Does this worry you?

Oh now, which should I do. Throw out my antidepressant and let depression totally overwhelm me? And then follow that up with my Omeprazole! and suffer agonies with acid reflux and probably get an ulcer, or worse?

Stupid article. Absolute rubbish.

There is also a very good article about type two diabetes covering several pages in the Waitrose Health magazine Autumn issue (£3 or free with a my Waitrose card)

How about trusting your doctor?

Typical nasty response from certain posters.

I stopped taking too much notice of articles in newspapers! I used to believe them now they give such conflicting advice that you stop even reading them! We all know that medication is good for one thing but has side effects, even the innocent paracetamol, so what are we to do? Same with food, you avoid something that you like only to be told years later that coffee wine choc etc are actually good for you!

No I'm not worried. With any of such articles where they say ' researchers found' I need to know a great deal more about who the researchers were, where their vested interests lie, what the quality of the research methodology was and so much more. I only take what my GP and Consultant prescribe and report any strange signs/ symptoms. I'd stop reading those things unless they are in the Lancet or noted Clinical Journal.

Which prescribed medications do you find you have to take Gabriella?

Thank you for drawing our attention to that article GabriellaG54. I will read it.

Interestingly I asked my GP recently for her views on whether it would be beneficial for me to take probiotics after a recent course of antibiotics.

Her view was that, yes quite a large number of medications do have an adverse effect on gut health, so a course of probiotics could be a good move, and that in fact some European countries prescribe them.

I certainly wouldn't expect the NHS to prescribe them for me so off to Holland and Barrett I went!

I try successfully to take as little Omeprzole as possible. Instead I take a lot of Gaviscon liquid, and small frequent feeds instead of big meals to sop up the hydrochloric acid.

I agree that gut flora are very important to general health.

I object to prescribed medication being described as "pill popping".

As we get older most people find they, reluctantly, have to accept the help of medical science.

PS very few people benefit from antidepressants. There are better ways to tolerate grief, fear, anxiety, and anger.

Really? So there is no point in boosting the serotonin levels in someone who has, naturally, less than the norm?

You have no idea how much fluoxetine helped me.

I object to prescribed medication being described as "pill popping".
Me too and am thankful for advances in medical science.
I do not take anti-depressants but am on a prescribed medication.

I pop vitamins and minerals and eat live yogurt.

Gonegirl
I'm not and never have been on any sort of medication or vitamins/tablets.
Fresh air, a vegetarian diet and no smoking or alcohol are how I live my life. Stress and problem free.

and smug with it.

None of us know what is around the corner.

Fresh air?
I thought you lived in Surrey?

Calistemon
No, not smug. When asked a question by Gonegirl, I answered truthfully.
Should I be ashamed of not needing any medication because so many GNers seem to take prescription meds or vitamins?
Should I ameliorate my answer so as not to supposedly offend those who need medication?
Don' t be ridiculous.
I started the thread as researchers usually have more up to date info than your average GP if the complaints on GN ( and in the news) about being fobbed off without a proper diagnosis from their doctor are anything to go by.
When did your GP last have an up to date training week?

Researchers work in the institutions named in the article and it's their daily work . Your GP usually has to Google lesser known symptoms or side effects.

Without mine I'd be dead----simple as that !!

I don't call warfarin" pill-popping " and don't take it for fun either.

There's a risk/worry with Everything unless common sense is used.

GabriellaG54 I am with you a 100% on this. Years ago, when I was in my late 30s, I was practically crippled with what I thought was arthritis, I went from one doctor to another and all I got were prescriptions for pain killers, I lived from one pill to another. Eventually, a wonderful GP, recognized the signs and told me that I probably had an inflammation somewhere in my body, most likely the gut. I chucked all the medicines, went on a cleansing regime, and since then have not taken any drugs, not even over the counter ones. I know that there will be lots of posters with opposite views, but it really works for me too.

...and yes, I do live in Surrey but there is Surrey and Surrey.
I live in Godalming, a leafy, very green part of the county, near the Surrey Hills and big tracts of farmland.
The OP was for those people who might have concerns about side effects and also those who have type 2 diabetes.
It wasn't an invitation for anyone to trash me.

This is quite old news I think.
If you want to see the research Teetime just search on Google Scholar. There’s masses on there.

Callistemon there is plenty of fresh air in Surrey thank you!

Lots of beautiful rural villages with lovely open countryside around them.

Google the Surrey Hills and Pewley Downs for a start.

If I hadn't have worked myself to a frazzle and suffered total burnout I'd have remained to have been a healthy individual without the need for any medication at all !!

I agree that taking necessary medication is far from “ pill popping ”
I take no regular pills of any sort but Paw for very good reason, was on about 12 different meds a day - all of them essential.
I am lucky, but so in a way was he, lucky that those drugs were available.
All I am saying is that it is horses for courses - if you need a drug, you would be unwise at the least to claim “know better”
However I also accept that many of us qualify as the “worried well “ and provide a useful source of income for the manufacturers of supplements, tonics, herbal remedies and so-called “superfoods”
I am all for being proactive with regard to my health but would not presume to criticise anybody who needs and relies on medication. If only “mind over matter” was really all it took......

Polyester57
It's always good to do your own 'digging' and find ways to alleviate symptoms which make you feel most comfortable.
I'm glad to read that you found a way that works for you and that the results are good.
Naturally, there are some conditions which really do need prescription meds and I'm obviously quite aware of that.
Everyone has choices.
I posted, thinking the article mentioned might have been of help or interest to some GNers.