What does taking a lot of different medications long term....?

Question

do to your body? I am taking about 10 (some are as needed) daily, I'm afraid of dying sooner because of toxins from so much medication yet I need all I am prescribed, I'm taking: Morphine 30mg 2x a day, Loratab7.5 2 a day, Imatrex as needed, Cyclobenzaprine10mg as needed, Wellbutrin450mg daily, Abilify10mg daily, Lamictal100mg daily, Topamax50mg daily, Simvastatin40mg daily & Rozerem8mg at night.

Answer 1

All medications have side effects and long term risks, since they change the way the body works. But, sometimes the body does not work properly, so meds are necessary for a better quality of life. But, I can see that some meds are for pain (Morphine, Lortab, Cyclobenzaprine [muscle pain or spasms], Imitrex [migraine]), insomnia, etc. I don't know how old are you and some of the medications can be given for more than one condition (like Topamax, which can be for migraine prevention or seizures). Anyway, you can try (with professional help) to identify methods to decrease your pain, so you can take less meds for that. Also, if you suffer from insomnia, there are "sleep hygiene" guidelines on how to get better sleep. If you eat better, you may be able to control your cholesterol with lower doses of simvastatin. Sometimes we look for the faster way to control our bodies, but that may end with having 10 or 20 pills to take. Some are really necessary, but with lifestyle changes, some can be decreased or even discontinued. Talk to your doctor about your concern.

Answer 2

There is a book called a PDR, Physicans Desk Reference.  You can reveiw the information one contains at your local library.  A PDR will inform you on all of the questions you have.  If you have any questions following consulting a PDR, right them down, and then consult your physican(s).

Answer 3

Long term, you do have to be aware of side effects, though not toxins, but also of the benefits of the drugs.  Medications are always the lesser of two evils when used properly - they all have beneficial effects and adverse effects.  The Rozerem is pretty benign, for what it's worth.

If you have high cholesterol, your statin may keep you alive.  If you're bipolar, your antidepressant and mood stabilizer will keep you feeling OK.  The pain medications, I guess you can decide how badly they're needed, but I don't think they'd be prescribed if they weren't.

Answer 4

I want to answer this very simply.  It sounds as if the medicines that you take are for very real health concerns so when I say that I don't know specifically whether or not they will shorten your life is disputable by far more education people than I.  I do want to state that your quality of life has been increased and you are much more able to live a life free of the problems that these medications alleviate and the real answer could be that your life has been filled with ( I guess) chronic pain, mental illness, depression, bi-polar, or mild psychosis and trouble sleeping and now you have at least some of these symptoms gone.  There is a trade off in the end but in my opinion it is worth the risk of taking the medicine.