Absolutely, because right now, my husband is taking over eleven meds. He is starting to suffer from loss of memory, pains and burning in his legs and hands and sometimes numbness in both. he has headaches and neck pain and on top of it all he is diabetic. I try to feed him a nutritous meal, and he still gains weight. He went off the lipitor for a few months, and the cholesterol went high on him again over 355 , so he is back on it. Now he has gained 17 pounds inthe last month and a half. Its not water weight, either. I am so dissappointed in his doctor as we never get to see him. I have seen him one time in two years. He always has a para look at him. Which I have no problem with as long as I know the doctor is giving us what we need medically too. So, yes I do agree with you about the meds. He takes blood pressure meds, zocor, proscar, and 8 others which I dont even have a clue what they are for. But they say he needs them Thank God we go to the veterans hospital for all this, otherwise we couldnt afford his meds at all. Thank you for writing such an interesting and informative article. Keep up the good work.

I am a RN, a Case Manager with years of experience in Nursing. This year, my 55th, I have been given 2 meds that I discontinued myself for horrible side effects. Topomax made me have severe mental confusion and Actos made me gain several pounds and caused sever edema in legs. Common sense told me to quit both drugs intended to keep me painfree and from becoming diabetic. I think a better solution for me is to rest more and watch my diet instead. The quick fix did not work so back to the drawing board. The real plus is I will save so much money on co-pays…..I have more understanding of what my clients are going through trying to decide if their meds are what is making them sick.

*warning: prickliness ahead*

Ah yes, good old “normal daily life” conditions like depression, where you sit huddled in a corner, unmoving except for when you tear at your flesh with your fingernails and teeth, trying to ignore the symphony of evil voices that you’ve given up on trying to make go away, losing 5 pounds per week because all food is vile.

I count myself extraordinarily lucky that the combo of 4 psych meds I’m on has gotten me from “severe clinical depression” to “moderate clinical depression”. Even though i don’t *like* taking all of them, it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative.

Hello, I am not sure if you answer questions…but my parents (early 80s, active, but have dealt with cancer, hypertension, arthritis) area each taking many prescriptions, and having side effects IMO. I trust their internist to give a fair assessment of whether there are conflicts and/or alternatives. Any ideas how I would go about finding a credible medical professional who could consult on this topic?

MY WIFE HAS SO MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS.IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS TAKING TOO
MUCH MEDS. I HAVE TWO JOBS AND SO MANY BILLS. HER MEDS IS SO HARD TO
DEAL WITH. I FEAR THAT TOO MUCH MEDS MIGHT BE DOING HER MORE HARM
THAT GOOD.SHE HAS ABOUT 20+ MEDS A DAY.WHAT CAN WE DO?

My Sister is on 17 different medications. I don't understand what they're all for or why a doctor would allow her to take so many medicatins at one time. My sister is only 32 years old and I feel like all the medications are killing her. She can't even get out of the bed and take care of her children most days.. She checks into her "Day Spa" when she wants to check out of her reality. Her "Day Spa" is a Mental Hospital and when she's there she's the smartest and best dressed crazy person I have ever met. Do I think she is crazy?? No!!! She checks in for a couple of days then goes home when she is ready then in a couple of weeks she goes right back. I think she has a pill problem. Please help. How do we get these doctors to stop giving these people so many medications. My sisters husband doesnt tell the family  the truth about about anything. He doesnt understand that by not standing up to her and by not telling the doctors what she is doing he is helping kill her..