Pills and Potions

As much as we like to think of ourselves as unique there are thousands, perhaps even millions, our there with the same needs and experiences.

Amongst those millions there must be people who have knowledge that we could benefit from.

This thread is intended as a discussion place for things related to Pills and Potions

We could all benefit from:

Questions

Experiences

Opinions

Facts and answers.

Let me open with a really big problem.

The global pandemic of being Overweight or Obese.

This problem effects most Apnea sufferers.

What do the doctors say?

What do the chemists have to offer?

What are the researchers working on?

What have you tried and has it worked for you?

There are people with chemical imbalances that can cause obesity so a question about what chemists are doing is valid. Doctors say--lose weight. (Note--most of them are in pretty good shape). Researchers look for reasons why and for ways to help. But the bottom line for most of us is that we eat too much of the wrong things and don't exercise. That's my story. I do have sleep apnea and a thyroid issue which does not help. Plus some of my medications can cause weight gain. So there are outside issues that make it very easy to gain and very hard to lose. I lost weight after retiring (strange) but I think part of that was less stress and part I got my thyroid under control. Lost over 25 pounds and kept it off for two years. Now new medication is adding weight. But I'm still eating the same. I do not exercise (lots of valid-haha- reasons). So for me, it's my own fault. Pills help some, off the wall diets help others, meditation, exercise....you have to find the right thing for you. But there is a lot out there that is almost or more harmful than being overweight so just do your homework before starting something new. For me, in this area, it's on my shoulders.

Unfortunately I think most pharmacological solutions tend to be addressing the symptoms or outcomes of a disease, but not actually curing or reversing it. There are some that perhaps may be partial corrections, and even have preventative benefits, but not a lot. This is the way I see the prescription drugs that I take:

Metformin - This does not really correct anything, but it does help with type 2 diabetes by making the body more sensitive to insulin, slows the dump of glucose from the liver, and slows the rate of digestion of carbohydrates. Not a cure though.

Insulin - Again not a cure, but it does compensate for lack of insulin in the body. It is more effective, and essential for type 1 diabetics.

Statin - Reduces cholesterol, and if you believe some of the studies it has long term preventative benefits by reducing the build up of plaque in the blood vessels. Those at high risk like diabetics have lower standards for LDL cholesterol, but not all doctors seem to know that. While it is widely prescribed often the most at risk in the population may be under treated. It is nearly impossible to get to the lower standard without the assistance of a statin. The real long term benefits will need to be proven with time however. If it is, this drug may actually have some corrective health benefits.

ACE Inhibitor - This is claimed to reduce the impact of high blood glucose on the elasticity of the artery walls, and is often prescribed as a preventative basis for diabetics. It is also said to help prevent high glucose damage to the kidney. And of course it reduces blood pressure, and while not correcting the underlying cause, it should improve long term outcomes.

Beta Blocker - Again reduces blood pressure and heart rate, but is not really a cure for the underlying issues. Lower blood pressure however should have benefits.

While it is kind of depressing to some degree to think one may have to take these kind of drugs for a lifetime, it is probably better than the alternative. Every once in a while I hear about somebody going to a new doctor or alternative medicine doctor and they get taken off "all those pills". The insinuation is that "all those pills" are part of the problem, and I guess in some cases that might be partly true. However, the next thing I usually hear is that the individual has passed and there is a funeral to attend.

I recently tried LSD and it helps me to solve my personal emotion problems, but the cost of it were very high and I've got mixed opinion on about advising it to another or not.