Patient: "What are the side effects of the statin?"
Doctor: "Some people get muscle aches. Usually mild."
Patient: "And if I get them?"
Doctor: "We'd add naproxen for the pain."
Patient: "Does naproxen have side effects?"
Doctor: "It can irritate the stomach. Reflux, sometimes an ulcer. So we'd add omeprazole to protect it."
Patient: "And omeprazole?"
Doctor: "Long term it lowers your magnesium. Your B12 as well. We'd top those up."
Patient: "With more tablets."
Doctor: "Magnesium, and B12 if the bloods come back low."
Patient: "And the magnesium does what?"
Doctor: "Loosens the bowels. Loperamide settles that."
Patient: "That's six tablets. I walked in with no symptoms."
Doctor: "Could be seven. The statin can raise your blood sugar. We'd watch it, maybe start metformin."
Patient: "And metformin?"
Doctor: "Upsets the stomach. Lowers your B12."
Patient: "We already did B12."
Doctor: "Round we go."
Patient: "Is a single one of these treating something I actually feel?"
Doctor: "No. But your numbers will look excellent."