Anxiety about new medications.

Hey @rubywitch67, I realize starting a new medication can be unsettling.

Besides your controlled heart condition, can you tell me what your trepidation is with taking these two medicines?

Thanks for asking, Amanda. I wish I had a more intelligent answer that would explain my anxiety about new meds........besides the one I'm about to give you. I'm into my 70's now, but came of age in the '60's. And yes, that DOES mean I took some "street" drugs that left me terrified. The one and only positive result of THAT was I never took them again. But it obviously made a hell of an impression since 50 years later my first thought is still "will this new drug make me feel weird?" I was asking about the muscle relaxant class of medications which I've never been given before and have this need to know what to expect from them, the common/normal side effects. (I know I mentioned both Tizanidine and Baclofen and please know these meds were NOT prescribed to me at the same time! Tizanidine was a couple years ago, too scared to take it. The Baclofen was given to me about 2 weeks ago for chronic cervicogenic headaches, and I have yet to take one.) I also know how stupid I'm being. My doctor is trying so hard to help me and I'm being a complete ass. A couple years ago I had to start taking a blood thinner and I went through this same ordeal until my doctor had a "little chat" with me. I have now been taking my blood thinner for almost 4 years with absolutely no horrid side effects and the benefit of my stroke anxiety being almost at zero. My "thing" is...........doctors don't take these medications. WE DO. And I like to talk with other people who have taken these same meds and learn what their experience was like. Buddy, can ya spare a dimes worth of knowledge about Baclofen? Thanks so much!

I understand your concern as I am recently on more meds and they contribute to or cause new problems. I am taking2 anti-depressants, fossomax for osteoporosis, Lipitor for cholesterol and losartin for newly developed high bp. Don’t understand where the high bp came from as it doesn’t seem to run in my family and I ride a bicycle 100-150 miles per week. So at my recent physical I had high potassium, elevated liver numbers and I am always battling constipation. (taking Trulance) Fossomax and losartin have potassium from what I’ve read and I am sure all these pills are contributing to my bowel problems. Sometimes I want to quit all of them! But I know that would not be a good thing. Sigh….. I am 68, soon to be 69. So this is what old age is gonna be like. More of this.

@rubywitch67
Please don't call yourself stupid for having reservations about new meds. I share your trepidation because side effects are real. I have a friend who took Eloquis and partially lost her vision, yet my father took the same meds with no ill effects.
I have another friend who takes Tizanidine for reasons similar to yours and I think she started off taking half the recommended dose to get a feel for it. She has adjusted and only takes it at night because it is very sedating.
Some people are more sensitive to drugs than others. I am one. Once I was prescribed 10mg of valium before an MRI. That seemed like a lot to me so I only took half. I could barely walk to the car.
Follow your instincts and do your research. Good luck

@bch72 that statement is so true, everyone is different their systems can vary greatly on how a drug will affect them or not. i have vallum for backup anxiety but have yet to declare that i needed it and my daughter wants me to call her before hand to see if i really need too take it. she talks with her doctor on my meds every change to see if i can get something less in Mg or maybe even an increase. out of three caregivers i am watched like crazy but that's also a good thing at times. catches what i don't see and then asked how i feel is important to define it correctly. thank you for a great post.