New Med Anxiety

So, I haven't been around to post anything, because my anxiety has been firmly under control now for about 3 years. Now, I have been given a new medicine to try for my IBS (yes i know this isn't the forum for IBS, but that isn't my "issue"), the issue is I am scared to death to take it because a good friend of mine almost died from an allergic reaction to the med. Now grant it, I have not had to ever experience an allergic reaction to any meds i have had to take, but this one for some reason, is really kicking my anxiety to take it. I have 7 bottles of it at home, because i keep getting the refill, but just to worried to take it. Afraid i will have a reaction to it and well you know....

So I guess, has anyone ever taken this one before or any good advice on taking a new med (other than just suck it up and down it).

Hi Chad
I am glad you have had such a good anxiety free time these past 3 years.. You did good xx
It is such a shame that this has happened to upset your system.
I hope asking on the forum brings you some answers and relief.

Although your friend had a serious reaction to this particular med .. This does not mean that this will happen to you... and in an anxiety free state i am sure you know this. But sadly when the anxiety creeps in all rational thinking goes out the window.

1st is your IBS serious enough for you to have to take the medication if it is worrying you so much. Or are there alternative natural remedies you could try. I am not encouraging avoidance as i am a firm believer in feeling the fear and doing it anyway..I am just throwing some ideas out there to calm the anxiety down.

2nd What confirmed FACTs have you about the actual drug causing the allergy to your friend , did a hospital report confirm that IT was the drug or was it something that was caused through an underlying problem. Similar to some people have an allergy to nuts but Nuts are not poisonous unless your make up doesnt tolerate it then the allergic reaction is a threat.

3. Rather than the expense of getting the repeat drug.. and worrying speak to the pharmacist or your doctor about your fears and nip it in the bud... You have done so well it is such a shame to suffer.

I know its hard but try your best and concentrate on your own health and well being and try and move forward.

There is usually a reason why someone has a reaction so severe, I know someone who has not recovered properly in 12 months from a gall bladder removal and was seriously ill, i have mine removed in 3 weeks but i am not dwelling on that 1 as i also know so many others who sailed through it , so i am looking forward.... I am strong... I can cope... I can do this.... And so can you xxx

I totally understand the med issue. I have been going through something similar the last almost month since I was found to have high blood pressure. I literally was up one night shaking and crying over taking a medicine. Turned out I did have an allergy to that one BUT unlike the major allergy that could have happened, I got a red, hot rash on my chest and running up into my neck by the next morning so I just was able to come off it with no other issues from it and now it is on my allergy list.

I normally take very little of anything, I even stopped ibuprophen for a long time out of fear.

Well combining my ER visits and the DR. prescribed meds I have had to ingest a total of 8 new different medications this last month and I am exhausted from the stress of it but I guess I am still here.

I am currently off my bp meds (weaned w/ Dr. approval off that one) though and still have bp because the last med gave me issues too but nothing to worry about fatal issues there either.

Do you have someone who can sit with you for the day or just hang out with you to ease your fears? If not the ER or even going to sit in the clinic office might help you.

I had my gallbladder removed about 7 years ago and I have had nothing but digestive issues. I have GERD and on occasion I get a sudden bout of D but that is not all the time. Most of the time I have the C issues instead.

I wish I could be of more help, I know how hard this is!