A doctor at the rehab wants my dad to take medication that is usually used for anorexia but also has an antidepressant effect as well. He weighed about 200 before surgery and was overweight and diabetic. Over the course of a month, he had complication and eventually lost about 40 pounds. He’s eating again but not as much. His diabetes is under control now without dietary restrictions. He has a tendency to overeat, so it concerns me that medication is being added without giving him time to regain some of the weight in a more healthy way and under supervision of dietitians. He also has kidney disease and COPD and already takes loads of medicine.
I can’t remember the name of the medication as I was driving when they called. Anyone have any ideas of what it could be?
Experience or thoughts?
I have limited respect for rehab doctors; some are truly geriatric doctors and are concerned, but others I think are capitalizing on making money from captive patients.
I think it's a good sign that he's able to be diabetically stable, I assume w/o any meds.
I also have challenged doctors when they've decided to script for meds; it's always either a new PCP or a rehab doctor that tries this. Our standard team developed over the years agreed with us that minimum meds are appropriate, unless otherwise needed.
My father was still taking only 1 cardio med by the time he reached 99.
I would also find out what a healthy weight range is for your dad and encourage him to eat healthier, higher fiber foods to help fill the void and not over eat bad foods.
I am a firm believer that we should always try the natural route before medical intervention. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease and pretty stupid to pursue in my opinion.
It is okay to tell the doctor that you don't want to have any medications added or changed until you fully understand what is being prescribed and the side effects.
I have gone toe to toe protecting my dad from doctors that want to mess with his meds. He is doing great and it took months to get there, why mess it up.