dimanche 2 avril 2017

When medication can cause body damage

So this is part of what has been going on in my life lately. I have been dealing with bad acid reflux for years. I have been on prescription strength Nexium for 5 or so years.

I was told it was safe long term. But now studies are coming out saying that it might cause kidney damage and memory issues. One of my fellow students is a Nurse that has a job with pharmaceuticals. He said the studies can be seriously flawed. So, at first I didn't worry. But more and more studies have come out. It was when one was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association when I decided there really might be a danger.

So, I went for tests for my kidneys. All is fine. I have had memory issues lately. But I think it has more to do with lack of sleep and hormones for a woman my age. And anxiety issues.

But this really freaked me out. So I am weaning myself off of the Nexium. Using a less damaging medication. Changing my diet. Looking into weight loss programs. Natural remedies.

So, why am I bringing this up here? Because this forum is very pro western medicine and very critical of natural medicine. But Western medicine isn't perfect. I was on this medicine for years being told it was absolutely safe. Some doctors are still saying that, while others are saying it is concerning and it is a good idea to get off of it.

So, I was wondering if anyone else had any concerns about medication risks. Bad side effects. How have people weighed the potential benefits vs risks when deciding on medications?

Do we have an over reliance on medicine? Western medicine? I am down the middle on the issue. I believe some natural remedies can be helpful. And I believe in Western medicine. I think both have flaws and both have benefits.

Fore exanple- I am taking one longer term mediciation that seems safer as I wean myself off the Nexium. but I am also trying a folk remedy. A lot of people on forums for acid reflux say apple cider vinegar has helped them control the problem. It seems safe enough to give it a go. Too early to say if it is helping though.

I hear people's criticims of natural remedites. But it seems people give western medicine a pass on its flaws and dangers at the same time here.

Yes, this ia a bit of a vent/ I am angry that I risked kidney damage. And most of all that some Dcctors are ignoring the latest evidence while others are paying attention to it.


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