Personalised Medicine

[Jim987]

I take 6 classes of medication, and a daily total of 14 tablets. I don’t feel great most of the time.

No GP or Consultant has ever discussed with me whether this is impacting my quality of life.

Like many older people I have taken back at least a measure of control and stopped in my case my beta blocker. My breathing has improved and I am able to enjoy exercising.

I don’t want to live longer at the cost of enjoying the time I have left. I’ve also fallen off the wagon.

Evidence based medicine, algorithms and differing local protocols. A plague on all their houses I say.

What has happened to patient centred care, genetic profiling and personalised medicine?

[mjames1]

Medication deprescribing is part of a medication optimization approach, that balances therapeutic goals with quality of life. This can be particularly important as we get older.

Unfortunately, many doctors simply add one medication on top of another and are more interested in metrics than side effects and quality of life.

Because of this, as a patient, you often have to be more active in your own care and ask for a medication review where you will candidly discuss both life goals as well as treatment goals.

Some doctors are more amenable to this than others and if yours isn't, then a second opinion is warranted. In this case you might seek out of geriatrician, who are often best equipped to optimize your medical treatment if you have multiple medical issues.

Jim

[Jim987 in reply to mjames1]

Thank you mjames1

That’s a very good suggestion.