Medication fears

[Mommyof2boys]

Anyone else scared of taking new medicine or medicine in general? Just got a new rx for an antibiotic I've never had before for staph infection and I'm like super nervous to take it but also this infection is awful and I could literally die from it so.... I guess I'll take it but it's gonna be 10 days of hell

[RadioGaGa]

Yeah this is surprisingly common.

Fears when taking medications stem from:
* Unfamiliarity with drug (as in your case)
* Fears of potential side effects including 'very rare' side effects
* Dislike of the form of the drug e.g. doesn't like tablets, prefers capsules or liquids etc etc

The list goes on. So you're not alone with this one.

May I ask what you've been given and if there's anything in particular about this drug that's bothering you?

[Mommyof2boys]

Doxycycline hyclate. My main fear is having a severe allergic reaction to it. I am actually allergic to sulfa medications which influenced the Dr to choose this med onstead. I found out I was allergic by having a reaction about a week into therapy with bactrim and it was basically a rash and swollen glands nothing deathly but it could have gotten worse. Point is I've already had a reaction before and still have a fear that an allergic reaction would be anaphylactic and instantly kill me. Another fear is a *possible* (so, rare) adverse effect of raising my heart rate. I'm so panicky about my heart as it is and have pvcs already... I'll be waiting for cardiac arrest the whole time I'm on this med. Unfortunately I'm also terrified of death from this staph infection that instead of feeling relieved to be able to take a drug that can cure this pretty common disorder I feel like I'm playing Russian roulette with 2 loaded guns. One of the options is going to kill me...

[MyNameIsTerry]

Yep, I have struggled with this.

When I first had my breakdown I finally spiralled into the depths after exercising whilst using various (legal) supplements but added one that was too strong for me. The adrenaline rush was bad. From then on my anxiety sunk and I got to a point where I couldn't even take vitamin C because of the fears of how my body would react. I stopped using my asthma inhalers and ended up having a mild asthma attack.

It was less about side effects lists for me. It was about how once I swallow it, it's out of my control. I don't want more anxiety and taking something might mean it ramps me up. It got to the point in my relapse, with much higher overall levels of anxiety when I started a new med, that eating food meant I noticed how the sensations in my body changed and I panicked. Even drinking water. It also moved onto even moving my body and how that would make me feel.

I'm much better with all this now. What I found was it takes time to calm down the body so overall anxiety levels drop. And it helped to introduce new things, like vitamin C tablets, based on what is less likely to cause anything as I could be sure any change would more likely be my anxiety. This meant exposing myself to things but working up to more problematic tablets.

Throughout that I did work my way onto my inhalers and new antidepressants. The latter were obvious very scary for me. I knew I had no choice and just had to take what came and hang on to get through the other side of what was a very unpleasant experience. But with some things you can afford to work on yourself so that when something does come along you are stronger and it's less likely to evoke the same intense feelings.

[Mommyof2boys]

Yes!! The lack of control! That is exactly what my main issue is with any med! I am so hyper aware of every sensation in my body and attempt to control it constantly that any loss of control scares me. I have had 2 c sections and those were the absolute most traumatic (and happiest, because of my babies) times of my life! I didn't take anything stronger than normal Tylenol after both of my c sections because I was terrified of having reactions or losing sensation: even painful sensation! I doubt I would even feel safe taking any meds for my anxiety or panic! It's a curse and so backward! I'm glad you found a way to reverse your problems because I definitely can relate and I know it wasn't easy

---------- Post added at 22:46 ---------- Previous post was at 21:25 ----------

Ok so I got suddenly really sick feeling and thought I was gonna throw up and now my heart is over 100 bpm bounding. And I feel hot on my face and upper back and upper arms. I'm so scared right now I don't know if I'm panicking or having a reaction idk what to do

[spacebunnyx]

Yes - I used to have medication anxiety in a massive way (triggered by a scary but very rare reaction to a particular medication). That was around 5 years ago and its gradually got better... I've had to force myself to take alot of meds but would always make sure that there was someone nearby/phone nearby. I'm mostly over it now.


xxx

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.

This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.

Please also read this post:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239

[Mommyof2boys]

I didn't know there was an entire medication sub forum! I guess that answers my original question in itself lol
This med is not as bad as I feared. Took it this afternoon with no effects and I'm healing so I'm glad I have it... just wish I could get over that initial fear...

[jray23]

Yes, this is one anxiety aspect I have not remotely gotten over. Part of it is I am afraid to/can't swallow pills, part of it is worrying that I will either get the side effects that will hurt me or change my personality or even my brain will make up that I am getting some through anxiety. Or that I will become a chronic med taker with pills to fix side effects of other pills.

"Take as needed" doesn't worry me too much but I am not on board with things that would last a long time. I'm lucky, I have been very healthy so far (despite what HA wants me to think) but I know that moment is coming where I will need to face this. The moment is possibly here already as I have a specialist ready and wanting to prescribe me venlafaxine as a preventative for my vestibular migraine problem, and which will also likely help my mood since that's what it's really for...but I'm stubborn and trying to find other options first! (which he is ok with since with migraine it's really not a guarantee that the med will work anyway)


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[pc19682]

I am really bad with starting new meds.


Before I start something new, I do the worst thing possible by researching it online. I worry about the allergic reaction, even though I've never had one. I worry about the side effects which often times seem worse than the problem you're trying to treat. Then there's the horror stories of others who took the med. And don't forget the possible interactions with what I'm already taking. At least I haven't had to take anything that's been on a lawyer's drug settlement commercial yet!



After I start it, I pretty much scan myself constantly for any of the side effects. Which sometimes leads to panic.



So yes. I know about the fears of new meds. I'm sorry for all those who experience the same thing. I wish I had an answer to give you that would help.