I find myself in a spider web of doctors, and a cornucopia of medications, all prescribed of course. Except for the marijuana, cannabis if you like. But since one doc told me Health Canada would rather you get high than have an opioid, I take that as a medical blessing.
It’s a lot of medication targeted at one specific problem area or to treat a side effect caused by the rest of the meds. A different prescription for a different symptom. Some are simply handed down by doctor to doctor for issues that no longer exist.
I had major problems with my heart 10 years ago, severe atrial fibrillation. Since the second surgery in 2017 was successful and besides a couple of follow-up visits, I have not seen a cardiologist for 4 years now. I simply stopped taking the medication that was prescribed for me once the last of the prescription ran out.
Smart? Probably not, but since they were for a condition that had been corrected I believe they were doing much more harm than good.
I am sharing this for several reasons. One is that I firmly believe there must be a way to get my health under control besides taking so many medications. Is it my own fault, turning hypochondriac without even knowing? Or are my issues very real, but symptoms of one or two core problems, if that makes sense.
The other is that I firmly believe mental illness can have debilitating effects on the body. Restless Leg Syndrome, nerve pain, and chronic pain fed by depression and insomnia. I’m on three different meds for depression and more for symptoms of depression that makes you wonder if there’s one thing that would do the job of many.
A wonder drug.
The last reason is the amount of interaction and negative side effects of this dose of meds aren’t taken into account. I haven’t performed one of those drug interaction safety check available online, almost afraid to know what these pills and patches are actually doing to me. Sounds like a smart idea though.
So just for the heck of it, here’s the list, and the symptoms. I’m leaving out doses obviously.
Drug Symptom
Estrogen HRT
Progesterone HRT
Rabeprazole Nausea caused by medications
Ondansetron Real bad nausea caused by kidney stones
Chlorthalidone Edema
Tamsulosin Edema/kidney stones
Rotigotine patch Restless leg
Clonidine Restless leg
Amitriptyline Cream for pain
Ketamine “ “
Baclofen “ “
Lidocaine “ “
Gabapentin “ “
Pregabalin Nerve pain
Toradol Anti-inflammatory
Hydromorphone 2 pain
Hydromorphone 1 pain
CR Hydro pain
Trazodone Sleep/depression
Mirtazapine Depression
Abilify Depression
Darn, only 20. I was hoping for a 21 in my hand. Now if there isn’t a negative interaction I’ll…take a pill and shut up.
Writer’s note; they just added another dose….21! Blackjack.