Health issues can be exhausting, especially ones requiring regular and ongoing treatment. I find myself in this position for at least ten more weeks. Daily radiation combined with weekly chemo. Each treatment has multiple and varied side effects.
It has been my experience that a lot of medical professionals prescribe medication as a quick and easy fix for whatever might be ailing you. This approach, in my humble opinion, has led to a very severe drug addiction problem – the abuse and addiction to Oxycontin. I’m pretty sure no doctor intentionally prescribed this medication for a patient hoping they’d become addicted, but that’s what happened nonetheless.
While it is harder and harder nowadays to get a doctor to prescribe these types of pain pills long term, the damage has been done. Yeah, yeah, some doctors will still over prescribe, but because of the increasing abuse problem, doctors are learning from their mistakes. And, the medicine does help relieve pain so they continue to prescribe it. Unfortunately, users don’t know when to wean themselves off of these pills.
I’m not a fan of taking prescription drugs. However, if a doctor prescribes something for me, I try really hard to follow orders and do what the doctor says. I also try to be very aware of what’s happening to my body when I’m taking the medicine. If I can stop taking the pills, I stop. As I age, I’m finding that I require a couple of medications daily and probably will for the rest of my life (can you say malfunctioning thyroid?).
But, with my recent diagnosis and treatment, I’ve been given a plethora of medications, some long term and some short term. What I find interesting is that for every drug I take, there is a list of side effects and for every side effect their is a subsequent drug to combat it. It’s a vicious cycle.
For instance, in one of my nausea medicines they combine a steroid to help boost my blood. The steroid keeps me up at night, which in turn requires a prescription for a sleeping pill so I can sleep. The nausea medicine I take causes heart burn and acid reflux, which requires another medicine to act as an antacid. Another medicine exacerbates hot flashes and night sweats for which I must take hormone replacement drugs. Another side effect is muscle and bone pain for which I am prescribed pain pills, which cause nausea and therefore I must take an anti-nausea medication.
You see? It’s a never ending circle of pills. On top of that, some days it’s hard to eat as I have no appetite. Each morning I stare at my handful of pills hoping my empty stomach won’t rebel when I swallow them. I know this won’t be forever, but right now, it seems as though I’m on a carousel of white and orange pill bottles.
Anyway, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the whole prescription medication situation? Do you have to take medicine? Have you tried homeopathic treatments instead? How do you wage your war on drugs?
Word of the day: Villanelle
Fun fact about me: I am rarely sick so having cancer (and thus being sick all the time) is weird for me.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2018. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I often wonder about drugs,too. As I age, big pharm looms and I wonder is it necessary? My doctor has warned me that if my labs don’t look good I am looking at meds… though he explains it’s a when not if….this summer I have knee replacement scheduled and I am wondering about the pain and the pain meds too. Hang in there and be strong. Eat when and what you can. Peace.
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I’m not opposed to taking a drug if I really need it, like my thyroid medicine. But, I will always try to find a more natural way to remedy a problem first. My doctor wanted to put me on medicine to control cholesterol but I was able to get that under control with diet. I always say, listen to your doctor and if you need the drug, take it. But, do your homework first.
Thanks for visiting and for your encouragement. 10 more weeks to go.
Patricia
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With diabetes, heart irregularity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, I’m sure I’d be dead if not for meds. I take meds for these conditions daily and will the rest of my life.
Pain meds are a different subject. When I’ve had surgery or dental procedures that cause a pain problem, I take them at first but get off of them as soon as I possibly can.
One other VERY important thing is that I make sure my internist is aware of ALL meds I take. We all need one doctor to be sure we’re not taking things that combat each other or otherwise cause complications.
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I agree with you on the pain meds David. I am hyper vigilante when I take them, which is rarely. But after surgery they were an absolute necessity. I do wean myself off as soon as possible. That’s a a problem I do not want to have.
And yes, I always make sure all of my doctors are aware of what the others are doing. Mixing drugs is scary.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I enjoy hearing from other people on this topic.
Patricia
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I have been on thyroid since age 32 (now 63) Talking the medication incorrectly over the years while finding what kind of a schedule works for me, has led to insonima, weight gain, lethargy, and depression just to name a few. All medications need to be taken correctly to be effective.
Homeopathic and supplements for treatment of medical conditions need to be evidence-based treatments. Prior to a surgery about 15 years ago now, I was put on a supplement by my physician. It took me about 10 hours to come out of the anesthesia to be moved out of the recovery room. Two weeks later a study stated that supplement interfered with the action of the body to clear the anesthesia from the body. That explains things. I still use supplements over medication, but there must be evidence-based studies to support the use of the supplements.
I have experienced 3 major joint replacements with painful recoveries. Unintentional addiction to medications is both the responsibility of the patient and the physician to monitor and prevent. On the other extreme, Kirk was recently hospitalized, and was prescribed Tylenol only after a treatment failed to give relief. That is the other extreme..There needs to be the responsibility shared by both and the patient and the physician.
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Yes, Holli, both doctor and patient need to take responsibility when it comes to prescribing and taking drugs. I think too many doctors automatically prescribe drugs instead of offering alternative methods to solve a problem. It my comment to Clay above, I said that I was able to control my cholesterol by changing my diet. My doctor prescribed a drug but I never filled the prescription. I started working with a nutritionist and was able to “cure” myself on that issue. It’s not possible with things like thyroid disease but if there are non-drug ways to solve problems, I’m all for it.
But, when it comes to cancer – I’m not taking any chances. I’ll take the drugs.
Thanks for your thoughts. I know you’ve been in this business so you understand.
Take care. Hugs to Kirk. I hope he recovers quickly
Patricia
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I have to take daily meds for my thyroid, too…although, honestly, I felt fine when my doctor discovered my thyroid problem. So I sometimes wonder if it’s necessary, but…my doctor has the same thyroid disease, so I’ll trust him. I agree with the prescription drug problem, but there are some people who need daily medications to endure with the pain of an incurable disease, so I don’t begrudge them that. I always snicker at the drug commercials that cure one problem, only to replace it with other fun things like diarrhea and potential heart attack. I hope you’re soon able to jump off the prescription carousel!
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I agree there are people who do require medicines long term, even pain meds. It’s just so sad that the pain medicine addiction has gotten so far out of control.
I’m pretty careful about taking medicine. I will do some research on the drugs before I take them. If I feel there might be a non-prescription drug solution, I’ll usually try that first. I’ve had some good success with that on a couple of issues. Of course, with cancer, I’m not taking any chances. I want to be cured – now. So, I’m following doctor’s orders.
Thanks for visiting and chiming in the conversation. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Have a great week.
Patricia
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Antibiotics are a big problem, too. I don’t take them unless I test positive for a bacterial infection, but my Dr. says she has many patients who insist on a Rx every time they or their kids get the sniffles. As for pain meds – it’s a fine line between needed quality of life and addiction. Problem is, many of the measures meant to restrict access by addicts also deprive people with chronic pain of needed medication. I have chronic migraines, if not for painkillers (not oxy or any of the popularly-misused ones) I doubt I’d have a job. I’ve tried the preventatives and other treatments, and they either don’t work or have side effects that are worse than the headaches. But I don’t take the painkillers unless I have a headache – that’s the key, IMO.
{{hugs}} to you for all you’re dealing with, especially the vicious cycle! Hoping all goes well, and you’re feeling better soon – and that you beat this and can ditch all the pills!!
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I’m the same way Jennette. I try to do without the prescription medicine first, but if it’s not sucessful, then I take the drug. Drugs are effective for many things and many, many people need them. It’s just interesting to me that my oncologist is so quick to want to write me a prescription for every little thing. He always asks me how I handled my treatment and when I tell him I had a particular symptom he whips out his prescription pad. I always fill the prescription but I don’t always take the medicine.
And you are very right, some of the side effects are worse than suffering through the original complaint. It’s weirdness. I always try to be really, really careful of those drugs that say, “may cause death.” Think several times before swallowing that pill! 🙂
Thanks for the hugs and support. I know I’ll get through this, It’s just exhausting and frustrating. I tired of pills.
Have a great week. (I’m going to get over to your blog later this week.)
Patricia
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Hi Jansen. I completely understand your feeling about all this prescription cycle. Unfortunately this is how doctors treat their patient. Easy way to go about it. I am against of this medications pills, unless is extremely necessary. I rather go cold turkey or alternative medicine. I believe and practice some modalities, Accupunture, Tai-Chi, Yoga, Body massage, supplements,. I know sometimes we have no choice but to follow doctors instructions, like me, I have to take a blood pressure pill daily, and other for pain due to a frozen shoulder and tendinitis I am going thru now. But other than that I try my best to do without prescription. I wish you well. Feel better. Namaste
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Hi Live, Love Laugh – good to see you here at the Edge of Eternity. I agree one hundred percent in trying alternative methods of treatment. I take lots of vitamins and supplements and get massages when my budget allows. I believe exercise, walking and dancing in particular, are great stress relievers and keep the body juices flowing. I’m glad to see that you are also active. It’s amazing how good exercise is for the body. I just found a great yoga class so I’m excited to see how that changes my body and mind.
But, sometimes, as will thyroids and blood pressure, we often don’t have a choice. And, with cancer, you don’t take any chances, so you take the drugs, knowing its temporary. I try to eat healthy and stay active and drink tons of water to flush that awful stuff out of my system.
Thanks for jumping into the conversation. I love hearing from my readers.
Have a great week.
Patricia
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You are welcome.
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I hear you, Patricia. It’s crazy how one drug’s side effects lead to another drug, then another, then another. I’ve taken high blood pressure meds since my late 40s and some other meds, too. Doctors are trained to diagnose and prescribe. They’re not trained in nutrition or very little. Some med schools are adding nutrition into their curriculum, so that’s good news. There are so many super foods, lots of helpful supplements, but you’re right about checking into side effects of those, too. We need to do some research about what we put into our bodies. I’m all for holistic alternatives and don’t trust big pharma as far as I can throw them. So, ask me how I really feel. Haha! Same goes for the food manufacturers. It’s all about the bottom line, not about the diabetes and heart disease many children are getting. I could go on and on. It’s infuriating, but no point in raising my BP over these issues. The changes will come, slowly but surely, one person at a time.
I’m going to step out on a ledge here and ruffle some feathers, but I honestly believe cannabis oil is the reason my hubby’s brain cancer isn’t spreading like they expected. A friend who bough the oil for her daughter’s seizures gave it to us because it didn’t help the seizures, unfortunately. It helps some kids, but it didn’t help her child.
You’re right about how good exercise is for us. Good for you signing up for yoga and I hope you can get back to your tap dancing soon. Between eating real foods and getting exercise and keeping our stress levels down, we can live healthy lives. I wish I’d learned all this stuff years ago. So naive, so trusting, so stupid! No more.
I’m praying for you, that these ten weeks go by quickly and peacefully. Hope your appetite picks up. George said everything tasted like cardboard. All he wanted was junk food. He’s being super careful with the pain meds. All the overdoses are scary and heart breaking. Take care, Patricia. You have knowledge and I salute you for looking into everything you’re taking and doing. God speed in your recovery.
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Thanks for the kind words Lynn. I truly believe the worst of this horribleness is behind me and I am able to get back to some semblance of normal. I have been tap dancing again but unfortunately the yoga class is on a the second day after treatment, which is usually my worst day. I know it won’t be forever. I was going to a water aerobics class before my diagnosis and I’m anxious to get back to that too. I can’t do it during treatment because I don’t want to get sick (from other people, gunk in the water, etc) but I will get back to that too.
I’m glad your hubby found something that works for him. I wish him continued recovery as well.
I know what he means about only wanting junk food. It seems that’s what tastes the best. Plus, it’s easy to grab. Sometimes when a “craving” hits you have to feed it right then or in ten minutes it’ll be gone. So, you grab what you have, what’s fast and easy, usually some junk thing or pre-packaged boxed thing. But, again, I know it won’t be forever. I’ve gotten back on a soda drinking thing too because it’s the only thing that tastes good to me. I’ll have to wean myself off of that again, too. Right now, I’m just consuming what I want. Fortunately, most of the time it’s healthy.
Again, thanks for your encouragement. It means a lot knowing I’ve got people out there pulling for me.
Take care of yourself.
Patricia
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Good for you tap dancing! Yes, the day after chemo was the worst for George, too, and even two days after. It will be so nice when you can get back to yoga and then join in the water aerobics class. That should be lots of fun. You have so many wonderful things ahead of you! Take care.
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