Has anyone NOT consumed any pharmaceutical products in the last year?

[Verily1]

DP and I were discussing painkiller use to alleviate pain during exercise.

He said that as a society we are becoming very dependent on medicines. So we both tried to think of people we know and what meds they are on. Then we thought of all the meds we have taken over the years.

We couldnt think of anyone who has probably ever gone a year without using some form of pharmaceutical product.

If you include asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure pills to painkillers, anti histamines, contraceptives, lemsip, gaviscon, canestan, anti depressants and anti anxiety meds as well as anti biotics and any dental pain relief it seems hard to escape not using anything in a given year.

Are there such healthy people on mumsnet?

Or do I just know unhealthy people?

I only take paracetamol/ibuprofen if I'm so ill or in so much pain that I can't function properly and I need to get on with stuff! I spent most of my 20's and 30's in and out of hospital and almost permanently on antibiotics for almost constant infections. I now avoid doctors and medications like the plague, I just ignore any problems and hope they go away by themselves!

But people used to die of infections which are treated as routine nowadays. Why is it a problem? I don't think people are necessarily intrinsically unhealthy, I think we can cure more.

Well, if you'd asked this question last year I could have wholeheartedly said me!

Years, since I took anything. Not even ibuprofen or paracetamol for period pains. Or stuff for my eczema (always used herbal)

Now however, I Have arthritis and plantar fasciitis so take painkillers as and when I need them. Not daily, or even weekly. But I do use them on a monthly basis.

Not saying it’s problem as such just an observation that as a society we are quite dependent on them and we didn’t realise until we took time to think about it.

It’s not just about antibiotics.

Me. I rarely get ill

Unfortunately I would die without my medication. I would slip into a coma and die within a few weeks .

What do you suggest I do to reduce my dependence on pharmaceuticals ?

About once or twice a year I take ibuprofen for a headache. Had no idea that people take them regularly for exercise! Should exercise really hurt that much??!

You would prefer people to just suffer thrush and allergies? anxiety and depression? Infections and toothache?

Man, you're proper hardcore

It's weird to say you think as a society we've become dependant on medicines. Medicines save people's lives. Prior to current healthcare and medicines being available people just would have died.

I am a couple of medications. Both of which are life saving.

I do think though you may be noticing more people taking meds as you are getting older. Practically everyone I know now has some dry if health problem. It's just a sign of us aging I think.

What do you suggest I do to reduce my dependence on pharmaceuticals?

Have you tried essential oils? Herbalife? Fancy coffee that makes you shit yourself?

Yes, I agree with PPs that this is a very strange stance to take. It almost sounds as if you consider being ill and requiring medication to be a moral failing.

I've taken paracetamol maybe three times in the past year so can't say I meet your criteria fully. But as an adult I've never taken antibiotics, any stronger painkillers, or anything like lemsip. So I don't think I'm too reliant on pharmaceutical items. DH is the same and actually takes painkillers even less.

I can't remember when I last took any medicine or tablets. I have some soluble anadin which is 11 yrs out of date, and some paracetamol which will die next month with only 4 tablets used, and that was when my son was ill.

I take paracetamol and ibuprofen a few times a year when my wisdom teeth flare up. And night nurse when I think I'm coming down with a cold.
Generally I don't take much though.

My dad never takes anything even when feeling rough but he is old school and nearly 80. Personally I always have paracetamol in my bag.

I have hayfever so take an antihistime when my symptoms are bad. I had an occular migraine a few months ago so took painkillers that day. I had to take antibiotics for a bladder infection this year too.

I tend to take medicines as and when needed, like the rest of the population.

Until last year... I had not seen the doctor or had any medication for 16years (my youngest is 17, it was pregnancy/birth related.)

Then last year I had a heart attack.

If I had not been so bloody minded I would have been put on medication 4 or 5 years ago and it would have been averted.

Don't be smug or bloody minded about not being on medication. Get symptoms checked out.

I’ve taken daily medications since I was about 11/12, including high strength painkillers. I’m now 28 and on several and a fentanyl patch.

Problem is, I’d be bedbound without these things so I don’t see it as too much of a bad thing.

I admit the fentanyl frightens me though.

Some posters seem keen to try to frame the op as criticising taking medications.

There is nothing to suggest that in the op.

I think as a pp pointed out as we age more of us do use meds more often. It has become a normal part of aging- and why we are aging and not dying!

But during the discussion what caught my attention wasn’t the more obvious products- eg painkillers and antibiotics but the things that I didn’t think of at first like hormonal contraceptives- almost all women have used some kind of pill or minera coil at some point. Or taken an indigestion tablet. Or used a thrush cream. Or taken a decongestant when bunged up. When they are all added up it’s quite a variety and most aren’t to save lives but just part of what we expect to feel well.

I can’t say I have this year.. but considering my year included hg, pre eclampsia, childbirth n the usual asthma n heart burn flares I think i quite possibly deserved a little medical assistance. In past years I tend to use one blue inhaler.. but rarely as I’m not bad unless I’m around triggers..

However dp takes painkillers like they’re laced with heroin. He’s definitely went more than a year or two with nothing, he also doesn’t have any chronic conditions or get pregnant.. suppose that gives him the advantage.

I am lucky enough to have never suffered with asthma, hay fever, allergies, diabetes, blood pressure problems, anxiety or depression. I have never had thrush and I haven’t had antibiotics since I was 17. I don’t take the pill and haven’t since I was 26/7. I don’t take medications for things like cold/fever eg lemsip as I wasn’t brought up with those things and don’t think of it.

I’ve had several periods of 12 months where I haven’t taken anything due to sheer luck on not getting sick.

I do however think paracetamol is one of the best things ever invented. I always have some in the cupboard and I do not hesitate to take it when I need it. It works fantastically well on me and nips debilitating headaches I get occasionally now in the bud, as well as being awesome at alleviating pain from sprains and breaks I’ve had when younger.

Modern medicine I a wonderful thing (except for antibiotic overuse, I’ll give you that one)

I was brought up to soldier on so I very rarely take painkillers.Tbh that's sometimes stupid as then I'm suffering and grouchy when I don't need to be
But I'm dependant on pharmaceuticals - I have asthma and eczema which are only not bad because I can use the medication.I could survive without hayfever meds - I did when I was pregnant,but I have other issues which wouldn't kill me if untreated but which reduced me to tears on a regular basis before I had the treatment.
I think saying we are dependent on pharmaceuticals is a bit like saying we are dependent on having clean water or reliable power supplies - well ,yes ,we are very lucky to live where we do and in this time period,but "dependent" makes it sound like a frivolity!

I didn't consume anything while TTC and then pregnant which in total was over a year. Had some ibuprofen and paracetamol after birth due to episiotomy. Haven't had anything in 9 months since. Before all this only the pill for a few years. I have a long term pain condition but unfortunately pain killers do nothing as it's linked to stress if they worked I would have been taking them for years though!!

My mate is married to a research chemist and he will only ever take paracetamol and then only if the alternative is hacking off his head with a hatchet because of the pain. He's got a long spiel about the damage that every other substance does. I, however, don't give a flying and am back on the full-fat Syndol if I need anything.

I am lucky enough to not get ill very often. It’s been a good 12 years since I had antibiotics, even longer since needing anything for thrush, & I very rarely take painkillers. I am on low dose aspirin during pregnancy at the moment & that’s the first time I have ever taken regular medication.

Fascinated at the idea of taking painkillers before exercise though. I know some people who pop a couple of ibuprofen before marathons/ultras etc, but regular exercise?!