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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bill on June 22, 1999, at 6:33:55
Hi,First wanted to say that I *really* enjoy this website. It's really an invaluable
source for people who need information regarding people's own experience with medications.
(I myself have gotten really great responses from several people over these past months.)
It's gratifying to see so many people who are genuinely concerned about the welfare of others...I have been a little surprised, however, when i see a few folks who seem to
be willing to try, or advocate, self-medication, i.e., start taking drugs without the explicit
recommendation of their own personal physician/psychiatrist. I know that access to doctors is
sometimes difficult (e.g., for financial reasons) and certainly doctors are NOT
infallible. But Dr. Bob's caveat (I believe something to the effect of seeing a physician
before taking any action) is really a good one. Anyway, don't mean at *all* to sound
preachy here. But I get scared when i see people think about mixing and matching drugs
themselves. I myself am not a psychiatrist (although i am a psychologist) but
from all indications as a general rule it's really dangerous to try med options on your own.
Just my opinion....
Posted by Elizabeth on June 22, 1999, at 22:40:27
In reply to dangers of self medication...., posted by Bill on June 22, 1999, at 6:33:55
I tend to agree. I'd do it if I really *had* to, but I know just enough to know how much I don't know, and how bad it could be if something went wrong that I hadn't expected.
I encourage people who want to take meds that aren't available in this country to go through their doctors. There is a way of doing this (my doctor (U.S.) has ordered Manerix from Canada), though there's a little red tape involved.
Posted by paul on June 23, 1999, at 11:03:28
In reply to Re: dangers of self medication...., posted by Elizabeth on June 22, 1999, at 22:40:27
> I tend to agree. I'd do it if I really *had* to, but I know just enough to know how much I don't know, and how bad it could be if something went wrong that I hadn't expected.
>
> I encourage people who want to take meds that aren't available in this country to go through their doctors. There is a way of doing this (my doctor (U.S.) has ordered Manerix from Canada), though there's a little red tape involved.OK, aside from the dangers of self-medication, I would like to counter the argument that it is inherently flawed as a concept, even in the absence of disastrous results. I will be arguing, in part, as a "devil's advocate."
There are certainly many instances in which a person has become more informed about a particular medication or condition than his/her doctor has. Fueled by both an academic pursuit of knowledge and using the unique epistemology by which we know our own bodies/minds, we can sometimes -- and of course we are certainly not infallible -- be the best judge of what medications to take.
What about the patient who, through communicating likes and dislikes, ultimately selects the medication provided by the professional? Is this self-medication, albeit with the help of the doctor?
Doesn't our own way of knowing about our conditions -- direct, subjective experience -- confer an advantage over a professional who gains, at best, a very limited picture of us?
Sure there are problems with widespread self-medication and failing to seek professional help, but I just want to question these issues.
Posted by Elizabeth on June 23, 1999, at 22:15:38
In reply to Re: dangers of self medication...., posted by paul on June 23, 1999, at 11:03:28
Paul,
You bring up an interesting point: doctors do need to listen to us, because we bring in important information too. However, working with a physician and making suggestions, or just plain telling the doctor, "this is what I want to try," is a very different thing from attempting to self-medicate on one's own.
The problem I see is that you and I are not educated enough to deal if something goes wrong - in particular, if a drug interacts with another one or with a condition we have (including metabolic deficiencies). There are also lab tests that are (or may be) required in some cases, and there are certain ways of dealing with the various side effects that may come up. There are probably many other things, but the point is, there's more to taking a medication than just selecting which one to take.
This is the end of the thread.
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