by Catherine Haug, May 27, 2012
This post is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of other members of the ESP team.
I recently became ill with “walking pneumonia” caused by mycoplasma bacteria. I understand is going around the valley. I’ve had pneumonia before, and I know that puts me at greater risk for this disease and for a more serious condition. My symptoms were: no fever, wheezing, coughing (sometimes intense, bringing up phlegm), and depleted energy. Because it is bacterial, it can be treated with prescription antibiotics. However, based on the experience I had following this diagnosis, I have some advice to share with you.
But first, my experience. It all came to a head on a Friday, so knowing the weekend was ahead with limited access to health professionals, I did two things:
Treatments
- I got some herbal tinctures known to combat infections of the lung;
- I saw a local medical practitioner to get a prescription for an antibiotic, just in case the herbs didn’t work, and I got worse over the weekend. I had to bargain with her to get an antibiotic, by agreeing to accept an inhaler (for an environmental or viral problem), and promising not to take the antibiotic unless I developed a fever.
Then I went to the drug store to get both prescriptions. Each came with documents about side effects and warnings, that I received only after paying for the prescriptions. I took these home and read them. Both listed conditions under “Do NOT use if” and cautioned to “consult my doctor or pharmacist if any of the listed conditions applied” to me. Two listed issues for the antibiotic did apply to me, and could be quite serious if I took the medicine (liver failure; heart attack).
The prescription problem
I went back to the pharmacist to get an antibiotic that did not come with these warnings. I was told that I had to get a new prescription from my doctor and that in any event, a federal law prohibits refunding the money I’d paid for a returned prescription.
The doctor’s office informed me a new prescription would not be issued because the prescribed antibiotic is the best one for lung issues. I was also told that I shouldn’t be concerned about the warnings that came with it.
Hmpf.
I started the herbal regimen and prayed I would not need that antibiotic, nor the inhaler which I knew would not treat the disease, only moderate the symptoms.
Fortunately, the herbs and/or my immune system did work; I noticed improvement in three days, and all symptoms were gone in a week.
I plan to take these unused prescriptions to the drop box at the Flathead County Justice Department, for proper disposal. (see Unused, Expired Prescription Disposal)
My advice for you
I understand why prescriptions cannot be returned once purchased – because they could be tampered with. So to prevent the problem I encountered, the doctor or pharmacist should have allowed me to read the warnings before dispensing the prescription.
My advice to you: Always ask to read the warnings before you purchase any prescribed medicine; preferably read them in the doctor’s office so a substitute can be pursued. Don’t assume that your doctor has done this, nor recalls your entire medical history. And don’t be afraid to ask questions of the doctor, regarding your symptoms or the warnings about the prescription.