How to Handle Side Effects from Medication

[Paul]

There are of course some side effects from medication and it is frustrating. The frustration increases when medicine brings new challenges along with providing help. Many with schizophrenia experience weight gain, tiredness, tremors or emotional numbness as side effects. It is really hard to know whether to push through, ask for changes or find ways to manage such side effects.

Some handle side effects by talking to their doctor related to adjustments of doses or switching medications. Others keep track of what they are feeling over time and this helps while discussing it with professionals. Light exercise, staying hydrated, eating healthier and other such lifestyle changes can sometimes ease the physical effects. However, it is not always.

It is important to note that you don’t have to just put up with it. Many say that finding the right balance between benefits and side effects usually takes time and sometimes several trials experimented with different medications.

Let others here know how do you cope with side effects. Do you manage the side effects by your own or you talk to your doctor? Do you change routines or rely on support from others to overcome side effects?

 

[johny899]

While medicines can provide some benefits, they can also cause additional problems concurrently. I find it helpful to maintain a record of how I am feeling so I can clearly describe my symptoms to my physician. I also use small dietary changes, for instance, increasing my fluid intake and doing some light physical activity, to help reduce side effects from my medication.