Anxious about taking new medication

I think I'm always a bit anxious when starting a new medication, but the HOPE I possess in treatment usually supersedes the anxiety. My approach with a new treatment is as follows: 1. I never read the side effects on the pamphlet that comes with medication. I just don't want anything to become a "self-fulfilling prophecy." Does that make sense? So, I just file away the medicine's information to be consulted later if need be. 2. I pay attention to my body. I'm not sure how attuned you are with your body, but maybe because of UC, I pay special attention to what occurs internally. 3. Then, I take notes. As silly as it might sound, I jot down any sort of symptom that I experience in the days that follow a new treatment. If I have a headache, I write down the date, time, and whether OTC pain relievers help. If I feel nauseated, I jot it down and how long it lasts. I track my bowel movements and food intake. Also, I make note of my weight at the start of the treatment. Then, I watch all the thoughts in my head. Am I feeling emotionally well? If not, I write it down. In other words, I just document what happens to my body over the initial couple of weeks that I start medication. I think these notes are helpful to not only me but also to my doctor. When I have a follow-up appointment, I am able to easily relay how I'm doing on the new treatment because I have notes to back it up.


But maybe you don't prefer to take notes. If not, you could always document changes through voice memos. That's an easy way to track how your body responds. Overall, I think notetaking allows me to feel like I have a little bit of control over my treatment journey and helps to alleviate my own anxieties. Also, I guess I believe that I'm helping my doctor when it comes to his/her choice of therapy for my body.


I hope this information helps with your new treatment. Please stay in touch and let us know how your body responds to Mezavant. Writing in this forum might also help alleviate anxiety. I know it does for me. 😀


Thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way! Hugs! --Traci, UC-IBD Team Member

Thanks Traci , I just wish I saw this before reading the entire pamphlet! I will definitely take notes, really helpful tip!

This is normal. Starting a new medication is always a little scary because heck, you've never been on it before and the only way you know how you will react is by trying it. I think for me personally, I just choose to remain positive. Whenever my mind goes negative and I think about the bad way it can go, I always counter by saying but what if it goes great and this is the med that heals me? Because that is just as much a possibility. So I just choose to live there in my mind. -Elizabeth (team member)

I think it's totally normal to be anxious about putting something new into your body!
For me, it's something I've just got used to over time I think. When I weigh up the pros and cons, the pro of trying to get me into remission has always outweighed the cons because my experience with IBD has been rapid disease progression, requiring multiple surgeries. So I obviously always want to get it under control as soon as possible because the fear of further surgery was always there. I hope that makes sense lol.
How are you doing now?
- Sahara (team member)