How to Cope with Medication Side Effects?

[JonSnow]

Every medication has side effects, but some are easier to handle than others. Have you experienced issues like weight gain, fatigue, or mood changes? How do you manage them? Do side effects make you reconsider medication? Have you experienced major side effects like addictions?

 

[Shree]

Your first response should be communicating with your doctor. Dosage adjustments or alternative medications may help. Track side effects in a journal to identify patterns. Stay hydrated, eat well, and exercise to manage physical discomfort. Don’t stop medication abruptly; withdrawal can be worse.

 

[Melanie717]

I will lower the dose a little, or even carefully schedule it according to how I feel. For example, if I haven’t gotten much sleep, I certainly won’t take my normal dose of mild benzo before I drive anywhere. I’ll go lower, then go up ^ when I get home to get more sleep. Every day, I take my meds a different way. Because every day isn’t the same. These aren’t super-serious meds, though. Which is why I can mess around with the dosage, times, etc.
If I accidentally skip a dose, I just pick up where I left off the next day.

 

[Deep]

I haven’t experienced major side effects, but I’d reconsider medication if side effects severely affected me.