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Author Topic: Medication Intolerance  (Read 3602 times)

Ayesha

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Medication Intolerance
« on: March 17, 2023, 04:28:56 PM »

I know there are some of us here who are intolerant to medications,  I get so frustrated when a drug gives so many side effects I have to give up on them.
I remember years ago when I first went on systemic HRT the side effects were awful. I took it upon myself to try taking the meds every other day and it worked brilliantly, no side effects and it cleared up all the symptoms I wanted it to.
When I told the doctor what I was doing she was not happy, in fact very alarming in her response, but doing it my way worked for me for the five years I was on systemic HRT.

Now I have two other new dilemmas, terrible side effects from taking blood pressure meds, I have given up on them today and hope the luck of the Irish is with me, plus healthy eating and exercise!!
Statins is my other dilemma, I absolutely hate taking them, not too bad side effects but don’t like the flutters they are giving me, so I have decided to do every other day, and I won’t be telling a doctor what I am doing, in fact I feel I’m done with doctors!

Really what I want to know is do any of you take meds on alternate days because of intolerance?

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Curlygirl

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2023, 04:35:17 PM »

Hi Ayesha

I am also intolerant to most medication I take and always suffer with side effects from everything.

I am at the moment taking iron tablets every other day. I have also done this with antidepressants and most medications I have to take. This was actually suggested form me by my GP to reduce side effects and it does work

My husband also takes statins and he takes them every other day

Xx
« Last Edit: March 17, 2023, 05:25:48 PM by Curlygirl »
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CLKD

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2023, 04:55:58 PM »

If it works 4 U don't worry.  I vary my anti-depressants depending on how low my mood might B.  At night I take 10mg and 5mg in the morning which enables me.

If low for more than 3 mornings in succession, I add 5mg in the morning.  Betablocaks worked for several years, there are several types.  I was prescribed to ease the early morning cortisol surges.  Propranolol makes my neighbour hyper  ::).

We both take statins with no side effects.  Had I suffered I would have stopped them.  The other drugs that I cannot tolerate are anything with 'Co-' in the title, i.e. Co-codamol.  As well as ABs, I've never taken a full course as it upsets my gut.

GPs should be learning from their patients ? 
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getting_old

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2023, 05:34:36 PM »

When I read the title I was assuming you were unable to take the medications at all because of the side effects, as that has happened to me, however if you are able to take the medications every other day then is it worth asking the doctors for a lower dosage because then you are spreading it more evenly?
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Flossieteacake

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2023, 06:19:41 PM »

I too have always been sensitive to medication. When it came to stopping anything it always took me a lot longer then anybody else and Drs were always surprised. I have found it helpful to use a tablet cutter and cut pills in half to get used to them slowly. It sounds like you have found a way that works for you Ayesha.

You mention the luck of the Irish. Happy St Patricks day.  :)
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losttheplot

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2023, 06:43:21 PM »

I have problems with medications too. Some nasty allergic reactions, and some sensitivities too. My reactions vary from hives to jitters or creeping prickles or itches. 
I managed to stick with my blood pressure medication, it made me feel very itchy for the first 5 days, but that gradually wore off. I would say that if you've found a way to tolerate medication by taking every other day then go for it. If the reaction is too much then stop. We are in charge of our own health  :)
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Ayesha

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2023, 08:32:35 PM »

Thanks so much ladies for your responses, exactly what I was hoping for.  It’s not easy finding your own way of doing things and the worry that brings.
I am on a low dose of statins and having to take them on alternate days I hope my body gets used to them in time. All the latest research on statins is very positive and as I have given up on the blood pressure meds, I think I should keep with them.

Flossieteacake, thank you for the St Patrick’s Day wishes, gone are the days when it used to involve a few drinks and a good old pub crawl. Now it’s a cup of tea and the telly  ;D


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CLKD

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2023, 08:48:14 PM »

Statins lower the risk of sudden stroke.  DH and I have had no side effects at all. 
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Ju Ju

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2023, 06:44:47 AM »

My daughter is allergic to dairy and eggs. She finds it an uphill battle to get medication without lactose in it. It’s not taken seriously by doctors. She’s told what’s in it won’t affect her. Oh yes it does! Violently! She can’t have the normal flu jab and they never got hold of the one without egg in it for her. Fortunately the Covid vaccine was safe for her.   
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Wrensong

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2023, 10:40:54 AM »

Like Flossieteacake I've had to get creative with a tablet splitter over the years & find these invaluable.  In fact, I've amassed a vast collection of these great little devices, as some proved too blunt to be much use.   Initially used for Liothyronine, which is a very powerful medication a small subset of hypothyroid patients need, that for years was only available in the UK in tiny 20 mcg tablets it was necessary to quarter.

When I know there's the possibility of starting any new medication I search for it on the web beforehand to see what forms & doses it comes in so I can ask for tablets as opposed to capsules if need be & to start on the lowest dose & if it seems sensible, to halve that.  So I second getting_old's suggestion of splitting tablets & taking daily instead of alternate days if this is an option for you, as this consistency may present less of a challenge for your body to maintain stability.

Being a small adult I think can be one reason standard doses may be too much for some of us - I'm more or less young teen size & was shocked when as an inpatient in my late 50s I questioned an admirably vigilant student nurse who brought me only 1.5 paracetamol for post-op pain, instead of the standard adult dose of 2 that I'd taken when needed all my adult life.  She'd taken my 17-ish BMI into account & told me the computer says 1.5 is the max dose for someone your size  :o.  I now never take more than 1.5 at a time!

Also as we age, our bodies may become less efficient at processing medication, so I think it makes sense to pay attention to what they may be trying to tell us.  Getting medics to accept a side effect is intolerable or too great a trade off, can be another challenge, adding unhelpful stress into the equation.

When I read through this thread before posting it struck me as a very good & touching example of what the ladies of MM do so well - it's supportive, helpful & caring  :)
Wx
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Ayesha

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2023, 01:20:44 PM »

Your post resonates with me, Wrensong. Oh those blank stares you get when you mention side effects to medics, like your some mad women who's opinion does not matter and what do you mean side effects, as if they had never heard of the words. 

Being youngish at the time I decided to take my systemic HRT on alternate days and I have never forgotten the telling off I got from my GP. But by doing it my way it meant no more breast cysts and no more soreness, I was able to carry on for a further five years with no menopause symptoms.

I am also a very small person and I wonder if that's the reason intolerance to meds comes in. My alternate day statins is working well for me and as from today will be halving my tablet to take daily and then to progress onto daily full dose. 


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Wrensong

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Re: Medication Intolerance
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2023, 09:06:11 AM »

Yes Ayesha, perhaps as with me your small size may have had a bearing on your reactions to various medications.  Sounds like you're doing well, taking it gradually.  I hope it enables you to go to the full prescribed dose in time.
Wx
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