1. Posted by Shaman on Sat, May 03, 2008, 6:54 pm PDT

I agree....people are popping a pill for every little thing now days. The advertizemants are everywhere giving them the idea there is a quick fix for everything. It is quite sad when you step back and see the big picture here. It gets kinda rediculous when you see a kid who is basically just shy having to pop pills on a regular basis....and the poor elderly. I remember my Grandma had this big pile of pills she had to take and she got sick of taking them. There was like 20 or more she had to take every morning. Her stomach was all jacked up from the meds so the doctor would just add another pill to help her stomach. Some are neccassary but they all have side affects. Once upon a time I had to take blood pressure pills ( I cured myself another way....) I had to take BP pills and they all caused me different problems. Several of them made me retain water ( ankle swelling ) the doctor just makes you take a water pill cuz the BP pill caused the problem.....Geez !!! Glad I was able to heal my problems with alternative methods. The meds never make the problem go away, they just keep the condition under control enough that you don't drop dead right away. Fix the problem instead of always just treating the symptoms. I wish you all well, happy healing to all.......

Report Abuse

2. Posted by raymond_oliva on Sat, May 03, 2008, 8:32 pm PDT

very sound advice.

Report Abuse

3. Posted by a1lifequest on Mon, May 05, 2008, 5:59 am PDT

In regards to MS meds. There have been multiple studies that are indicating that autoimmune diseases such as RA are due to an overactive immune system that burns itself out and become prematurly "aged" or weakened (see Mayo 2000 RA + NIAH 2004 RA study). These studies (see Mayo conclusion) think current meds may "miss th boat" by inhibiting INSTEAD of enhancing the immune system. Clinical studies such as the one Penn State Univ did on separate autoimmune disease of Crohns seen 89% improvement while on Low Dose Naltrexone(LDN) which is immune enhancing. UCSF did study with LDN and MS and found better quality of life with less fatigue and better bowel control. This all at price of $20-$40 a month. Much better than some of the MS drugs which if you do NOT have insurance can cost $1000-$1200 a month. If these studies continue to come back with VERY positive results (see Standford LDN & Fibromyalgia. study) then are we going to see neurologists start to get people on ActivaMune(dev by Univ CA), LDN, ALA to enhance the immune system with less drugs that do little if any damage. This vs the current drugs that can in the long term DO damage to the liver, lead to diabetes in many, etc, etc. What does the medical establishment require for them to change the paradigm of treating autoimmune diseases with immune inhibitors instead of immune enhancers?? I mean the crohn's study of 89% improvement and 67% no flare ups with LDN in Crohns is some PRETTY impressive results much better than anything else being used to treat this disease.

Report Abuse

4. Posted by princess on Mon, May 05, 2008, 6:39 am PDT

I agree with this so much. I have IBS, and I try not to take anything for it not unless it's necessary. I try to control my IBS by avoiding certain foods, drinks, and stress.

Report Abuse

5. Posted by HEIDI on Mon, May 05, 2008, 12:17 pm PDT

I totally agree with this. I have severe emphysema, and I take four pills a day. Two of them, Claritin and Singulair, I am not sure why I need them, they are for Asthma and Allergies, but my doctor says I can't afford NOT to take them. So, I keep taking them. Maybe he knows something I don't.

Report Abuse

6. Posted by Smack Daddy on Mon, May 05, 2008, 1:10 pm PDT

My guess is most of you are taking too many meds.

Report Abuse

7. Posted by sneighbors59 on Mon, May 05, 2008, 2:02 pm PDT

snarg

Report Abuse

8. Posted by Tamara F on Wed, May 07, 2008, 4:45 am PDT

I must mention that if you are on Medical Assistance, as am I, my MCO would rather just shove more pills down my throat than prescribe a more permanent medical solution.

Report Abuse

9. Posted by MICHELE S on Thu, May 08, 2008, 10:21 am PDT

I have notified many pcp's with regards to this article. Many medications caused me severe weight gain and burning in the feet. I ended up in the emergency room at my local VA hospital. There they disvovered which ones caused undo harm for me and removed said medications. Stillhaving problems with them treating the sources of other problems. Most of the time it is " unknown etiology "

Report Abuse

10. Posted by stacyaltamirano@sbcglobal.net on Fri, May 09, 2008, 4:05 am PDT

How can one say gastritis is one they can drothat medication? I think this article is deciving and unappropriate fpr parents already struggling with their children's problems! This is way to vague to allow in print. I was told my son's ashma was worsened by his gastritis! Another point how can you suggest the long term effects of not taking this medication and allowing one to reflux acid into their lungs would not have long term reprocussions? Again totally neglagant on your part either don't write with such malice or give more facts and options!

Report Abuse

11. Posted by Sum on Fri, May 09, 2008, 12:40 pm PDT

Advising people not to take their antidepressants seems pretty risky to me...

Report Abuse

12. Posted by Sum on Fri, May 09, 2008, 12:45 pm PDT

I think that this article is potentially very dangerous. It actually recommends which medicines to consider not taking. This is irresponsible. I think the best advice would be to speak to your doctor about any medicines that you could possibly stop taking, rather than to read an article, and decide on your own.

Report Abuse

13. Posted by jeave p on Fri, May 09, 2008, 1:44 pm PDT

I agree to this article. Too many medication can be damaging to the liver and kidney. Reducing unnecessary medications is a good suggestion.

Report Abuse

14. Posted by Beatrice Z on Sun, May 11, 2008, 9:21 am PDT

I am taking Tramadol (an opiate) for my beginning arthritis and also an anti anxiety drug called Ativan (like valium) that calms my stomach. Along with those two meds I also take medical pot to east my tight stomach so I can eat. All three work well together but sometimes I get stomach problems from Tramadol.

Report Abuse

15. Posted by just a girl on Sun, May 11, 2008, 9:22 am PDT

I agree with the general idea of this article - that you should carefully consider what medications you are taking, ESPECIALLY the ones that aren't prescribed for you. Quite a lot of people over-medicate and sometimes even feed their kids lots of 'preventative' medicines that haven't even properly been tested on children, much less safety-checked for complications against each other! However, listing off specific things as necessary or unnecessary is not helpful with such cursory information. It's best to consider all of them, and to make sure that when you talk to a doctor about it, you mention EVERYTHING you are taking - especially 'alternative' medicines that may not have had extensive safety guides. Some alternative medicines are great! Some are useless but harmless. And some are actually dangerous...

Report Abuse