My last visit with my dermatologist was on 10/22/09. I asked my doctor if he had a stronger oral medication I can take? He told me to take Zyrtec twice a day for pain
of my shingles rash. I tried it one day but I still had alot of back pain and switched back to taking the (Benadryl allergy pills, 3 times per day, every 6 hrs. for pain relief.) My doctor doesn't know I made this change in my medication. Also, I was using the (Biafine cream twice a day per my doctor's request), but (I had a stinging sensation from applying it twice a day) so I switched to using the Biafine cream every other day only after I take a shower it is less painful for me when my skin is moist than dry.
Also, using the Lidex cream to put on the inflammation on my back. My doctor doesn't know that I have made some changes to my medication.
Is it necessary to tell my doctor if I have changed the dosage on my meds?
Answers (3)
Anonymous 6 Nov 2009
You always need to keep you doctor in the loop of your changes you make in your medications so that they know what they can change for you and what is working and what is not working or if there are any complications that are going on. I can a list on me in my bag of what I take so that if I'm ever taken to the hospital they know what meds I'm on. Even the minor changes that don't seem important to us might be important to our doctors, so please let them know. Best of luck. Michele
duckworthy6 Nov 2009
Dear Lisaswtlady,
Missy1969 provided you with a lot of good advice that you should follow, most of which I would have recommended, too! One thing I want to add, however, is this: NEVER change your medications without first consulting the prescribing doctor! I'm no expert on dermatological medications, but it appears you are quite sensitive to many of them. While taking any prescription medication, tell the doctor if you start using an OTC for the same condition while taking that prescription, or if you are seeing another doctor for the same (or other) condition and are getting prescribed something new.
The danger is that you might not be aware of side-effects that increasing or decreasing the amount of a prescription you're taking might cause, or if there are side-effects associated with stopping a medication altogether (called "withdrawal" across the board, even for medications that wouldn't be labelled as potential "street" drugs).
So, be safe and I hope you get some relief REAL soon!
Regards,
Duckworthy
6 Nov 2009
I'll add another voice to the two wise answers you've already gotten. Hopefully three times the charm! Please Please Please - don't make changes to your doctor's prescriptions without talking to him first. Self-medicating is dangerous. My father has shingles and the drug of choice is Lyrica - you may want to ask your doctor about changing to that. Shingles is very very painful as you know firsthand, so let the doctor do his job so you can
get back to your normal life. Good luck!
lisaswtlady
7 Nov 2009
Hi porcupine2,
Thanks for the advice I will call my doctor sometime next Thursday, 11/12/09 and
tell him what medication I am now on and the over the counter meds as well.
Lisa
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Thank you Missy for the advice I appreciate it. I will give my doctor a call sometime next week and let him know what changes I have made to the medication I am on.
Lisa