My husband's needs changed over time.    He originally had lower blood pressure, but it went up a little when he stroked.   This year, I began to see it be toooooo low, like 90/55 and began to cut it down to go off it.    He also takes a statin, which I wish he didn't, BUT, in his case, his hospital records (which no doctor bothered to mention, showed that he had white matter (small vessel) disease  - which is plaque filling up the white matter arteries, which will cause senility.   So, because I found that out, I give it to him, eventhough he doesn't have high cholesterol.    It is the only way I can think of to keep his body from filling up his brain arteries faster.

He is also off his anti-depressant, which he needed the first 2 years.   I had tried to take him off the first year, thinking they were just for wimpy people, and that wasn't him.   But he began to suffer horribly mentally, from all he had lost.   Now he is adjusted to his new normal, and doesn't dwell on it.

So, at this point he is just on baclofen, pravastatin, and aggrenox.   Also cranberry vitamin, 1 night time baby aspirin, prostrate vitamin, and stool softener.    Usually 2 acid pills before bedtime.    He used to take the stomach acid pill that is 24hr proton pump inhibiter, but it knocks out certain vitamins, causing things like osteosporosis.   So, now I only give him that one instead of the night time tabs, if we are eating a tomato sauce dish, like Italian or Mexican.

PS - glad to hear you are feeling so much better!

Well for me I take my meds twice each day, morning and evening but they are just pain meds from the VA.... Some days my left thigh, leg and ankle hurt so bad I will take Aleve and I feel better right away...

I only take Gabapentin and Tramadol for pain...for the last ten years!!!

I probably won't quit taking my meds but I sure do wish I knew when this hurting will end for my hurting body!!

Congratulations Dean. Thank you for clarifying that this was your choice for you. But I am so happy to hear that things are improving and you feel better. Best of luck with getting back to work! Debbie

Keep watching your body, but I agree meds are over-prescribed and if you can find alternate methods it's for the better.

Dean, If you aren't already, just watch your diet carefully. Particularly, keep your salt intake low and watch fats, carbs, and sugar. Find a moderate exercise regime, join a gym, or take water therapy classes, anything to get regular exercise. Congrats on getting off your meds, now "help" yourself stay off of them.   Becky

Sandy, thanks for the input and i'm glad to hear that your husband is coping well with his meds. I didn't mean to suggest that meds were bad, they were just bad for me. I also show signs of white matter disease and i hope that i will have someone that is as caring as you to help me thru the decisions that will inevitably have to be made. In the meantime i continue to improve with the support of all of you on this forum. Thank you, so much....

Fred, you are amazing!

Debbie, your words are good for me and always give me pause and thought. Thank you for this. I have had some withdrawal effects but continue to improve each day. Your advice was well heard and i am grateful for it. 

Christina, i hear you. If we can find effective alternatives we should pursue them. I consider myself unlucky to be among the few that are very sensitive to pharmaceuticals, but maybe lucky in that i caught it in time. Anyway, it feels like i am a little more 'present' each day with all of your support. I am grateful

Thanks Becky for the reminder. As my mind and body faded so did my attention to anything other than, well i just don't know.... I literally couldn't see the hand in front of my eyes let alone think about what i was putting in my body (and it wasn't good)! My diet is getting greener and greener everyday. You caused me to remember that we evolved on a diet primarily derived from gatherers. Thank You!