Self Medicating

[Reykua]

Hello everyone,

Is it just me or is self medicating becoming a 'thing' lately.

I've recently been in the company of people who are actively self medicating for a variety of reasons.

Some because they are not able to see their GPs in good time, others because they think a certain medication they Used to get from their GP worked and works much better for them than what they're currently being prescribed, one even explained that they Believed their GP's diagnosis was incorrect and since taking these 'meds' - often suggested by friends or family who may have similar symptoms, have started to feel much better.

Although worrying, these people appear to be doing well - a few are even doing better than me....especially as they appear to still go to their GPs (without telling them what their up to) and appear to have regular blood/urine tests for reassurance.

Because of my multiple conditions I'm terrified to take the risk and yet I'm always complaining my meds are not working. Perhaps it's something I should start to consider.....

[Reykua]

Thank you. Will follow up and ask at my surgery. I'm booked in to see the GP for a Medication Review. Will keep you update.

[Bananas5]

If people are self medicating on prescription drugs...where are they getting them from?

GPs will only prescribed enough meds to last one month, 2 for some drugs and others only 2 weeks. Certainly the really strong ones it is 2 weeks.

So when you self medicate you are going to run out early.

Any good surgery will pick up how many times you put in your script and question you.

[bantam12 in reply to Bananas5]

They buy online from abroad and in some countries meds that are prescription only here can be bought over the counter, thyroid sufferers are having to buy their own hormone replacement as docs over here have been told not to prescribe it.

[Reykua in reply to bantam12]

Yes, one of my friends buys Levothyroxine all the way from Ghana - her family sends it over regularly for her.

[Bananas5 in reply to bantam12]

Guess I was thinking more along pain meds as in dihydrocodeine, Oxycontin etc

x

[bantam12 in reply to Bananas5]

I imagine most meds are available from somewhere or other in the world but possibly not genuine.

[Reykua in reply to bantam12]

Hmmmm. Actually, the UK is one of the only countries that doesn't sell most mediation over the counter - even the strongest and strangest. You might recall that many American 'stars' are hooked on strong pain meds, up to and including Propofol.

[Reykua in reply to Bananas5]

Yes, even those can be purchased from the 'right sources'. They often cost much more than they would if sold 'legally' or 'with a prescription. but that hasn't stopped any of them yet - one of them is waiting for Hip Replacement Surgery and purchases Declofenacan - probably not the right spelling and Oxyccontin etc. to manage her pain.

[Bananas5 in reply to Reykua]

Yes anything can be bought at a price but what worries me is the contents of these drugs.

We are now getting into the realms of drug dealers and probably not something to discuss with a GP!

x

[bantam12 in reply to Reykua]

A lot of the pain meds can be bought here by doing an online consultation.

[Bananas5 in reply to bantam12]

Really? I'll stick with growing my happy plants here then

x

[Reykua in reply to Bananas5]

May have to hit you up for some of that - I hear it actually helps.

[Bananas5 in reply to Reykua]

It does. Relaxes the muscles thus helping to relieve pain

x

[spider555 in reply to Bananas5]

My friend in US has oxycontin 🤗

[Bananas5 in reply to spider555]

You can pretty much get anything in US. Fentanyl is the latest and they open the slow release patches to get the drug to take in one go.

Not a pretty sight

x

[Reykua in reply to Bananas5]

Wow - that's serious but not surprising. Most of my friends' 'prescriptions' are filled in America or Europe.

[deejames in reply to bantam12]

That could be dangerous. No regulation around the content of the medication. When we get into buying anti biotics then it can be seen where some of the antibiotic crisis is stemming from.

We do know our bodies better than anyone but unless you have a degree in pharmacy then it's playing with fire or a least wasting money.

Dee

[Reykua in reply to deejames]

Oh most people in developing countries have been misusing Antibiotics for decades. It was unusual for some to go to the doctors and come away without some - indeed, many would Demand some. The antibiotic crisis has been real for generations and it doesn't help that much of it comes from our food - poultry, cattle etc. Even some of the GM crops are grown with some antibacs.

[deejames in reply to Reykua]

Yes the farming industry is a big culprit but only because the demand for more am more cheap meat has resulted in factory farming methods that require antibiotics to keep the animals 'healthy ' once they are krpt in such unnatural crowded conditions.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Self medicating is definitely not to be recommended.

Purchasing drugs online is a dangerous game ... you could be buying anything. Just because a site says it is selling a certain drug ... there is the possibility that you are actually getting something different. Or they are using other ingredients as fillers etc. You are also at risk of accidental overdose etc. Xxx

[Reykua in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Hmmmm. That's definitely true but so far, there appear to be many bona fide chemists willing to supply these goods over the counter and they appear to be the 'real deal'.

[Hidden]

Folks there are so many cranks out there making a living sellings mugs like us fake drugs, it is also illegal to buy drugs online or in a pub! ALL drugs only have a small percentage of the reall maccoy, the rest is aditives and placebos,WHATEVER YOU DO DONT BE TEMPTED, if you are in severe pain then that is what A&E are there for 24/7. I have presented at A&E 3 times in 16 years to get fibro pain under control, they DO help you with prescribed meds run thru a drip over a tested period of time, there is NO NEED to buy from black market.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Hidden]

buying meds online is not illegal but there are meds that you cant buy online legally or without a consultation. Illegal drugs are illegal to buy online.

techadvisor.co.uk/buying-ad...

edit for correct link.

[Reykua in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your great words of caution. I must however say - in defence of my friends, that they don't purchase 'anything' from someone in a pub! From what I can deduce, they're buying from 'recommended' online chemists and sites. So far it all seems rather legit. I'm just concerned that GP's may not be kept in the picture because of our current 'stretched NHS system'

[Mdaisy]

Hi Reykua

I think this culture seems to be increasing and I wonder if it may be due to the problems professionals find making and keeping doctors appointments including the lack of resources we are experiencing within the healthcare in general that could be impacting on this too. Plus of course the discussion about 'Dr Google' that DippyDame started on the community may be also be a factor, link below;

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

I also feel that not only can this 'self medicating' be risky to people's health short term it could bring about long term issues like the recent increased use of antibiotics for instance is not bringing about bugs that are becoming resistant to treatment. Could 'self medicating' cause issues like this to be more prevalent?

As Des mentioned it isn't illegal to buy legal medications online but the NHS Choices always let you know the risks in doing this - link below;

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSs...

From 2015, all online pharmacies must display new logo to show they are operating legally and therefore fulfil criteria to prove this to the regulatory board, see link below;

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

I would say if anyone is considering buying medications online please read the links within this comment and always from a pharmacy meeting criteria as this would probably be the way to do so and be as safe as possible.

I am aware that some are pushed into 'self medicating' in some circumstances after paying for private tests due to misdiagnosis and also down to inadequate NHS tests like Lymes, Thyroid among others.

It's an interesting post and I look forward to reading others opinions on this

Emma

[DippyDame in reply to Mdaisy]

Interesting one Emma....just posted a question about selenium!

I would not take 'prescription type' drugs other than from GP but I am inclined to supplements and those too need to be taken with care.

It's a bit of a minefield especially when we feel unwell and struggling to get some relief!

Take care

DD

[Reykua in reply to DippyDame]

So sorry for the delay in responding - been a bit crook.

Yes. I meant to incude supplements as well so good pick up. We sometimes experiment we all manner of substances we've heard could help - like CBD oil - without checking with our GPs first as to how it may even interact with our prescribed meds. We tend to give supplements a pass cos they're mostly 'natural'.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Reykua]

Yes but peanuts are natural and they can kill. St Johns wort is another to be careful of for some.

[Reykua in reply to desquinn]

Too right. Natural supplements can have very serious repercussions, especcially if they react with your prescribed meds. Lest we forget, Asprin is essentially a 'natural' product, often included in other meds and comes from the Spiraea (found in Willow Bark and other plants around the world). This amazing drug can treat many ailments but is also a 'blood thining agent'.

[Reykua in reply to Mdaisy]

Thank you very much. As I said, it appears to be happening more and more. I myself have followed up a link for purchasing T3. I didn't go through with it but so metimes wish I had. The temptation to do 'whatever' you can within your scope of possibilities to feel better is so strong. Everyone should heed your advise and I'll also share some of the information with my friends.

[robpw]

I think people do it because it’s often easier than visiting a doctor - i just moved to a new town and I need more information to register with a doctor than I do to take out a loan - not sure that anyone’s really going to want to pretend to be me lol