Your choice to use medications as a component of your health care is a personal one. A decision to be made with thought and careful consideration with your doctor. Before taking any medication please educate yourself on the name of the drug, what the drug is, it's intended action (what it's supposed to do for you), the dosage and what the side effects are if any. Education about your medication is a key component to being pro-actively involved in your health care.
Some medications can become addictive when used over a prolonged period of time. As with any addiction, these types of drugs come with other consequences that need to be considered before you start them. An open line of communication with your doctor is very important. As many pain medications are narcotics, or other controlled substances, their use requires special care, monitoring and recording by a qualified professional as they are already known to be highly addictive. Your doctor may want to complete blood tests to ensure the drug levels remain at a safe level and your body isn't being negatively impacted by taking them. Stopping these medications will require careful monitoring and a slow withdrawal. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY! It is normally advised that you not mix narcotic medications with alcohol as the effects are intensified.
Some medications can become addictive when used over a prolonged period of time. As with any addiction, these types of drugs come with other consequences that need to be considered before you start them. An open line of communication with your doctor is very important. As many pain medications are narcotics, or other controlled substances, their use requires special care, monitoring and recording by a qualified professional as they are already known to be highly addictive. Your doctor may want to complete blood tests to ensure the drug levels remain at a safe level and your body isn't being negatively impacted by taking them. Stopping these medications will require careful monitoring and a slow withdrawal. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY! It is normally advised that you not mix narcotic medications with alcohol as the effects are intensified.
Narcotics are often used to treat symptoms, usually pain, caused by an underlying condition or injury. It is important to understand that they will not fix what is wrong with you. Narcotics are known as a “mask” drug for a reason. Narcotics mask the pain in your body tricking your mind into thinking there is no pain. Often people will participate in activities well beyond their limits causing further damage to themselves unknowingly because the drugs are “masking” the pain, giving the person a false sense of what their body is truly feeling. When the drug begins to wear off many users find they require more medication, more often. This cycle is often what begins the process of addiction and abuse of narcotics.
There are some medications that although they do work in their intended manner, they can cause unhealthy consequences or responses. Many anti-depressants and SSRIs are now known to cause an increase in suicidal thoughts and or tendencies and otherwise intrusive thoughts of self harm, in children, teens and young adults. A general worsening in overall symptoms has also been reported. I know from personal experience that adults can also experience this reaction. You may have this reaction to one drug but not another of similar action or you may find that you have this reaction no matter what drug of this type you try. If you do experience reactions such as these, it is very important that you share this with your doctor. Do not stop taking the medication until speaking with your doctor or pharmacist.
The benefits versus risks for these medications need to be discussed and considered before starting a course of treatment. You may be asked by your doctor if you are currently suicidal or if you have had thoughts of suicide in the past, before prescribing the medication to you. Please be honest with your answer. An open line of communication is very important with your doctor when taking medications of this type. Careful monitoring before and after withdrawal will be needed if you do experience suicidal reactions. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY! It is normally advised that you not mix anti-depressant medications with alcohol.
What ever your thoughts are on medications and their uses, please make your decisions with education and understanding.
Written by: Tammy Taylor HSW DSW
Shared from "Living with Chronic Pain - A Patient's Perspective"
There are some medications that although they do work in their intended manner, they can cause unhealthy consequences or responses. Many anti-depressants and SSRIs are now known to cause an increase in suicidal thoughts and or tendencies and otherwise intrusive thoughts of self harm, in children, teens and young adults. A general worsening in overall symptoms has also been reported. I know from personal experience that adults can also experience this reaction. You may have this reaction to one drug but not another of similar action or you may find that you have this reaction no matter what drug of this type you try. If you do experience reactions such as these, it is very important that you share this with your doctor. Do not stop taking the medication until speaking with your doctor or pharmacist.
The benefits versus risks for these medications need to be discussed and considered before starting a course of treatment. You may be asked by your doctor if you are currently suicidal or if you have had thoughts of suicide in the past, before prescribing the medication to you. Please be honest with your answer. An open line of communication is very important with your doctor when taking medications of this type. Careful monitoring before and after withdrawal will be needed if you do experience suicidal reactions. DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY! It is normally advised that you not mix anti-depressant medications with alcohol.
What ever your thoughts are on medications and their uses, please make your decisions with education and understanding.
Written by: Tammy Taylor HSW DSW
Shared from "Living with Chronic Pain - A Patient's Perspective"
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