Dropping your meds.........

R

rgp

Well-known Member
Location
Milford,OH
Have any of you , that are on multiple meds ever considered just dropping them altogether ?

I take BP meds (2) , a statin, metformin , Gabapentin , and indomethicin for pain. And I am getting just sick & tired of taking any/all [of] them. I feel like crap [most days] , have little energy, and I just wonder how much of that is tied to the meds? Or is it just aging ? and am I expecting more day-to-day 'performance' from my body than is reasonable ?

I am considering switching to natural vitamins/minerals etc, that are targeted toward my issues. But ! must admit, I need to get up some nerve to do so..:(

Just wondered if others have done so, feel/felt the same?

I have read some of the side-effect warnings that are listed with some of my meds...and they are attention getting.

If we read all the sites out there that address the issues ? They all say the same thing , in a nutshell. Lead the life you really do not want too, eat all the things you do not really care for, and stop eating the things you do care for....and you'll be just fine.....yeah right?

I want to feel better AND have a life...not an existence .
 

I'm on 8 different meds and I know exactly how you feel.

Unfortunately, without a few of them I'd probably be dead.

I'm not sure that I would be able to alter my lifestyle habits easily enough or completely enough to equal the effects of the meds, even WITH their many side-effects.
 
I don’t have any medical training apart from senior first aid ,but I believe if you give up taking BP meds in particular it can have a rebound effect if you sunddenly stop taking them .

Im another who dislikes taking meds and I only take BP meds but I have to be honest I’ve recently weened myself off one of the two bp meds I was taking ,but I’ve just cut down slowly by taking 1/2 of one of the meds , my GP is fully aware and has given me support in my effort to cut back the amount I’m taking
 

I have thought about it when it comes to more serious treatments like chemo or dialysis.

Swallowing my handful of maintenance drugs/vitamins twice a day and giving myself an insulin injection once a day is not a big deal or a financial burden for me.

I do get frustrated when I follow the PCP's instructions and the current treatment does not keep my A1C at an acceptable level.

If things were to get significantly worse I would prefer to opt for palliative care, hospice care, or assisted suicide than to spend several miserable and expensive years in a nursing home counting the ceiling tiles while I wait for the CNA's to come change my diapers or bring me my jello.
 
Thankfully I only have to take BP meds. My doctors have been pushing statins for 20 years or more, but I have resisted taking them. I have an aversion to taking medication of any type but my mother died of kidney failure precipitated from unchecked high blood pressure. After watching her struggle on dialysis for the last 5 miserable years of her life I decided that I would bow to the BP gods and take that one.

I would not stop any Rx without considerable research and consulting with my doctor, especially the diabetes meds. Uncontrolled diabetes can have horrible consequences, so proceed with extreme caution.

ETA--as far as getting older and not feeling well, I can say that I'm in my 60's and I honestly feel great most of the time. I feel extremely lucky to not have any significant health or mobility issues (so far). I know each of us walks our own path in that regard.
 
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I will not drop any of mine as they do help me a lot. I have a history of brain aneurysms and it is vital I keep my BP stable. Sometimes if I don't think the med is working or too strong, we will discuss it as he knows I do not want to take anything I don't have to.
 
There are PRO & CONS to every med we take including OTC. Many meds interact with one another and cause problems. Many meds taken while drinking alcohol can cause problems. Before just stopping a med, do a bit of online research on the particular med. There are lots of online resources for this.
 
jaylon said:
There are PRO & CONS to every med we take including OTC. Many meds interact with one another and cause problems. Many meds taken while drinking alcohol can cause problems. Before just stopping a med, do a bit of online research on the particular med. There are lots of online resources for this.
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Researching it all now, and [if] I do stop, I will ween myself off...not just drop them...[perhaps i used the wrong word in my subject title...?

Example:...I have read, on more than one site, that CoQ10 & fish-oil can have a profound effect on BP/heart. Some say add "D"&"E" for added protection....still reading.
 
rgp said:
Researching it all now, and [if] I do stop, I will ween myself off...not just drop them...[perhaps i used the wrong word in my subject title...?

Example:...I have read, on more than one site, that CoQ10 & fish-oil can have a profound effect on BP/heart. Some say add "D"&"E" for added protection....still reading.
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I'm far from an expert on the topic, but I have been taking natural supplements for decades and am not on any prescription drugs. As far as high blood pressure or hypertension, you're right about the beneficial supplements. I don't have HBP, but it has gone up now and then, usually just due to "white coat fever", nervousness when seeing the doctor, which I only do every several years.

I take and can recommend these supplements, all are good quality and reasonably priced. NOW brand of liquid lemon flavored Omega-3 Fish Oil, it's made in Norway and is the preferred natural triglyceride form.

The NOW brand Potassium Citrate (99mg) capsules. The NOW brand Magnesium Citrate pure powder or Natural Factors Magnesium Citrate capsules (150mg).

Natural Factors Coenzyme Q10 (100mg) softgels, but, the preferred form that is better absorbed in the body is the same brand of Ubiquinol....that is more expensive, but I buy it when I can. I also use Solaray Vitamin D-3 & K-2 capsule combo.

I can't stress enough that if you do have medical issues and are under doctor's care and taking prescription drugs....you should always consult with your doctor before weaning yourself off of any prescriptions. If you doctor is modern and open minded, he will know what you are trying to do and support you in your effort with some monitoring. Unfortunately though, doctors are not schooled in vitamins and supplements, so you have to consider that.

I have not lived a super healthy lifestyle and am far from a health freak, but I have to say that I'd rather take vitamins and supplements than be on prescribed drugs with all their side effects. There is high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other illnesses in my immediate family, my only desire is not to be on prescriptions, insulin, etc. etc.......so far so good. :)
 
I refuse to take prescription medicines unless there is absolutely no alternative. It's been a very long time since I found that to be true. I have an ayurvedic clinic within easy walking distance of my home, and that's where I get most of my medical advice.

A few years ago my allopath said my A1C was a little high and she would prefer for my blood pressure to come down. I took care of both problems with diet. Next checkup I was well within normal range.

However, if you're on meds already I suggest you be very cautious about how you get off them.
 
An opinion without knowing details on the surface I'd say see if you can get them reduced if not eliminated. I know of situations where a person bp meds were cut in half after they got dizzy and fell. The medical industry had doubled them over the last year and you saw it with symptoms like lethargy. Also when a medical industry employee takes your bp and it's 'normal' sit then stand up and have them take it standing again. If there's a change of more than a couple of points that could be a sign of low bp or things like dehydration.

Good Luck
 
rgp said:
Researching it all now, and [if] I do stop, I will ween myself off...not just drop them...[perhaps i used the wrong word in my subject title...?

Example:...I have read, on more than one site, that CoQ10 & fish-oil can have a profound effect on BP/heart. Some say add "D"&"E" for added protection....still reading.
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A problem you will have when reading/researching all this is that you will get all kinds of contradictory info for so-called experts. Basically you have to figure out what strategy you are going to try and then see how it goes and make adjustments as you see fit. At the moment I am trying out liposomal vitamin C for higher dosing of vitamin C; I'll see how it goes.
 
rgp said:
Have any of you , that are on multiple meds ever considered just dropping them altogether ? I expecting more day-to-day 'performance' from my body than is reasonable ?
Just wondered if others have done so, feel/felt the same? If we read all the sites out there that address the issues ? They all say the same thing , in a nutshell. Lead the life you really do not want too, eat all the things you do not really care for, and stop eating the things you do care for....and you'll be just fine.....yeah right?
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I have given up, for three month periods, my BP meds and cholesterol meds. I did it to establish a baseline. I wanted to see both what I felt like, but mainly, see what my blood tests revealed going off the meds. I didn't really feel differently, but I proved that the meds were doing something as my BP went up (not dangerously, but too high), and ditto with cholesterol.
Having said that I take great exception about 'eat the things you don't care for and lead the life you don't want.....' kind of thing. Unless you live in a very rural area, you have access to foods from around the world. DW and I got into working out and eating right decades ago. You don't have to live on 'rabbit food', as was the phrase from decades ago. I cook Indian, Thai, and Asian, usually by 'cheating' meaning I make dishes like Pad Thai by using sauce in a jar rather than scratch. I purchase Thai curries in a jar too. These kinds of dishes are full of flavor, will incorporate veggies, use small amounts of meat, and are great. DW and I have no desire to have a 'typical' American diet of burgers and fries. Our 'go-to' foods are more like Chicken Tikka Masala.
And, incorporating an hour a day for exercise is not 'living the life you really don't want'. It's part of being a responsible adult who is trying to help themself rather than simply complaining how poorly they feel and doing nothing to promote their well being.
 
Rgp, I meant to post this yesterday, here's more helpful info about lowering your blood pressure naturally. SOURCE

So, what are some natural ways to lower blood pressure? There are foods that reduce blood pressure, as well as supplements to lower blood pressure and lifestyle changes you can make. These high blood pressure home remedies are pretty easy to incorporate into your life. By slowly making these changes to your daily habits, you can create new, healthier routines and a much healthier you.


1. Eat a Mediterranean-style diet
Thanks to foods such as olives and flax seeds, Mediterranean diets are very high in fruits, vegetables, sea foods and healthy omega-3 rich fat oils. A grain-free or a low-grain Mediterranean diet, naturally abundant with omega-3 foods, is ideal.

Some of the top foods you want in your Mediterranean diet are olive oil, flax seeds, wild-caught fish (especially salmon) and a lot of fruits and vegetables, all of which will help lower your blood pressure naturally.


2. Start taking a fish oil supplement (1,000-2,000 mg daily)
One of the main causes of high blood pressure is inflammation in the arteries over time. Study after study has shown consuming fish oil, which is high in EPA and DHA forms of omega-3 fatty acids, reduces inflammation in the body. So, taking a high quality, 1,000 milligram fish oil dose every single day with your meals is one of the best natural ways to lower blood pressure.


3. Use magnesium to loosen things up (500 mg before bed)
The mineral magnesium is great because it helps relax your blood vessels and can have an immediate impact on naturally lowering blood pressure (and many people have a magnesium deficiency). So should you take magnesium supplements? Yes, and 500 milligrams daily is a great dose to start with to address your blood pressure issues.


4. Pump up your potassium
An essential element, potassium — and high-potassium foods such as avocado and melon — helps counteract the effects of sodium and guard against hypertension. Some of the best potassium-rich foods include coconut water and bananas.

Coconut water is a great choice if you want something a little bit sweet to drink throughout the day. Another delicious way to overcome potentially low potassium levels and naturally lower your blood pressure is to use coconut water as the liquid base for your superfood smoothie in the morning.

Interestingly, potassium supplements are usually not as effective as simply eating foods high in potassium. It’s best not to take a potassium supplement in high doses unless otherwise directed by a doctor.


5. Maintain balance with CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10, more commonly known as CoQ10, is an antioxidant critical for supporting heart health. It’s crucial if you’ve ever been on blood pressure or, in particular, cholesterol-lowering medication. Two-to-three hundred milligrams of Coenzyme Q10 per day is a great, natural remedy for high blood pressure.
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As noted fish oil and potassium supplements are probably some of the better things one can take. I've taken fish oils I don't even have to take every day as with most fat soluble vitamins ie a,d, e etc. Also note fish oil is considered a blood thinner and is frequently on a list of potential blood thinners. If taking other blood thinners or getting an operation fish oil might be too much. Also the proper potassium-sodium ratio does affect bp in that the body will get rid of more salt with more potassium in the body. Too much potassium is not good for kidneys. We're old farts here so be cautious, research and experiment incrementally.
 
Retiredtraveler said........

"And, incorporating an hour a day for exercise is not 'living the life you really don't want'. It's part of being a responsible adult who is trying to help themself rather than simply complaining how poorly they feel and doing nothing to promote their well being."

So without knowing a thing about me, your asinine reply is to suggest that I am living a life that differs from what you approve of ?....and assert that I am in the process being irresponsible ?

Well then my only reply too you is that, no matter what your opinion of me may be, it is for sure higher than my opinion of you.
 
Took myself off my BP meds when I dropped 60 lbs from building cabins and chopping wood.

Checked my BP at wallyworld
Next stop my doctor
BP had soared to something like 200/100
She put me on five different meds
Two being water pills

Went back to building…roofs
Didn’t go well with being dizzy (water pill side effects)
Got weary of hugging the ground and doing pirouettes thru the woods
Extension ladders became an interesting adventure
Sat my doc down to a serious chat
She patted me on my knee and asked to be patient
The water pills were needed for awhile
She had me a bit over a barrel
Went back home
Drank gallons of water
Peed every five minutes…at night
Learned to write cursive in the snow
Grabbed trees when wobbly
Got an Omron BP cuff (those things freakin’ rock!!).
BP went back down to 140/60
Pled more with the doc
She begrudgingly took me off the water pills and one BP med

Taking only losartan and amlodipine
Don’t know if I’ll ever be off them
BP is averaging 140 something over 60 something
S’pose I could drop another 20 lbs, but my lady sez the gaunt look is not so becoming on me at 200 lbs (she’s the one that squeezes me, pleases me)
Aaaand, I have these wunnerful habits I enjoy
Turns out, one chooses how to live life, no matter how long or short

I do believe chopping wood and building or razing stuff extends things a bit (and I love it all so)

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