Although you should always read the instructions that come with any medication, new research by Hull ( My hometown) University suggests that dwelling on the side effects can actually increase your risk of suffering from them.
The reason? The old placebo effect - if you think you'll experience something you're more likely to actually feel it.
'While it's essential to be informed about your drugs, it's worth bearing in mind that leaflets have to contain all possible side effects by law. This doesn't mean you'll get them, as each person responds differently.' says psychiatrist Dr Sundari of Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust.
Tracey, I burst out laughing when I read this! My initial symptom - the one that led to my cancer diagnosis - was a swollen right leg. Just prior to the swelling, I had been travelling in countries that required I take malaria meds. When the swelling began, I tried to figure out the cause of it PRIOR to seeing the Doctor - I wanted to go in and provide "informed" information. One of the "rare but potenially fatal" side effects to the malaria was "swollen limbs, particularly the legs and feet." So, with this new knowledge, I went to advise my Doctor that I was suffering side effects from the medication. She looked at me like I was a slow learner, and patiently advised that if it were a side effect, BOTH limbs would be effected. I sheepishly hung my "brilliant" head, and stopped reading all the information that comes with prescriptions!
ReplyDeleteHello Tracey, my daughter in-laws name, same spelling. Here to thank you for coming over to my blog and leaving a comment for me...how I love it when I see a new face.
ReplyDeleteYoungest daughter does that...reads all the side effects and waits with bated breath for them to happen to her.
I will be joining you now.
PACO has been downloaded with more spyware, five different types have been sent for analysis. Now we wait the verdict.
That is really interesting ...
ReplyDelete