Be Informed About Your Meds!

Over and over I read posts here and on other boards about people (including myself) who have side effects (ranging from mild to serious) from AD meds.  I am not advocating to anyone that they stop their meds, let me get that straight...I just want everyone to be informed.  Docs don't know all of the side effects of these meds or sometimes they don't even know all of the interactions if you're taking other meds.  This is where we have to do our own homework.  At least this is what I do before taking any new med.  

Due to too many bad experiences and side effects, personally, I no longer will take ADs...but I do take a med for sleep and just recently started a med for anxiety.  I always research any new med for myself in the internet...I also look up any possible drug-drug interactions.  There are several sites for this if you just type that in your search engine and then follow the directions.  I've caught things my docs have missed!  (But remember I go to the VA for my healthcare.....)

I'm just saying be informed.  Big pharma has a huge influence on docs these days so it's up to us, the consumers, to protect ourselves.  Meds can do great things...but they can also do great harm.  Take care all.

[wait2long]

i agree!  education is the key..it really is...
with the amount of information provided on the internet...there is no reason to be uninformed about ANY medication...and it is MY responsibility to research ANYTHING that goes into my body before i make the decision to take it or not...

[Hensley258]

I agree. People really need to do a little research before taking what their doctor prescribes them. I have been lucky in the sence that my P-doc is a real stickler about reviewing all possibe side effect with me. I respect him for that.

I think the reason some doctors do not cover all possible side effect with AD medication is because they worry that their patient may not take the medication at all. Or maybe it's because they are worried that their patiens will get parinoid about their medication which could raise anxiety levels.

I just Google any new med I take and can always find a wealth of info about it online.