Medication

Medication questions and answers

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Q: The treatment of Bulimia by medication. How does it work and what is used?
I don't understand how bulimia is treated by medication. It just doesn't seem to me to be feasible to treat Bulimia with medication-surley it's the person who has to change, how is medication going to make a difference. How does it work and does it work? Thanks.

A: Bulimia is an eating disorder that usually results from depression. The medications that are usually prescribed to people with eating disorders are depression medications. They are very effective in treating these disorders. In fact, they are used to treat bulimia, binge eating disorder, and anorexia. Out of thse three, bulimia has proven to be the most responsive to treatment. You are right, the person has to change. It is important to get help via a mental health professional so you can work on the real issues that are creating the depression and the eating disorder. Very common root causes include physical or emotional abuse, negelect, abandonment,etc. These things can create a real issue emotionally and working with a professional should be top priority. I'll provide you with a website and hotline where you might find additional help and answers.

Q: What type of medication do you take for Fibromyalgia?
I know most of you probably don't even know what this is, but it's a disease that effects the joints and muscles, and it is very painful. My doctor has me on Altrum & it barely takes the edge off the pain. I have heard that many patients are on much stronger medication, so I thought I'd see what others are doing.

A: do you mean ultram..and if this is all your doc gave you your doc is incompetant and you may not really have fms thr 1st course of treatments include SNRIs and Anti seizure meds.....pain killers are secondary--and i've tried many--they usually don't touch teh pain

Q: How long will medication for fin and tail rot take affect?
I had started medication for my bala shark. Melafix, pimafix, and dissolving powder called maracyn. The treatment will be for five days. I was wondering how long does it take for it to work. The water in my tank seems to be a redish color and I am not sure if that is suppose to happen. Anyone experiencing this?

A: This is way over kill. Do not ever mix meds this way. Fin and tail rot is from stress due to less than ideal water quality. The solution is to change the water and raise the heat to 83 degrees. Keeping the water clean alone will often cure fin rot. What you have done is completely killed off all the beneficial bacteria in the filter, making the water even harder to keep ideal. Maracyn is very potent stuff and should only be used for the most severe diseases. Melafix and Primafix do nothing at all.but I don't think they will stress the fish or kill the bacteria. The Maracyn definately will. Over medicating with the wrong meds and dumping all this in at once is never a good idea. When it comes to meds more is not better. If your fish dies, it would be because of these meds and poor water quality before and after medicating. I would seriously think about changing out every drop of your tank water, and replace the carbon to the filter. Don't clean out the filter, some bacteria are most likely still alive and you want to save them. Keep your Ph stable, ammonia and nitrite at zero, and nitrates always under 20 ppm. I promise you if you keep your water perameters correct your fish will heal from fin rot and if you keep the water correct you will not see it return. Worry about water and the fish will take care of themselves.

Q: How long does medication stay in the brain?
We all know that medication leaves the blood after a certain point in time, but how long is there metabolites, etc., stored in the brain (which is made up of quite a bit of fat) ? Any general ideas?

A: It varies by medication. There is no general rule.

Q: What is a good medication for seasonall allergies?
Has anyone tried a good medication for seasonal allergies, over the counter that will help with itchy eyes, stuffiness etc. caused by pollen in the midwest. Thanks!

A: I would only use synthetic meds for allergies if I was desperate. Like if I had something really important that day and couldn't function. They tend to make allergies worse in the long run because they suppress the issue. For mine, I addressed my entire diet. You may be sensitive to a particular thing, but your lifestyle and diet can affect how your body responds to the pollen. Also Fess or similar saline nasal sprays help flush out pollen. There are also a range of foods and herbs that are anti-allergic, antiinflammatory etc that can help to a certain extent.

Q: What is the best medication to help you relax?
I've had depression for a while now and I've been on practically every anti-depressant. None of them work for me. They only give me headaches which makes my symptoms worse, obviously. I'm depressed because I'm nervous and I can't relax. I don;t even have to be around people to feel that way. Can you please recommend a medication to help me with my problem. It would mean the world to me.

A: as a person who's had to deal with anxiety my whole life i believe that supressed feelings are the source of 90 percent of anxiety figure if theres something from your past that you can't accept and work on it if not that exercise and eating good helps if not that (ssri's are infact the devil) lorazepam is like valium, and it worked awesome for me they give it for anxiety often and others like it

Q: What are some non-medication remedies that will help me fall asleep?
I've been having troubles sleeping lately and I was wondering if anyone knew of some natural remedies or things to help me fall asleep because I do not want to take any sleep medication.

A: First, good choice on not going right to pills!! we have a few things that we turn to: 1) milk and vanilla wafers [about hour before bed] 2) turkey sandwich [about hour before bed] 3) warm bath [right before bed] 4) read a book [a chapter in bed] 5) take a walk about 8: pm Good Luck Hope one works

Q: How does the diabetic medication glimipiride work in the system?
New doctors have found out I was misdiagnosed with diabetes. There were problems with the glucose tolerance test. My doctor said I had hypoglycemia. He told me I needed to be treated with diabetic medication. What effect would the glimiperide have on my system? Did it make my pancreas increase my insulin levels, trying to lower my blood sugar levels ? However it worked, it really has my endocrine system all messed up. Does anyone know about this?

A: Glimepride (Brand name: Amaryl) is a sulfonylurea. It causes the pancreas to release insulin and is longer acting than some other sulfonylureas. Side effects include the possibility of it causing hypoglycemia and weight gain. It's important for the doctor to monitor the patient's liver functions on a regular basis, because the liver is involved with getting rid of ther drug in the system.

Q: What medication is available for obsessive/compulsive thinking?
I find that my thinking has become more obsessive/compulsive in nature and was wondering what medication is out there to keep my thinking in check. What are the possible side effects? How does it interact with other medications?

A: Lexapro is good, and also Paxil. These are anti-depressants that are also anti-anxiety. Are you seeing a therapist? there is a great workbook, Thoughts & Feelings that is excellent--it's cognitive behavioral therapy which is good for OCD.

Q: What type of flea medication do you use on your dog?
I have used Advantix for the last several years, but my dog recently started having an allergic reaction to it. I would like to try something that is not a topical medication. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've already spoken to my vet about changing medications. He made a few suggestions, but I want to hear what people have to say so I can get user feedback before I just go with one of his suggestions. My dog has never had fleas. I want a new medication that prevents flea infestation.

A: program i think prevents fleas only and is a tablet your dog can take. the only thing i can think of but give it a try. : )

Q: I take seizure medication after having brain surgery that removed a malignant tumor. I am suppose to have a?
I am suppoes to have a brain scan every year to see if any of the tumor has recurred. I have decided to not have anymore brain scans for reasons that is too much to explain on this site. My question is this, because i don't want anymore brain scans can that cause a doctor to no longer renew my seizure medication prescription. I still would like to get the seizure medication, i'm just wondering if the brain scans is connected to the seizure medication?

A: Your doctor can stop your medication refills, but I don't see why he would right away. For what ever reason you decided to cut the yearly scan, you should consider scans every other year. Discuss with your doctor that you would still like to continue the medication. But if you don't need the medicine, you shouldn't be taking it. Seizure meds , especially Dilantin, have a boat load of yucky side effects. The brain scans are really essential in detecting if cancer is returning. If your scan appears clear, then the meds might be discontinued. the meds were given to you after surgery because surgery is tramatic and stressful to the body, and the stress from that alone can cause a seizure.

Q: What is the best medication to help stop drinking?
I have a friend who is an alcoholic and wants help to quit. I've heard of the pills you can take that make you sick and I've also heard of injections. What is the best medication that will also help w/ the withdrawl symptoms and help to remove some of the cravings?

A: The pills that make you sick if you drink are a mean way to try and quit and do nothing about the cravings. Patients stop taking them and relapse. Benzodiazepines: Librium, Valium, Xanax are the drugs used to reduce cravings and prevent seizures during alcohol withdrawal and they work quite well. Doctors will often not prescribed benzos to patients who admit they drink tho' because you can't mix them with alcohol, so it is often problematic trying to get them when you want to quit. If a family member (or girlfriend) goes to the doctor with the patient and you both can assure the doctor the benzos will not be mixed with alcohol, but will be used only to try to quit drinking, you may have better luck getting them. Good Luck and GodSpeed

Q: What is a natural alternative to pain medication?
I have been taking pain medication for the past 5 years for badly injured knees. I have been experiencing severe stomach pains recently which I feel is due to this fact. What can I use as an alternative to pain medication?

A: You can try Volteran gel, which my doctor prescribed for me. You check with your doctors about this. Its topically applied on the area of inflammation. It worked well for me. http://www.drugs.com/voltaren-gel.html Good luck with your recovery

Q: How many of you take a prescription medication?
How many of you are on a prescription medication? How many of you take a prescribed medication for a chemical imbalance? What do you take? When did you start takeing these drugs at what age? Were they prescribed by a medical doctor or a Psychiatrist?

A: I take Zoloft and BuSpar for depression/anxiety my own MD prescribed the Buspar my Psychiatrist prescribed the Zoloft I started taking them last month- I'm 50 and recently had a sudden death in my family causing the depression/anxiety son takes Depakote/Zoloft for manic depression since age 18~ now 30 years old