I show some of the signs of diabetes, including a high trigltriglycerides test years years ago. I’ve never been formally treated or even diagnosed with actual diabetes. However, I changed my diet and immediately lost a lot of weight. My blood pressure returned to perfect and my diabetes symptoms disappeared. I’ll take that over meds any day!
Thank you for this important article for anyone on multiple medications or whose loved ones are.
Such polypharmacy likely killed my mom years ago. She loved her doctor because he was so "thorough and attentive." But he put her on at least a dozen medications, many to counteract the adverse effects of others. She declined rapidly on all those meds and was not willing to seek a second opinion or insist on taking fewer pills.
Every week she spent a couple of hours (maybe more), sorting out the pills she had to take each day -- often having to start all over again if she lost count, dropped a pill, or had trouble discerning one look-alike pill from another. She constantly worried about the costs and the Medicare "doughnut hole."
It was heartbreaking to see her go downhill. Yes, she suffered from a lifetime of smoking, several back surgeries, and other ailments, but I think the drugs and pain meds made her quality of life worse and could have hastened her death.)\
Thank you for sharing about your mother. Yes, it is sadly a very common thing for the older generation to be burdened with a chain of prescriptions. Often one after another, chasing side effects and symptoms, with little consideration of addressing the underlying cause.
Yes, you described the problem exactly right. I’m guessing part of the reason that elders are targets of polypharmacy is that Medicare “pays” for these drugs so they get them for “free” or low-cost. If they had to pay full price, out of pocket, they might question their prescriptions more closely.
But it’s not just happening with older people. Young kids are being prescribed drugs such as Ozempic, SSRIs, and more — all with side effects and interactions, and many not even tested in kids. (And then, there are the many shots given to kids and adults that are wreaking havoc with health.)
Much of medicine involves chasing symptoms, not solving their cause — as you said. It’s always great to hear from medical professionals such as yourself, FLCCC docs, A Midwestern Doctor and those at CHD who understand the dangers of polypharmacy and are working to address this significant issue. Thanks again!
I wish doctors didn't get mad at you for not wanting to take a drug for everything!
I show some of the signs of diabetes, including a high trigltriglycerides test years years ago. I’ve never been formally treated or even diagnosed with actual diabetes. However, I changed my diet and immediately lost a lot of weight. My blood pressure returned to perfect and my diabetes symptoms disappeared. I’ll take that over meds any day!
Rich Nations might be specifically targeted by Big Pharm ?
Thank you for this important article for anyone on multiple medications or whose loved ones are.
Such polypharmacy likely killed my mom years ago. She loved her doctor because he was so "thorough and attentive." But he put her on at least a dozen medications, many to counteract the adverse effects of others. She declined rapidly on all those meds and was not willing to seek a second opinion or insist on taking fewer pills.
Every week she spent a couple of hours (maybe more), sorting out the pills she had to take each day -- often having to start all over again if she lost count, dropped a pill, or had trouble discerning one look-alike pill from another. She constantly worried about the costs and the Medicare "doughnut hole."
It was heartbreaking to see her go downhill. Yes, she suffered from a lifetime of smoking, several back surgeries, and other ailments, but I think the drugs and pain meds made her quality of life worse and could have hastened her death.)\
Thank you for sharing about your mother. Yes, it is sadly a very common thing for the older generation to be burdened with a chain of prescriptions. Often one after another, chasing side effects and symptoms, with little consideration of addressing the underlying cause.
Yes, you described the problem exactly right. I’m guessing part of the reason that elders are targets of polypharmacy is that Medicare “pays” for these drugs so they get them for “free” or low-cost. If they had to pay full price, out of pocket, they might question their prescriptions more closely.
But it’s not just happening with older people. Young kids are being prescribed drugs such as Ozempic, SSRIs, and more — all with side effects and interactions, and many not even tested in kids. (And then, there are the many shots given to kids and adults that are wreaking havoc with health.)
Much of medicine involves chasing symptoms, not solving their cause — as you said. It’s always great to hear from medical professionals such as yourself, FLCCC docs, A Midwestern Doctor and those at CHD who understand the dangers of polypharmacy and are working to address this significant issue. Thanks again!