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    Wondering

    ?? Okay, I'm 65, soon to be 66. I have MS, but also other health issues. Therein lies my problem (I think!).

    I take numerous pills. BP, Thyroid, Cholesterol, etc.

    It embarrasses me.

    I'm just wondering if anyone else here has a long list of pills.

    I moved to where i currently live 7 yrs. ago. I took two pills at the time. One for low thyroid and one for hormone replacement therapy.

    I had the same BP then that I had for most of my life. Yes, I guess it's too high, but my other docs didn't feel it warranted treating. Same with my cholesterol.

    I have a genetic predisposition to high chol. but my mom didn't treat hers. My Dad did, plus he had three heart by pass surgeries, 10 yrs apart. He lived till he was just short of his 84th b'day.

    My Grandmother who probably had high cholesterol,but didn't treat it lived to 91.

    I'm so miserable taking the pills. I can't take the statins so the medication I take means 6 (huge) pills a day.

    With the MS meds (Copaxone and Nuvigil) and all the others my day is broken up into segments of pill taking.

    I have various side effects from most all the meds.

    Wonder if anyone else has this situation?

    Diane
    You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.

    #2
    I STOPPED TAKONG EVERYTHING 2 YRS AGO. I HAVE LIVED LONG ENOUGH. FEEL BETTER NOW. SOMETIMES IT JUST NOT WORTH IT.

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      #3
      Pills

      My dd counted my pills the other day. I had 6 month review for my IViG. She counted 16 pill bottles.
      I so much want tostop some, but every time I ask I am told that there was nothing I could stop right now. My asprin was cut to one a day instead of 2.
      I just said WOW.
      SgrammieD

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by carly0952 View Post
        I STOPPED TAKONG EVERYTHING 2 YRS AGO. I HAVE LIVED LONG ENOUGH. FEEL BETTER NOW. SOMETIMES IT JUST NOT WORTH IT.

        Well, don't know what type of medication you stopped, but seems you are doing okay if that was two yrs ago. How old are you that you think you have lived long enough. I hope you ill find a way to think life is worthwhile.

        Diane
        You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.

        Comment


          #5
          Meds

          i am 67 and take a LOT of pills daily, too. i have tried to tweak my doses down and try to think of what i could get rid of, but to no avail....yet. (means i won't quit trying.)

          i just counted and i take 13 different medicines for a total of 31 pills through out the day, plus an injection of Copaxone daily. if i have a migraine, i take a few more pills.

          the irony of it is i used to be a nurse practitioner and would groan when a little old lady came into my office with her sack of pills. now I'M that little old lady!

          and were it not for VA, i could not afford to take all of these medicines. i simply don' t know the answers. believe me, i've tried to think of alternatives. no luck yet. mary
          If i can walk and talk, and see and pee, i'm having a great day!

          Comment


            #6
            Dove, i so hear you!!

            There is such a terrible attitude toward the seniors who have to take a lot of pills.

            I take 5 meds which require pills, but one, the cholesterol drug requires 3 pills twice a day. So that means I swallow 10 pills, plus for my asthma I have to use an inhaler and two nose sprays. Then, as you mentioned, there is the C.

            In my mind I'm always keeping track as some are only taken on an empty stomach, some with food, some injectible, etc.

            My dayclock is which pill not what time it is.

            The temptation to quit is huge. I don't have a death wish though, I just wish something would make me feel better!

            Keep in touch.

            Diane
            You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.

            Comment


              #7
              Close to Tears



              I'm 70 yrs and was diagnosed 9 yrs ago. Had no idea what MS was but 2 yrs earlier, my mind and body began falling apart. I was diagnosed with MS after a spinal MRI checking for arthritis and a review of my history of many yrs of weird body events.

              For the past 9 yrs, I have been on cholesteral and BP meds even though I have never had either. I am borderline Diabetic and am on 2 meds for that. Reasons given are age and prevention and to help the liver process all the pills.

              My memory is shot, am still mobile but walk like a pregnant duck (bad balance). Should use a cane more often, but am stubborn. Have had several people tell I don't have MS because I'm not in a wheel chair and most of my symptoms don't show. I live alone and don't go out when I am disabled - Fatigue, pain, bad vision, slurred speech, loss of control of who knows what or when.

              Last month I went to the NE Med Center MS Dept. After additional MRIs, the conclusion is I don't have MS. There is damage to the spine but in the wrong place. There are spots on my brain, but after consultations between specialists - no answers what they are or what is causing my disabilities. My understanding is, I see the nuerologist again then my general practioner will handle it.

              I am dumping most of my meds as they could be causing some of the fatigue, eye problems, some balance, but not all the other neurological stuff which only MSers can understand.

              This is the first time I have written on the Board since the Senior site was established. Sorry this message is not as clear as I would like but I have been working on it for over an hour - hand coordination isn't what it used to be. At my peak as a legal secretary, I typed 65 wpm.

              Thanks all of you for being here for me.

              Comment


                #8
                Hello Mumsey

                Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

                I think you did a great job and your message is very clear!

                Last month I went to the NE Med Center MS Dept. After additional MRIs, the conclusion is I don't have MS.
                That must be very difficult to have been told you have MS for the past nine years, and then to be told you don't. (And yet suffer with similar symptoms)

                I live alone and don't go out when I am disabled - Fatigue, pain, bad vision, slurred speech, loss of control of who knows what or when.
                I'm sorry that you are dealing with so many issues, alone at home. Not being able to go out often must be frustrating.

                There are spots on my brain, but after consultations between specialists - no answers what they are or what is causing my disabilities. My understanding is, I see the nuerologist again then my general practioner will handle it.
                That must be the most difficult part of all this - being told you don't have MS, but not being told what is causing all your symptoms. Good that you will be seeing your neurologist and your GP. Hopefully they will give you some answers.

                Sorry this message is not as clear as I would like but I have been working on it for over an hour - hand coordination isn't what it used to be. At my peak as a legal secretary, I typed 65 wpm.
                You certainly have perseverance! I bet you were a great legal secretary.

                Please let us know what you find out. We're pulling for you

                Take care,
                KoKo
                PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
                ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

                Comment


                  #9
                  KoKo,

                  Thanks for your speedy reply. After reading my message, I didn't realize I was so down and negative. Much better today.

                  I do live alone but have good friends who also have various health issues, so I do have pity partners. So far I still think I have MS. But we will see. I'm open to new ideas.

                  I guess my big concern is not being a legitimate member of this Board. I feel so at home. Have belonged much longer than date listed and will use my original neurological diagnosis for my credentials. When I walk into a wall in public, I would rather say I have MS than I'm stoned or demented.

                  Thanks again for your understanding. I feel so much better.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hi Mumsey

                    Glad to hear you are feeling much better!

                    I do live alone but have good friends who also have various health issues, so I do have pity partners.
                    It's good to know that you are not totally alone. (Pity Partners - that's clever)

                    I guess my big concern is not being a legitimate member of this Board. I feel so at home. Have belonged much longer than date listed and will use my original neurological diagnosis for my credentials.
                    Please do not be concerned about that - you are a legitimate member! You have the same neurological issues, and have been diagnosed with MS for a long time. As you know, many, many members here have no diagnosis and are in "limbo" for years. So not to worry.

                    When I walk into a wall in public, I would rather say I have MS than I'm stoned or demented.
                    Absolutely! That's why I had no choice but to disclose to my place of employment the fact that I had MS. I had very visible deficits that I couldn't hide. It worked out well as they gave me accommodations and I was able to stay employed as long as I could. Enough about me......

                    Hope you continue to feel better. And just know that you are welcome here

                    Take care,
                    KoKo
                    PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
                    ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

                    Comment

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