How do you feel about taking medication? Do you have an aversion to it?

[prolesunited]

I'm not the type to pop a pill for every little ache and pain and I think there is a tendency to take meds instead of dealing with underlying issues.

For example, my cholesterol was really high and I corrected it through diet and exercise. Unfortunately, I couldn't do the same with my blood pressure and have to take a pill every day. If I get a headace, I'll try relaxation techniques before popping a pill, but have no problem doing so if it doesn't.

The reason I ask is that I have some co-workers who look at meds as a bad thing and refuse to take them. Today, one guy has a really bad headache and you can see it in his face. I offered him an aspirin and he refused, saying he won't take anything for a headache.

Why would you suffer like that? Is it a sign of weakness to take a pill?

Another co-worker was diagnosed with high blood pressure and is totally freaked out about taking medicine "every day for the rest of her life." She thought she could go to the doctor after losing five pounds and promising to lose more, that he would take her off. She said, "Drugs are bad."


So, what is your approach to medication? Are you a pill popper? Only do alternative therapies? Only take something if you're dying?

[tcfrogs]

1. I used to have an aversion to pill popping and doctors

But, I had my thyroid removed five years ago, and thank god that I went to the Dr. for a checkup. I take thyroid meds everyday to regulate my metabolism.

I can understand some apprehension - there are so many pills out there to take...

[nickinSTL]

2. medication

I don't like to take medication, and usually only do when I don't have much choice.

I occasionally get monster sinus headaches (thank you, St. Louis) and will take ibuprofen for them. Anything minor, I don't take anythong for.

I take allergy medication (a nasal spray) daily, though, because if I don't, I'm highly likely to develop a sinus infection. And those things tend to knock me out of work for a week at a time. So, the medication is preferable.

[Xithras]

3. I've gotta be on deaths doorstep

Humans have evolved strong immune systems for a reason, but science has pretty conclusively shown that it has to be USED to function right. Popping pills for every little thing relieves the immune system of its duties and can actually weaken it over the long haul.

Other diseases, like high blood pressure and cholesterol, are the byproducts of unhealthy eating habits, stress, an overly sedentary lifestyle, and other behavioral activities. We take pills for them because its easier to do so than to correct our behaviors, but I'll always try to correct the behavior first.

[prolesunited]

12. Although I agree with you somewhat

it's only up to a point. I *did* try to correct my behavior for my blood pressure and cholesterol. I stopped smoking, hardly drink, became a vegetarian and have a very restricted diet, lost weight, cycle between 125 and 150 miles a week on my bike. Tell me more about how its easier to take a pill than correct behavior? I don't know what more I can do.

I was able to reduce my cholesterol significantly and have no need for meds and I was very reluctant to go on the blood pressure meds because I'm at the borderline. What finally pushed me into it was a weekend episode that brought raging headaches and ended with an MRI to see if I had any stroke damage. It was at that point that I went on the meds.

What would you have done? I hope you continue to enjoy good health.

[demnan]

4. It's like anything else

Medication in moderation is okay and I take a daily anti-depressant and occasionally over-the-counter Naproxen for a bad back.

What I've noticed is that these doctors overmedicate the elderly sometimes to the point where the answer to the health problem caused by the pill is another pill. Then you know you're in trouble.

[kodi]

5. i have a far greater aversion to the symptoms the meds are treating

anyone who has ever had a severe gout attack knows that the pain of cutting your whole damned foot off with a rusty butter knife would be nothing compared to the pain of such an attack.

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. I can't be bothered to do it.

Which is why I probably had an emotional crash today. I'm just not a pill person. Which is fortunate, considering my sperm donor is/was hooked on painkillers.

EDIT- It's more of a discipline thing for me. I just always forget to take one when needed.

[supernova]

7. Medication is a useful tool

The only pill I take regularly is BC. It makes my life a lot more comfortable. I don't take it just for pregnancy prevention.

I have to take penecillin every time I go to the dentist. There's no herbal remedy for that.

I will take an aspirin if I have swelling due to headache or injury.

So yea, I'm not averse to medication.

I do think you can take to much medication; but I'm no where near that barrier.

[HuckleB]

8. Sounds like you've found a good balance.

Alas, it does seem like many are polarized, with some folks popping pills at the first sign of any possible "problem" or ache or pain, and with others putting themselves through hell because they refuse to take anything at all.

[Bridget Burke]

9. Do what's needed....

If I'm in pain, I'll take an ibuprofen. When allergy season strikes, I use a cheap non-drowsiness remedy. I've taken other medication for short-term problems, per the doctor's instructions.

If faced with a handful of pills every day, I'd be ask some questions. I'd try to be sure no symptoms could be relieved by diet/exercise, etc. Also, I'd check back from time to time to ensure no better options were available. Add a drug to the regimen? OK, if the doc's sure it will work with all the rest. Once convinced, I'd follow directions.

I successfully treated a toenail fungus with tea tree oil because (a) the pill was advertised on TV--nobody told me I needed it, (b) systemic fungicides are serious stuff, and (c) the condition is rarely fatal.

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. Only if I absolutely need it.

I am not one of those people who begs the doctor for antibiotics every time they get a cold. Believe me, I know some who are like that. If something aches very badly, I will take ibuprofen.

At the moment, however, I am drugged to the gills. Woke up one morning a bit more than a month ago with a sore left shoulder. Bad enough to try a couple ibuprofen. It didn't go away. Worse -- the pain started spreading down through my arm and caused numbness in my fingers. So I bought some Aleve.

After two weeks of no relief, I called in sick so I could see the doctor at short notice. Having googled a bit, I thought I had a pinched nerve. Another possibility was carpal tunnel and a friend suggested an injured rotator cuff.

A pinched nerve it was, so the doctor put me on Vioxx and muscle relaxers (Flexerel) and said to come back in 10 days. I dutifully did that and was sent down for X-rays. Those came back normal, so we are now taking a wait-and-see attitude, because pinched nerves can go away as magically as they arrive.

So I am damned to take these pills for a while. The muscle relaxers are extremely difficult because they make me tired and a bit light headed. A coworker commented -- kindly -- that it was hard for her to see me looking so tired all the time.

But I guess this is one of those occasions when I absolutely need them.

[prolesunited]

13. Sounds like you do need it

I've had back problems before so I know how loopy those meds can make you. Have you considered massage therapy or a chiropractor in addition to your current treatment?

Some people have had real success with that. The key, I think, is finding a good practitioner.

Hope you feel better soon. :hug:

[Commendatori]

11. No problem with it unless it tastes like shit.

Have any of you ever had a GI cocktail?

[prolesunited]

14. No, can't say I've had the "pleasure"

What is it?

[Commendatori]

15. G.I. in this case stands for "gastro-intestinal," and the cocktail is

used for a.) settling down your stomach, and b.) x-rays - you drink it, they x-ray you and see if you've got leaks in your stomach or intestines.

I have no idea what actual shit tastes like, but it can't be a whole lot worse than this.