subject: Getting Your Doctor In On Your Medication Schedule [print this page] If you take a lot of medications, you're probably pretty familiar with your family doctor. He or she will tell you what medications you need to be on for what problems you have with your health. Your doctor will probably also be willing to help you create a medication schedule that works around your schedule for the rest of your life. By working together with your doctor, you'll be able to better keep track of prescriptions and doctor's appointments.
If you've already made a medication schedule on a piece of paper or developed one online, it's a good idea to take it in to your doctor to see what can be altered to better suit your health. Some medicines are better for you when taken at night, especially if they cause nausea the first few hours, because you can sleep off any unwanted side effects and still have the medicinal qualities that will help you with your health conditions. Your doctor can also see what medications your taking and prevent you from taking multiple medications that have adverse effects on one another.
Your doctor might prescribe you a medicine and not realize that you're already taking one that isn't good with the new one. Showing your doctor a medicine schedule will eliminate this problem. You can also set up with your doctor reminders so that you know when to refill your medications. There might also be pictures included with the schedule that show you what the medicine looks like so you don't take the wrong one.
If you don't have a medicine schedule, your doctor might be able to show you a program online or have a schedule that works for other patients. You can create the schedule at your doctor's office with his or her help to ensure that you are taking the right medications. You can also ask your doctor about over the counter medicines that can be taken with the prescriptions you're already on.
While doctors are busy, you shouldn't feel awkward or nervous to ask them to sit down with you and go over your medications. Many people use the internet nowadays to self-diagnose their problems instead of trusting the doctors who have gone through extensive education and training to know symptoms, medications, and side effects. You won't be able to diagnose yourself as well as your doctor can, but only you can fully describe the symptoms your feeling. In the same sense, if you're taking a certain medication, you shouldn't be afraid to contact your doctor about any adverse side effects you may be feeling.
Set up a medication schedule and keep your doctor notified with how everything is working out for you. If you're just starting out taking a new set of medications, it can seem overwhelming, but by seeking advice and help from the trained professionals, you will soon get into a routine that works with your busy lifestyle.
