Random Thoughts on Medication

[lynnmarie219]

Just sitting here thinking about all of the meds that some of us take and learning how to figure out if they are worth taking by weighing the good with the bad. I do take quite a few but feel that they help me and the benefits outweigh the side effects or I wouldn't take them. But when you take medications for so many things it really does come down to a science.

I recently came off 2 medications that were causing EXTREME fatigue (more than normal for me) and that fatigue has decreased a lot since I have done that. The fatigue was interfering with my work and driving and was not at all safe for me. Now I have to make sure I am ok without taking these as one was for pain/anxiety/etc and the other for my headaches that I get. So far so good...one day at a time, right?

I also had a bad infection in my body last week that required an unplanned surgery to remove the infected tissue that had spread. I am now at home still resting and on 3 different antibiotics to help fight off what my body couldn't do on its own. From those meds (which I really need to take to get rid of this infection and avoid a new one) I now get sick to my stomach along with other GI issues (I'll spare the details...lol). It just gets very frustrating at time when you take something to help one problem and it causes you to have other issues/symptoms. Like I said...it comes down to a science sometimes.

Just my thoughts as I am sitting here...maybe I have too much time on my hands with being off work...I dont know! 

[iraisin]

Lynnmarie,

I am so sorry you're going thru this. I'm sure you're really not feeling well and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I believe you are doing the right thing with your mind during this time of rest. There does come a time for each of us that will require ciphering these meds, doing the research, and resetting and establishing our current needs.

These meds are chemistry, our bodies are chemistry, our foods are chemistry - they all react with each other and that can be a good thing or a bad thing.

You remind us all that we do need to take some time and consider these things and do our due diligence.

rest well, heal well, and live well.

[mshistory]

How odd am I? Not only am I allergic to oral steroids, but apparently Plaquenil makes my fatigue 100x worse. Imuran made me so nauseated and sick. My pulmonologist pulled me off the inhaled steroid because it wasn't helping.

So... I am currently not on any medications for my SjS aside from Relafen for the joint pain and swelling, and I take that as needed.

I envy those who can take medications that help them feel better with no adverse reactions!

I am sorry to hear about your surgery - how scary. I have a borderline phobia of MRSA infections (hm, that probably has a lot to do with MY anxiety!  ) I hope you are healing well!

[Katybarstool]

Lynnmarie

You poor girl. I'm sorry you have to put up with this. Sending you a big healing hug. I hope the antibiotics do their stuff, without making you feel any worse. Shame we don't live nearer, we could have recuperated together.

Kathyx

[artistangie]

stubborn infections are scary and i am so sorry you have had to deal with this!
truck loads of love and prayers coming at you!

[Meld256]

Lynn,

I'm glad you're resting but so sorry the antibiotics are doing a number on your stomach! That is aggravating.

I suppose it's good to each of us to "take inventory" from time to time with what meds we're on and if they are still doing what we want.  I don't like taking what few things I take, but it seems to keep my symptoms fairly balanced for now. 

I do catch myself occasionally wondering "do I really need this or that?"  Wonder if something else would work as well?  Then I fear adding for subtracting one or the other. 

mshistory,
Your issues with some meds are proof we are all so different with what works or doesn't.  I'm sorry you've had those problems.  I am glad you can tolerate Relafen; I don't think I'd even think about dropping that one for myself.  It keeps my knees from totally "blowing up." 

Lynn,
Keep resting up and heal, my dear.    Maybe you'll be done with those nasty antibiotics soon! 

[EllaBlue]

Hi Lynn....I too have so much to take, and so much that I cannot safely take. I feel like a gerbil on the "medication wheel" and I get very sad and worried.  Although without my pain meds. I would not get out of bed. My back alone is TERRIBLE!!! I have 5 herniated discs, a benign tumor, a tarlov cyst, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease and a bone that has slipped out of place...Did I forget anything?
I really CAN relate, and I understand your discouragement.
Do the best that you can. I try to be accepting of what I have to have...and one piece of advice that I always share is if you are not comfortable taking a medication, follow your gut.  Don't be afraid to be your own advocate.
((Hugs))
Ella

[lynnmarie219]

Thanks for your thoughts and support all...it really is an issue for so many of us I guess. I am very lucky to have doctors that listen to me and work with me when I feel I need to change something and they work with me to do it safely under their care.

[irish]

Lynn, I am sorry to hear that you had to have this surgery plus the three antibiotics. Have you been eating yogurt to help the GI tract maintain the normal bacteria. It really does help.

Some people like to take acidophyllius capsules to maintain the normal bacteria in the gut. You can buy this at the drug store. Ask the pharmacist about this. Please be sure to keep the doctors informed if you get diarrhea that is more that what you would consider to be the norm. Hard to tell but generally when it gets bad people are aware that something isn't right. C. Diff is a bacteria that can develop in the colon and give a diarrhea that is unusual and needs immediate treatment.

Please know that we are all concerned about your condition and wish only the best blessings for you. Irish

[Bucky]

((Lynn)),

With your busy work schedule, this unplanned time off work to rest, heal and recoup is probably something you NEEDED!  I know, I know . . . sorry you had to get this infection to GET the time off, but glad you are ABLE to have the time off to heal.

Sorry the medicines are causing upset stomach and other GI issues.     The trade-offs we some times have to take to get better.

I hope you are keeping a calendar, journal, log or something about all your health issues that have popped up out of the blue (your rashes, etc.).  Maybe, all these random issues are a piece of the puzzle??  One never knows. 

Wishing you a speedy recovery.  Rest, rest, rest.

Hugs,
Bucky

[lynnmarie219]

Thanks for the kind words and hugs everyone!

Irish,
That is a good reminder for us all....I do eat yogurt and I also take really good probiotics with 8 different strains in it that I buy from a local health food store. It's a pretty potent one...I started it years ago when my GI doc suggested I start taking them due to my GERD and IBS.

Bucky,
I am resting A LOT, but I'm really starting to get bored. Hopefully I will be up and ready to get back to my life and work in a few more days. 

[sass]

lynnmarie,

well i am going to try to impress you with my blazing humor...though there is nothing funny what so ever with taking medications. 

I am on so many now that I purchased two spice racks with drawers that pull out.  They each hold 18 bottles..I have one for morning meds and one for evening meds and the mid day meds have a shelf or their own..
Dad has a 30 bottle holder and an entire month of preloaded pills for if I happen to be gone..I have a talking alarm clock sent i my voice that tells him, time for morning med and weight,,,time for breathing treatment, time for next morning med. etc...all day long we hear my annoying banter of what comes next...and he often ignores it..Even though he has to get up to turn off my voice and the alarm blaring. 

My meds, i remember to take on my own...I have so many and with dry throat i sometimes have them stick and I have to phsically remove from stuck in my throat..

And I hold both the Chemo and Prednisone and look at them befor taking it...2 of each in the morning.  And think you are poision, why am I doing this...But I deligently do..knowing the 50mgs of steroids and the 100 mg of Chemo (that I take again at night)were designed by scientists with God's help --to help me...  I dread taking the morning doses, bc then the shakes start and the heartrate jumps.   I called my doctor yesterday...the one that agreed with my Houston doctors that sh or e would take any emg calls from ER and meet me there, that she is on a 3 week vacation.  WONDERFUL TO HAVE TRUST IN SOMEONE AND HAVE IT JERKED OUT FROM UNDER YOU. Woulda been nice if she told me that last week at my appointment...Now I wonder how has the letter from my Houston doctors about how any treatment should  occur.   Hopefully when they look at my full moon face they will recgonize Steroids...hahaha who am I kidding...

Well my humor failed me this time...it is not a very funny subject...I hope that you mend quickly and are back dancing among the healthy!!  Fly me to the moon and let me dance among the stars..............    ~sass~