POLY What??!?!

A few years ago, I received a phone call from my oldest brother, Mom, who lives in rural (RURAL) Canada, was on her way to a Winnipeg hospital via ambulance with what they thought was a stroke! Being miles away, I don’t think I need to detail the frustration, fear, worry, etc. that I went through. What followed though is what I really want to talk about. Her diagnosis went from stroke to congestive heart failure to renal failure to “we don’t know for sure”. WHAT??!!? Before I could finish packing my bags and arranging transportation, the final diagnosis came…..my Mother was OVER-MEDICATED. There’s even a name for it, it’s called POLYPHARMACY. Mom was in the hospital for a month while they weaned her off all her medication and then reintroduced a new medication regime. Evidently it is not necessary to be on 7 diuretics at the same time! <sarcasm>

When this happened I was furious with the whole medical profession. I just couldn’t understand how this could have happened to my Mother. Then I started talking with her about her medications. What was she taking? What was it for? Each time I asked a question, her reply was “I don’t know”.  When I’d ask her why she was taking a pill when she didn’t even know what it was for-her response “Because the Doctor told me to take it”. Ok, I'm beginning to see how this happened.Talking with some of my friends and doing a little bit of research, I realized that my Mom wasn’t abnormal, well at least when it came to her medication routine. We have become accustomed to the idea of the “quick fix” in pill form. Headache-take an aspirin; stomachache-antacid. Not to mention our self-diagnosing ability! With the ease of the internet, all the ads on TV,  plus our well-meaning friends “who know someone who had the exact same thing”, and don’t forget all the over-the-counter meds and supplements. Why do we even need doctors? <sarcasm, again>

AARP.com had an article years ago on medication for seniors. In it they listed six questions that should be asked-by all of us.

1. When and how should I take this medication?

2. What is the purpose of this medication?

3. What should I do if I miss a dose?

4. Will this drug interact with my other medications , vitamins or supplements?

5. Is there a generic or lower cost available?

6. What side-effects, reactions, or warning signs should I watch for?

Polypharmacy is a something that should be on all of our radars. Not to panic anyone nor to suggest that you throw all your medications away. But be aware of your medications. Ask questions of your doctor. Please don’t answer every question with “I don’t know” and “My doctor said to” like my mother did.

Jane Murakami

Golden Years Planning

(507) 403-3875

Www.goldenyearsinfo.com