Are most people over 50 on some kind of medication?

[Anonymous]

Statins should be happening. I am in my 50s...friends all around me, seemingly healthy, with heart attacks. Statins would have prevented most of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Don't listen to ignorance.

My H was so pissed when he had to go on Cholesterol meds. His diet is, banana or Irish oatmeal for bfast, vegan salad with homemade oil and vinegar or sushi for lunch or something vegan from the hotbar at Whole Foods, apple or nuts for snack and 6-8 oz of lean meat and roasted veggies for dinner, berries for a snack. Wine on the weekends.

He also has PTSD so... SSRI. Your welcome America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Statins should be happening. I am in my 50s...friends all around me, seemingly healthy, with heart attacks. Statins would have prevented most of them.

Any side effects from the statins for you? Do men and women take the statins or mostly just men?

[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.

Of course, but I didn't realize so many people over 50 had health conditions necessitating medication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Are you overweight, or genetically predisposed to high cholesterol?

[Anonymous]

Oo.

Antimed poster do me! How to control epilepsy without mediciation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:59 and I only take supplements. My dentist recently was surprised. What astounds me most is that so many people would rather take meds than work on their problem - such as folks who could get their bp down through diet and exercise but would rather take a pill.

You realize that many people have hypertension who are otherwise healthy, fit, and of normal weight. They need medication. If you are luck enough (now) to be healthy and not require medications, be thankful and not judgemental. Your time will probably come!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Of course, but I didn't realize so many people over 50 had health conditions necessitating medication.

50 isn't 30. You aren't a kid anymore. You can exercise, eat right and still need a statin and/or bp meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:59 and I only take supplements. My dentist recently was surprised. What astounds me most is that so many people would rather take meds than work on their problem - such as folks who could get their bp down through diet and exercise but would rather take a pill.

You realize that many people have hypertension who are otherwise healthy, fit, and of normal weight. They need medication. If you are luck enough (now) to be healthy and not require medications, be thankful and not judgemental. Your time will probably come!

You are lucky! If you win the lottery it isn't because you did something better than everyone else. You simply lucked out. Hopefully your luck will continue to hold out and you'll one day be a 90 year old who looks and acts like a 40 year old.

[Anonymous]

With regard to this topic, when I get asked about medication, it gets a little confusing for the medical personnel when I tell them I use Estrace vaginal cream. They don't expect it and it always feels awkward to explain that I have this tight, dried-up vagina! And it's not really anything they're concerned about.

Other than that I don't take anything. But more and more I'm discovering friends who are taking something for cholesterol or high blood pressure, which takes me by surprise.

[Anonymous]

52: I take supplements but no meds.
DH, 55: takes meds for cholesterol, high blood pressure and anxiety

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:59 and I only take supplements. My dentist recently was surprised. What astounds me most is that so many people would rather take meds than work on their problem - such as folks who could get their bp down through diet and exercise but would rather take a pill.

You realize that many people have hypertension who are otherwise healthy, fit, and of normal weight. They need medication. If you are luck enough (now) to be healthy and not require medications, be thankful and not judgemental. Your time will probably come!

You are lucky! If you win the lottery it isn't because you did something better than everyone else. You simply lucked out. Hopefully your luck will continue to hold out and you'll one day be a 90 year old who looks and acts like a 40 year old.

I in no way was commenting on people who have no choice but to take meds! READ CAREFULLY people - you'll notice I was talking about people who WOULD RATHER take meds than use diet and exercise to control a problem. DCUMers you always amaze me with your reading ability considering you apparently all went to HYP as you like to put it!! By the way, I am very aware how lucky I am not to be on meds! Many people in my life are not so fortunate.

[Anonymous]

I hope all you people who take rx meds have insurance through your employers. Otherwise, you are screwed when ACA is repealed.

[Anonymous]

I am 43 and on no medication. At my last appointment doctor appointment the nurse said she didn't remember the last time someone over 40 wasn't on something. So, if that is any indication, over 50 must be a real shock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:59 and I only take supplements. My dentist recently was surprised. What astounds me most is that so many people would rather take meds than work on their problem - such as folks who could get their bp down through diet and exercise but would rather take a pill.

You realize that many people have hypertension who are otherwise healthy, fit, and of normal weight. They need medication. If you are luck enough (now) to be healthy and not require medications, be thankful and not judgemental. Your time will probably come!

You are lucky! If you win the lottery it isn't because you did something better than everyone else. You simply lucked out. Hopefully your luck will continue to hold out and you'll one day be a 90 year old who looks and acts like a 40 year old.

I in no way was commenting on people who have no choice but to take meds! READ CAREFULLY people - you'll notice I was talking about people who WOULD RATHER take meds than use diet and exercise to control a problem. DCUMers you always amaze me with your reading ability considering you apparently all went to HYP as you like to put it!! By the way, I am very aware how lucky I am not to be on meds! Many people in my life are not so fortunate.

NOT the PP but it isn't that you know people refuse diet and exercise, you assume that people are choosing pills over diet and exercise. How do you know? Are you their doctor?