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I'm having multiple odd episodes that are keeping me undiagnosed. Help
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: Oct 19, 2023 | Replies (203)Comment receiving replies
I really believe that 9 times out of 10, it is medications that cause a myriad of health issues. I cannot emphasize enough that one must look up and learn about the side effects of any drug you take. And aim to get replace the drugs with lifestyle changes...where possible. I suffered for a year with coughing fits only to discover that it was the blood pressure medication that was causing them. How did I find out? The doctor never asked, "Oh, btw, do you cough much?". No, I decided to check the side effects of the triamterene & HCTZ and sure enough, COUGHING was a big side effect. Had I known I could have spare myself a year of coughing fits...that actually caused a bladder cystocele that I now have to have operated on. I am telling you, RESEARCH anything and everything you put into your body because it is never without consequences! And you are the only person who is really invested in improving your health. The doctor is not.
Replies to "I really believe that 9 times out of 10, it is medications that cause a myriad..."
@afrobin I agree that we need to research everything, and be our own advocate, but I do think most doctors do want to see your health improve. If your doctor does not, you should find a better doctor.
I have a couple of issues about my PCP but I really do believe he cares about my health. I know when I was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis he went the extra mile and researched to suggest where he thought the best place to go for treatment would be. I think most of my doctors are caring people.
JK
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I certainly agree about medications. It is very worrisome that many people assume over the counter medications "are safe" and "can't hurt them", too... And, in addition, many doctors aren't aware of all the side effects and new research into drug side effects and how some raise risks for serious consequences. One of my pet peeves - proton pump inhibitors ( any of the heartburn/GERD drugs ending in "ozole" like omeprazole.. rabiprazole.... lasoprazole...brand names include Prevacid and Nexium and many others). I know a woman with ongoing off balance problems, frank vertigo that came and went - neurological symptoms.. not once did any doctor suggest her problems could be related to omeprazole. When she stopped the drug, with great difficulty, no more dizziness... when she took it again, symptoms returned. A search of the FDA literature shows dizziness and frank vertigo were side effects reported from the get-go in the initial trials of the drug (placebo controlled). No, not very common but not insignificant when it happens to you.. the drugs now are known to increase risk of heart attack, kidney disease, several cancers, etc...just one example of over the counter "perfectly safe" drugs. Benadryl and other anticholinergic drugs are another worrisome example..