Thursday
Jan132011
Polypharmacy
By 
GladdMD On Thursday, January 13, 2011
GladdMD On Thursday, January 13, 2011
Interesting case this afternoon. Lady was having major digestive spasms that prompted anxiety. Went to several different doctors and a workup at a major national medical center and told there was nothing wrong.
Meanwhile she as started on 2 blood pressure medications for a high heart rate (from the anxiety/irritability), 1 medication for anxiety, 1 antipsychotic (ouch, big side effects), 1 colon spasm medication, 1 seizure medication, 1 bladder medication (to treat the bladder retention caused by her other medications).
She stopped gluten on a recommendation from a Parkview dietician (genius!) and her digestive system completely resolved.
My job as her health partner: Get her off all the medications! Hey doctors, it's perfectly okay with patients to say, "I don't know" instead of trying to treat every visit with a new prescription.
Meanwhile she as started on 2 blood pressure medications for a high heart rate (from the anxiety/irritability), 1 medication for anxiety, 1 antipsychotic (ouch, big side effects), 1 colon spasm medication, 1 seizure medication, 1 bladder medication (to treat the bladder retention caused by her other medications).
She stopped gluten on a recommendation from a Parkview dietician (genius!) and her digestive system completely resolved.
My job as her health partner: Get her off all the medications! Hey doctors, it's perfectly okay with patients to say, "I don't know" instead of trying to treat every visit with a new prescription.
Reader Comments (2)
Dr. Gladd,
I wish more of our collegues would say "I don't Know" more often. It's amazing how much respect you get from patients when you can look at them and say " I don't know". Good to see your helping another patient.
Do you have any information on mercury toxicity and it's effects on the digestive system?