I’m Turning My Back on Prescription Drugs, and I Have No Regrets

I’m not ready to completely give up on the world of modern medicine, but I have to tell you, I’m getting pretty close.

I’ll be forever grateful for the eye doctor who replaced my cataracts with nice clear lenses. If I ever break a bone, I’ll be happy to have it set by a professional. And if something attacks my heart, I’ll be ready for my ride to the Emergency Room.

But no more little plastic jars of chemicals for me. Nuh, uh.

I’m a relatively healthy 65-year-old woman, so my intake of prescription drugs has been limited. But I have experienced the fourth time in my life when the treatment for my ailment has been significantly worse than the disease.

So I’m done.

My first experience with medical side effects came some 25 years ago. I had developed seasonal allergies as I’d hit my thirties. My doctor had prescribed Seldane, a non-drowsy antihistamine. It worked. I was happy.

Then one day I suddenly blacked out while driving my car, with my two toddlers strapped into their car seats. Luckily, I was only out for a second, and the car had only gone off the small back road and into a field. The kids were fine, although I was naturally terrified.