Would you ever self-diagnose and self-prescribe drugs?

CleoKitty · July 2010

So let's hypotheticlly say you have very good reason to suspect that you have a certain health condition. You do your research and possibly even test yourself at home (ie: test insulin, etc.) Maybe you've even been to the doctor about these issues. However, for whatever reason, you do not want to go back to the doctor. Perhaps you've lost your health insurance, maybe you can't afford your deductible, or maybe you just don't want to be officially diagnosed with a specific condition because you don't want it becoming a part of your health record.

If you were fairly certain of the problem and had access to home tests plus could order prescription meds from a very reputable overseas pharmacy would you ever consider doing so? If so, where would you draw the line? (ie: you would feel comfortable ordering allergy meds but not high-blood pressure meds.)

Zenya · July 2010

i probably would. even though i don't think it's a good idea.

CleoKitty · July 2010

Zenya:
i probably would. even though i don't think it's a good idea.

Ha, that exactly sums up my thoughts too!

erin1102 · July 2010

I'd draw the line at antibiotics. Simple z-pack or amoxicillan.

Oh and I may have diagnosed my own anxiety and bought some mexican xanax.

juniper19 · July 2010

I self-diagnosed ring worm and had DH write me a script for anti-fungal cream. I would probably do the same for a UTI. I think that's about it.

CleoKitty · July 2010

juniper19:
I self-diagnosed ring worm and had DH write me a script for anti-fungal cream. I would probably do the same for a UTI. I think that's about it.

Oh yeah, I would do both of those too. Once you've had a UTI you know for sure if you have one again. Oh, and I'd totally self-diagnose a yeast infection and get a script for Diflucan if necessary.

And actually, now that I think about it, I did self-prescribe and order overseas meds when I had really low milk supply. I did talk to my doctor and dd's pediatrician about it first but they really weren't able to offer much help. So, I did TONS of research and ended up buying a prescription med from New Zealand. Worked wonders and yes, when I went back to the doctor I did tell them that I was taking it.

A-baybride · July 2010

If I knew beyond any doubt what I had, yeah, maybe. Not a pharmacist, or even close, but I worked in biotech for years and have read so many package inserts and study results I am confident I could dose correctly.

Many countries don't require prescriptions for the drugs that we need them for and give a lot more "power" to pharmacists to diagnose and treat. I was working in Italy for my old employer, and my colleague had some kind of cold/URI and after a few days decided that he had a "throat infection." He googled to determine what antibiotic and dose, then sent an admin to a pharmacy to buy it for him. I thought that was somewhat irresponsible, especially considering the problems with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Conversely, when I was in Australia, they don't keep Monistat on the shelves. I had to describe my symptoms to the pharmacist in the middle of a drug store before she'd sell it to me. Just a tad humiliating!

EliseB0323 · July 2010

I ordered Zyrtec from New Zealand when it was still prescription only in the US, and I've used anti-biotics from Mexico. I probably wouldn't do this for a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure though, because diseases like that affect multiple organs.

el25 · July 2010

I would, but it is probably not the right thing to do.

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