April 30, 2006 - Day 5 - Week 4 - What’s In Your Medicine Cabinet?

From the day we are born to the day we die drugs are a part of our life.  Advertisements bombard us constantly, and we have all become a part of the culture of cure by prescription.  Have you ever, either born of necessity or simple curiosity opened the medicine cabinet of your aging parents?  I was bowled over by what I saw last summer in Key Largo Florida in the home my parents lived in for over 20 years.

As my brother Jay and I continued to review the health  of our father during the last few years of his life, we attempted to ascertain whether or not all his prescription drugs were in balance, and were not contributing to the problem, rather than being part of the solution.  At one time, dad was taking 11 different drugs.  Granted medical miracles are in part a result of effective drugs, but…we thought enough is enough.  Drugs prolonged and enhanced our father’s quality of life, but we needed to be vigilant about keeping track and helping him take them all in their proper sequence.

Now a short 7 months later, my own medicine cabinet, which is actually just a paper lined drawer, has become part of my daily life.

Prescription drugs usually arrive in a small orange plastic container with a top that years of practice can not master. A few weeks ago, out of curiosity, I went through the Kreitler drug repository. I found only one faded flip top prescription container from the Town Pharmacy in Millburn New Jersey.  I have not lived in Millburn since 1956.  The prescription was for pyrobenzamene – (This is anti-histamine, and as a boy I was allergic to bee stings.)  I share this unusual discovery because up until 3 weeks ago I did not have a need for drugs.  Granted I once tried an anti-biotic called Cipro for an infection, but other than that, I think I have been clean.

Ironically, and with a poignancy that did not go unnoticed, today, April 29, 2006 and as a result of the usual male prostate issues, adult onset diabetes, cancer, and surgery I find I am trying to constantly organize the following doctor prescribed 11 drugs for me:  Metformin, Actos, Vytorin, Flomax, Cephalexin (discontinued use – anti biotic prescribed after hernia surgery which preceded chemo therapy by two weeks), Allopurinal, Coreg, Aspirin, Valtrex, Ambien, and my favorite Trimetho/Sulfamethox.  Drugs now require my diligence, utmost attention, and complete respect.  Enough is enough!

I will admit however, that my goal is to have a clean sweep one year from now, and be drug free, save perhaps the collector’s item for bee stings from Millburn New Jersey. In the meantime: perhaps the goal of the collective might be:  A simple three part program.

Exercise number one:  Check the medicine cabinet and evaluate the contents. 

Exercise number two: Discard outdated drugs and keep only drugs we need today.

Exercises three: Work diligently to create a lifestyle to help prevent the need for one’s own personal pharmacy (unless in an emergency).

Born of necessity drugs have become a part of my life.  However, contracting cancer is prompting a complete re-evaluation of lifestyle, dietary, environmental, hereditary, and work related issues.  There are answers to be found, and I am convinced that we are not destined as human beings to manage pharmacies at home to maintain health in our ‘golden years.’

In the future I will be reflecting on books like Dr. Robert Blaich’s book – The Inner Pharmacy – Taking back our Wellness.

Back to Week 4