For years now, JoAnn,86, had been hearing that a strict regimen of medications was the best, maybe even the ONLY way to manage health conditions effectively. She would often receive the same advice from all her doctors: “Take the medication as directed.”. And since everyone seemed to be saying it, it must be true, right?
Well… not exactly.
JoAnn believed that most of this advice came from a place of good intentions, but it was easy advice. Not only did one specific medication approach not work for everyone, but the idea of just piling on more pills definitely wasn’t the best option out there.
How could anyone know if the “experts” were following their own advice or if they were even getting great results from their medication strategies? After all, if the FDA approved the drug, then it must be OK. It seemed to JoAnn that many people could spend a lot of time feeling frustrated or like a failure because the conventional medication approach wasn’t working for them—when they weren’t the problem!
JoAnn knew this all too well because, back when she was managing her health with multiple medication prescriptions, she had tried the conventional approach herself and just didn’t feel great anymore.. She was overwhelmed by the sheer number of medications she was taking and constantly uneasy due to side effects and interactions. JoAnn realized that just “take per your instructions” didn’t fit because maybe, just maybe when the drug was tested on people, they weren’t taking all the medications she was taking.
Instead, she started focusing on safe medication reconciliation—reviewing all her medications to eliminate unnecessary ones and better manage interactions. This approach not only made her feel better but also made her question her overall healthcare.
JoAnn also didn’t feel like she was being authentic when she was just following the conventional advice. And she believed that her health could tell when she wasn’t being authentic in her care. She realized that people choose to follow advice because it feels right for them. So, JoAnn made it a point not to try to trust blindly. As the old Russian saying goes, “Trust, but verify.”
What’s Not So Great About Conventional Medication Approaches
Here’s the thing. Just “follow the instructions” medications wasn’t a good idea because:
Wasted Time and Energy: new medications without a clear strategy could be exhausting and frustrating and not good for JoAnn’s health and wallet..
Lack of Authenticity: A one-size-fits-all approach didn’t consider JoAnn’s individual needs and conditions.
Potentially Harmful Results: Adding medications without proper oversight could lead to harmful interactions and unwanted side effects.
Outdated Methods: What might have worked years ago was no longer as effective. Modern medicine now focuses on more personalized care, and medication reconciliation had become a critical aspect of effective health management.
A Better Way to Manage Medications
Fortunately, JoAnn discovered that there was a better way. Instead of just “following the instructions”, she took a different approach.
Step #1: Review and Reconcile Medications
JoAnn started by thoroughly reviewing all her medications: what she was taking, why she was taking it, and any potential interactions. This helped her identify which medications were truly necessary and which ones were not. She also added all her over-the-counter medications, even creams and powders!
Step #2: Consult with a Pharmacist
JoAnn scheduled a meeting with her pharmacist to discuss her medication list and get their expert opinion on what each medication was used for, its interactions, and the side effects. This collaborative approach ensured that her medication plan was safe and effective.
Step #3: Monitor and Adjust
Armed with her questions, she could now consult with all her specialists. She took her list of medications and the advice she got from her pharmacist, her notes, and the cost of each drug with her.
Next Steps
Every specialist JoAnn saw over the next few months had her medications wrong in her chart. They did not realize how much she was taking. They were appalled at the prices and the cost she was spending each month. They all worked with her to lower the doses, change the medications, or even find medications that cost less.
JoAnn found that managing her medications effectively wasn’t confusing or overwhelming when she followed a personalized approach that felt authentic to her. She was able to spend her time on strategies that truly empowered her health and well-being.
JoAnn’s story is a testament to the fact that current wisdom can often be little more than a passing fad. But with the right roadmap and a little independent thinking, anyone can manage their medications effectively in a way that feels authentic.
