My mother was in her mid 70's when her doctor prescribed low dose blood pressure medication due to a TIA, and family history. I feel it is very important to know your family history and risk factors, particularly if you are over 50, and take whatever action is necessary to protect your health.

Re: Medications

hckynut — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 19:54:19 GMT

"castlenv", l can tell what "could" happen if I quit taking each one of my prescription medications. All of them are taken for specific health issues, some of them because of a diagnosed problem(s), some of them for preventative purposes. Now I quit taking 1 daily medication by my choice, which pretty much left me making the decision on which current and/or past health event, I choose to possibly die. Do I want to risk surviving another episode of PE, from which a small minority survive, or do I want to live a life with twice monthly blood transfusions for my remaining years? These remaining years would also leave me Anemic in between transfusions. How many would like to be faced with making that choice? I made it in 2011 and so far so good. You posed a question so I thought I would provide you with the "why" of my many prescriptions so hopefully this helps you understand why some are doing so. Have a good one. =^.^.=

Re: Medications

LilacTree — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 20:35:02 GMT

On 3/12/2015 hckynut said: "castlenv", l can tell what "could" happen if I quit taking each one of my prescription medications. All of them are taken for specific health issues, some of them because of a diagnosed problem(s), some of them for preventative purposes. Now I quit taking 1 daily medication by my choice, which pretty much left me making the decision on which current and/or past health event, I choose to possibly die. Do I want to risk surviving another episode of PE, from which a small minority survive, or do I want to live a life with twice monthly blood transfusions for my remaining years? These remaining years would also leave me Anemic in between transfusions. How many would like to be faced with making that choice? I made it in 2011 and so far so good. You posed a question so I thought I would provide you with the "why" of my many prescriptions so hopefully this helps you understand why some are doing so. Have a good one. =^.^.=

Hckynut, you have some dreadful illnesses. You don't have to apologize for the meds you take.

I'm a physical wreck, but it's just pain and won't kill me for a while. Big difference.

Re: Medications

number one queen — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:05:32 GMT

I wish I did not have to take medication,one if I didn't I would be dead, some diseases are chronic and the meds let me live a fairly normal life. I am trying to get one medication, that cost over 40,000 dollars(thank God for insurance),out but I still have to substitute it for another drug. Trying to change over is hard physically,and the side effects are the same. Why do it ? I am of the age that I want my hubby not to be so strap down that when he retires our money will not just be for my meds and extra insurance, that we will take out. I want my hubby and me to enjoy retirement. Do any of you understand my thinking?

Re: Medications

bonnielu — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:11:51 GMT

None for me. Lost weight. Off of all of it.

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pineyriver — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 21:58:56 GMT

Only take blood pressure meds. I am 66 years old.

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Nana5 — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 22:51:05 GMT

I've been blessed with good health. I do NOT take any meds--OTC or prescription. I do take a probiotic once/day. I can't remember when I last took a pain med or any other med. My Part D drug plan company is making money off of me. BTW I'm 69 years old.

DH, on the other hand, takes several meds that keep him in very good health. He's still working full-time in our small family business.

Re: Medications

Nightowlz — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 23:13:00 GMT

I have one script for Hypothyroidism. I also have a bottle of muscle relaxers to take when I need one. I could probably use them more often I just don't take it unless I absolutely need one. DH does not take anything. I just turned 57 & he just turned 59. We do take several Andrew Lessman Supplements.