Are you scared to take medicine because of the side effects? (Photo: Michal Jarmoluk, StockSnap)
If youve ever taken any medication in your life, you have personal experience with some level of side effects related to that drugs use. The degree of side effects varies from drug to drug and person to person on a massive scale. When Ive been outside all day and my allergies are bothering me, Benadryl does manage to stop my runny nose, but it also makes me drowsy. So I end up going to bed earlier than usual, but by the next morning, Im back to normal. I once took a drug for depression that made me consistently sleep 1418 hours a day, and even when I was awake, I was almost always drowsy.
Plenty of people avoid medications entirely because of the fear of potential side effects like the ones I've had, but Im here to tell you to not give up. I understand your reasoning and your fears, but the potential benefits, for me, always outweigh the potential side effects.
I dont begrudge anyones hesitations, especially since part of it can also be related to religious beliefs. Keeping your body pure means saying no to any foreign pollutants, be they alcohol, tobacco or even medications. I cant tell you whats best for you, but I can give you my personal experience. Id ask you to keep an open mind, because "possible side effects" is a scary phrasebut it doesnt mean every medication is going to come anywhere close to ruining your life.
Basically any medication can come with side effects, but sometimes, they're so minor that you don't even notice them. The most common side effects people generally see include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration and dry mouth. Antidepressants or mood stabilizers can cause dizziness, drowsiness, an increase in depression or irritability. It's more likely that you'll gain weight on these drugs, but some of them will actually cause you to lose weight. They can also disrupt sleep and have sexual side effects.
However, in my personal experience, the majority of drugs Ive taken have resulted in no side effects serious enough to stop taking them. Ive experienced two of the side effects together with a single medication only twice. Even though Ive changed medications (with my doctors supervision) several times, the primary reason has not been side effects. Its been that the drug simply wasnt helping me effectively, so we tried to find a better option.
Im not going to deny that sleeping 1418 hours a day was awful. I absolutely hated it, and I hope I never have to deal with that again. However, as bad as it was, I stopped taking that particular medication within two or three weeks. I called my doctor, explained the problem, and we switched to something else. The result? Ive been taking the second drug for six years with (as far as I can tell) no noticeable side effects.
Now, it did take time for the drug to actually help, as it required starting at a small dosage, working my way up and then eventually going back down slightly to find the right amount. However, now that Im at the right dosage, my mood swings are under much better control, and my doctor says (if Im lucky) I may never have to change what Im taking again. In the grand scheme of my life, I can now safely look back and say those few weeks of constant sleep didnt hurt me in the long run.
Were all capable of being hypochondriacs when it comes to our personal health. So although I do recommend you be aware of potential side effects of any medication, I dont recommend you go online and memorize the entire list of potential side effects of any particular drug. Why? Because then youre just as likely to have a placebo effect and confirm your worst fears as you are to actually suffer any real problems.
Its a difficult line to toe, but the best thing you can do is keep talking to your doctor about what you may be facing. Once you start taking your new medicine, keep a daily journal of as much information as you likesleep schedules, eating habits, energy levels and your overall mood. If some strange new physical effects or behaviors start to emerge, its probably time to call your doctor and research as much information as you can find.
One day, I may wake up and need a stronger dose of the medicine Im currently taking. I might wake up and realize the drug has stopped working altogether and must be replaced. Finally, even after decades of no serious problems, I could eventually have a severe reaction to the drug. Unfortunately, none of this can be predicted, because our body chemistry changes as we age, and we simply dont know what the result of that will be.
Yes, its scary, but I know the risks. I still believe that my mood and depression symptoms are greatly improved because of my medication and my doctors help. At some point, we all have to make these very personal decisions, but we shouldnt feel helpless or alone. I cant tell you whats best for you, but again, I ask you to keep an open mind. Weigh all your options individually, because its not just your own health at stake: How you feel and function help determine the quality of life for your friends and family as well.
Jay McKenzie loves soccer, history and feeling great. He's on a quest to eat better and exercise more, and he wants to share his experiences along the way. You can email him at jaymckenzie86@gmail.com with comments or questions. The opinions expressed in this column belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or its employees.
Read more:
Fresh and Fit: Side effects shouldn't prevent you from trying new medications - Nooga.com
