Modern drugs have transformed the world. Diseases that would have one time been fatal are now curable. They enable people who would otherwise be crippled by their symptoms to relieve them enough to be able to live productive lives. In general, the availability of prescription drugs has helped society.
But, occasionally, a drug gets released that ends up doing more harm than good. You only have to read about the Truvada lawsuit or the OxyContin one to realize that this is the case.
Unfortunately, any one of us can potentially find ourselves suffering because the prescription drugs we have been taking causes serious side effects. So, it is important to know what to do should you find yourself in that situation.
Speak to the right type of lawyer
Often, the side effects you are suffering from will have a very negative impact on your quality of life or lead to long-term health issues. In those situations, there is a chance that you can win compensation – money that you can potentially use to pay for the treatment that you need.
Ideally, you want to hire a lawyer who has experience in dealing with prescription drug-related claims. They tend to have a better understanding of the issue than a general practice lawyer.
Seek medical help
It is very important that you seek advice and help from a doctor. Try not to let your bad experience lead to your losing faith in the medical community as a whole. With the right support, you can usually greatly improve the quality of your life and may even be able to reverse the damage that has been done to your health.
Create and maintain a health log
It is a good idea for everyone to keep a record of their health and any drugs or treatment they are receiving. This kind of log will contain invaluable information that will help you to look after yourself better, as the years go by. For example, you will always be able to provide any doctor with a full medical history. Something that makes it far easier for them to make an accurate diagnosis and treat you effectively.
Plus, should you start to suffer from severe side effects caused by a prescription drug you can potentially use those records to help you. Your health log will usually contain invaluable information any lawyer can use to put together a stronger case. Knowing exactly when you started to take the drug and what your doctor said when they were prescribed can prove to be invaluable.
If you want you can do this using a regular calendar. But, there are some excellent apps available that make this task even easier. Here is just one example.
Join relevant support groups
There is a fairly good chance that some of the other people who have been taking the same drug as you are also having issues. So, it may be possible for you to find and join a support group. Being able to speak to and compare notes with people who are in a very similar situation to yourself is highly helpful. This Mayo Clinic article explains what the benefits of joining a support group are and how to find the right one for you.
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