Has anybody cut down on their meds after reading about over prescribing

My DH rattles with drugs. I have suggested requesting a review which falls on deaf ears. For myself I refused statins when the clinical pharmacist couldn't say exactly why they were prescribed for me except to say, they are preventative.

When I discussed my cholesterol test results with the practice nurse she said the result also pointed to me being pre diabetic but she was going to ignore it because she said lots of tests seemed to be coming back as pre diabetic for people that she didn’t think were. I think the guidelines seem to keep changing. As the conversation with her was the most intelligent and informative one that I’d had with a health professional for ages I was quite happy to go along with her opinion.

I am on HRT (not meds as much but require a prescription).
I was prescribed 4 pumps of estrogel but only apply 3 and am fine.

MayBee a podiatrist can diagnose a fungal infection on your foot.

I had never been on any regular meds before being admitted to hospital (at 74) with pneumonia - my heart rate at that time was in the stratosphere. Before I was discharged 3 weeks later it was entirely back to normal, but although the respiratory consultant said I didn’t need the 2 meds any more, I was still prescribed them.
So I consulted the GP, who did halve the dose of one of them, and said I might as well keep taking them since they might stop me having a stroke.
So I’m still taking them 3 years later.

When my late DH was in hospital 2 years sgo with a suspected stroke and other heart conditions he was prescribrd a high dose of Apixaben which was wrong for his age and frail health and low weight. When he was discharged I queried this with the practice pharmacist who referred to the GP and the dose was halved. A few months later he had a call from the hospital to say stop taking it as there had been a computer error in his diagnosis. I even have a letter confirming this in writing.

I think we have to be a bit on the ball regarding medications. The NHS website can be your friend in reading up information. I think we owe it to ourselves to question.

Jaxjacky

MayBee a podiatrist can diagnose a fungal infection on your foot.

I know. But it’s something else that I’ll have to pay for out of my pension. I’m already paying for physio. I’m trying to do everything possible to avoid having a TKR but at the same time trying to organise my life around the possibility of having it done.

Yes Pably, YOU may never holiday abroad, but others on here who may be tempted to follow the "cut down" course of action should be alerted to that potential insurance issue? Is that too tricky a concept?

PS - you may well have cut out the prescribed Statins without consulting the GP, but A) have you kept on collecting them (to throw away), and B) if not, didn't the GP notice that no repeat prescriptions have been needed??

We are not medically trained so I wouldn't stop or reduce medications without consulting someone. If you don't want to speak to your Dr immediately, ask your pharmacy to advice on alternatives and then go back to your GP and ask if you take that advice.

Dr prescribed 3 month course of Terbinafine for fungal toenails (re previous post) which is working.

At 80 I have just been diagnosed with a chest infection, I have just taken my 13th pill of the day …so far. This comprises my standard meds, plus additional paracetamol, anti- biotics, anti-sickness and a new heart pill!! More to come but mainly duplicate doses and 2 standard nighttime meds.
Aging is such fun! But my doc is very good at checking contra indications before prescribing. But I wonder if anyone has ever done a check on the lot together!?

suelld

At 80 I have just been diagnosed with a chest infection, I have just taken my 13th pill of the day …so far. This comprises my standard meds, plus additional paracetamol, anti- biotics, anti-sickness and a new heart pill!! More to come but mainly duplicate doses and 2 standard nighttime meds.
Aging is such fun! But my doc is very good at checking contra indications before prescribing. But I wonder if anyone has ever done a check on the lot together!?

The pharmacist will willing do a check on the lot, tell you which you can take together, which time of the day is best and whether you should take them on an empty stomach. They know far more that the GP for this as this is part of their brief. My pharmacist used to do this regularly for me (at his suggestion) and it was really useful.

Hello All, Am new to posting here on this lovely site. The Pharmacist from my GP practise rang me to ask why I had been prescribed Statins, as looking back at my cholesterol, ldl/hdl etc levels they have never been high! I had often bemoaned this when they were first prescribed, 3 years ago, after a ‘suspected’ TIA. This diagnosis had never felt ‘right’ to me. The pharmacist said he felt that it would be prudent to try and come off them, so we have halved the dose, and I am to have a repeat blood test in 6 months. If levels remain normal he suggests I then come off altogether, with a further repeat blood test six months after stopping. I could not be more delighted with this sensible precautionary approach, which I had tried to suggest to several GPs without success. Nice to feel vindicated at last!

I halved my prescription of Citalopram to 10 mg from 20 mg. I didn't consult my doctor. I haven't noticed any discernible side effects.

I am fortunate not to take any prescription medication other than HRT and Lazoprazole for hiatus hernia and I would not stop or cut down either. I was supposed to go on statins over 20 years ago but said “no thanks” and I have been fine. I have always avoided taking medication if possible and I try to stay healthy.

I suspect many of us are overmedicalised, and very few (if any) GPs are trained in polypharmacy. You might find this report from Age Uk useful.
www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/reports-and-publications/reports-and-briefings/health--wellbeing/medication/190819_more_harm_than_good.pdf

Primrose53
Do you mind me asking what dose of estrogen you take?
I was on 4 pumps of estrogel and cut to 3 due to breast discomfort but also read that women over 60 should be on lower doses...that is probably outdated though as you know many GPs are not trained in treating the menopause.

MayBee70

You should never change prescribed medication because it will be on your medical record and the assumption will be that you are taking it as prescribed. Unless, of course you do suffer from any of the adverse reactions mentioned in the instructions. Even so you should tell your doctor.

Absolutely. You should have an annual meeting with a practice nurse to discuss your medication. Should not alter without your GP knowing and agreeing.

pably15

I never holiday abroad..

👍🏻

Estrellita

I halved my prescription of Citalopram to 10 mg from 20 mg. I didn't consult my doctor. I haven't noticed any discernible side effects.

Yet!

silverlining48

I am a lot older than 65 but have never been offered a medical MOT.

Neither have I.

Madmeg

My FiL was on a catalogue of drugs. One day, 36 years ago, he flushed them all down the loo saying they were doing him no good. Two weeks later he was dead.

Depends on what he was on?
He could have had a seizure.
Its taken me months & months to wean off a couple of drugs 2mg diazepam being one drug & codiene.
I now have very stiff back around my spine, sensitive skin all over my back & now spreading down my arms. My head just feels like it’s packed with cotton wool. Also my memory is really poor at the moment.
Not saying it’s the drugs but more than likely it is!
I’ve said on another thread that some of these drugs the GPs dole out are every bit as bad as street drugs for coming off.
My gp said he could get me off zopiclone in two weeks 😳I said if he doesn’t want me jumping off the bridge up the road, he better well leave it alone!
I said if I was a drug addict off the street the help may well be there.
He said he would get me help, that was two years ago. When I’ve phoned to see where I am in the queue, I haven’t even been referred 😩

MarieElla

Primrose53
Do you mind me asking what dose of estrogen you take?
I was on 4 pumps of estrogel and cut to 3 due to breast discomfort but also read that women over 60 should be on lower doses...that is probably outdated though as you know many GPs are not trained in treating the menopause.

I have Lenzetto spray (1.53 mg transdermal spray) and use two sprays every night before bed. I take one Progesterone 100mg with that.

Sweetness1

Dr prescribed 3 month course of Terbinafine for fungal toenails (re previous post) which is working.

I’m assuming that I will have to take that if I have a TKR. It’s just getting an appointment with a doctor to confirm it.

DrWatson

Yes Pably, YOU may never holiday abroad, but others on here who may be tempted to follow the "cut down" course of action should be alerted to that potential insurance issue? Is that too tricky a concept?

PS - you may well have cut out the prescribed Statins without consulting the GP, but A) have you kept on collecting them (to throw away), and B) if not, didn't the GP notice that no repeat prescriptions have been needed??

That’s what I was wondering.
You have to tell the insurance absolutely everything, or they will just void your insurance.