Making Sure You’re Getting the Right Treatment Plan for Your Medical Condition

Have you been recently diagnosed with a chronic illness or medical condition? Does part of your treatment plan include a prescription for a medication that could be habit forming? Medications such as these may be prescribed in a hospital or by your doctor with the intent to provide initial relief from your symptoms. If you find yourself consuming more of your medication than prescribed, or you’re taking it for an ongoing period of time, it may be time to switch to something else. Here are a few tips on what you can do to ensure you’re getting the right treatment plan for your diagnosis.

photo/ Gerd Altmann via pixabay

Seeking Treatment for Prescription Medication Addiction

What may start off as a harmless solution to your anxiety or newly acquired sports injury can easily lead to taking too much of the medication for too long. Some of the most highly addictive abused prescription drugs include:

• *Central nervous system depressants- such as Xanax and Valium.
• *Stimulants- including Adderall and Ritalin.
• *Opioids- For example, morphine and oxycodone.

If you’ve been prescribed any of these medications, you should take extreme caution if taking them for an extended period of time, even if your doc has prescribed them. Benzodiazepines can create great relaxing effects, but this is often short-lived. Once the medication wears off, it’s tempting to take another one right away. Getting help for your anxiety or panic disorder through cognitive and ongoing group therapy can make it easier to wean yourself off prescription medication. States like California have a wealth of rehab centers and their success rate is high for recovery for prescription pain pills. When searching for prescription drug rehab California-based rehabilitative centers in your own neck of the woods, always ask about how their program can be tailored to your specific needs and addiction.

Exploring Other Treatment Options

Following your doctor’s orders are important for optimal recovery. This means going to every appointment and following through with the right diagnostic tests and blood work as required. One important part of recovery for an injury is to follow up with physical therapy. From there, a treatment plan will be set up to help you move into the next facet of recovery. This may include a supportive device or brace to help lend more support while you work through your pain and range of motion. While you may still be on pain medications or sedatives, your doctor should try to wean you off of heavy opioids and switch you over to a less addictive painkiller, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Mediation, pain injections and exercise can also be implemented as treatment options as your body begins to heal properly. If you’re not satisfied with your medical treatment or you don’t seem to be recovering as quickly as you and your doctor originally thought, set up an appointment with your doctor to revisit another treatment plan.

Getting a Second Opinion on Your Medical Condition

If you’re unhappy with your recovery or you feel like you’re taking too many prescription pills or stimulants, you can opt to see another doctor. From there, your new physician will closely examine you and your entire medical record. He may be able to find a loophole that was previously missed or have a new idea as to how to approach your care. If you’re in anyway unsatisfied with your medical care, you have the option to get a new, fresh opinion and decided for yourself what some of the next steps are in your treatment plan.

Choosing a Holistic Approach

If you have a serious chronic disease such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or a form of cancer, you should never just stop your treatment regimen out of the blue. Always consult with your primary care doctor or oncologist before you go a different route with treatment. Some holistic care services offer a drug-free way to treat illnesses. Keep in mind they are likely not backed by the FDA, which means they haven’t been extensively tested. In some cases, certain foods, herbs and vitamins can also cause many prescription medications to not work properly.

It’s very important, no matter what treatment plan you choose for your illness, to always discuss it with your doctor first. This will help you make a safe and informed decision.

Author: Jimmy Simond