I agree that if someone isn't getting any relief, they should talk to their
doctor about stopping. Doctors don't know everything, but then neither do
we, even though we do like to feel in control. If we don't like their
opinions, we can go for a second opinion or change doctors completely, but I
don't think we should assume that they're just out to get us all drugged up.
Surely most of them want what's best for us, if only they knew how to do it?
PA might not kill you, but given the option of another 40 years in pain
which stopped me doing all the things I want to do, or another 10 years
where I could still have a decent quality of life, I'd have the drugs. I'm
lucky at the moment - I can still live a reasonable life without too much
medication, but if I don't fight this disease aggressively, I might not be
able to say that in a few years time.
Yes, there are a lot of messages about drugs. That shows that people are
worried about what they're taking, and want to have as much information as
possible. That way we can make informed choices, not just believe
everything the doctors tell us. Of course we'd all love to take no
medication and keep the PA under control without it, but surely it's better
to stop it getting any worse (or at least reduce the rate at which it's
getting worse) than let it get on with it, in the supposed knowledge that we
know how to deal with it, so it doesn't matter if it gets worse.
Hope I don't sound like I'm having a go at you. We all make choices, and
most people on this list have chosen to go with the drugs. But we still
want to hear about alternatives, or ways to make life a bit easier. I got
lots of helpful hints last week when I was worried about coping with driving
and being at a computer all day (thanks all of you!)
Ali