SYMPTOMS OF A DRUG PRESCRIPTION
Inaccurate and lack of information is a problem that continues with drug prescriptions. While there is a place for prescription medication, the need to be knowledgeable about a prescribed drug is very important to your wellness.
There are many factors to consider before taking a prescribed drug including:
- Having a correct diagnosis
- Knowledge about the drug
- Pros and cons about a medication treatment plan
- Awareness to other health care plans
This is just a few of them.
Each week we take you through our journey as a mother and daughter battling the symptoms of a drug prescription.
These journeys can help you navigate through the world of prescription drugs.
So you can have the information needed to take charge of your health care.
Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following story through Nikki’s experience.
Let’s begin!
It was during my winter break from college in December of 2010 that I began taking the prescription drug Zoloft.
I was already on three other prescribed drugs and still my depression, general mood and overall wellness continued to deteriorate.
My counselor decided to switch Zoloft with another prescription drug I was taken in the same SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) group of medicines.
At that time, I trusted my health care provider and agreed to follow her directions.
I was only on Zoloft initially for two months.
Most of the time on Zoloft I felt overall sickness, depression and a shakeness feeling.
Honestly, I don’t remember very much from that time in my life except what my mom wrote in my prescription drug journal.
However, I do remember how bad the withdrawal was from Zoloft.
It was hard comprehending that even though I was only on Zoloft a short time and never even reaching the maximum dosage, that the withdrawal could be that bad.
But even today, I can vividly remember the withdrawal.
With inconceivable withdrawal symptoms, my counselor prescribed Zoloft again to slowly withdraw me from it.
Consequently, I stayed on Zoloft for an additional four months.
During this time and after stopping again, the feeling of lightheadedness, nauseousness and just overall sickness continued.
By this point, my counselor no longer wanted my mom in the room during my sessions.
In fact, she started to refuse to speak with my mom regarding my prescription drug plan.
She convinced me this was best for my wellbeing.
I now know this was a strong sign that things were not right.
Having an advocate for your health care plan can be key to your wellbeing.
- An advocate for you can be a parent, guardian, someone close to you, a friend, etc.
- Anyone who can look out for your best interest especially when it comes to your health care plan.
- Someone who can ask the needed questions.
- A person that will notice things regarding your health that you may not see.
Remember:
- At times like mine, you may not be able to think or comprehend information for yourself.
- Your health care provider may not be providing accurate information.
- You may not truly understand everything the health care provider is telling you.
All the things that went wrong that could have been prevented:
- My counselor switched my prescription immediately from one drug to the next.
- I was never told of a possible withdrawal from the original drug, Lexapro, which I was taking for seven months.
- Lexapro should not be stopped suddenly.
- Zoloft was prescribed without the overall interaction of the other drugs taken into consideration.
- My counselor advised me to cut Zoloft in half.
- My dosage was continuously increased and decreased over a period of two months.
- I was advised to abruptly stop taking Zoloft because of my increasingly unwellness.
- Zoloft should not be stopped abruptly.
- I was immediately prescribed a new drug in Zoloft’s place.
We continue our journey weekly, to give you the facts.
Facts that hopefully will provide you with the information we did not have.
Information needed, so you can make a more informative decision for your health care plan.
Weekly Posts Every Friday: Journey Continues
September 8, 2023
Learn more. Live healthier!
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
– Albert Einstein –
FROM THE BLOG
Mom's Story: Journey through Wellness (Part 1)
Mom's Story: Journey through Wellness (Part 2)
Mom's Story: Journey through Wellness (Part 3)
Nikki's Story: Journey into Prescription Drugs
Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
Medical Disclaimer:
We share informational resources that are intended to help you with your self-care plan. We are not professionals. We write based on personal experience and personal research.
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the Website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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