Do you take medication?

[SexyPlexi]

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Now that you know what different medications do, do you find yourself taking less of it? Or did anything change at all?

My sister in law is very anti-medication and told me that every pharmacist she knows (which may be like 3) won't take any medication and won't give their kids anything. She didn't even give her 1 year old anything when she had a fever of 103.5. I see her point, but I feel like I would get too worried to do that.

I'm just curious about this.

 

[Pharmavixen]

Now that you know what different medications do, do you find yourself taking less of it? Or did anything change at all?

My sister in law is very anti-medication and told me that every pharmacist she knows (which may be like 3) won't take any medication and won't give their kids anything.

Your sister in law is wrong. Though I kinda like her opinion that pharmacists don't like to take drugs (however wrong it may be). On other discussion boards where most of the posters aren't pharmacists or health care professionals of any sort, people have told me that pharmacists are legal drug pushers. I explain that pharmaceutical care means we tell people when NOT to take drugs, and that I have stopped many folks from taking something that could have been unfortunate for them. But it seems to go in one ear and out the other.

In my experience, pharmacists, like doctors, are human. Sometimes they follow their own advice, sometimes not.

 

[nerv12345]

i stopped taking medication (unecessarily) years ago when i JUST started taking pharmacy pre-reqs

i think it's so ridiculous and unnecessary how people pop an advil over a headache...justget over it!
i also don't take any flu/cold medication...even when i have a bacterial infection (yellow mucous)..it goes away within a few days

that's as *serious* as my medical conditions get, so i guess i can't speak for much

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Coming into school I took nothing, now I take Adderall, Advair, and albuterol. School certainly didn't didn't dissuade me from drugs.

 

[AngelaCL]

I take Prilosec and Trivora - if I don't take one I get terrible heartburn and if I don't take the other a parasite starts forming in my uterus. I don't fill my prescription at my own pharmacy though - I don't think it's my boss's business.

 

[soyroger]

Sounds like someone taking what's right for them and trying to translate that into everyone else's lives. The question of whether or not to take medications simply needs to be evaluated on an individual basis, which anyone can comprehend even those naive to pharmacy and its practice. If she understood that then she wouldn't make such erroneous blanket statements.

 

[Lurkerkat]

even when i have a bacterial infection (yellow mucous)..it goes away within a few days

First, yellow mucus is usually normal with an URI and does not mean that you have an infection. Second if anyone actually has a bacterial infection they shouldn't just wait a few days for it to clear up. They should be referred on to their physician for antibiotics.

 

[njac]

I take medications that I have legitimate needs for.

I don't think medication is the answer to everything but I think it's naive and possibly a little stupid (disseminated strep could kill one of her babies or at least maim it for life with some rheumatic heart disease) to completely refuse to use them.

 

[Priapism321]

First, yellow mucus is usually normal with an URI and does not mean that you have an infection. Second if anyone actually has a bacterial infection they shouldn't just wait a few days for it to clear up. They should be referred on to their physician for antibiotics.

Strong words from an opinionated 2011'er....so tell me, how does one know if they have a true bacterial infection within a "few days" of symptomatic onset?

 

[Old Timer]

My sister in law is very anti-medication and told me that every pharmacist she knows (which may be like 3) won't take any medication and won't give their kids anything. She didn't even give her 1 year old anything when she had a fever of 103.5. I see her point, but I feel like I would get too worried to do that. I'm just curious about this.

Is your sister in law related to Dr. Mengele? Does she enjoy watching her children suffer? If they break a bone will she deny them morphine in the ER? There is no point in denying palliative treatment to a child. It's cruel. I am a a minimalist when it comes to medication. Every day I try to convince people that _______ Cold or ______ Flu or ______ Cold and Sinus are a waste of time. But withholding Tylenol from a child with fever at 103.....

 

[SexyPlexi]

She goes to this chiropractor that tells her all this stuff...she doesn't get her vaccinated either. She is quite convincing, but my logic tells me that isn't a good idea. Hopefully after I go through Pharmacy school I will have a better idea of what to give or not give my future children.

 

[firefighter9015]

I actually take more medicine now then I did before pharmacy school (I am now a hypertensive 20 year old since starting pharmacy school 🙁 ) but I don't worry about it, because I better understand my medicine, and if need be I know how to find information about it. I also understand the importance of taking medicine.

Overall, I think that I am a more wise user of medication than I have ever been

P.S if I rambled, I had a kinetics and therapeutics exams today 🙁

 

[Lurkerkat]

Strong words from an opinionated 2011'er....so tell me, how does one know if they have a true bacterial infection within a "few days" of symptomatic onset?

You're right with this statement and I need to turn down the know-it-all-ism. I knee jerked and for all I know the poster had other symptoms beyond yellow sputum or had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection.

Running a high fever (over 101-102F), may be indicative a bacterial infection. It's possible to have a temperature that high with a viral infection, but usually it's only a low grade fever. If there's any facial pain then it might be indicative sinusitis. Other than that none that I know or I could dig up.

 

[Old Timer]

She goes to this chiropractor that tells her all this stuff...she doesn't get her vaccinated either. She is quite convincing, but my logic tells me that isn't a good idea. Hopefully after I go through Pharmacy school I will have a better idea of what to give or not give my future children.

Heck make sure she knows when measles, mumps and polio come back, she and *****S like her will be fully responsible. In the mean time, I hope she believes in home schooling because they won't be going to any public school without being vaccinated.

 

[Moxxie]

Yes I take medication - I have one daily maintenance med and PNVs. I'm definitely more careful with OTCs since I started pharmacy school. I used to pop a whole bunch of PSE or naproxen when I was feeling stuffed up or had a little bit of knee pain. Now I tough it out more and my symptoms don't seem to really last much longer. I agree, however, that it's a little unreasonable to deny a child with a fever tylenol.

I know a lot of other pharmacy students that are pretty anti-medication. They tend to also be very judgemental when it comes to pain management (i.e. everyone with a script for oxycontin is a drug abuser). But some of my other friends have actually started taking more medications since they started pharmacy school - one girl I know is now in much better control of her asthma/allergies, and I know a lot of people that use propranolol for test anxiety.

 

[BMBiology]

I dont take any medications and although some drugs are very effective like antibiotics and pain medications, I believe most americans are just looking for a quick fix by taking medications and don't take care of the underlying problems.

 

[Hpower12]

I pop them like candy. I take more having been in pharm school. I know that there are things out there to treat symptoms that I didn't know where out there. I also feel confident to know that many otc things anyone off the street could walk in and take them, including 80 yo ladies. so me being a young healthy male, I feel very safe. And many Rx meds, I know that many of them were tested on a population made to represent the general pop and I again feel like I am healthier and in better shape than everyone else so I don't think I will be the one to experience any strange side effects.

 

[bananaface]

I started taking gummi bear vitamins instead of regular vitamins. Now I remember to take them and no longer have outdated vitamins in my kitchen cupboard.

 

[evilolive]

She goes to this chiropractor that tells her all this stuff...she doesn't get her vaccinated either.

I think that is her problem.

 

[Moxxie]

I started taking gummi bear vitamins instead of regular vitamins. Now I remember to take them and no longer have outdated vitamins in my kitchen cupboard.

I started taking 2 children's chewable vitamins instead of my PNVs - they taste better and don't make me nauseous. I was taking extra B vitamins for a while to try to stave off morning sickness, but the vitamins themselves were making me throw up, so it was rather counter-productive.

 

[Old Timer]

I started taking 2 children's chewable vitamins instead of my PNVs - they taste better and don't make me nauseous. I was taking extra B vitamins for a while to try to stave off morning sickness, but the vitamins themselves were making me throw up, so it was rather counter-productive.

Make sure you are getting enough folic acid. I don't know what the latest shows, but it used to be 1mg per day to prevent neural tube defects....

 

[eelo]

Fever in and of itself in a child is not necessarily bad. I was taught that you should treat the symptoms, not the fever. If a child has a fever but is otherwise acting normally, there's no need to treat unless symptoms worsen (of course, watch the child closely for change in condition). However, if the child is lethargic, feeling 'punk,' or in discomfort or distress from the fever, then treat it.

 

[evilolive]

I remember reading an article showing several prescription folic acid supplements that were failing proper dissolution for maximal upper GI absorbtion. Does anyone know much about this?

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

You're right with this statement and I need to turn down the know-it-all-ism. I knee jerked and for all I know the poster had other symptoms beyond yellow sputum or had been diagnosed with a bacterial infection.

Running a high fever (over 101-102F), may be indicative a bacterial infection. It's possible to have a temperature that high with a viral infection, but usually it's only a low grade fever. If there's any facial pain then it might be indicative sinusitis. Other than that none that I know or I could dig up.

I think what priapism means is that antibiotics is not anti pyrtec. . . , and not talking about what it is indicated for.

 

[twester]

I starting taking loratadine a few months ago when I realized that the constant upper respiratory irritation I was experiencing in the winter months for all of my adult life was actually allergic. I've had the first illness-free winter in many years. I think the increased inflammation and tissue damage caused by allergies made me susceptible to other infections. It seems I've solved the problem by addressing the fundamental issue.

I try to limit my use of ibu these days. And I've started taking a multivitamin. I've stopped smoking and I eat quite a bit better than I was. I even get more exercise. (Could that be why I'm not sick this winter? Nah, I'm still sticking with the allergies.)

Pharm school has done more for me, so far, than it has for any patients.

 

[Moxxie]

Make sure you are getting enough folic acid. I don't know what the latest shows, but it used to be 1mg per day to prevent neural tube defects....

Yup! I am making sure to get enough folic acid, Ca++, all that good stuff 🙂 That's why I'm taking 2 flintstones instead of one. My OB says it's fine.

 

[soyroger]

She goes to this chiropractor that tells her all this stuff...she doesn't get her vaccinated either. She is quite convincing, but my logic tells me that isn't a good idea. Hopefully after I go through Pharmacy school I will have a better idea of what to give or not give my future children.

Both your posts make her seem like the type of person who hears one small warning and interprets it as the end of world. She's probably got a blog about how bad vaccines are, maybe even the one my wife showed me when she thought about not vaccinating our daughter or the one discussed here a couple months ago about the homeopathic chiropractor who was the lady's PCP. It was full of stupidity like "vaccines reduce the energy in the body and then the body has to take the head's energy to make up for it" and other ignorant comments. These people just make our lives harder when it comes to convincing others that when used correctly drugs can make a person's life much better.

Don't back down no matter how convincing she may seem. There are plenty of people who talk about subjects they know nothing about with a voice of authority. Just tell her that although drugs can be harmful when taken in the wrong way/time/dose/etc it doesn't mean all drug use is bad. Water can even kill you (ie, hold you pee for a wii) but we're not going to stop drinking it.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I think what priapism means is that antibiotics is not anti pyrtec. . . , and not talking about what it is indicated for.

Tylenol is an antipyretic, but I'd rather take IBU.

Here's my list (I know y'all care 🙄):
Clarinex- often
Allegra- on occasion
generic Flonase- sometimes, but it's mostly seasonal
Sudafed- colds, congestion
Chlortrimeton- quick relief during colds
Benadryl- insomnia due to a cold
IBU- pain
Viactiv multivitamin- when I remember
Adora chocolate supplement- when I remember
(I hate Claritin and Zyrtec.)

 

[tussionex]

i'm lost without my allegra-d.

flonase seasonally.

ibu/tylenol for pain. even post tooth-extraction, nothing stronger. don't like to be gorked out; would rather be in pain!

and the pill.

 

[Farmercyst]

Tylenol is an antipyretic, but I'd rather take IBU.

Here's my list (I know y'all care 🙄):
Clarinex- often
Allegra- on occasion
generic Flonase- sometimes, but it's mostly seasonal
Sudafed- colds, congestion
Chlortrimeton- quick relief during colds
Benadryl- insomnia due to a cold
IBU- pain
Viactiv multivitamin- when I remember
Adora chocolate supplement- when I remember
(I hate Claritin and Zyrtec.)

Wow, someones got a problematic proboscis. Like Clarinex, but hate Claritin??

So far, as a lowly P-1, I still avoid meds for the most part, but my wife and kids get as much as they feel is necessary. I'm more cautious with them and acetaminophen than I would otherwise be. For those I see at healthfairs I generally encourage lifestyle modification as primary and medications as secondary for HTN, controlling diabetes, and preventing osteoporosis. Those are the three diseases I've been able to counsel patients on at healthfairs.

 

[lvp0021]

Pharmacy school stresses me out to the bone. I came in as healthy as a bull and now I've been taking PPI, NSAID and occasionally antidepressants (with legal rx of course). I try to refrain as much as possible most of the time. But sometimes, you just can't go without them. Imagine giving a presentation and your heartburn just jumps up your throat every second. Also, most people I know in pharmacy school seem to feed on caffein or diet coke. I myself have to admit that I'm an starbuckoholic. 😀

 

[BMBiology]

^NSAIDs and caffeine don't go well with GERD. I remember this one obese woman who complained about the cost of aciphex but that didn't stop her from purchasing chocolates, beef sticks, chips.

 

[lvp0021]

^NSAIDs and caffeine don't go well with GERD. I remember this one obese woman who complained about the cost of aciphex but that didn't stop her from purchasing chocolates, beef sticks, chips.

What would you do with the migrain and "somnolence" occuring during the week of 4-5 exams then?😉

 

[BMBiology]

What would you do with the migrain and "somnolence" occuring during the week of 4-5 exams then?😉

APAP for migraine and plenty of natural sleep. Okay fine, that's probably not going to happen. Have you tried vitamin Bs? I, sometimes, recommend the 5 hour energy drink but in addition to Vitamin Bs, it also contains caffeine.

http://www.5hourenergy.com/

Caffeine can increase the effectiviness of pain meds in treating headache (e.g. excedrin) but caffeine, especially if you drink a lot of it, can also cause rebound headache.

 

[dgroulx]

Because of pharmacy school, I understand my cholesterol problem and now make sure that I take my medication. I was prescribed it in the past, but didn't see the need to take it on a regular basis. I had gallstones as a child and finally had my gall bladder removed at the age of 16. I kept the gallstones in my medicine cabinet for years until the little balls of cholesterol disintegrated. As a pharmacist, I now counsel patients on the importance of certain medications.

I also sympathize with many (not all) pain management patients. I have bone spurs and a herniated disc in my cervical spine and a herniated disc in my lumbar spine. So far, I have not taken any narcotic pain meds. NSAIDS do not help the pain at all. I do take Soma, 3 to 4 times a day. Otherwise, the muscle spasms won't allow me to turn my head or move my arms without a great deal of pain. I learned a lot about pain management while in school. I know that once I start on narcotic pain meds that I will need higher doses with time. So far, I have decided not to go down that road. But, being in constant pain sucks.

 

[firefighter9015]

What would you do with the migrain and "somnolence" occuring during the week of 4-5 exams then?😉

I had the same problem in school. I talked to my doctor about my headaches (which had been occuring before pharmacy school, but increased in severity and frequency) and after he ruled out other causes, he prescribede Imitrex to use as needed. I usually only use it during exam weekend (at UK we are on blocks) and maybe one or 2 other times during a month. It has been a lifesaver, because before I would either end up having to sleep all day to get it to go away, or end up in the ER with them giving me shots of pain meds.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Wow, someones got a problematic proboscis. Like Clarinex, but hate Claritin??

So far, as a lowly P-1, I still avoid meds for the most part, but my wife and kids get as much as they feel is necessary. I'm more cautious with them and acetaminophen than I would otherwise be. For those I see at healthfairs I generally encourage lifestyle modification as primary and medications as secondary for HTN, controlling diabetes, and preventing osteoporosis. Those are the three diseases I've been able to counsel patients on at healthfairs.

Yeah. I'm congested right now 😛. I sneeze every day at the beginning of class when they blast the heater in the lecture auditorium.

I've only tried the generic Claritin, so maybe that has something to do with it. I'll use it if it's my last option.
Clarinex has always worked, but I don't have any solid evidence as to why. A few years ago, my symptoms weren't alleviated with Claritin and Zyrtec. Maybe it was coincidental, or maybe I expected it to work faster.

 

[pharmboy30]

anti-depressants FTW!

 

[117296]

Nothing but a GNC multivitamin.

Not that I've got anything against scripts. It's just that I'm healthy. *knocks on wood*