The medications that change who we are

[Liberal In Texas]

34. OK folks, stop panicking.

If I didn't take the drugs that I'd do, I would be posting through an Ouija Board.

I take a statin. Among other things so numerous that I keep a file I constantly update to print out every time I see a doc that has the exact time and type of med I'm taking. This includes vitamins and OTC. I find this a whole lot easier than trying to remember everything when filling out those 6 page forms. I also had to go to the ER last year (I was fine, another story) and took the print-out with me and handed it to the head ER doc as she was doing her initial analysis and she turned to her intern/trainee and said, "You may get one of these. Never."

One of the things about drugs is that they affect us all differently and according to our unique body chemistry. They also have interactions with other drugs that we take. Some of which are actually explored by people doing research and probably most, not.

The thing I have discovered over my 70 years on the planet is that if some drug isn't working for you, tell the doc who prescribed it and get something else! Don't just stop taking it because it's making you see UFOs or something. Different types and brands of drugs make a difference. There are many different statins, for example. Many different kinds and types of blood pressure meds.

Now here's one that drives me nuts. The same drug (now generic) made in India and another brand also made in India affect me differently. Once my mail-in pharmacy decided that the second Indian provider is cheaper and I should now, of course, have it. But for some reason, the BP it was supposed to control isn't doing it any more. Now I have to call the mail-in and complain. "We haven't had any other complaints." Well good for them. I finally after (sometimes hours ) get them to change the provider either back to the original or to another one. And guess what? The meds start working again.

I have been told that especially when we get into generics, the active chemical (the thing you're taking it for) may test OK for all of them, but they all use different formulations of fillers and "inactive" ingredients. These can for some unknown reason can effect how the drug works in some people.

I guess my point in writing this is that you can't say all statins are bad from anecdotal evidence. Or aspirin or anything else is bad and we should not use them. Every body is different and I know it can be a PIA to have to keep adjusting meds, but in the long run it's the better choice than not using what you need.

I think we all need to be more pro-active in dealing with our med providers. If something doesn't work for you you need to let them know and want a different approach. After all, we're the employer here. And if you can't get satisfactory answers from you doc, find somebody else.

OK, back to yelling at some kids to get off my lawn.