How Many Pills Do You Take In a Day?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Singles,

I'm just curious as to how much medication is keeping us all going. I am most certainly NOT trying to make fun of anyone's medical issues here--almost all of us have something going on--but because I have an ever-growing interest in health and nutrition, I thought this would be an interesting poll.

I didn't know what the best way would be to do it so there are actually 3 different sections in the poll: one part that asks your age, one part that asks how many prescription pills you take per day, and one that asks how many non-prescription pills and supplements you take each day.

The inspiration for this thread is a book I read by a Christian doctor who recommended such-and-such supplements and multiple times the amount of certain vitamins (for example, 1000 mg per day vs. 300 mg) to the point where I felt like I should just give up food and consume bottles of pills.

I myself take 7 pills per day, 3 of which are prescription, and I'm hoping to get it down to 2 by my annual check-up. The reason for the extra pills is because you read so much about vitamin/nutritional deficiencies that the next thing you know... Along with your regular meds, you're also taking Vitamin D, calcium, fish oil (only mercury-free fish, mind you!), probiotics (love those LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES... always makes me think of sea monkeys,) and ginko leaf to improve your memory (so that you will actually REMEMBER to take all those pills).

I'm not asking anyone to divulge exactly what they take or what condition they take it for, but feel free to share such things as:

1. What things have you tried taking that were and were not helpful? Do you believe any of the supplements offered on the market are very helpful or just a waste of money? What things do you think are absolutely necessary for your own health and which ones are a waste of time and money? Are there any essentials you would never stop taking?

2. How much of your grocery budget (percentage or a number) is spent on meds and other pills? What kinds of sacrifices, if any, do you need in order to make sure you have the medications and supplements you need?

3. Have you tried special nutritional/vitamin powders, shakes, etc., and do you think they help? What differences have you noticed when you've taken such things or stopped taking them?

4. What do you think of juicing? What is your juicing routine? (Replacing meals with juices or using them as an addition to your diet?) Is it worth all the extra time, and what juicers are the easiest to use and clean?

Now remember, the poll isn't perfect because in order to split it up into sections, there are some options that are NOT actually options but headings that are used to try to separate the different questions I'm trying to ask. I didn't know how to do it any other way and would greatly appreciate any advice/examples for the future.

The poll is multiple choice and anonymous so no one will see the answers you choose.

All this pondering has left me a little fatigued... I'm thinking a nice, fruity gummi bear vitamin and a chocolate Ensure would be a great way to wrap things up, along with a handful of Sea Monkeys... Er... I mean, Live, Active Probiotic Cultures, I suppose. (What exactly, would be the other choices? Cultures that are just plain dead, resurrected, or Zombified?)

Here's to a happy, blessed, and healthy you.

 

[CatHerder]

in the 41-50 y.o. bracket. No pills here!

I was thinking along the lines of pills = prescription or OTC drugs; I don't consider vitamin supplements and probiotics pills. I don't take any, but I probably should.

I've decided to go on a smart carb diet. Some of those ready made shakes and bars can be kind of handy, but I'm not a big fan of all the soy they use, so I go sparingly when I do this. Gotta look good for when I go on my whirlwind tour to visit all my CC crushes...who I may or may not have....

 

[persNickety]

8 pills a day, probably increasing that to 10 a day by the end of July. I had access to puréed CBD from Marijuana plants (it had very low THC so there was no 'high' side effects). It's basically small cups of frozen concentrated leaves I got to try from a licensed grower. I tried it twice, the flavour was between algae and seaweed. It was hard to down, even mixed in a drink. I stopped because I knew that there were particular strains proven to help stop seizures, and even though it was from a licensed grower, the level of CBD was high, but it didn't say how high. I figured that getting an concentrated CBD oil from the Charlotte's Web strain or something similar would be best.

 

[blue_ladybug]

seoulsearch, I take approximately 6 pills every day, twice a day, morning and night. They are prescription pills to control my epileptic grand-mal and petit mal seizures. I had been taking 14 pills a day (ughh!!) but recently my doctor got it down to only 6.

Other than my meds, I drink an Ensure or Boost nutrition drink each morning for breakfast. Occasionally, I drink one for dinner also. I have taken gummy vitamin C, which is very tasty and actually works. I drink a liquid supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin every morning. They work rather well, too and are very tasty. I've never tried juicing, but I would like to. Every now and again I drink carrot juice and green veggie juice. They are okay but not so good tasting!!

 

[persNickety]

seoulsearch, I take approximately 6 pills every day, twice a day, morning and night. They are prescription pills to control my epileptic grand-mal and petit mal seizures. I had been taking 14 pills a day (ughh!!) but recently my doctor got it down to only 6.

Other than my meds, I drink an Ensure or Boost nutrition drink each morning for breakfast. Occasionally, I drink one for dinner also. I have taken gummy vitamin C, which is very tasty and actually works. I drink a liquid supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin every morning. They work rather well, too and are very tasty. I've never tried juicing, but I would like to. Every now and again I drink carrot juice and green veggie juice. They are okay but not so good tasting!!

A fellow epileptic! I have Juvenille Myoclonic Epilepsy - so Tonic Clonic (Grand Mal), absences (Petite Mal) and Myclonic seizures. Do you have a diagnoses?

 

[tourist]

Hey Singles,

I'm just curious as to how much medication is keeping us all going. I am most certainly NOT trying to make fun of anyone's medical issues here--almost all of us have something going on--but because I have an ever-growing interest in health and nutrition, I thought this would be an interesting poll.

I didn't know what the best way would be to do it so there are actually 3 different sections in the poll: one part that asks your age, one part that asks how many prescription pills you take per day, and one that asks how many non-prescription pills and supplements you take each day.

The inspiration for this thread is a book I read by a Christian doctor who recommended such-and-such supplements and multiple times the amount of certain vitamins (for example, 1000 mg per day vs. 300 mg) to the point where I felt like I should just give up food and consume bottles of pills.

I myself take 7 pills per day, 3 of which are prescription, and I'm hoping to get it down to 2 by my annual check-up. The reason for the extra pills is because you read so much about vitamin/nutritional deficiencies that the next thing you know... Along with your regular meds, you're also taking Vitamin D, calcium, fish oil (only mercury-free fish, mind you!), probiotics (love those LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES... always makes me think of sea monkeys,) and ginko leaf to improve your memory (so that you will actually REMEMBER to take all those pills).

I'm not asking anyone to divulge exactly what they take or what condition they take it for, but feel free to share such things as:

1. What things have you tried taking that were and were not helpful? Do you believe any of the supplements offered on the market are very helpful or just a waste of money? What things do you think are absolutely necessary for your own health and which ones are a waste of time and money? Are there any essentials you would never stop taking?

2. How much of your grocery budget (percentage or a number) is spent on meds and other pills? What kinds of sacrifices, if any, do you need in order to make sure you have the medications and supplements you need?

3. Have you tried special nutritional/vitamin powders, shakes, etc., and do you think they help? What differences have you noticed when you've taken such things or stopped taking them?

4. What do you think of juicing? What is your juicing routine? (Replacing meals with juices or using them as an addition to your diet?) Is it worth all the extra time, and what juicers are the easiest to use and clean?

Now remember, the poll isn't perfect because in order to split it up into sections, there are some options that are NOT actually options but headings that are used to try to separate the different questions I'm trying to ask. I didn't know how to do it any other way and would greatly appreciate any advice/examples for the future.

The poll is multiple choice and anonymous so no one will see the answers you choose.

All this pondering has left me a little fatigued... I'm thinking a nice, fruity gummi bear vitamin and a chocolate Ensure would be a great way to wrap things up, along with a handful of Sea Monkeys... Er... I mean, Live, Active Probiotic Cultures, I suppose. (What exactly, would be the other choices? Cultures that are just plain dead, resurrected, or Zombified?)

Here's to a happy, blessed, and healthy you.

I actually grew Sea Monkeys when I was 12. They came in a little packet and you add water. It was fun to watch for a week until the water started to smell like a sewer.

 

[biscuit]

biscuit = o pill

 

[blue_ladybug]

A fellow epileptic! I have Juvenille Myoclonic Epilepsy - so Tonic Clonic (Grand Mal), absences (Petite Mal) and Myclonic seizures. Do you have a diagnoses?

persnickety, I have had epilepsy since the tender age of 5. I wrote about it the other day in my thread "Disabilities: how do you cope with yours?". It is located in the Miscellaneous forum. Please take a few minutes and go read it.

 

[CatHerder]

I actually grew Sea Monkeys when I was 12. They came in a little packet and you add water. It was fun to watch for a week until the water started to smell like a sewer.

I had sea monkeys as well as a kid. They were kept on top of the piano along with a bunch of potted plants and other things that could potentially leak and cause a great deal of water damage (what was my mom thinking!!)


I had a wonderful hippie piano teacher who came to our house to give lessons. During a lesson, she saw the sea monkeys, and assuming that it was one of those snow globes, or a water game (remember those with the button and you had to get the plastic ring over the goal by pushing a button and creating a water current?) grabbed it, turned it over, and spilled my sea monkeys all down her cleavage, the piano bench, and the floor.

It was very traumatic for me, her, and most of all, the sea monkeys.

 

[tourist]

I had sea monkeys as well as a kid. They were kept on top of the piano along with a bunch of potted plants and other things that could potentially leak and cause a great deal of water damage (what was my mom thinking!!)


I had a wonderful hippie piano teacher who came to our house to give lessons. During a lesson, she saw the sea monkeys, and assuming that it was one of those snow globes, or a water game (remember those with the button and you had to get the plastic ring over the goal by pushing a button and creating a water current?) grabbed it, turned it over, and spilled my sea monkeys all down her cleavage, the piano bench, and the floor.

It was very traumatic for me, her, and most of all, the sea monkeys.

Did you say it was romantic for you? Oh, sorry, it was traumatic for you. I really need to clean my glasses. Yeah, the Sea Monkeys were cute. I flushed mine down the toilet after the water turned murky.

 

[seoulsearch]

in the 41-50 y.o. bracket. No pills here!

I was thinking along the lines of pills = prescription or OTC drugs; I don't consider vitamin supplements and probiotics pills. I don't take any, but I probably should.

I've decided to go on a smart carb diet. Some of those ready made shakes and bars can be kind of handy, but I'm not a big fan of all the soy they use, so I go sparingly when I do this. Gotta look good for when I go on my whirlwind tour to visit all my CC crushes...who I may or may not have....

1. Thank you all so much for being willing to share. This is going to be a fascinating discussion that I am looking forward to reading. For anyone who answers the poll, please consider adding to the discussion as well, even if you're not taking anything. Tell us how you feel, what you would like to improve, if anything, and about any natural remedies you may have tried as well.

2. Catherder is absolutely right--I completely forgot to mention OTC (over the counter, no prescription needed) drugs like pain meds, cough syrup, allergy meds, etc. PLEASE BE SURE TO COUNT THOSE AS WELL. I didn't even think about this because I don't take anything in this category, except as a very last resort. I am very sensitive to most meds and even Dayquil knocks me out. I'm allergic to penicillan as well. On the other hand, knowing I am so sensitive has also kept me from trying any kind of illicit drug or even smoking.

3. I've found that the so many of the nutritional shakes and bars would come in handy but they have an obscene amount of sugar. I was reading the label of one brand last week and it had something like 43 grams of protein... and 23 grams of sugar. REALLY? One of my favorite candy bars has 10 grams of sugar, and I'd surely rather have 2 of those. Slim-Fast is also notorious for added sugar, which is why I avoid the entire line and have resorted to body-builder type protein drinks. While I don't want to look like a WWF contestant, just as long as I still have a neck (reference to another thread), it's all good. I intend to stop into GNC (General Nutrition Center chain) sometime in the future. Does anyone advocate their products? I tried Herbal Life a long time ago but found their products a bit beyond my budget. I would imagine GNC will be the same, unfortunately.

4. Cat, with as much as you've been mentioning "secret crush(es)"... lately... now plural... I am beginning to wonder of maybe you actually have your own CC Harem... or at least, Band 'O' Groupies.

Look out, King Solomon. Catherder is climbing the ranks.

 

[seoulsearch]

biscuit = o pill

Now why am I not surprised. It's all good, Bisquick.

 

[tourist]

persnickety, I have had epilepsy since the tender age of 5. I wrote about it the other day in my thread "Disabilities: how do you cope with yours?". It is located in the Miscellaneous forum. Please take a few minutes and go read it.

Keep up the good work that you are doing. You are an amazing woman.

 

[gypsygirl]

zero pharmaceutical drugs, but several dietary supplements, some of Rx strength

multivitamin/antioxidant blend
calcium/magnesium/mineral supplement
trace mineral supplement
vit D3 - 20K iu
b12 injections
essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement
probiotic/prebiotic
enzyme blend
adaptogen herb blend (rhodiola, holy basil, ginseng, astragalus, cordycep mushrooms)

 

[Ugly]

Take 12 different prescription meds a day. Multiples of some of them. Average about 20 pills. Though that will decrease over the next few weeks.
Also i sometimes take a natural supplement to deal with anxiety when it pops up.

 

[gypsygirl]

I've decided to go on a smart carb diet. Some of those ready made shakes and bars can be kind of handy, but I'm not a big fan of all the soy they use, so I go sparingly when I do this.

3. I've found that the so many of the nutritional shakes and bars would come in handy but they have an obscene amount of sugar. I was reading the label of one brand last week and it had something like 43 grams of protein... and 23 grams of sugar. REALLY? One of my favorite candy bars has 10 grams of sugar, and I'd surely rather have 2 of those. Slim-Fast is also notorious for added sugar, which is why I avoid the entire line and have resorted to body-builder type protein drinks. While I don't want to look like a WWF contestant, just as long as I still have a neck (reference to another thread), it's all good. I intend to stop into GNC (General Nutrition Center chain) sometime in the future. Does anyone advocate their products? I tried Herbal Life a long time ago but found their products a bit beyond my budget. I would imagine GNC will be the same, unfortunately.

i learned sort of by accident when i was experimenting as a vegan that i have a much higher protein need than i am usually willing to eat. so everyday, i have 2 protein shakes, one for breakfast, and the other usually mid-afternoon. this has made a huge difference in my life.

however, i don't use any of the products that you referenced. and i'm too cheap to buy the fancy, low sugar protein mixes.

i buy pure whey from my health food store in the bulk aisle, and mix it with my own stuff, usually fruit (if i have it on hand) or i go the easy route, and just coconut milk, water, and whatever flavoring suits me. sometimes i dump raw cacoa, vanilla, coffee, or whatever just sounds good. and i always sweeten with stevia and a bit of inulin, which happens to double as a prebiotic supplement as well.

when i'm feeling lazy, or on the go, i don't even need a blender. i have a couple of those blender bottles (with the little metal mesh ball in them) and shake. super easy.

 

[gypsygirl]

alright, i just re-read the first post. ooopsie. sorry!

1. What things have you tried taking that were and were not helpful? Do you believe any of the supplements offered on the market are very helpful or just a waste of money? What things do you think are absolutely necessary for your own health and which ones are a waste of time and money? Are there any essentials you would never stop taking?

i will answer this by saying that i choose supplements that have some evidence/solid justification behind them, whether it's from eastern medicine or the conventional one. for me, it's very important that i can justify and reconcile what i'm taking. for everything i take, i can tell you exactly why i choose to, and the science/justification behind it.

2. How much of your grocery budget (percentage or a number) is spent on meds and other pills? What kinds of sacrifices, if any, do you need in order to make sure you have the medications and supplements you need?

well, it's definitely a decision/sacrifice on some level, but i'm a very shrewd, well-researched shopper and i buy in quantity. the internet has made much of this so much easier for me, and most are surprised by how little i do spend when i calculate it out monthly.

i don't know the dollar amount, but at one point, i figured that i spent about 25-40% of what i would if i just walked into a health food store and picked up a bottle.

3. Have you tried special nutritional/vitamin powders, shakes, etc., and do you think they help? What differences have you noticed when you've taken such things or stopped taking them?

see my earlier post about protein shakes. they are a lifesaver. protein helps stabilize my blood sugar, helps my metabolism run better since i'm not very good at eating regularly, and has a profound impact on my energy level.

4. What do you think of juicing? What is your juicing routine? (Replacing meals with juices or using them as an addition to your diet?) Is it worth all the extra time, and what juicers are the easiest to use and clean?

well, i think a lot of people here know that i juice. about once a quarter a do a good juice fast, but typically, i'm supplementing, not replacing. and i go through bouts where i drop it for a few days. when my life is going ok, i enjoy juicing, but it's something i tend to drop as soon as my plate gets full.

but a main reasons that i like juicing is they definitely increase your energy, and because i don't like a lot of veggies all that much. and i certainly don't eat enough of the ones i do like.

for example, i will gladly drink a glass of kale-apple-cucumber-spinich juice or whatever. i like the idea of getting those nutrients before they've been compromised by heat and especially if you're less inclined to eat them at all.

if anyone is really interested in juicing, they can contact me, and i'll be happy to answer any questions about juicers and recipes. my primary juicer is a "cold" auger style horizontal juicer. and i have a centrifugal that i'll use from time to time as well.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I don't take any meds, just a multi-vitamin, B-complex and fish oil. Sometimes I take green tea pills and I've got a bunch of supplements in a drawer that I don't take anymore (just got to be too many). I also use whey protein powder.

[video=youtube;N6uEMOeDZsA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6uEMOeDZsA[/video]

 

[seoulsearch]

Gypsy, thank you for the in-depth answers... I'm going to have to seek out a good health food store around here. I am really interested in the idea of mixing my own protein shakes. And how can you tell, exactly, how much protein a person needs? I've lost my taste for a lot of meat over the years so I know it's an increasing challenge for me because my meat of choice--a cheeseburger --just isn't a practical daily option, unfortunately.

I find the whole subject of health to be just fascinating and I appreciate everyone's input.

I'm a firm believer in taking as few meds/pills as possible but I think most of us probably don't get everything we need in our diets every day. And while I'm certainly not trying to say anyone who isn't taking anything is somehow unhealthy or lacking, I do want to stress that just because a person doesn't take anything doesn't mean they're healthy or in the clear, either.

I have a dear friend I worry about who doesn't take any kind of drug, pill, or supplement... but that's because this person hasn't been to a doctor in 20 years... and refuses to go, even though they could.

 

[secularhermit]

At this moment "singles" and older than 50, seem to be healthier than those who smoke, stay out late (and do their things).

I'm thankful I'm healthy (I owe it to GOD) and it is nothing to brag...

here is something I tried: http://christianchat.com/natural-health-forum/94910-moringa-tree.html