Don't want to take medication ever

karaokeman

Ok so I'm currently in 6th year preparing for my Leaving Cert.
For the past few years I have suffered from low self-confidence issues.
I only have two or three really close friends in school. I've tried to not let popularity bother me because I know peole whose lives have been ruined because of it.
I also get pains in my stomach during classes (including PE). I also have a headache quite a lot.
My mum has offered me motilium tablets. Now don't get me wrong I have complete and utter respect for my mum and all but I really feel I don't need them. I talk to my friends when I'm feeling unwell because I'm opposed to taking any forms of medication really because I feel they will make me depressed and feel even worse about myself.
Can anyone give me any advice on this as I really want to make the right choice.
Thanks

Ickle Magoo

Motilium is an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication. If you don't think you need that then let your mum know and don't take them. If you have symptoms that do require intervention then you should make an appointment with your GP. What right choice do you mean?

Azureus

I know some people do have an anti-medication stance, and thats fine, but afaik motilium/regular over the counter tablets aren't harmful/wont affect your self esteem or confidence in small doses at all. If you are feeling healthy then perhaps you will feel better about yourself so if anything they will be beneficial for this.

However, you should address the underlying reasons for your stomach problems/headaches rather than just pop pills for them. Take a trip to the GP and talk to him about it; the upset stomach and headaches could be a symptom of anxiety, which also causes low confidence.

Another option (although expensive) would be acupuncture. It can help for anxieity/depression/stomach problems/headaches as well as a myriad of other things so itd be something to look into if you hate ingesting medications. Again, Id pop down to your GP for a chat about the lot, he would be best to advise you on anything like this rather than us internets folk

karaokeman

Thanks for the advice guys.
I do have very bad anxiety issues.

I have Asperger's Syndrome and I go through phases of thinking people look down on me. Other times I'm fine because they reach out to me by talking and stuff (I have plenty of friends just very few close ones). But I might consider visiting the GP, just to get some of this off my head.

The right choice is whether I should take the medication or not because I've never really liked the idea of it. I would much rather talk to a profession because at least then I can express myself (this is something medication can never do).

Azureus

A lot of people dont like the idea of medication, and thats a decision you have to make for yourself, but just know that everything is regulated and once you arent popping em like smarties you will be fine and do no damage to yourself.
My mother suffered badly with anxiety and went on anti depressants after years of struggling badly with it (it took her a long time to come around to accepting to take the medication because she was afraid of addiction etc). It was definately the right choice for her and it is well monitered by her GP so she comes across no problems with it.
I have bouts of anxiety and occasional panic attacks, something I found was helped enormously by acupuncture. It might be something to look into, but again its not for everybody
Medication like motilium etc is different to that taken for anxiety etc in that it is not on prescription. The amounts of active ingredients in them are actually very low and if they make you feel better, there is no harm in taking it occasionally to ease pains. Open your mind to it at least. I still reccomend you take a trip to your GP and have a chat about all your concerns, they'd be best to advise you on it all!

tinkerbell

OP, there's nothing wrong with taking the likes of Motilium, Panadol, etc. if it is really needed. I don't like taking medicine myself just because I like to wait it out a bit and then take it if I really need to. If I have a headache, I tend to just suffer on for a while - if it's quite bad and won't go away, I'll take some Panadol. It's the same with Motilium if I've a stomach upset. But I wouldn't just suffer indefinitely. The likes of those are just over the counter medication - they are not going to make you depressed.

I think you need to go see your GP though about your depression. Or talk to your mom, or to your friends. You need to talk about it and address that issue. It's probably connected to why you don't want to take medicines. And there are plenty of ways to help relieve depression that do not involve the likes of vallium, etc.

EricPraline

OP you seem a little confused about the difference between mild over-the-counter tablets and prescription medications like strong anti-depressants. The word "medication" is an extremely broad church. It would be a good idea to talk to a GP about any symptoms you are experiencing and to clear up any concerns you have about different types of medicine.

Chuchoter

Hate to sound harsh but frankly you're being a bit ridiculous. Anti nausea medicine is not going to affect your brain in any way shape or form.
Your underlying problem may or may not be anxiety, but assuming your mum is the one paying, realize that anything professional is very expensive (in terms of counselors and such). I would first try to just calm down, try not to get so stressed and see if the pills work.

Overheal

tinkerbell wrote: »

OP, there's nothing wrong with taking the likes of Motilium, Panadol, etc. if it is really needed.

I agree that theres nothing wrong with medicating a symptom but you need to determine a cause as well. Pain medication is great if you have aches and pains but if you get them from sitting with poor posture, its time to correct your posture, and perhaps you wont get the aches anymore - rather than rely on pain meds constantly.

Similarly if you have confidence and anxiety concerns and you feel (as in the language of your post) there may be a connection to stomach cramps and headaches, theres a fair chance these could be symptoms of stress. It's something you would want to speak to a GP about, absolutely.

However don't be afraid to take these medications occassionaly. It's normal for example to once in a while to take an antacid, aspirin, etc. for the uncommon fare of strong pains and whatnot. But I will say it's advisable to re-think that position if you are having to do that frequently. Nobody should need to take something daily for months or years - not without doctor advisement, anyway. Even simple aspirin regimens should be planned out with a GP. It's also a simple case of reading the labels: eg. "If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult a Doctor" etc.

Frequently getting headaches over a long period of time, to me, signifies an underlying condition which requires diagnosis.

In general though OP medication is not something to be afraid of. Only something to be respected. Used properly medication can help us in many ways. Used irresponsibly and it can have negative consequences. When you're discussing over-the-counter medication though you're fairly safe if you adhere to the label.