Doctor’s Prescription

Aspirin

Drug classification:

·         Non-opiod analgesic

·         Anti-inflammatory

·         Antiplatelet

·         Antipyretic

·         Antirheumatic

·         NSAID

·         Salicylate

Due to elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and reactive Anti-streptolysin O (ASO titer), Rheumatoid arthritis was the first diagnosis made by the first doctor who examined me. I took them twice a day for about 1 month.

Amoxicillin

Drug classification:

·         Antibiotic (penicillin-ampicillin type)

My second doctor asked me if I was allergic to Penicillin. My mother answered that I am allergic to penicillin and seafoods. But she was not sure about it. So the doctor decided not to give me penicillin. Instead, he prescribed Amoxicillin to me because of my first diagnosis.

Mucosta

I remember that the doctor prescribed this drug to me because I’m having gastric upset. Maybe it was due to aspirin intake.

Methylprednisolone

Drug classification:

·         Corticosteroid

·         Glucocorticoid

Since Aspirin cannot relieve the pain I feel, my second doctor decided to give me methylprednisolone. I only took them for one week. The pain diminished after taking the steroid drug. And I chose not to go back to my doctor as he told me since I do not feel the pain anymore. But after one week, the pain came back and it alarmed me. My Mom and I decided to have second opinion to other doctors.

Ciprofloxacin, Cefuroxime

            These antibiotics were prescribed to me because of abnormal results found in urinalysis.

Prednisone

Drug classification:

·         Corticosteroid

·         Glucocorticoid

This drug became my best friend for almost 3 years already. The dosage depends on the signs and symptoms I experience. Prednisone may bring adverse effects like vertigo, headache, paresthesia, insomnia, seizures, psychosis, cataracts, increased IOP, euphoria, depression and glaucoma for long term therapy. There will be a problem also in sodium and fluid retention, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. Once you are in this drug therapy, there will be immunosuppression and you are prone to have osteoporosis. What I hate most among the effects??? – WEIGHT GAIN!

Methotrexate

            The action of the drug is to inhibit cellular replication. This drug let me experience episodes of dizziness, malaise, blurred vision, acne, nausea, vomiting and photosensitivity. I also experienced having hair loss especially on the front part. When I comb my hair, strands of hair were easily removed and I can see hair on my pillow when I woke up every morning.

Folic acid

            This drug was administered day after I took methotrexate to reduce the side/adverse effects that methotrexate may bring to me. 

Arcoxia

            This is a pain reliever drug that is so expensive but very effective.

Nutrilite B complex

            My doctor referred to me to a general surgeon since he was suspecting hernia because of the pain and lump below the right lower part of the abdomen or the hip. The surgeon examined it and said that it was not hernia but Neuritis. So, she prescribed me vitamin B complex as an intervention. There was a decreased in pain but eventually, pain keeps coming back.

Virlix

            This drug was given to me because of the rashes appeared in my whole body. I researched on the internet and asked my fellow patients about this kind of rash. I send picture to them and they said that they also experienced it and their doctors diagnosed them Vasculitis. But my doctor did not tell me about vasculitis.

Caltrate

            Since I am prone to osteoporosis and because of the pain I feel in the hip, my doctor prescribed me this drug. He also added that I should exercise to have weight loss because I need to prevent Osteonecrosis. He doesn’t believe that it is neuritis but he believes that it is related to osteopenia and if not prevented can lead to osteonecrosis.

NSAIDs and Paracetamol

I’m taking these drugs when I’m in severe pain and when I’m having fever and lupus headaches.

Reminders:

·         Be a compliant patient.
·         Take drugs religiously.
·         Have time to research on drugs you are taking.
·         Report immediately to your doctor if there are adverse reactions experienced.
 ·         As much as possible, do non pharmacologic methods in order for you not to exhaust yourself in drinking sooooo many drugs.