Are most people over 50 on some kind of medication?

[Anonymous]

My wife, who is 50, is not on any meds. I, a few years older, am on 12 meds. 2 types of insulin, 4 cholesterol meds, 3 heart meds, and an anti-depressant.

I am pretty sure they are all needed.

[Anonymous]

I am 53 an on a few medications. However, expect for one new one I have been taking them since my early 30's. My mom did not take any medications until her70's. It was a point of pride for her at that point.

[Anonymous]

I'm 53 and take none but haven't gotten that question. DH, at 61, has gotten it for many years. They seemed very surprised he's on no medication. He exercises and eats pretty well.

[Anonymous]

I'm 50 and on synthroid. I'm a little bummed about that, but the alternative sucks.

My mom is 76 and on nothing. I hope to be like her (other than synthroid, of course).

[Anonymous]

My in laws are 78 and 80 and neither takes any prescriptions. Of course, they exercise regularly and eat very healthfully and are at normal weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My eye doctor seemed surprised that I take no medications. I'm only 52, for heavens sake! Is this unusual?

yes i think it is unusual . I took nothing until early fifties. but then things happen and mediations help. Cholesterol medications. Baby aspirin. Flomax for enlarged prostate. Blood pressure medications. These are all relatively common. Then you have the less common but still rampant, depression medications, sleep medications.

I would be shocked if there are 55 year old people that don't take some medication. Good for them though. Healthy living with exercise and everything in moderation is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My eye doctor seemed surprised that I take no medications. I'm only 52, for heavens sake! Is this unusual?

We are about your age. We take only vitamins.

[Anonymous]

52. Nothing prescription or daily so far. But I mainly consider myself very fortunate to have good health. I do exercise, eat relatively healthily, don't smoke, etc. But a lot is just luck of the draw. I'm enjoying it as long as I can!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's better to have a health condition controlled by medication than it is to avoid going to the doctor and getting appropriate treatment.

Diet/exercise is not always enough to control things like BP and type II diabetes.

Or so the so called medical experts woukd have you believe.

Chump!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My wife, who is 50, is not on any meds. I, a few years older, am on 12 meds. 2 types of insulin, 4 cholesterol meds, 3 heart meds, and an anti-depressant.

I am pretty sure they are all needed.

No you do not.

[Anonymous]

Husband and I are 57 and take nothing. I don't drink liquor or coffee, he drinks coffee. We get wellness checkups every year.

His family lived long, well into their 80s and 90s. Mine dropped dead in their 50s and 60s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My eye doctor seemed surprised that I take no medications. I'm only 52, for heavens sake! Is this unusual?

Synthroid and Vit D (if the latter counts)

Thyroid went wacky after second child was born.

- 51

[Anonymous]

I also am 55 and take no meds and have had health practitioners express surprise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My wife, who is 50, is not on any meds. I, a few years older, am on 12 meds. 2 types of insulin, 4 cholesterol meds, 3 heart meds, and an anti-depressant.

I am pretty sure they are all needed.

No you do not.

\


Actually I do. Cholesterol is genetic: Very low HDL with extremely high LDL. without the meds, I would have had a heart attack; I came close. Now, the chol. seems to be under control (it is possible I could remove one med, but we have not done that yet). I have had heart issues from blockages, and take 1) a beta blocker to reduce the heart rate, 2) a blood thinner, and 3) baby aspirin. I need the insulin because I am diabetic can not take any med that is hard on the kidneys (lost a kidney to cancer). That leaves the anti-depressant. I deserve not to be depressed.

[Anonymous]

what is the point, anti-med poster? I have chronic migraines. I would have a migraine every.single.day without meds. As it is, I have 3-4 a week. I have tried everything "natural" -- regular sleep, diet changes, exercise, acupuncture, biofeedback....didn't work. So I take meds to reduce them.

When I was a kid, a family member committed suicide because of his migraines (they run in the family). If I didn't have meds, I would probably do the same. No one can tolerate that kind of pain all the time.