I agree with you, not so much on pain, but other things like high blood and cholesterol that most survivors are diagnosed as having by the first doctors to examine you.

Now, true or not, we end up taking those meds for life whether or not that is the case. I just can't comprehend how you can not have any of the symptoms all your life, then have a stroke and that's the cause.

Phyllis

i take my meds for lupus and hypothyroidism because without them i am so fatigued, weak, tired, and in severe pain that i am plastered to the couch 24/7. with them (plaquenil, synthroid, prednisone; i hope to be off the prednisone soon) , i can work, socialize, exercize, etc.

i take my antidepressant meds (wellbutrin, topamax, buspar)because without them i am so profoundly depressed i am plastered to the couch 24/7. with them i can work, socialize, exercize, etc. i did not need antidepressant meds until after i stroked, and tried to come off them several times with poor results. i consider this a post-stroke rewiring problem.

i take my anti-stroke meds (coumadin, baby aspirin) because three rheumatologists and at least 100 studies in professional medical journals that i have read tell me that with my particular autoimmune sub-disease (antiphospholipid antibody syndrome) i will probably have another stroke if i don't take these meds and have an INR of between 3 and 4. until proven otherwise, i believe what they tell me.

i take my antihistamine (allegra-D) because without it, during allergy season, i tend to sneeze uncontrollably, sometimes for hours, which tends to scare people away. my eyes also water all the time, making it hard for me to read and to see the other cars on the road when i drive.

i also take vitamins and two extra-strength Tums for calcium.

without modern allopathic medicine, i would be long, long, dead and gone, which might make other people in this community feel various ways, but would make me feel nothing, because dead is dead. just like they say in AA, "principles above personalities," it's not modern allopathic medicine and its medications that are evil, it's just the fact that doctors are human and, therefore, flawed, working in a system that is usually more about politics and profit than patient care.

that being said, i think that i'll take my pm meds and retire.

sandy

I take 3 basic medicines, one for blood pressure, an aspirin and an anti depressant. the blood pressure because beofr the stoke my blood pressure was going up and down, and after the stroke quite high, the aspirin to help prevent another stroke and keep my blood thinner.

I have tried to go off the anti depressants several times and i end up kind of emotional and cry easily..get depressed. may be something screwed up with the seronitin and ephedrine levels. I am much more like my usual upbeat, happy self with them..

They had me on cholesterol meds, which I do not do well on some I have gone a vitamin and natural statin (over the counter) medication. I find with the vitamins , folic acid vitamin B 12, magnesium co Q10, red rice yeast and cinnamon capsules. I do seem to have more energy. The magnesium and Co qq 10 are "for heart health. Since my parents had heart attacks .. I feel this may be a little prevention. and they never figured out why or where the clot came from in the first place.

Bonnie

Hi - my name is June, and I'm really glad you got the care you needed - My sister brought her older daughter to an ER where she had sprained her ankle. but as they didn't have orthopedic supplies, she was told to go to local WALMART, can you believe? to get crutches - So as you know from experience, not all hospitals are top notch

GOOD LUCK :cheer: Write, when you can

June

Phyllis,

While I agree with some of what you said, I disagree with the main principle. If you had said that antibiotics are over perscribed and loosing their value as a medication, I'd agree. But to lump all meds together, many of which are necessary and needed to live life in as productive way as possible. Especially anti depressents, many people need them and cannot function without them. I think it is irresponsible of you to come out against all meds in a way that someone who needs certion drugs, may take what you say to heart and quit taking them. If you personally disagree with taking meds, then don't take them. That is your choice, but I hope others don't listen to what you say.

Pam

Phyllis,

All of Don's drugs are reviewed every four months by an internist. In my opinion, a lot of people don't go over their drugs often enough with someone other than their family doctor. They do it once a year when it's time to renew and don't really review whether or not they are actually working the way they should or if adjustments are needed. Drugs are not evil and they do save lives, but we shouldn't blindly follow without getting involved by asking questions and reading up on what they do.

Jean