Lottie32
27-02-04, 09:27
I've noticed the number of people on the site who have problems with medication and side effects.
I've been lucky, and until recently, haven't really had to take anything. :D
Over the last few months however, I have been struggling. I have been diagnosed with depression, and have decided to tackle it with a combination of CBT/counselling and medication.
I started to feel quite anxious about taking the drugs - would they make me ill, or would I make myself ill by imagining the symptoms were happening to me? [:p]
I mentioned this at CBT, and this is how I got through it.
I discussed mediation at my CBT session (Amanda is a trained nurse). We wrote I list of what my requirements were - non drowsy, still able to drink moderately, etc. etc. I made a list of all the non-prescribed medication that I take (supplements, and over the counter remedies like Mucron).
When I went to the doctors, I explained about my worry about "making" myself have the side effects through worrying that I might be about to get them! I then gave her my list, and asked her to prescribe accordingly.
She gave me some general advice on when and how to take, and what other medicines to avoid whilst taking them.
After I had been to the chemist, I went to see my friend Tracy, and asked her to read the leaflet that came with the medication.
I asked her to tell me only the warning signs - the if your head turns purple and your tongue goes green stop taking immediately and see your doctor bit.
Then I went home, and started taking them the next day along with my other supplements and medication.
I don't know what the side effects of these tablets are, and guess what? I haven't felt ill since I started taking them.
It worked for me, and it might work for you - but if you're the sort of person who "makes" yourself ill, then it's worth trying next time you have some new meds. The doctor was quite happy not to tell me the whole list of side effects, and totally understood the theory behind "talking yourself ill". She thought it was quite sensible. Also, Tracy copied all the side effects down, and if I don't feel too good, I can phone her up and say "I feel such and such - is it the tablets", she can look it up and say NO.
Charlie
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
I've been lucky, and until recently, haven't really had to take anything. :D
Over the last few months however, I have been struggling. I have been diagnosed with depression, and have decided to tackle it with a combination of CBT/counselling and medication.
I started to feel quite anxious about taking the drugs - would they make me ill, or would I make myself ill by imagining the symptoms were happening to me? [:p]
I mentioned this at CBT, and this is how I got through it.
I discussed mediation at my CBT session (Amanda is a trained nurse). We wrote I list of what my requirements were - non drowsy, still able to drink moderately, etc. etc. I made a list of all the non-prescribed medication that I take (supplements, and over the counter remedies like Mucron).
When I went to the doctors, I explained about my worry about "making" myself have the side effects through worrying that I might be about to get them! I then gave her my list, and asked her to prescribe accordingly.
She gave me some general advice on when and how to take, and what other medicines to avoid whilst taking them.
After I had been to the chemist, I went to see my friend Tracy, and asked her to read the leaflet that came with the medication.
I asked her to tell me only the warning signs - the if your head turns purple and your tongue goes green stop taking immediately and see your doctor bit.
Then I went home, and started taking them the next day along with my other supplements and medication.
I don't know what the side effects of these tablets are, and guess what? I haven't felt ill since I started taking them.
It worked for me, and it might work for you - but if you're the sort of person who "makes" yourself ill, then it's worth trying next time you have some new meds. The doctor was quite happy not to tell me the whole list of side effects, and totally understood the theory behind "talking yourself ill". She thought it was quite sensible. Also, Tracy copied all the side effects down, and if I don't feel too good, I can phone her up and say "I feel such and such - is it the tablets", she can look it up and say NO.
Charlie
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.