What Becomes of a Medicated World?

I did just that emptied out my medicine cabinet. I only kept the ones that I knew I really needed. Which is not an easy decision to make. But I do feel better now that I am not taking all that stuff. What really scares me is that everyday I see ads on tv or in the paper regarding medicines that are causing people to get really sick or die. It makes me afraid to take any of the new ones that a doctor might prescribe.

My 5 cents

Research!! Google everything!

Know your body! Know your symptoms.. BUT most of all talk to your Doctor, explain everything!!! if you don't you will go through a pharmacy of medication; and maybe even years being treated for the wrong thing!

I know for 20 years I have been going to doctors re. my ear, finally I get a E.N.T Doctor Here in Ohio; and completely fed up I told him to look deep. Ya know what he didn't argue; and ordered a C.T scan. YaY finally I have results and and going to require surgery. A solution finally!!wish I would of spoke up sooner, instead of me just assuming that they'll know.. geez Hind sight is 20/20 Eh!

Also I have found out that I have degenerative arthritis in my neck and back. For that I take the occasional aspirin ( which is good for the health!) I keep moving and it's mind over matter kinda thing (for me)

*(There are many medications that are necessary-than again- some are just NOT! ) I also do a comparative analysis of east vs. west (medicine that is) REMEMBER IT"S YOUR BODY! Don't allow anyone to do things to you that you wouldn't do to your self, kinda thing.. Oh I'm rambling again

I forgot to tell you that I changed doctors and that is what brought about the throwing out the meds.

trust your instinct and investigate. Remember, many medicines deteriorate the kidneys and liver. Eat more healthy foods and drink a lot of water.
Also, laugh and think good thoughts.

Hmm, well I believe in prayer but there are some serious physical illnesses that can be controlled through proper medication use.

For less serious things like a digestive problem, perhaps some natural remedies might be preferable.

Get a PDR - physicians desk reference and like mentioned previously google everything and become knowledgeable on the medication.

I had to do this with my sons teacher and school personnel when no one believed me my son was suffering from side effects and then I changed meds.

What I find works with my kids is that I keep them home from school when they start a med or change meds, especially for these anti-psychotics. I keep a journal to note their eating, sleeping and bowel movements.

Also get second opinions. Over the counter meds work fine

I have alot of meds too. When I do not feel good after taking them, I take a day or two off. I have rhuematoid arthritis though, so I need my anti inflammatories. I always read the labels and the side effects. Then I choose to either take it or tell the doctor it is not good enough for me. I have gotten used to being more assertive with my doctors. They don't mess with me anymore. They have actually even admitted when they don't know something. Wow was I shocked to here that! Not that I didn't know that, but to hear them say it, whew! We all know our bodies better than they do, so it is also good to know how to explain what is going on. I am working on that.

Bonnie has the best suggestions in my opinion. Check out the doctors and make sure you have a good one. Then research the medicines.

I truley understand as i have been treated for several different illnesses including depression for the past four years before the final and true verdict of narcolepsy was diagnosed.....i was never depressed or had thyroid problems...the doctor even treated me for adult adhd...ha ha ...all the medicines and therapy were all in vain. And I do think the doctors are so overbooked and under educated that all they can do is guess most of time and continue to pack their wallets full

I think we are all overmedicated. It is important to remember that the pharamaceutical industry is driven by one thing - PROFIT. The greater a need can be created by advertising, the greater the profit for drug companies. I am slowly but surely taking myself off a lot of medications. The blood pressure and thyroid ones are okay. I am really evaluating all those other brown plastic bottles in my cabinet. I am trying to eat better and be more active. It is no longer enough to trust your doctor. As others have said, we must investigate, ask questions, do research. Our health is in our hands.

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies! I have been getting more and more concerned. First, several years ago, I received one shot of Depo Provera (the birth control shot). I suffered for over a year, with uncontrollable bleeding and many other symptoms. The doctors kept dismissing the symptoms, saying they couldn't have possibly been caused by the medication. When I began researching, I found that many others were experiencing the same things, and their doctors dismissing their symptoms as well.

In January, I had back surgery. I went into it out of desperation, and did not do the research I should have done. I am worse now than I was before the surgery. I am soooo angry, because I feel the doctor completely had his best interests in mind, rather than mine.

It has been a long, hard road, but I am learning as I go.

It's too bad that all doctors aren't good looking, caring and able to solve any case in less than an hour, like the ones on E.R. or any of the other medical related TV shows. I think how good a doctor is depends on their experience, education and their level of caring.

I had a doctor get really mad at me once. I kept getting really bad sore throats. Twice he prescribed me an antibiotic and ordered a strep test. Since they didn't have a lab to do the test, it would take something like five days to get results. By that time, the results were irrelevant in my opinion, and they never called so I assumed I never had strep throat. On the third visit with the same problem, I told him the test wasn't needed. I think he turned red. He asked me if I'd gone to med school. I said no, but I did go to college, and the infirmary there had a lab where they could do the test while I was waiting and base their prescription on that. I suppose that wasn't his fault, but I found a different doctor that I like better.

You're so right Kelly. It seems as though doctors get really offended when we try to speak for ourselves... but honestly, although they have book training, I don't see how they can really know what we are going through, unless they have been their themselves. That is why I feel it is so important for them to take the time to listen to us and our needs. Thankfully, I have finally found a back doctor who is empathetic and willing to take time listening to my concerns... a long lost skill, it too often seems.

Oh, and yes, I definitely wish they LOOKED like the docs on ER!!!! hahahaha I devoted a group to my favorite doc... goranfans.gather.com Y'all are welcome to come drool over some of the pics and add some of your own!!! I know, shameless plug! lol

My DH has learned over the years to question everything the medical people do in his life. He is aware of his body's needs and what works best for him.. however some clinicians have abig chip on thier shoulder "I know all , you know nothing" mentality.
Each year he sits with his nephrologist and they do a game of give and take. He tries to pare down his meds, the doc listens and points out this "particular med also helps with X" , at the end DH is down two meds and doctor is comfortable but watchful.

We have found that even if he wanted to take alternatives (herbal therapy) that it is not as effective as the prescription meds. That may be because he has been on the meds for years , building tolerance levels and making lesser strength items useless in his system.

Good luck on whatever you decide. It takes time to research, find choices, try it out and see how your body reacts.
Make friends with a nurse.

Some of those meds you cannot go without and do natural. You mentioned thyroid if your level is to high or to low you need this, you know what your body was like off of it. What ever you choose to do if you have been on anything for a period of time you do not want to stop them quickly as this can cause major issues. Always either talk to your doctor, or research this issue first. I do understand the issue you are having I take many pills each day and it drives me nuts sometimes, I however know I cannot do without some of these or my body will not function right. Good luck in whatever you decide

Thanks everyone! It is really great to get to see everyone's opinions, and I really appreciate your taking the time to reply! I agree, also, that we do need to be careful, and even though it drives me nuts, I do need to accept that physicians have had the training, and therefore do have knowledge that I don't. It's a tough call.

those kinds of questions you ask professionals, you are playing with your life here. If your medications are seriously needed to prevent death or serious damage to your body then you must take them, only you and your doctors can answer that, not people on gather. On the other hand, if their are things that you can do in terms of keeping healther and weening off of some of them meds you do need to research and find out, but also discuss with your doctor and a dietician and other health specialists.

I agree Carol. I think I was really expressing frustration, more than anything. It seems as though there is a medication for everything now... one of my biggest frustrations has come from the level of pain I live with on a daily basis, and how willing they are to give meds... rather than try to come up with a solution that will really help.