It’s important to get lots of perspectives on a whole host of issues when facing a chronic or life-threatening illness. There are numerous decision trees planted and at each crossroads you’re asked to make a choice. It helps if you have information, but can you ever really know too much? Is ignorance really bliss?
Last night I attended a pharmacology lecture sponsored by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (our medical school). The pharmacist speaking discussed the nitty gritty on pharmacology. At one point in the lecture when we were discussing “drug targets” (how medicine knows where to go) he made a statement that caught my attention. He said, “I can take ibuprofen for my osteoarthritis, but all I think of is…there go my kidneys” (because of the side effects) Don’t get all weird about ibuprofen, and if you do have concerns please consult your physician or other qualified medical professional. He was trying to make a point about his own level of vigilance. Let’s face it, the man has a PhD in Pharmacology so he know so much that I’m sure the knowledge can be daunting.
What do you need to know? How fluent do you need to be in pharmacology? The obvious thing is to become good friends with your pharmacist, after all they have all that training so we may as well put it to good use.
What do you wish you knew about your medication and how its impact on the body? How have you navigated the pharmacology maze?
Pilgrim Pathway/Surviving Strong 