Twenty seven meds a day, sometimes more.

[Glenn50]

Hoping that somebody out there takes more so I don't feel alone, Even 10 or more will make me feel part of a group.The specialist I saw a month ago just about had a stroke when she saw my list but agreed that nothing can be changed or altered.

What has been altered is instead of my better half sitting for a couple of hours each month dividing morning and night meds into 30 x 2 bottles we have now entered the 21st century and get my meds in daily sachet packs. It's great.

I have had AF halted by cardioversion 20 months ago and no sign of it since (thankfully). Have pradaxa for that and was on maximum metoprolol before that.

Not going to bore you with the numerous illnesses, conditions, surgeries and genetic problems I have had in my 68 years except to say choose your parents wisely. Every med serves a purpose and I am stuck with them and the additional problems they cause. Been on this regime for years and am so pleased That I live in a country that has universal health care (NZ).

Anyone else in the double digits of meds? Not wanting to make a competition out of it but just interested on a winters night.

Cheers

[jeanjeannie50]

Sounds like an interesting competition Glenn. Is that the amount of pills you take daily or the different types you take?

[Glenn50 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Pills plus asthma inhaler but forgot to count that as I hardly need to use that. Not trying to win points but just interested.

You certainly answered quick. LOL

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Glenn50]

I think it's fun to have a contest and your asthma inhaler should count. Though I take too few pills to join in, 4 and a half sometimes 5..

I'm having to sit still as I've been in constant AF since the 1st August, so am spending more time on this forum than usual. Hope to have yet another cardioversion soon.

[Glenn50 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I think the real winner probably is the one who needs to take the least. I have a friend much older than me who has never needed prescriptions and he called me in a panic (he has no computer) worrying because the GP had prescribed him this "ibuprofen stuff" for a sore shoulder. Doesn't know his luck.

I hope the cardioversion for you next works on the first zap and stays that way.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Glenn50]

That made me laugh re your friend, Glenn.

I guess we're all guilty of not knowing when we're lucky. I'm so glad that I have my sight and an intact body with nothing missing. I'm also very envious of people who only have a couple of hours of AF.

[Buffafly in reply to Glenn50]

Sounds like my husband 😀

[Maisie1953 in reply to Glenn50]

Seem to be constantly popping a pill of some sort. At present I am taking 12 pills a day. I spread them out during the day as some have side effects that are tolerated better when I am asleep.

[cycleman73 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thought you binned all your meds jeanjeannie50 some time ago ?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to cycleman73]

I did for almost 7 months, but still took my warfarin and thyroid med Levothyroxin. Then AF struck on 1st Aug so had to go back on Flec and Metoprolol. Now awaiting date for a cardioversion.

[Jc24 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

So sorry you’re in af. Love your positive attitude. Inspiring

[CDreamer]

Hi Glenn - I think you may hold the record for this forum.

Personally I avoid meds if I possibly can but as I have AF + Autoimmune conditions there are a few that I cannot avoid - Apixaban being one. If I add up the TOTAL number of pills I take though I probably match you - 12 inescapable, + 3 anti-virals - sometimes - without which I wouldn’t function at all and about another 8-12 supplements + herbal concoctions - depending upon how I am on any particular day. I get so many side effects from many meds and so many are contra-indicated for me that I just live with it.

Most things with ‘anti’ before it are out for me as are most of the heart drugs, sedatives and anaesthetics.

[Glenn50 in reply to CDreamer]

Yeah..Life ain't easy (but better than the alternative.)

Cheers.

[CDreamer in reply to Glenn50]

Exactly...

[cycleman73 in reply to Glenn50]

Don't wish to sound thick here Glenn50 but what IS the alternative please ?

[wilsond]

Quite a novice! 2 x Apixaban,1 frusemide,1 statin,1 losartan,and up to 300 mg flecanide as required,plus bisoprolol 2.5 if I go into A Flutter instead of usual AFib.

At least you have more convenience now with the blister packs! You may be out winner!

[Glenn50 in reply to wilsond]

The packs are great. These aren't blister packs but tearable sachets on a roll however having the pharmacy doing the work takes away almost any chance of error.

[Clyde12]

Daily, 2/3 warfarin, 1 Losartan, 1 magnesium, 1 anti cancer drug, 4 adcal, 2 lansoprazole daily and weekly Fosamax plus pain relief as necessary. I was complaining about the amount of medication but I’m way behind you.....thankfully!

Not sure if it’s well done to you for being the winner!

[Barb1]

Travel insurance must be a nightmare!

[tbone421998]

Well Glenn50, I don't quite have that many. I have 19 prescriptions though one is a rescue inhaler for asthma that I have yet to use plus two over the counter medicines. A vitamin and glucosamine for joint pain. but I'm only 62 so I got some time to catch you yet. LOL

[KMRobbo]

Wow I am sorry about that. I doubt i could manage that many - 4 different meds taken on a total of 6 occasions daily did my head in ! Mind you the side effects of one of them was brain fog and poor memory do that did not help!

[Sabrina70]

Hi, Glenn, I don’t take as many pills as you. That’s a lot. Think that’s a record, I take 16 plus 2 inhalers for various illnesses.

[JaneChapple]

Hi Glen

I work in a hospital in UK. A consultant saw a patient who was on a lot of drugs but didnt feel well. He looked at her meds and decided to take her off some he thought she could do without. When she saw him again he asked how she felt and she replied much better thank you!

At the moment lots of people in UK are being put on antidepressants for things like IBS. My hubby had to come off ADs, Blood pressure tablets because he is allergic to them and his HR goes through the roof. They have made him quite ill recently and really affected his digestion. . He also had AF ablation done twice and is on Warfarin. Thankfully the op worked second time round.

Also are you on thyroid meds and if so what type? This info is makes interesting reading:

A healthy heart happens with T3 in the mix, report …

JaneCx

[plopper]

18 pills a day plus 2 inhalers. I should own pharmacy stock!

[Hidden]

My late sister in law was on more than that. The doctors said she had to continue to take them all for her various ailments, high BP (diabetes, fibromyalgia, gastroparesis from the diabetes, neuropathy, Parkinsons, episodes of passing out, etc. However, the practice she used got a new doctor and he was appalled. He sent her to Shands Teaching Hospital (University of Florida) at Gainesville, FL for a complete medical reevaluation. They have a pharmacologist on the team and her job was to over her meds and review all of the reasons they were prescribed. The pharmacologist immediately identified several that were causing her Parkinsons. It wasn't true Parkinson's, just had all the symptoms, which were drug side effects. She went in taking 30 drugs and came out on 5. They also put her on a low carb diet and she had no need for insulin, just the oral anti diabetes medication. They kept her on 5 drugs, which they identified as being absolutely necessary. So many of her symptoms disappeared in the week following discontinuation of so many drugs. Her physician said that most doctors are not equipped to deal with multiple drugs, especially those prescribed by other specialists, and that is why they needed a team with a pharmacologist on it.

[irene75359 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for sharing that.