You Are Not Going To Believe This---!

[Grama-Herc]

Recently,I decided to get a medic alert bracelet since I am on so many meds and have the added responsibility of my mother. While filling out the forms I decided to copy down the exact info written on the labels of my meds. Much to my surprise, on one of my meds, written in the instructions section, was a slight little piece of info everyone MISSED.

Apparently my doctor decided, SOME TIME AGO, that my synthroid meds should be increased. I was not aware of this, and since I have been on this med since 1997, I know how to take it and it never occured to me to CHECK THE INSTRUCTIONS

Well, hidden within the instruction section of the label was a small sentence. It said, and I quote.
"Take 25mcg of Synthroid with 75mcg of Synthroid every morning with a full glass of water"

My prescription was for 75mcg and that's what I got. THAT IS ALL I GOT ! ! I never noticed the extra 25mcg instruction and apparently neither did the pharmist, which is somewhat frightening don't ya think? I was never given the extra meds. Never charged for the extra meds. Never knew extra meds were requied.

Now, it is my understanding that the thyroid controls a lot of things in the body and it was apparently determined to be one of the reasons why I had my breakdown way back when. I have been a little hard to get along with for quite a while and it has been getting worse and worse with time.

About 2 weeks ago I confronted the pharmasist with my finding, especially since I have now been given an increased dose of Synthroid by a different doctor who had done some recent lab work on me. The pharmasist investigated the discrepency in my "old" med and discovered I should have been on both synthroid pills, the 75 along with the 25, since 2006.

Now what do you think I should do about this? I have been on the new dosage for almost 2 weeks and the change in me is amazing. I feel so much better, and I am certainly easier to get along with. Mother and I are getting along so good. She is not getting on my nerves and I don't have any feelings of resentment at all. I am almost like a new person---note I said almost :)

I am amazed at the change in me. I know meds are important but had no clue it would/could make so much difference. I am just seeking inpit about my next stp. Should I persue this issue or just let it go???? I'm curious what you think???

 

[Tinyflame]

Stay on the new dosage, check with your Dr, show him the instructions and give him the phamacist's feedback, tell him what a difference it's made, get your levels checked again, -and enjoy feeling so much better! :)

 

[Kintsugi]

This is medical incompetence. For the sake of everyone else receiving medication, I would pursue the issue to at the least ensure that no one else is mistakenly overlooked in the future.

 

[ronin47]

If it were me, I would continue doing what you're doing and take steps to ensure this situation does not happen for you again. I can't imagine what else you could do other than be sure to read all the instructions and be attentive to every detail of your care plan. This wasn't a case of malpractice, just incompetence. That's one of my father's favorite sayings; "Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity." It wouldn't be worth taking any legal action because honestly I don't think you'd have much of a case. Maybe you could find ways to advocate, perhaps put flyers up in medical waiting rooms that emphasis the importance of reading all the instructions on the medications or something like that.

 

[Nicolette]

Now what do you think I should do about this? I have been on the new dosage for almost 2 weeks and the change in me is amazing. I feel so much better, and I am certainly easier to get along with. Mother and I are getting along so good. She is not getting on my nerves and I don't have any feelings of resentment at all. I am almost like a new person---note I said almost :)

I think this is amazing Grama Herc! :tup: Despite everyone's oversight you are as normal and almost as new as you good possibly be. That must be a wonderful feeling. :D

Great discovery and a big lesson for all those taking, prescribing and administering medication!!!!

 

[Zemi]

Very good lesson to actually read the instructions we get given; I know I'm good at forgetting to do that! Amazing that nobody else picked it up in all that time though; just very glad you are on the right dose now and feeling better because of it :) I agree it's frightening that nobody picked this up; just not sure there's much you can do besides go forwards now with the right dose.