Medication non-adherence

Washington post article about the widespread problem of people not taking their medication properly. Here is the second paragraph.

Physicians, pharmacists and researchers have been frustrated for decades at patients’ inability to follow such simple instructions and remain on their medication regimens. Twenty to 30 percent of prescriptions are never filled, according to research published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, and half of all people do not follow their drug instructions, even when that is critical to keeping them alive. (Lenny Bernstein)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/researchers-are-trying-again-to-help-you-take-your-medicine/2015/09/05/6f26d896-525d-11e5-9812-92d5948a40f8_story.html

Lots of reasons why, and some of those are valid. But, some are not, like a patient who quits a medication after two days, or one who asks a specialist for treatment, and then does not follow his/her instructions by not filling the prescription, only taking it now and then, or halving the dose. Some patients even decide to quit a medication without their doctor's knowledge or okay.

Thoughts?

These statistics surprise me....but then, I'm one who would worry (probably too much) if I wasn't on the same page as the doctor. I'd always have to run it by them before I switched anything up.

I might choose to not take something, but I'd want to make sure they knew that.

Yes, it must be very frustrating for doctors if they don't know what their patients are taking!

You have to understand that doctors are "Medical" technicians - that means that their primary tool is chemicals. If you consult a doctor that is their tool they are taught to use.

Then you have patient expectancy - most patients don't feel treated unless they leave with a prescription.

All allopathic drugs are considered by the body to be toxins and many people don't like the side effects of being poisoned to get the therapeutic effect.

The very cause of fibro also alters the blood/brain barrier making many of us have adverse reactions to drugs.

Even with non drug treatments patient compliance is a major problem - stretching and meditating are not drugs - they work and I hate doing them so often I don't.

I would argue that the primary tool for a physician is not medications, but is their ability to observe and interpret, and then diagnose. Medication is merely an extension of that diagnostic ability.

I agree,Debbie--the stats were very surprising.

We are never going to 'solve' the great medications debate. Everyone is different and has different needs and expectations, as well as ways of viewing the world.

For me, it drives me crazy when people won't take medications and then talk about how bad their pain is. As a specialist myself (NOT medical), I also react poorly to people asking for expert opinions and then ignoring them. It as if the lay-person believes they know more about their condition than the person who is an expert. I know many people will bristle at this, but it is how I feel. It's a common problem in our modern society, with a whole bunch of disciplines, and not just medicine. Notice I say 'condition,' and not 'how I feel.' I know my body and how I feel--a doctor knows more about symptoms and tests, and possible diagnoses. I have recommended this book before but it's germaine to this discussion. How Doctors Think, by Jerome Groopman.

From Dr. Groopman's web-page--

How Doctors Think is a window into the mind of a physician and an insightful examination of the all-important relationship between doctors and their patients. In this myth-scattering work, Jerome Groopman explores the forces and thought processes behind the decisions doctors make. He pinpoints why doctors succeed and why they err. Most important, Groopman shows when and how doctors can - with our help - avoid snap judgments, embrace uncertainty, communicate effectively, and deploy other skills that can profoundly impact our health. (NB-I found three typos in this.-sigh-)

I have had poor doctors, and always given them three visits before trying to find a better one. An educated patient and a decent physician can make a great team. One of things that is necessary in order for this dynamic to be effective is clear communication, trust, and respect.

'Nuff for the moment. I need to rest and recover a bit--just beat my old distance record in cycling!! I hope everyone is having the greatest weekend in the history of man.

I wonder if the cost of some meds is why they do not get them filled, or only take half etc? I have heard about seniors trying to get by on ss doing that with meds.

For myself, i am med sensitive..so my body requires less of a med to get the same effect. My doctor prescribes me to take 1 or 2 tramadol, but my body gets help from it at 1/4 pill at a time..so 1 and 1/2. Pill lasts all day. If i take more i do have less pain, but the side effect of fatigue..so meds are a balancing act with me, but yes i talk to my doc about this.

Hi Judy, to address your question it's good to get a diagnosis then you can learn more about your condition.

Knowledge is power. And it's also a good idea to find out what the condition is to see if it's anything serious. At that time is when I choose to try a medication.

Doctor's have helped me--to a point. I spent years following every bit of various doctors' advice. I gave them a try. Now I'm just careful.