would you ever stop taking a medicine without telling your doctor?

@AnnaB7 (756)
United States
July 7, 2008 11:15am CST
If the doctor prescribed you medicine then you looked up the side effects would you stop taking that medication even if it seemed to be helping you if the side effects could be very serious. ANd if you did stop taking the medicine the doctor wanted you to take would you tell your doctor.
2 responses
Wizzywig
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
7 Jul 08
I would definitely let the doctor know. My doctor prescribed some medication for me but, once I got it from the chemist i was unsure about it. I didnt start taking it. I discussed it with my doctor, he listened to my concerns and I didnt take it. I wanted to make a fully informed decision about it and it just seemed like common courtesy to tell the doctor. the meds that I do take warn against stopping without medical advice.
1 person likes this
Wizzywig
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
7 Jul 08
My meds are also for my blood pressure - so I would strongly suggest that you dont stop without getting medical advice. (do you have a practice nurse or local drop-in clinic?) I am able to buy an annual pre-payment certificate for my prescriptions in the UK which works out cheaper than the individual prescription cost. (We have a standard charge per item irrespective of how much the particular meds cost) Take care
1 person likes this
cher913
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
7 Jul 08
absolutely and i have done this. i have asthma and also very arthritic knees and most anti inflamitory pills harm asthma, so i would rather not risk it. i have also taken some and it has not helped, so i have stopped taking them.
1 person likes this
AnnaB7
@AnnaB7 (756)
• United States
7 Jul 08
so many medicines have serious side effects it makes me wonder sometimes if the risks out weigh the benifits, for really real, sometimes it is hard to decide about things like that. I just am very uncertain when it comes to long term medications.