Am I overreacting?

[Pixie15]

Hi,

I have a partner who has been on ad's for a few years and more recently on painkillers because of an accident. In recent times I have been trying to find some ground for rebuilding our relationship. I am trying to understand his struggle with depression. I am trying to believe that he may be trusted.

A couple of days ago I suffered a back strain that was initially very debilitating. I was not mobile. It is difficult to get a doctors appointment where I live. I relied on my partners support. His help with my taking a regular medication ended up with a incorrect dose. I only found this out when I was tidying up today. This had the effect of worsening my ability to cope physically. He went to the chemist for me and I (perhaps stupidly) accepted his advice that the chemist said it was okay for me to take some of his pain medicine.

Now that I am feeling better and thinking things through for myself I am really worried that the various medications he is on is affecting his cognitive abilities. I would expect someone to take extreme care when dispensing medication and the chemists recommendation seem really unlikely. Especially as the particular medication is highly addictive.

I do not know if my own anxiousness is making me overreact. Any helpful thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pixie.

[geoff]

dear Pixie, thanks for this post because what you say could be very dangerous, but there are times when we just expect that our partner/spouse knows what medication they are giving us, and once we take it , it could be too late.

Chemists can organise 'Websters Packs' for a small fee which enable a daily section divided by morning, lunch and then dinner of all your medication, however this won't stop taking pain killers.

Certain painkillers are addictive and certainly very strong, so if you are in need of them get your partner to bring the sachet packet to you so that you know what you are taking.

You could also ring the pharmacist on the pretense that you want to check taking them with your particular AD.

I hope that your back is getting better. L Geoff. x

[Pixie15]

Hi Geoff,

Thank you. I am up and about again although moving very carefully. I have had the same problem before and if I am not careful with the way I bend will likely have it again. It is really annoying because it will take me about a month to recover and I am signed up to for a fun run later in the year and it will now be harder to prepare for that.

The chemist's "Webster Packs" sounds like a good idea. It is not really suitable for me though because the medication I am on which is an anti-inflammatory is only short term. Also I know that you can call a hotline healthdirect and get advice from a nurse practitioner if you need. I have done this in the past when my partner first went on ad's and there was uncertainty about interactions.

I am really more concerned for my partner. He is more relaxed about taking medication than I am. If it affecting his ability to think things through this is a worry. The doctor he saw does not seem to be too concerned with monitoring him. I am not sure what to do.

thanks again

Pixie.