Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 10:31:58
In reply to How many meds do U take? Me-alot-freaking out!, posted by Janelle on March 29, 2003, at 14:09:20
I take a lot too, including supplements--some are for my depression, some for other health problems, some address both the depression and the other health problems, some counteract unwanted effects of the antidepressants, some both counter the unwanted effects of another med and act as antidepressant, etc. etc... (Effexor, Serzone, Adderall, synthroid, cytomel, glucophage, lorazepam, fish oil, folic acid, chromium picolinate, oral b-c, tetracycline). It is inconvenient, sure, and there are days when I hate taking so many different things. But it seems to be working fairly well for me.
I don't know if streamlining is right for you or not, or whether you need the different meds you are on.
However, some people do need "low doses of many meds" if they have unwanted effects from higher doses of the meds. Effexor works as an antidepressant for me but I don't tolerate high doses. Sure, it would be more efficient and "streamlined" to take fewer at higher doses, but it doesn't work for me.
When my pdoc first wanted to add another med to the one I was taking, I did not like the idea. I had reactions like this to the idea of polypharm each time a new one was recommended. But I've come to see it as the best strategy for me since I don't do well at higher doses of some meds.
Someday, perhaps we'll have tailor-made pills that combine just the right mixture for our individual needs. But for now, it's multiple meds, and the extra costs that go with that (more insurance co-payments for different meds as opposed to one co-payment for more of the same med).
But I don't know if you need the polypharm approach or not, so maybe streamlining is right for you.
poster:noa
thread:214082
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/214357.html