When living with a chronic illness you start collecting medical experts to help you through the chaotic roller coaster of your illness and in making a wellness plan. I am going to talk about one of the important team members that I rely on when it comes to my medications, that is my pharmacist. I take a lot of medications for my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Vasculitis, and Tracheal Stenosis and Diabetes. A few of them are even chemo medications.
Recently, I got a new medication called Benzonatate. I’ve never heard of this medication. Because of my recent experience in the hospital because of having bacteria in my trachea and lungs, my lungs seized up on me because of they were dried up. While at the hospital they tried a new medication which was the Benzonatate and it worked for me.
I cough a lot. A lot is an understatement. I cough more than I talk and that is saying a lot. It is bothersome to me, but I have learned to live with this bit of my illness journey. I thought there was nothing that could be done about it. Previously I tried Mucinex and it dried me up so much to where it affected my breathing. This new medication does not. I love not coughing so much and getting my ab workout, in that manner. Yes, I still cough, but it isn’t constant and that is a relief to me.
Because my insurance does not cover this medication and because Walmart has reasonable prices for their medications I was able to buy it out of pocket and I have this experience at home. It cost me $18.
A pharmacist is a valuable part of anyone’s medical team because they advise your doctor on medications they want to prescribe and they also keep watch and track of your medications. If there is an interaction between medications then they alert you and the doctor. A Pharmacist goes to school for 6 years to get their degree. Their primary study is in medications and managing medications. It is important to have a great relationship with your pharmacist because your doctor does not know medications like the pharmacist does (no matter what the doctor might think and I will explain this later). The doctor doesn’t have the time or skills to keep track of all the information on medications and drug reaction and interactions. My pharmacist, James, is a wonderful man who has patiently answered my questions and even protected me from having drug reactions.
A year ago, I was taking a medication where I could not take NSAIDs because it interacted with this medication. My pain management doctor and I had a discussion about it. He told me that I was wrong about a medication he wanted me to take, he didn’t see anything about reactions with NSAIDs in the text and even made a show of reading for information. I told him point blank that I had read the paperwork that came with my medication and I believe what my pharmacist told me. He didn’t appreciate my opinion. I did not continue arguing to that only that because I believed the pharmacist. While I was waiting for my ride home the doctor came out and apologized to me and said that I was right. I appreciate that my doctor admitted he was wrong and apologized. I’m telling you this story because even though your doctors are capable, and I have quite a few of them on my wellness team, I want you to know that it is okay to question them and to advocate for yourself.
It is important to have more than one expert on your wellness team. The members of your team might disagree, and clash, and even differ in their information, but when you are chronically ill, it is vital that you listen to them all. It is also important to discern the information and talk to them as people and not as someone who has authority over you. Your medical team works for you and it is okay to question them. It is okay to listen to the pharmacist and to the doctor at the same time and do what is best for yourself. I have respect for all of my medical team. I have a great respect for my pharmacy and my pharmacists at Walmart because they keep me healthy and strong and informed.
I hope you will talk to your pharmacist and learn how to take your medications safely. You can never be too informed.
The Wellness Works NW Team wants to be part of your wellness team. If you would like help with meal planning, wellness goals, and corrective exercises please Contact Us.
Here are some links I would like to share with you:
- Stop – Learn – Go: Tips for Talking with Your Pharmacist to Learn How to Use Medicines Safely by U.S. Food & Drug Administration Staff
- Walmart Pharmacy Online by Walmart Staff
- What does a pharmacist do? by Iowa College of Pharmacy Staff
- Image Credit: A man consulting his pharmacist by Rhoda Baer on Free Stock Photos
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Jamie Holloway is a co-owner of Wellness Works NW and she is also our Research Manager and writes our Chasing Wellness with Jamie Holloway and Dear Jamie columns. Jamie is also an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. She lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing. If you would like to help support Jamie’s writing efforts please Donate now.
