INTERACTIONS!

I've been going thru an extensive series of tests because my blood work has been becoming more abnormal...over the last year and a half... I kept pointing this aspect out to ALL of my specialists AND my GP and all ignored it until late this winter. THEN they all went intio red alert! I just kept pointing out to them that the #'s had been going up and I HAD mentioned it and HAD mentioned that my combo of meds could be toxic....overall. I teased them all with 'Do you only pay attention if there are a LOT of asterisk**** s after any numbers? These have been going UP and I've pointed that out for the last year?'

Well, I got a very short letter from this last specialist thinking that it is the overall combo of meds that is toxic to me....I see this one next week for a f/u on this opinion. Can I just vent and go DUH? HAS ANY PROFESSIONAL BEEN LISTENING??? before now? I suppose that the only good thing about THIS specialist is that he actually READ about all the meds I am on? I am grateful, but at the same time...scared spitless!

Please people, look up all the details about side effects, common and rare and even less common about each and every medication you take! There is a lot of information there? But it's deliberately obtuse...using medical language meant to obscure the real effects a person can experience. If you encounter different, not common effects? Please call the pharma company 800 #'s as they are the ones to really put things together...even tho a drug may have been on the market for ages...they DO keep trak of new different interactions...and this could not only save your life, but that of others...

I am on a very peculiar and unique set of meds...but each and every one of us should be suspicious of what any MED can do TO us as well as FOR us...more so and of more concern if in combination with other meds...
What seems to be good for us in each piece, could be hurting us in the parcel...so to speak. Personally I tend to like my whole 'parcel' intact? I'm supposing no one else feels differently! Hugs to all! I've 'vented'! 's - j

dahlek,

I agree and this is the main reason I stayed low on two meds for the past several years. The first time around I was on so many I was soooo sick. My bloodwork was always okay though. But you are right...this EXACT thing happened to my brother not too long ago and he ended up in the ER. Why? Because of the various meds...not pain meds but medications for his heart, diabetes, etc. Talk about some changes that were made! But there ya go...when you have a lot of specialists involved it can get bad...makes you wonder if they even READ the reports they are ALL supposed to get.

One thing that is very, very important to remember is YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE in terms of all aspects of your medical/health care (--in terms of medical conditions, medications, supplements, etc). I am on a ton of different meds for multiple medical conditions and before I start a new one-- and even at the phase of a doctor merely suggesting it or throwing out ideas, I ALWAYS do my research. I learn about side effects, risks, along with benefits and positives too. What I have also learned over time is that, the more medications you are on, the more likely they are to have some sort of interaction. That is not always a bad or a dangerous thing--- many of my meds react & interact with each other in weird ways and not necessarily a reason not to take the medication, but it often requires a lot more monitoring and keeping closer tabs on things. (f course ythere are some meds that can not be mixed with each other under almost any circumstances, but I am speaking in general terms)

Also, I don't and in my case can't, always rely on everyone of my specialists to know everything about each of my medications-- even though they may be aware of what meds I am on. Frequently, if its not a medication they regularly prescribe or treats something outside their field, they aren't going to be super familiar with it. For example, my neurologist-- whom was made aware of this med and knows I am on it, isn't super familiar with the new appetite stimulant my pcp put me on where as he is with my seizure and other meds; and vice versa for the meds my pcp prescribes that my neuro doesn't, my GYN deals with most of my GYN and GI meds, etc etc. They each deal with their own thing and while they may be aware of other things and often overlap, they can't be all and know all about everything. I've dealt with this so many times and I know it can get really frustrating. Thats why it is so important to do your homework, be aware of things, ask questions--- and even ask your doctors to research things you are unsure of-- you are your own best advocate.

Also, remember the pharmacist can be one of your best allies.

Practically speaking, while all my meds are "supposedly" in the hospital computer system, I always carry a list with me of all of them whenever I go to any dr, hospital, ER, etc.

I am so sorry your doctors weren't receptive and minimized all the weird things happening to you. I've had the same thing happen to me on many occasions and often times its taken MONTHS for them to truly "get it" and put two and two together--- even though I may have been telling them that for months. It gets so frustrating....

Hang in there and I am happy you were able to figure out what was wrong and how to correct it !

L2L

It is not also interactions between medications but also your medications with herbs. Some of the interactions can be serious. Always check on that as well.

Firstly...we don't know what the interactions are, that are happening to you now.

Secondly, I gather that the DOCTORS have ignored blood work.

If this is the case, no Pharmacist can advise you.

There are many things I can advise about here. Never was I consulted.
Also there are many things that happen to people because their drugs
affect various nutrient status in their bodies.

If your doctor refuses to attend to your blood work...you have little recourse
on the net. That is because YOU cannot know what is going on!

Now you can ask for your test results, and try to look them up. But some may
be benign, and others not.

Each time you get an RX filled your pharmacist is prompted with computer data regarding your medications. Some pass over these prompts, some do not.
But NEVER is your pharmacist privey to your blood work (unless you are inpatient and they are Pharm D and reviewing your chart...not a common occurance by any means.).

I will share this with you. I worked in long term care for almost a decade.
We used to notify doctors when drugs were not indicated for that patient or whatever. The doctors NEVER accepted our communications. So that service was eventually terminated.

Who is going to protect YOU from YOUR DOCTOR? Think about that question.