Yes, I'll admit my dirty little secret. I have "Pharmacophobia" - the fear of taking medication. But I never knew it had a name. I just thought I was "nuts" and that no one else in the world had the problem. It's been a bit of a relief to read on this discussion board that others have the same hyper-sensitivity and fear of taking meds.
I just took my first dose of Plaquenil and am sitting here terrified that I'm going to die from it. It's so frustrating! Three weeks ago I didn't take anything but one little blood pressure pill. Now, because of this darn SS, I have to force myself to toss back a handful of hated pills! Please don't get me wrong - I'm grateful for the science that gives us medications for health and healing. I'm just so tired of my own fear! Sigh...
I found this five-step list of tips to help people who are afraid of taking pills. It did help me pop that Plaquenil tonight. I thought perhaps it might help others.
Sorry to be so whiny tonight. It just all gets to be overwhelming sometimes and I need to vent. Thanks for listening.
Deb
HELP FOR PHARMACOPHOBIA
1. Ask the doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about the medication. Ask about side effects. Ask if it will react with any of your current medications. Cover all the bases so you will feel more confident about taking it.
2.Remember, with just the first dose, most meds, unless they are extremely powerful, won't kill you.
3. It can help not to be alone when you take new medication. In other words, have a friend or family member around so, in case something happens, there'll be someone to rescue you. And, you don't even have to tell them what you're doing. Just the comfort of not being alone may help you immensely
4.If you have to be alone, take the med in a place where you have a phone, in public, or near a convenient window you can scream for help thru if needed. The chance that you will need help is very, very low but you'll have the comfort of knowing that you can call for help.
And, last, but most important, as I unfortunately found out the hard way -
5. NEVER GET ON THE WEB AND DO DEEP RESEARCH INTO EVERY ADVERSE REACTION, CAUTION, INTERACTIONS, OR STUFF LIKE THAT, THAT CAN HAPPEN!!!! This doesn't mean, don't be uninformed. Sure, you need to know what your med is and what it can or may do, but set limits. A litte knowledge is fine - too much will drive you bonkers!!
Hi Deb, actually there are many people on here who "hate to take drugs." I'm not in that category, but then I don't think anyone is in a "I want to take drugs" category. Maybe illegal drug users, lol.
I was put on methotrexate, presnisone right away after diagnosis and Plaquenil was added a little later. I do not think I've had any bad effects from those drugs in almost four years I've been taking them. I do not "like" taking them, but since they help me, and I know how it feels to be without meds, I'll take the pills.
I think patients should at least give meds a chance to work, and you still have the option of stopping them if you like. On the other hand, if a patient says "NO" drugs, then so be it and work with your doc the best you can. I hope you have good results. Lucy frm Michigan
Knowing which drugs not to take, has been a life saver for me. I learned the hard way.
For every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction, Newton's Law of Physics in Motion. I think the same is true with any medication you take, by helping one part of your body, your hurting another.
Most people don't think twice about taking an aspirin, but it's possible side effects would keep from being an OTC drug if it were introduced today. Roll the dice and pick your poison.
The same with me Dee. Before this mess started, I rarely took any meds other than an OTC pain med (one or two aspirin a week was all I ever took no matter how bad the pain was; just would not take it). Now a days, I take so many meds that I'm surprised that they don't cancel each other out! ;)
And nope, I don't go deep into possible side effects because I would not take the med no matter how "safe" if I knew all the possible outcomes (other than Restatis & Plaquenil).
Take care -
Patze
I'm scared each and every time because I'm hyper drug sensitve. I'm also not fully diagnosed and the right side of my throat gets intensely painful and 'closes down' when I take different meds. So yes .. I am scared. And with good reason.
Quote from: deeindiana on September 11, 2010, 04:43:24 PM
2.Remember, with just the first dose, most meds, unless they are extremely powerful, won't kill you.
My experience is just the opposite. I asked about meds and said "any side effects for the heart" and the docs all say ... "naaaah, it's very safe" .... Then after the reaction to the drug I check the side effects and sure enough it almost always says something like 1% of patients experience heart problems. I'm always that one percent.
I had one eyedrop of glaucoma medicine which was supposed to be very safe .. one drop in the right eye ... 1/2 an hour later I was in the ER with my whole left side too heavy to move and my heart beat wildly out of control. All because of one drop. It took 2 or 3 weeks for my left side to work normally again. I think I had a stroke and they missed diagnosing it.
I am scared with each pill .. each time. Not scared of death .. but scared of living with complications from the drugs when they 'go south' on me.
Oh man, I suffer from this too. I actually had to take a xanax first before I was able to muster up the courage to take my first dose of Plaquenil. Thanks for sharing those tips. I have often used the being around someone else when taking a new medication technique. It helps take the edge off. But I still have a panic attack every time I take something new - no matter how hard I try to relax :(
I wish I didn't have to take any drugs whatsoever. But that's not the case in our AI situations :(
Well, I don't think I have Pharmacophobia but I hate taking medicines. Before Sjogrens, I wore an estrogen patch and took a migraine pill as needed. Never in a million years did I think I'd take a medication to provide moisture to my mouth or one to help food move through my digestive tract but I do. I take only what is absolutely necessary to have any quality of life. We do what we have to do.
Anna