WELLtip: Making an Informed Choice About Medication

Having a chronic illness means making some very serious decisions about what medication I take. I have had awful side effects from numerous medications, including one I still take out of necessity, and I have had to learn to deal with the side effects. This is why I think it is so important for people to make an informed decision before taking a medication. Do not simply take a medication just it is offered!

That said, another person's experience (especially with side effects) may not be reflective of what yours will be. There are a myriad of things that influence side effects, including your genetic make-up. I have a list factors I consider when I evaluate a medication. I urge anyone who has to choose a medication to think about the following:

1. Doctor’s advice--I always have an honest conversion with my doctor.
2. Potential side effects and warnings--you should always research these, but keep in mind that they reflect all possible outcomes and often are only seen in a very small portion of the population.
3. Cost/benefit analysis based on your individual condition.

There are no guarantees when taking medications--we all know this! But it is essential to make as well-informed a choice as possible. You have that power in your hands.

Comments

[memory foam mattress]

The issue of side effects and medication becomes more important each year. They can pop up in totally unexpected areas. For example, it has been found that for a small percentage of people, the commonly used antibiotic ciproflaxin can cause inflammation of the Achilles tendon. In a few cases this has even led to rupture.

A year ago I took cipro for 10 days and did feel quite a lot of soreness in this area at night (I had an Achilles strain once in the past). Fortunately I did not have a long term problem. This kind of experience though underscores that one should read the labels and consult the doctor about any questions that arise.

[omega 3]

Very thoughtful post on mental wellness. It should be very much helpful...

Thanks,