The Problem of Over-medication and Multiple Co-morbidities

B

Bushrod

New Member
Location
Vero Beach, Florida
Having lived long enough to acquire many different maladies for which there is no cure, and being prescribed many different medications in response thereto, I find it very, very difficult to sort out side-effects and symptoms. I ask myself, is this particularly QOL-negative state a result of a condition from which I know I suffer, a result of an as yet undiagnosed condition, the side-effect of one medication, the cumulative side-effect of several medications, or a combination of all of the foregoing? And, if so, how do I go about sorting out and solving the problem, given that the problem is intolerable (and leaving aside the tolerable problems)?
 

Before my colonoscopy, I made a current list of all my medications for the hospital. I take 13 different medications per day, some more than once. I take the bulk of them in the morning. 13. Blew my mind. Also take certain vitamins.

I shake a lot, sometimes unbearably. 13. Wow.
 
On a recent visit to see my PCP, we were going over my B/P meds and my weight. Now, I had gained 25lbs over the year. After discussing things she says.."I think you're being over medicated." (by my cardiologist)
We decided on a different medication and strength and I soon lost 25lbs! I love her.
 

Bushrod said:
Having lived long enough to acquire many different maladies for which there is no cure, and being prescribed many different medications in response thereto, I find it very, very difficult to sort out side-effects and symptoms. I ask myself, is this particularly QOL-negative state a result of a condition from which I know I suffer, a result of an as yet undiagnosed condition, the side-effect of one medication, the cumulative side-effect of several medications, or a combination of all of the foregoing? And, if so, how do I go about sorting out and solving the problem, given that the problem is intolerable (and leaving aside the tolerable problems)?
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Yes, that is the $64K question for sure, I hope you'll be able to discontinue some of the meds, for the more tolerable conditions. I think doctors mean well, but I've seen on more than one occasion they would prescribe a medication to solve one problem, without much consideration for the side affects.
I've had to do a mountain of searching on the various medications I've been prescribed over the years, to see which ones I can live with, and which ones I can live better...without.
 
Nathan said:
Yes, that is the $64K question for sure, I hope you'll be able to discontinue some of the meds, for the more tolerable conditions. I think doctors mean well, but I've seen on more than one occasion they would prescribe a medication to solve one problem, without much consideration for the side affects.
I've had to do a mountain of searching on the various medications I've been prescribed over the years, to see which ones I can live with, and which ones I can live better...without.
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Agreed. I'm constantly scanning my list of meds for things to cut out or cut back on while not throwing out the baby with the bath water. Would appreciate trained medical help in doing so but Medicare reimbursement rates being what they are I can't expect much of such help.
 
Pepper said:
Before my colonoscopy, I made a current list of all my medications for the hospital. I take 13 different medications per day, some more than once. I take the bulk of them in the morning. 13. Blew my mind. Also take certain vitamins.

I shake a lot, sometimes unbearably. 13. Wow.
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And how do you know how they interact with each other? With respect to the particular negative QOL issues you want to solve. It's a conundrum.
 
Bushrod said:
And how do you know how they interact with each other? With respect to the particular negative QOL issues you want to solve. It's a conundrum.
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This is so coincidental. After I wrote that, I picked up yesterday's mail. In it was a note from my PCP wanting me to schedule a visit to go over all medications for this purpose and others. So, I'll know soon. Kinda backlogged with doc appts.; have 4 scheduled (not him) over next few weeks. He might have to wait.
 
Bushrod said:
Agreed. I'm constantly scanning my list of meds for things to cut out or cut back on while not throwing out the baby with the bath water. Would appreciate trained medical help in doing so but Medicare reimbursement rates being what they are I can't expect much of such help.
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Have you considered a "patient advocate"? I understand that they can be very helpful for this type of situation.

I deal with a bit of what you seem to be talking about and was told about patient advocates to help me wade through all the medial things involved that have been difficult for me to understand in regard to what options are out there, choices offered, things not spoken of, conflicting meds and advice... for me though, I don't seem to have the option of acquiring their help through my insurance (which sometimes is available) and paying their fees out-of-pocket is beyond me... I think... I'm still checking into it all.
 
Pepper said:
Before my colonoscopy, I made a current list of all my medications for the hospital. I take 13 different medications per day, some more than once. I take the bulk of them in the morning. 13. Blew my mind. Also take certain vitamins.

I shake a lot, sometimes unbearably. 13. Wow.
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Some medications worsen shaking/tremors. Some meds used to slow/stop it give some help, but along with awful side effects. People who take it anyway, will take another med to fix those side effects. On and on it goes.
 
Bushrod said:
Having lived long enough to acquire many different maladies for which there is no cure, and being prescribed many different medications in response thereto, I find it very, very difficult to sort out side-effects and symptoms. I ask myself, is this particularly QOL-negative state a result of a condition from which I know I suffer, a result of an as yet undiagnosed condition, the side-effect of one medication, the cumulative side-effect of several medications, or a combination of all of the foregoing? And, if so, how do I go about sorting out and solving the problem, given that the problem is intolerable (and leaving aside the tolerable problems)?
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I, too have lived long enough ... an enderly person and over the years, my medications have been increased. At first just BP(one) and a very low dosage pain med. just 100 mg. Gabapentin for Neuropathy. However, I started to experince both Sleep and bowel movement after having entered to be elderly. Until in my mid to late 70s., there was no problem both sleep and bowl movement. So it's sad to see this reality, but I accept a change of my body, not outside but inside as well.
For both sleep, and bowel movement, I've been more Herbal meds, because I hate interaction with other rx'ed meds. BP, Pain and other minor medical issues.
So far so good, but Herbal meds. needs 'trial and error' to find the right combo.
 
RedAlert76 said:
I have chronic back pain, the meds I am on have side effects of back pain - so much for taking meds of any kind.
o_O
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My neighbor has been taking Opioids for a work-related back injury for close to 20 years. Of course the doctors want to cut him off his meds, but in recent times he's been going to a pain specialist that has him doing Physical Therapy, which has improved his condition to the point that he can skip the meds on a prolonged basis.
 
I go through this constantly and always arguing with my doctor. I'll just put my foot down and say "No"...... I'm just not taking certain meds anymore. It's not like they can do anything about it. Too many doctors have tried different medications on me without my input, or tried controlling every aspect of my care.....and bullying me when I don't agree. I have tons of medicine now I just haven't disposed of properly yet.
 
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doctors are often too busy with their daily lives - the better people to consult about complex medications and their interactions are pharmacists and biochemists - there should be a cross over consultancy service involving these professionals imo
 
Nathan said:
My neighbor has been taking Opioids for a work-related back injury for close to 20 years. Of course the doctors want to cut him off his meds, but in recent times he's been going to a pain specialist that has him doing Physical Therapy, which has improved his condition to the point that he can skip the meds on a prolonged basis.
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I have a neighbor whose brother was a roofer. As luck would have it, he fell off and needed surgery on his back. The doctor prescribed him opiates for 2 years, which took away the pain, but left him with an addiction. My neighbor asked me for advice. I know a doctor in Ohio that is an *Addictionologist. (See below.)

I suggested he call him and get some guidance, which he did. The doctor admitted him to Town and Country Hospital in Tampa. The neighbor’s brother spent 3 days in detox and the next 28 days in Rehab. He said he had a miserable 2 weeks with withdrawals, but made it. A few years later, he lost a finger on a table saw while putting in a new kitchen. The doctor prescribed him OxyContin and he refused. The doctor asked why and he told him he was a reformed addict and doesn’t want to go back on that stuff again. The doctor agreed.

While he was detoxing, the doctor had him on Suboxone, which is a combination of 2 drugs; Buprenorphine and Naloxone. Read below how this drug works. It has helped thousands of addicts to get off their drug of choice and remain clean. As a state trooper, I used to carry Narcan and Naloxone. The stronger the drug, like Heroin and Fentanyl, the longer it takes to get clean.

Anyone that continuously uses an opiate for over 2 weeks faces a very high risk to becoming addicted.

Suboxone

*An addictionologist, also known as an addiction medicine specialist, is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of addiction.

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Bushrod said:
Agreed. I'm constantly scanning my list of meds for things to cut out or cut back on while not throwing out the baby with the bath water. Would appreciate trained medical help in doing so but Medicare reimbursement rates being what they are I can't expect much of such help.
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You could ask your PCP for help. My doc reviews my meds, supplements and vitamins during my annual physical, and when a med is added or subtracted. But truth be told, most PCPs look after well over a thousand patients. Who knows how many different meds they've needed to prescribe? (The average US pharmacy stocks 10K-15K different prescription meds.)

How well versed can a PCP be on every single med's possible interaction with the nuances of a thousand different bodies' medical histories, assorted meds, supplements, vitamins, exercise habits and diet plans?

On the other hand, as patients we deal daily with just one or two bodies. Our own and maybe a sig other's. And we obviously have more at stake with these bodies than our doctors do.

My opinion: with meds and treatment plans we must double check our docs with our own research. Fortunately, expert help is instantly available with a few taps of our fingertips.

Case in point: I was recently prescribed a drug to help combat GERD. The drug interaction list shows the new med blunts the efficacy of my two other Rx meds. I adjusted the timing and slightly upped the dosage of the other meds until I'm off the new drug. Should be just a couple more weeks. 🤞
 
Some of us Troopers got stuck getting educated on Suboxone. No one was supposed to know that some of us carried it. My first experience with it was the night I was patrolling a small farm town in western PA when I got a call from the 911 operator of a young boy having a fit and threatening to kill his sister with a knife.

When I got to the house, I never drew my pistol. I spoke calmly and respectful to the boy who his parent told me was 17. He was standing beside the refrigerator and holding a knife to his sister’s throat threatening to cut her throat and killing her. I asked him what was the problem and what could I do for him. He said his doctor stopped giving him his Oxy and he needed it.

I told him I didn’t have any Oxy, but I did have a drug that would help him feel better. He said he didn’t want any Narcan. I told him , No, I had something better. I opened the sleeve that holds the piece of film that contains the drug and took out the piece of film that slides under the tongue (sublingual). He said to sit it on the table. I did as he said to and backed away.

He picked it up and put it under his tongue. 30 minutes later, I took him into custody while he was crying. Suboxone has a partial opioid agonist with Naloxone that blocks all opioid agonists. IOW, it gives off a little drop of an opiate, but also blocks any other opiates the user has in his system. Very effective.
 
StarSong said:
You could ask your PCP for help. My doc reviews my meds, supplements and vitamins during my annual physical, and when a med is added or subtracted. But truth be told, most PCPs look after well over a thousand patients. Who knows how many different meds they've needed to prescribe? (The average US pharmacy stocks 10K-15K different prescription meds.)

How well versed can a PCP be on every single med's possible interaction with the nuances of a thousand different bodies' medical histories, assorted meds, supplements, vitamins, exercise habits and diet plans?

On the other hand, as patients we deal daily with just one or two bodies. Our own and maybe a sig other's. And we obviously have more at stake with these bodies than our doctors do.

My opinion: with meds and treatment plans we must double check our docs with our own research. Fortunately, expert help is instantly available with a few taps of our fingertips.

Case in point: I was recently prescribed a drug to help combat GERD. The drug interaction list shows the new med blunts the efficacy of my two other Rx meds. I adjusted the timing and slightly upped the dosage of the other meds until I'm off the new drug. Should be just a couple more weeks. 🤞
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What was the name of the drug?
 
Pepper said:
Thought of another med I use daily, bringing total up to 14. Forgot Trelegy for copd. Seeing doc this Friday, made emergency appointment before holiday.
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I have to tell you I have grown extremely leery of American medical professionals because it seems to me they are more concerned with pushing pills and enriching the pharmaceutical industry than they are with my overall well-being. So, if you don’t mind me asking, does your regular doctor know that you're taking so many different drugs, and exactly what they are? I just watched this video and found it informative, especially the part about taking so many medications. (Note: I'm not suggesting that you stop taking your medications, I'm suggesting that you make sure your regular doctor is familiar with all the drugs that you take and that he or she knows if they might interact with each other.)
 
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