Starting from Scratch

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

Has anyone gone completely off medications/supplements and started over from scratch?  I'm just frustrated that my son takes well over 20 pills a day with prescriptions and supplements with minimal results.

I know the fludrocortisone does help his dizziness-so we'll keep that one.  Doxepin helps him sleep and has helped some of his symptoms, but I'm not happy about the very high dose he is on (175 mg).  His allergist kidded that that was enough to take down an elephant.  There are probably alternatives to help him sleep.  When he first went up to that high dose he had great results, but it only lasted 7 weeks.

He started midodrine 1.5 weeks ago, no results from that.  Erythromycin for gastroparesis, I don't know if it helps, he is still nauseas daily, but could be from silent migraines.

Then, all of the supplements--CoQ10 now taking 800 mg a day and the doctor wants to go as high as 1500 mg.  L Carnitine, vitamin D, vitamin E, melatonin......(vitamin D is a must, his level dropped to low last year).  He fills up on pills (ha,ha).

I guess I'm just wondering if medications can be helpful for a while and then stop being effective.  If so, I think it is time to move on and try something new and taking away some of his old meds instead of just piling on more.

Anyone have thoughts or opinions or experiences on this?

Christy

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

Thanks for the reply.   At his next dr appointment I think I will bring the list of meds/supplements with me (as I always do) and see what he wants to do about it.  He has just taken over my sons care from the doctors in Cleveland so maybe he might want to see if the meds can be managed differently.  I'm glad my thinking is not to far off base.

Christy

[Heiferly]

My GP was just saying one of our upcoming projects is to put my med list "on a diet." It will be tough, but the rationale is in line with your thoughts; otherwise I guess things could just keep piling and piling on and you're not even sure what's helpful anymore. I think my gameplan will be to reduce dosages or eliminate meds one at a time so I can isolate what the effects are and back up if/when needed, rather than starting over from scratch.