Pain meds....

Almost 2 years ago, Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I suddenly developed swelling and excruciating pain in my left hand. Off to the ER at 3:AM. Long story short... the docs determine I have Gout and put me on yet another pill.
During sixteen months of miserable existence, I figured out that the joint or those joints exerted most is where a flare up could happen. Front tips of shoulders was the very worst. That came from steering the riding mower. I had to tie the husky's leash around my waste to walk her out for a full 3 days.
The not knowing where the next attack would be or how long it would last had me afraid to do anything.
So sometime late March, early April, still sitting in front of the TV for hours on end, I watched a documentary titled Prescription Thugs. That info inspired a lot of thought, refection, and further research. My quandary was ,
Could my meds be interrupting my liver and kidney function, thereby causing more pain, depression, misery in general ? Only way to know was to go off of them.
I won ! No more severe attacks since.
I did take a few pain pills at one point ( August ), only to wake with a drug hangover/seeking the hair of the dog state of mind and body.
Get this.. Depending on what prescriptions and what insurance, Over the counter remedies like Aleve, Tums, bath salts, those smelly old people creams, etc.., can cost nearly as much.
I'm not moving mountains here, Didn't expect to. Quite proud of my mole hill moving.
Good luck to all