It's funny because if a doctor would tell me to put one of my children on medication, I would have researched it like crazy. But when the doctor put me on, I just said OK. I did a basic read over the pamphlet the pharmacy gives you, but, really, how often do you get side effects. Plus, the first 6 months, I was pretty much side effect free. What they put me on the medication for, now that I know what it is, I can control it myself in other ways. I should have known something was wrong when after 6 months, what I was put on the medication for was back, just as bad. However, the doctor just upped the dosage, which didn't work. I shouldn't have let it go on for 3 years. It's just that when you see a little success, you see hope, you see a light. Can't change the past though. You can just learn from it. I have learned that I will research any medication, supplement, whatever, a doctor tries to put me on before agreeing to it. I have learned that sometimes, the side effects are worse than the problem. I have learned to trust my instincts in knowing something is not working for me and something isn't right instead of what other people think. I will not make this mistake again. I'm not saying "modern" medicine is bad. It's not. It can be life saving. There are some things though, that aren't life threatening, that just aren't worth the bad things that can follow. A pill isn't always the answer.
For the past three years, I have been on a certain medication. I fully believe it ruined my life. OK, not ruined, but definitely complicated. There are certain things that are beyond one's control, like side effects of medication. The only choice there is to stop taking the medication, or deal with the side effects. One huge problem comes when you don't know that the things you're experiencing are side effects. I spent three years not knowing why I was gaining weight. I had all sorts of tests done, by two different doctors. They had theories, but nothing conclusive. Each knew the medication I was on. Neither even suggested that might be the cause. I was having anger issues, I figured it was the stress of having two children as opposed to one. I thought it was that Sunshine never slept. I thought it was my inability to parent effectively. Know what my doctors did? One upped the medication I was on. One suggested I go see psychologist. And one suggested a bunch of different natural supplements to enhance mood and relive stress. None ever mentioned that a side effect of this drug was rage. This was a side effect I knew about, but figured that couldn't what it was since I had six months on this medication with no rage issues. My whole life, I have always been warmer than most people, but I was so hot all the time. I was even having hot flashes. This, they actually told me was a side effect, but they could put me on another medication to help with it. No, thank you. My heartburn was brutal. I was tired all the time. I was weak. Doctors and I figured it was my weight issue causing these issues. No one mentioned this could all be from the medication. At the end of November, a friend of mine had some issues on the same medication. Our symptoms were almost exactly the same. I decided it was time to do more research, which I should have done before going on the medication. However, when a doctor tells me I need something, I tend to go with it. Anyway, I found that though a lot of these side effects are rare, they are all side effects. I decided I needed to stop. I decided I needed to see what was the medication and what was me. As of the first of February, I was completely weened off. This particular drug still stays in your system a month after being completely off, but I started to see a difference starting in January with taking a lower dosage. I was less angry. I wasn't as hot. In February, even though it was a horrible, horrible month, I slept better. I was even more control of my emotions (which were anger, but it was controlled anger, directed anger). I started to have more strength back. This month, every single side effect is gone. It's not a mental thing. I'm not imagining it. Since February 5, when I went to the doctor who put me on the medication, I have lost 9 lbs. and I haven't changed a thing. I haven't been exercising more or eating better or worse. I have changed nothing. February sucked, but I made it through with no rage issues. I have been actually sleeping. I have more energy. I'm cold (ok, not so much cold, but not as hot). I can feel, which is odd since the medication made it so I had no emotions other than anger. It's funny because if a doctor would tell me to put one of my children on medication, I would have researched it like crazy. But when the doctor put me on, I just said OK. I did a basic read over the pamphlet the pharmacy gives you, but, really, how often do you get side effects. Plus, the first 6 months, I was pretty much side effect free. What they put me on the medication for, now that I know what it is, I can control it myself in other ways. I should have known something was wrong when after 6 months, what I was put on the medication for was back, just as bad. However, the doctor just upped the dosage, which didn't work. I shouldn't have let it go on for 3 years. It's just that when you see a little success, you see hope, you see a light. Can't change the past though. You can just learn from it. I have learned that I will research any medication, supplement, whatever, a doctor tries to put me on before agreeing to it. I have learned that sometimes, the side effects are worse than the problem. I have learned to trust my instincts in knowing something is not working for me and something isn't right instead of what other people think. I will not make this mistake again. I'm not saying "modern" medicine is bad. It's not. It can be life saving. There are some things though, that aren't life threatening, that just aren't worth the bad things that can follow. A pill isn't always the answer. ***As a side note, the medication I was on had nothing to do with my migraines, except intensified them, and nothing to do with my back/neck/joint pain issues. I'm a currently medication/supplement free for all issues. I'll be starting up supplements again, one at a time, for migraines, as suggested by my doctor, but I will be closely watching for side effects***
2 Comments
Faye
3/24/2013 02:47:26 am
Yes!!!! I will never be on another prescription again, unless I can't live without it!
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Mom
3/25/2013 06:12:39 am
Glad to see that you are taking control of your life! I have been told to take certain medications, but I refused...asked the doctor if it was absolutely necessary and was there an alternative way to solve the problem...if so, what is the alternative? Doctor told me he was glad that I was taking control instead of meekly accepting what was offered. So, CONGRATULATIONS! , dear daughter! I love you so very much!
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