Side effects of medication

I take magnesium for restless legs which are caused by my poor kidney function. I wasn't aware until I read this thread that they caused loose stools, which I get in the mornings. I would prefer the loose stools to the restless legs though, so I'll keep on taking them.

Better loose stools than constipation!

I find that leg cramps tend not to occur if I do calf stretches for about 20 seconds each leg, just before I get into bed. The internet has lots of info on such stretches. They cost nothing and take little time.so always worth a try.

RosieandherMaw

My experience is just that - personal experience plus common sense!
Which outweighs the other though?

Common sense suggests, read the leaflet in the box with special attention to the sections on "contra-indications" and
"interactions with other treatments."

NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen etc while effective go for my stomach

www.nhs.uk/medicines/nsaids/

"Possible side effects of NSAIDs include:

indigestion – including stomach aches, feeling sick and diarrhoea

stomach ulcers – these can cause internal bleeding and anaemia;

Some NSAIDs can react unpredictably with other medicines.
This can affect how well either medicine works and increase the risk of side effects. "

I started taking magnesium capsules about 9 months ago. I too took them for leg cramps but also for my high, racing heart rate. They have worked remarkably well but haven’t helped my terrible sleep. I put up with the looser tummy but it doesn’t happen every day.

I try to avoid ibuprofen, though it doesn’t cause reflux with me and find paracetamol adequate for arthritis pain most of the time. I found I was very intolerant of drugs to lower my heart rate and also to naproxen for arthritis. We are all very different.

It may have already been mentioned but I use a magnesium spray for leg cramps. It it works for me and seems to avoid the dreaded side affects.

I have high blood pressure that does require medication. I have been taking several for years , and gradually GP has been increasing the dosage of one diltiazem . I have had a terrible cough for about two years . It was put down to reflux and a hiatus hernia- medication given for that !It started when the GP increased it again and to a daily dose instead of split to twice a day. I read the leaflets of all my meds , none stated a cough as a side effect. But I continued to research and yes diltiazem can cause a cough in high doses as it relaxes the stomach sphincter! I discussed with GP who was very sceptical but agreed to reduce diltiazem and increase another one. Hurray cough is much diminished, no Gaviscon needed and I’m much relieved.

My GP looked at the many pills I have been prescribed and wondered out loud what would happen if I stopped taking them . The answer was " You might die of course " .

Iam64

I take several prescription drugs as I have several auto immune conditions and AF
I decided in my forties when RA was limiting my work and personal life to take the meds despite fear of serious side effects.
I’m 76 and still creaking. I take magnesium for the same reason as rosiesmaw and occasionally have a break for the reasons identified 🌞

Same here. Rheumatoid arthritis, arrhythmia, asthma etc.
I loathe having to take so many drugs but without them I would be in acute pain and unable to move.
Every drug has it's own side effects. My RA was well controlled for 10 years by one drug but it stopped working as is common with autoimmune conditions. I'm now struggling with awful nausea from a new drug which has in every other respect given me a new lease of life.

It's very easy to say you won't take drugs when you're basically healthy.

butterandjam

RosieandherMaw

My experience is just that - personal experience plus common sense!
Which outweighs the other though?

Common sense suggests, read the leaflet in the box with special attention to the sections on "contra-indications" and
"interactions with other treatments."

NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen etc while effective go for my stomach

www.nhs.uk/medicines/nsaids/

"Possible side effects of NSAIDs include:

indigestion – including stomach aches, feeling sick and diarrhoea

stomach ulcers – these can cause internal bleeding and anaemia;

Some NSAIDs can react unpredictably with other medicines.
This can affect how well either medicine works and increase the risk of side effects. "

I’m not talking contraindications but the acceptability or otherwise of side effects.
Sorry if this wasn’t clear