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

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!?

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

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.

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??

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Pably - can you please tell me why you stopped your statins. Today my Diabetic Nurse prescribed statins because my cholesterol was high. So I’m genuinely keen to know why you stopped taking statins. Thankyou

Problem is doctors regard fungal nail infections as cosmetic and aren’t interested. I’m going to have to waste precious time when I see my consultant in a few weeks time. A friend of mine had to delay a knee replacement for a year because she had a nail infection. I had a sore eye last year. The practice nurse told me to see a pharmacist and the pharmacist told me to see my doctor.

Maybee if you google "what can a pharmacist look at for you", fungal foot infections don't come under the 7 things they can look at to save you getting a GP appt.

The best thing to do is ask your practice to organise a medication review with the practice pharmacist. They know more about interactions and dosages than GPs do, and they will confirm changes with your GP before changing your prescription.

I asked a pharmacist to look at my foot because I think I have a fungal nail infection and she wouldn’t.

If you are not happy with your medications have a word with a pharmacist. They know as much and often more than the GP

Plevey08

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.

I completely agree MayBee. Potentially dangerous. Of course as above, adverse reactions should be reported to your GP. They can then advise the best way forward.

I should, however add that if you’re not happy with your medication always question it. And always ask for a second opinion if you have no faith in the doctor that prescribed it.

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.

I completely agree MayBee. Potentially dangerous. Of course as above, adverse reactions should be reported to your GP. They can then advise the best way forward.

silverlining48

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

If you think you would benefit from a yearly check up, then I would respectfully suggest you request one.

I’m over 80 so I expect that if I saw a doctor they’d find at least a few bits of me are less than perfect and would prescribe drugs. It’s practically impossible to see a doctor here so I don’t take anything.

Thank you for all of the replies. I am 78 and very fit. Following a routine blood test I was referred to the Hospital. I am quite underweight but that has been a life long thing.

The hospital found out that had erosive gastritis. Another blood test at the Gp revealed an over active thyroid also.. A couple of months later this turned out to be a false reading.

The hospital visit was 18 months ago. I think my stomach problems are now cured . Since stopping the meds I have felt so much better. I still take blood pressure and beta blockers but I have stopped the other 4.

I've halved my use of Seretide as my asthma is still well-controlled on the lower dose. No change on other drugs.

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

Our GP Surgery reviews your prescription drugs every year, when you have the MOT (blood test, BP check etc when over 65). Currently I have had one tablet for BP withdrawn as I have lost a couple of stone and my statins dosage has been changed. However I have to have all the tests done again next month as a double check I am on the right dosage. I'm in England and thought this yearly MOT thing was offered to all over 65s. They certainly don't over prescribe at my GPs, in fact, anti-biotic prescriptions are rarer than hen's teeth and the patient is usually told to see the pharmacist and get something from there.