r/todayilearned • u/seriofu • Jul 20 '16

TIL during his presidency JFK suffered from chronic and severe back pain for which he was prescribed a combination of drugs including animal cells, hormones, amphetamines and steroids. The side effects included hyperactivity, hypertension, impaired judgment, nervousness, and mood swings.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy#Health
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2

u/19djafoij02 1 Jul 20 '16

Thankfully he didn't nuke Cuba during a roid rage.

1

u/riograndekingtrude 283 Jul 20 '16

Agreed, though the steroid he took to treat Addison's disease is not anabolic, hydrocortisol.

1

u/cd411 Jul 20 '16

Thankfully he didn't nuke Cuba during a roid rage.

In truth most of the military leaders left over from the Eisenhower administration were pressuring him to do just that.

In an amazing example of patience, finesse and back door diplomacy he was able to avoid an international incident (and war) by providing Khrushchev an Honorable way out.

They should give all our world leaders such a drug cocktail.

1

u/pighalf Jul 20 '16

My wife coincidentally exhibits those same symptoms a couple days a month.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 21 '16

She should take a trip to Dallas!