I'm nearly 50 and was just thinking about this: is it normal for a doctor or other medical specialist to seem slightly surprised when you tell them or list "none" when they ask what medications and prescriptions you're on?

They all almost seem surprised that I'm not on meds or other treatments. Other than Flonase which I use only before bed to help with my breathing (prescribed by ENT for deviated septum issues) when I use my CPAP, I'm not on BP medication, heart medication or anything else really.

Do any of you see that?

I did, then I turned 60

They’re surprised when you’re 70 and tell them the only thing you’re taking is Celebrex for your knee.

I am 58, and I only take a few vitamins for preventive measures. I go to the doctor every 6 months for multiple scans and extensive bloodwork due to being a cancer survivor for 6 years. I take no medicine except cold/allergy sinus sprays when needed or an occasional ibuprofen for a strained muscle. So, no, it's not unusual.

If you think they're surprised when you say that when you're 50, you won't believe how surprised they are when you tell them you're 76 and on no meds/prescriptions.

Last week a guy I shoot with showed me a list of his wife's prescriptions. She's 75 and is taking around 15 different ones.

To no one's surprise, she's hospitalized with drug reactions a couple of times a year, then one or more medications is replaced with a similar but different medication, and the process starts all over again.

I really feel sorry for the guy but he's a good husband and does what he can for her.

Going to be 45 this year and no meds other than vitamin supplements.
Same with my parents and grandparents.

66 and other than the occasional Ibuprofen, I take nothing.

Sometimes the lack of prescriptive meds can be a heads up that the pt is not being followed regularly.

quote:

Originally posted by alreadydead:
Sometimes the lack of prescriptive meds can be a heads up that the pt is not being followed regularly.

Followed regularly, or should that be fleeced regularly?

I know people need meds, but they are way over prescribed.

The younger ones for sure.
We recently had to change primary doctors due to retirement and the wife pick a young gal.
All she did was push prescriptions and vaccines.
I guess it is a substitution for experience and actual care.

Yes. It's similar to when you talk to a real estate agent about buying something and they can't believe you don't have any debt. Some even become condescending and try to explain how credit cards and mortgages are really debt.

As noted earlier the fact that you are not taking medication in and of itself is not a sign of good health. For many the first sign of hypertension is a stroke. Some folks are overmedicated thanks both to the doctor and Pharma who are constantly advertising drugs that people inevitably want.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:


As noted earlier the fact that you are not taking medication in and of itself is not a sign of good health. For many the first sign of hypertension is a stroke.

Well good thing my BP numbers are good. They actually improved since last year and all that I changed since then was:

1. Leaving Fakebook
2. Going on a CPAP

If your blood pressure is good, your cholesterol and all other numbers are good, there's no reason to be taking any medications of any kind.

DNA is everything.

I’m 52. My doctor is retiring, thank god. I only had him as a replacement for the last one that retired. I call him Dr Pill Pusher. He’d have me in 10 meds with no real diagnosis if he could. I’d rather try a healthier lifestyle.

As medical practitioner and guy in my mid 50’s I am actually surprised at how many people my age or younger are on extensive lists of medications.
I see people in the mid 40’s ( not necessarily people that appear in poor health or with extensive problem lists in our EMR) on 10-12 medications.
Could certainly be a coincidence or no correlation, but most of the people who I see who are in the late 80’s to 90’s that are still spry and active tend to have a short medication list.

It's fairly uncommon I think. Especially if someone is heavy. I've had Rx since I was 40. Lots of people have problems. Some, lots of problems. I think a lot of people are at least on proton pump inhibitors due to the greasy/poor diet that so many fall into.

I guess I'm a real freak.
Well into Medicare age and no pills or debt. Keeping my fingers cross that continues for the rest of my days, or as long as possible.

Don't get me wrong, I do have medical situations, 3 to be exact and all were discovered at the same time around 4 years ago by my ophthalmologist. Since then I go to him for an exam every 6 months.

1. Macula Degeneration Mine is dry and has not advanced at all since it was first diagnosed. I know what it looks like for the person who has it and it's not even noticeable to me but it's there.

2. Tonometry Test reveals slightly higher than normal pressure, but not in the Glaucoma range...yet and maybe never.

3. Cataracts They haven't gotten worse since first discovered and are nowhere near bad enough to have surgery according to my Doctor.

Other than that, nothing, not even arthritis.

OTOH, I do have 144 square inches of skin grafts and over 400 stitches in me over the years but they don't cause any type of problem.

When you are in the back of my bus, I'm going to ask you about your meds. Some people that are 40 have a dozen or more. Some that are 70 have none.

It amazes me the medications that some people take every day. I've also noted the less autonomy a person has, the more meds they seem to be on.