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

Jaxjacky

Have you had a cholesterol check Maybee70?

Yes. Although my bad cholesterol was still higher than it should be the nurse was happy that my change in diet had reduced it and didn’t push for me to start taking statins. The doctor just wanted me to take statins…didn’t ask me about my diet or lifestyle.Annoyingly my bad cholesterol was high ten years ago but the health professional I discussed it with said the fact I went to the gym a lot negated it. Trouble is I stopped going to the gym during the pandemic. I wish I’d looked into my diet back then. I did think I ate quite healthily but, in retrospect I didn’t.What I did forget to do was ask the nurse if my high cholesterol was familial.

I wish I had such blind faith in doctors. Sometimes I fear they just add more medication for each symptom
Many years ago I did the occasional fill in on a consultant led metabolic ward
At the time patients with Padgett disease came onto the ward for a two week stay and many tests were carried out.
They would frequently arrive with a bag full of their medication
Apparently some of the drugs were over prescribed and possible interacted with each other in a less than positive way. Patients went home with fewer drugs
I am on very few meds so I can’t speak personally

Have you had a cholesterol check Maybee70?

Ilovedogs22

I stopped taking Statins because they caused terrible pains in my legs & I couldn't walk. I certainly wasn't expecting that! Now I try to be mindful of my diet but I think I'm one of those slim on the outside, fat on the inside type of people.
I still like cake though, alas.

When I changed my diet last year I started taking prebiotic inulin, chia seeds, flax and psyllium husk because the former is supposed to remove visceral fat. I’ve lost over a stone in that time even though I don’t feel that I’m eating less. And I eat cake every day. I think that my digestive system has had a jolly good clear out too but at the same time my IBS hasn’t got worse and I’m eating high fibre food that I wouldn’t dare have eaten before.

MT62

I wonder if GPS make money prescribing certain pills like statins. I had the same problem as Petra. I didn’t want a statin, my cholesterol was 4.3 at that time so I didn’t feel the need to take one.
In the end I said I would only take it if they prescribed 10mg, which they did.
Also if they prescribed the statin you didn’t want, I think you still have to tell they travel insurance.
I would have been annoyed if my Gp prescribed something behind my back.

This a Dr that if you went in with a broken leg he’d say what you need is statins 😂

I stopped taking Statins because they caused terrible pains in my legs & I couldn't walk. I certainly wasn't expecting that! Now I try to be mindful of my diet but I think I'm one of those slim on the outside, fat on the inside type of people.
I still like cake though, alas.

AmberGran

My MiL was on 14 different drugs for over 10 years. Some were to deal with the side effects of others. When a new GP arrived she called MiL in to review them and took her off 5 of them immediately. Two others she swopped out for newer drugs.

It's always worth reviewing medication with the GP.

That is ok if you aren’t on certain drugs that you need to be weaned off 👍🏻
It’s Dangerous to just suddenly stop them if you have been on them years & years.

I wonder if GPS make money prescribing certain pills like statins. I had the same problem as Petra. I didn’t want a statin, my cholesterol was 4.3 at that time so I didn’t feel the need to take one.
In the end I said I would only take it if they prescribed 10mg, which they did.
Also if they prescribed the statin you didn’t want, I think you still have to tell they travel insurance.
I would have been annoyed if my Gp prescribed something behind my back.

My MiL was on 14 different drugs for over 10 years. Some were to deal with the side effects of others. When a new GP arrived she called MiL in to review them and took her off 5 of them immediately. Two others she swopped out for newer drugs.

It's always worth reviewing medication with the GP.

petra

Nannyccino

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 had the complete opposite to the one you had.
I’ve been telling Drs for over 20 years that I’m not going to take statins.
A while back at the Drs he said he wanted me to have a cholesterol test. I said no, I’m not having one, end of conversation.
The next thing I know I had a call from the pharmacy enquiring why I hadn’t picked up my prescription.
What’s it for, said I. It’s a statin, said she.
I told her I’m not going to take them.
Then she asked me why.
I told her it’s got bugger all to do with you😡

That made me laugh! 🤣

Nannyccino

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 had the complete opposite to the one you had.
I’ve been telling Drs for over 20 years that I’m not going to take statins.
A while back at the Drs he said he wanted me to have a cholesterol test. I said no, I’m not having one, end of conversation.
The next thing I know I had a call from the pharmacy enquiring why I hadn’t picked up my prescription.
What’s it for, said I. It’s a statin, said she.
I told her I’m not going to take them.
Then she asked me why.
I told her it’s got bugger all to do with you😡

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.

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.

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.

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 😩

silverlining48

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

Neither have I.

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!

pably15

I never holiday abroad..

👍🏻

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.

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 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

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 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.

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!

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.