Medication anxiety

So I've definitely identified that I have a problem with medication anxiety. Originally I tried to convince myself that I was just being cautious and part of it does stem from the fact that I have had some unpleasant reactions to a bunch of medications (I took codeine once and couldn't sleep for 2 weeks, pain meds make me vomit, etc) but the list is getting longer and although I know that I do have issues with some of them I am afraid to take new medications, and even to take some medications that I've done alright with in the past. It doesn't help that I'm a chronic web checker... I check the interactions (which I rationalize as just being informed), I check possible side effects, I read the little sheet they give you (that I assume "most people" just throw away)... I look on ask a patient to see what other peoples rxns are... its excessive and really not healthy but I find myself having a problem not doing it.

I've been seing my doctor regularly for pain issues, intermittent vertigo, and now a flare up of my anxiety and depression and she prescribed me an NSAID and cymbalta... well I tried the cymbalta and it was a complete disaster, I was on zoloft years ago for a short time and although I had a difficult time adjusting to it I was able to function, the cymbalta nearly took me out of work and my brain felt electrified, I got these weird muscle twitches and my jaw wouldn't unclench... it was terrible. So that was a 1 pill, rest in the trash deal... now I'm nervous to even get the celebrex, my insurance is being difficult about covering it but I'm not really pushing for it since I hear on tv all the time about "the risks of nsaids..." so now I'm back where I started and although I'm sure it would offer me some relief I'm scared to take it... Does anyone else experience this and have any ideas how to overcome it? I'm just feeling frustrated, I want to trust my doctor but having a hard time just letting it go.

Thanks! Sorry this was so long!

I know exactly what you're talking about.  I have issues with taking meds.  I'm hypersensitive to meds and I've had some horrific reactions in my day.  For years I just refused to take them (anything at all).  But my anxiety is unbearable and ridiculous.  I also have IBS and colitis so I had to just get over it and now I'm on xanax for anxiety but I don't really take them very often b/c I'm afraid of the addiction issue, so I have an appt with my inter med Dr. to switch to something that not addicting.  I took had bad reactions from paxil and zoloft.  Pain meds make me vomit too!  I've tried everything to prevent vomiting but I always do.  I can't say I necessarily have advice other than sometimes we just have to give a med a try (easier said than done).  But I def understand what you're going through! Good luck

Yeah my list is REALLY short of what I will take. To the point where, if I were not so aware that it sounds crazy, I would just tell my doctor what I will take and let her pick! I know exactly what you mean about the anxiety feeling ridiculous, it almost feels like my fear of medication gets in the way of getting some of the help I need. I only recently realized that I have a problem (not just reaction) with meds so I suppose I should share that with her... I can see how that conversation will go..."yeah you can give me all the scripts in the world... I may or may not fill them, if I do fill it I probably won't take them, if I take them I'll probably take one realize its going to kill me and then throw them all away." Its also hard because I switched doctors in December last year so I'm trying to be good but yeah... its a challenge.
Thanks for understanding! This board is great, its so nice to "chat" with folks who deal with the same sorts of issues.

I totally agree with all posters
We do get scared but most side effects are listed as a precaution for suing Drug companies not saying they cannot happen but rarely do

You have to have a doc that will talk to you as mine does and will not rx anything he knows I know about and will not take
WE work together on my illnesses......all of them and the course of TX

Please do let us know how you are doig hun and NO you are not alone
Check out link Kitt gave you ...........

Be well
LYN