Feel medication is my last hope, but terrified to take meds...:(

[Wishingforcalm2]

I have a complete phobia of having allergic reactions and not being able to breathe and dying.  I won't travel, becuase I'm afraid it will happen on the plane or where I'm stuck somewhere else I can't get help.  And I am consumed by this fear every time I eat/drink/dye my hair/ ANYTHING, and every time my throat or ears itch.  I also get hives from time to time. 
I really think the only thing that will help me get out from under this is medication, but I'm beyond terrified to take anything!  Once I had bronchitus and was so scared to fill the prescription for anti-biotics that I got pneumonia.  I'm so afraid of living with this constant fear....but I think I'll be afraid if I take the meds or don't -- just for different reasons. 
UGH...I feel so helpless....

[marc]

My wife is a pharmacist and she said that the vast majority of people have no serious
reactions when taking any medication and the vast majority of reactions when they
do happen are minor. She always says to me that the benefits outweigh  the risk in
most cases.

[Ravens Lady]

Hi wishing,

:)

I have a few questions for you.  For one thing, I'm sorry to hear that you got pneumonia after not taking your meds for the bronchitis, but I'm assuming that you did take meds once you got the pneumonia, right?  And you survived those meds okay, didn't you? :)

And have you taken other meds in the past?  What normally happens when you take meds?  Are you okay a month after taking the meds?  I think you should begin to envision yourself as healthy after taking meds..

You see, I believe that Marc is right.  I think that the chance of having an allergic reaction is quite slim, however what you need to keep in mind is that even with allergic reactions, people survive!!!!  When those rare occurrences happen, either the body will calm down on its own, or with swift action and medical care, it can be quickly restored back to normal. 

If you are really that anxious about starting a new med, maybe take it in a doctors office, or close to an urgent care facility.  I don't think you would need to access those facilities, but it could be a sort of safety net for your mind to say, I'll see how my body reacts and I know that people are close to help me should anything occur. 

I think you should also focus on the fact that your body is a body or order.  Your body is constantly keeping you in order with millions of processes by the second.  If anything out of the ordinary should occur, and cause you slight disorder, your body will work to eradicate the issue and bring your back to homeostasis.  You have a strong, intelligent mind.  You are completely equipped to deal with anything that should occur.  You are in good hands, because your body takes care of you, and you are smart enough to react sufficiently in the rare occurrence something happens.   Don't think of your body as a wimp or a victim.   You are on the winning team here! 

You can do it, and if your doctors think this will help you, you SHOULD do it. 

I used to have a phobia of elevators.  I didn't get on one for 10 years as a teenager.  But I decided to conquer my fear, and the only way to do that is to DO THE THING YOU FEAR.  It feels good after, knowing you faced a fear.  Now I have no fear of elevators and I go in them all the time. 

You can do it! 

[MissFreaky]

Dear Wishing... I feel like you have written my own post.   I think/feel exactly as you describe.  so I completely unequivocally understand your fear.   I also recognize that Marc and RavensLady are so right in what they say.  It is correct that most people do not react to meds in a serious way.  It is also very true that we have to face our fear.    I also agree that if you are really concerned take your meds near the doctors office or when you are with someone you trust.  You will be fine.    I know this because recently I faced my fear and I was fine.    One step at a time.   

[Wishingforcalm2]

Thank you all so much for your replies.  It really does help.  Raven, you're so right...I wish I could internalize it!  I was fine after I took the meds, but I was basically in a panic for the week I was taking it.  If I were to take an anti-anxiety, I'd be on it indefinitely, and I'm all flipped out over the fact that a severe allergic reaction can occur any time, even well after you've taken something (or eaten something) many  times without incident.  I'm just so afraid of being afraid of that EVERY day.  An elevator ride, I could manage....but setting myself up for this anxiety is daunting.  When I start to get itchy now, one thing that calms me, is that I remind myself that I haven't eaten anything or taken any medicines.  If I'm on something 24 hrs that is in my system, I won't be able to say that to myself anymore to talk myself down!

[Ravens Lady]

I hear you wishing,

I think you should keep the following things in mind in terms of your fear that an allergy could develop at any time:

-I think that allergies are much more likely to occur right away versus developing after a long time.  I think most people with severe allergies have had them since childhood or get the allergy not long after first exposed.  I know that in rare instances, people can develop allergies after already having been exposed for a while, but I think that is less likely than having an initial reaction early on after initial exposure.  So I think you should think, "If I have an issue with this, its much more likely that it will happen sooner than later"

-I also think that allergies quite often have a sort of "warning reaction" before the bigger reaction occurs, from what I know about allergies.  The first reaction will be slight but enough that you will notice enough of a difference that its not anxiety.  Second or Third or fourth may be when the  reaction is the most prominent... so I think (in the rare chance a person has a reaction) its quite likely that you'd have a warning reaction first that was mild which would give you a chance to react, investigate, and avoid the med if necessary to prevent the bigger reaction. 


Maybe you could write these down or say them aloud:

"I know its unlikely I will have an allergy to this, but in the rare chance that I did, its much more likely that the reaction would happen sooner than later, so there is no reason to stay in a state of fear for a prolonged time"

Also,

"When people have reactions, they are usually given mild signs the first time around so that they can react.  In the rare chance that were to occur, I would be ready and I would react in sufficient time" 

And I know I've shared this before but I have an allergy.  I'm okay with an allergy.  An allergy doesn't stop me from living.  If I have a reaction, I simply avoid the allergen and react if necessary, and usually benadryl isn't even necessary.  Allergies are not always extreme.  Allergies can be mild or moderate.  People live with allergies.  People survive allergies..  People even survive and thrive with severe allergies.   Maybe you could close your eyes and visualize people that have allergies that have even had reactions that are living right now fine and healthy.  Why assume an allergy would stop you?  You shouldn't.

:)