I’ve used prescription drugs for years and been grateful for the relief they provided. At the same time, I’m leery of them - the side effects, the unexpected consequences, and their overuse.
Unfortunately, as a complex patient, I take quite a few medications. But as an RN, I always weigh the risks vs. benefits before I start any new medication. Pain medications, sedatives and muscle relaxants are some of the #1 causes of falls in the elderly. Gratefully, I do not need those. OTC and supplements can also cause harm, as mentioned by Sharon, so I only take the essentials. This is an important topic.
Hi Jan, yes, it's an important topic and a necessary one, I think. That's an interesting point about pain medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants. What a good rule of thumb - taking only the essentials. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
I'm on Day 49 in recovery from taking opioids for four years to treat severe chronic pain. You beat me to writing an article to share about how seniors are being over prescribed, misdiagnosed, sometimes under prescribed to keep many trapped inside the system, and a host of other underlying reasons for this major problem.
There is another component to the epidemic. Lack of personalized treatment, or even (most times affordable) treatment at all. It's much easier to keep going to the doctor every 30-days to renew the prescription (another tragic story entirely) than to seek help and get treatment. There is a less than 1% chance to get through recovery without relapsing two to three times... the statistics are morbid and even higher and for those who transition to Suboxone or Methadone to stop cravings and relieve the initial pain being treated. The government likes to lead us into believing all one has to do is "reach out, call the hotline, talk to your doctor, see an addiction specialist, and get into a treatment plan for relief."
This is 100% false.
I can assure you even under the most perfect conditions there are many components to recovery and in 2025 it is simply criminal there are no easy treatment or even most effective options for recovery.
We are still living in the Draconian ages for treatment, yet we are in the hypersonic ages for stronger, more potent drugs, with the carriers used to manufacture these painkillers more dangerous and toxic than ever.
Since 1805, morphine and its derivatives have become the most widely used treatment for severe pain. It is still (today) the cleanest pain reliever on the market. What does this even say?
It's easier to seek a doctor or go on the streets to find relief, because I can assure you going through with the withdrawals as a senior is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. This issue is forcing me to become an activist, much as I dread the thought of fighting the problem. It's an uphill battle against those who invent the painkillers and those who "offer medicinal relief" - who happen to be the same damn drug companies (pardon my French).
It's a racket. And it's a money-maker. Huge.
I believe it will take grassroots and individual doctors to push for personalized treatment plans based on whether you're a fentanyl user who wants to get high, or the senior who fell into an a trap by an ignorant or unqualified physician, which by the way is otherwise known as a Iatrogenic epidemic of prescription opioid addiction.
Thank you for this post. As a self-described hypochondriac, I am fearful of pills. My doctor wants to put me on statins for high LDL. My daily cheese habit is to blame. She will retest in October...I am loath to give up cheese (or daily cheese) but would rather cut back than have to go on statins.
I have noticed quite a few new supplements appearing in multivitamins. I looked up possible side effects of ashwagandha root and it scared me enough to decide I would rather not take it at all. The couple of doctors I have seen recently basically have no opinion on supplements but are happy to subscribe something with outrageous side effects just because it treats some symptom. I am always trying to drink more water, move more, sleep better, eat more protein and more fibre and improve the way I think. I’m hoping to avoid many of the ailments that require prescription drugs.
Yeah most doctors forget to tell patients the full risks of medication and don't diagnose thoroughly with a holistic view on health. The default is usually to prescribe meds. The patient should also know the risks vs benefits for that choice, to decide whether to take it, or ways to reduce risk.
This can include explaining things like that due to insurance, the best drug for you might be costly, and that is why they went with the next choice. Being able to make that choice between meds is a crucial factor. We have a culture of Painkillers being treated lightly as something without any side effects (no liver damage, etc.), like supplements.
Just the choice to be more informed of the risks, so that the treatment, if including drugs, will actually help you, not harm, and necessary. Prescribed meds can be just the bandaid to the problem, not the solution. Such as for some mental illnesses, therapy, diet, exercise, sleep, environmental situation, should be considered. The underlying cause should be found.
People with ADHD like me need medication to be able to function normally and do basic tasks; but there are others who abuse the system and get stimulants, causing doctors to be hesitant about if they actually have it. It kinda caused me to be hesitant to even get a diagnosis also in college, since students use it as a 'smart drug' with no understanding that it doesn't do that.
Hi Cecilia, thank you for your comments. So true, there is definitely a need for medication at times, but as you say, some people do abuse the system. A doctor friend told me that she has patients who tell her that if she doesn't renew their prescription, they'll find someone who will.
Such an important topic, Janice. Understanding the side effects is so critical. Even OTC meds cause harm to organs if taken concurrently with other meds or herbal remedies. Acetamenophen (tylenol) can destroy your liver if you take too many in 24 hours. I am at the stage now where tylenol no longer helps much, but I am reticent to move on to prescribed pain killers due to the side effects. It will eventually come to that. Thanks for carrying the torch, Janice.
Sometimes I just think - I have very little time left on this green earth. Very little. How addicted can I get...? And do I not deserve having my final years / months / days pain free? It is a hard question.
If possible, I'm more interested in lifestyle changes. Drugs seem to be a slippery slope where the side effect of one means that you need something else.
I’ve used prescription drugs for years and been grateful for the relief they provided. At the same time, I’m leery of them - the side effects, the unexpected consequences, and their overuse.
I'm with you on that issue.
Unfortunately, as a complex patient, I take quite a few medications. But as an RN, I always weigh the risks vs. benefits before I start any new medication. Pain medications, sedatives and muscle relaxants are some of the #1 causes of falls in the elderly. Gratefully, I do not need those. OTC and supplements can also cause harm, as mentioned by Sharon, so I only take the essentials. This is an important topic.
Hi Jan, yes, it's an important topic and a necessary one, I think. That's an interesting point about pain medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants. What a good rule of thumb - taking only the essentials. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
I'm on Day 49 in recovery from taking opioids for four years to treat severe chronic pain. You beat me to writing an article to share about how seniors are being over prescribed, misdiagnosed, sometimes under prescribed to keep many trapped inside the system, and a host of other underlying reasons for this major problem.
There is another component to the epidemic. Lack of personalized treatment, or even (most times affordable) treatment at all. It's much easier to keep going to the doctor every 30-days to renew the prescription (another tragic story entirely) than to seek help and get treatment. There is a less than 1% chance to get through recovery without relapsing two to three times... the statistics are morbid and even higher and for those who transition to Suboxone or Methadone to stop cravings and relieve the initial pain being treated. The government likes to lead us into believing all one has to do is "reach out, call the hotline, talk to your doctor, see an addiction specialist, and get into a treatment plan for relief."
This is 100% false.
I can assure you even under the most perfect conditions there are many components to recovery and in 2025 it is simply criminal there are no easy treatment or even most effective options for recovery.
We are still living in the Draconian ages for treatment, yet we are in the hypersonic ages for stronger, more potent drugs, with the carriers used to manufacture these painkillers more dangerous and toxic than ever.
Since 1805, morphine and its derivatives have become the most widely used treatment for severe pain. It is still (today) the cleanest pain reliever on the market. What does this even say?
It's easier to seek a doctor or go on the streets to find relief, because I can assure you going through with the withdrawals as a senior is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. This issue is forcing me to become an activist, much as I dread the thought of fighting the problem. It's an uphill battle against those who invent the painkillers and those who "offer medicinal relief" - who happen to be the same damn drug companies (pardon my French).
It's a racket. And it's a money-maker. Huge.
I believe it will take grassroots and individual doctors to push for personalized treatment plans based on whether you're a fentanyl user who wants to get high, or the senior who fell into an a trap by an ignorant or unqualified physician, which by the way is otherwise known as a Iatrogenic epidemic of prescription opioid addiction.
Thank you for this post. As a self-described hypochondriac, I am fearful of pills. My doctor wants to put me on statins for high LDL. My daily cheese habit is to blame. She will retest in October...I am loath to give up cheese (or daily cheese) but would rather cut back than have to go on statins.
I have noticed quite a few new supplements appearing in multivitamins. I looked up possible side effects of ashwagandha root and it scared me enough to decide I would rather not take it at all. The couple of doctors I have seen recently basically have no opinion on supplements but are happy to subscribe something with outrageous side effects just because it treats some symptom. I am always trying to drink more water, move more, sleep better, eat more protein and more fibre and improve the way I think. I’m hoping to avoid many of the ailments that require prescription drugs.
Hi Val, That is my plan as well. Doing everything I can to avoid ailments that require prescription drugs.
Yeah most doctors forget to tell patients the full risks of medication and don't diagnose thoroughly with a holistic view on health. The default is usually to prescribe meds. The patient should also know the risks vs benefits for that choice, to decide whether to take it, or ways to reduce risk.
This can include explaining things like that due to insurance, the best drug for you might be costly, and that is why they went with the next choice. Being able to make that choice between meds is a crucial factor. We have a culture of Painkillers being treated lightly as something without any side effects (no liver damage, etc.), like supplements.
Just the choice to be more informed of the risks, so that the treatment, if including drugs, will actually help you, not harm, and necessary. Prescribed meds can be just the bandaid to the problem, not the solution. Such as for some mental illnesses, therapy, diet, exercise, sleep, environmental situation, should be considered. The underlying cause should be found.
People with ADHD like me need medication to be able to function normally and do basic tasks; but there are others who abuse the system and get stimulants, causing doctors to be hesitant about if they actually have it. It kinda caused me to be hesitant to even get a diagnosis also in college, since students use it as a 'smart drug' with no understanding that it doesn't do that.
Hi Cecilia, thank you for your comments. So true, there is definitely a need for medication at times, but as you say, some people do abuse the system. A doctor friend told me that she has patients who tell her that if she doesn't renew their prescription, they'll find someone who will.
Such an important topic, Janice. Understanding the side effects is so critical. Even OTC meds cause harm to organs if taken concurrently with other meds or herbal remedies. Acetamenophen (tylenol) can destroy your liver if you take too many in 24 hours. I am at the stage now where tylenol no longer helps much, but I am reticent to move on to prescribed pain killers due to the side effects. It will eventually come to that. Thanks for carrying the torch, Janice.
Hi Sharron, I know what you mean about Tylenol not being as effective, and like you, I am reticent to move on to prescribed pain killers.
Sometimes I just think - I have very little time left on this green earth. Very little. How addicted can I get...? And do I not deserve having my final years / months / days pain free? It is a hard question.
Hi Sharron, I'm familiar with that debate.
If possible, I'm more interested in lifestyle changes. Drugs seem to be a slippery slope where the side effect of one means that you need something else.
Hi Cali, I totally agree with you regarding lifestyle changes rather than drugs.
Agree with everything. I’m on the same page. The US is an overprescribed society. The number of pharmaceutical commercials is astounding.
Hi, so true. I've also read that doctors may prescribe specific medications because there is an incentive for them to do so.
I’ve read this as well.
Nice article Jan.
Thanks, Geri.
'90%of older adults' - in the world? In the US? In the western world?
Hi Janey, That's an important question. Articles I read mentioned the U.S., but I realize numbers differ depending on the source.
I think it's important to be specific if we're quoting stats - and if your sources aren't specific they should be!
You make a good point. Thank you.
Sorry, that sounded as though I was criticising you - I meant that your sources should have been more specific about their data!