Dr. Suzy Cohen says sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is make a change. Change your medicine or physician, and change the course of your life. Are you willing to do what it takes? Here are the facts regarding common drugs and their side effects:

Antibiotics- Some antibiotics affect DNA like chemotherapy drugs. Some people are affected neurologically, even experiencing  “sudden and serious neuropathy and degrees of brain damage.” The FDA is concerned about antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class, as the have been known to increase the risk of tendon ruptures. But neurological damage is the most prevalent and primary concern. Cohen advises that class of antibiotics be saved these for life-threatening or unresponsive infections.

Acid blocking drugs– The “proton pump inhibitors” are extreme “drug muggers” of magnesium. So extreme, that they may cause fatal heart arrhythmias. As a result of the magnesium deficiency, muscle pain is a problem too. If you must take acid suppressors, supplement with a high-quality magnesium formula. Take it 4 to 6 hours before or after for the best absorption. Mineral deficiencies and weakened bones are also linked to long-term use. Users have experienced increased spine, hip and wrist fractures.

Thyroid medicine– These drugs aren’t what you think they are, and they don’t do what you believe they will. Known generically as “levothyroxine,” these drugs aren’t able to do much unless your body activates the necessary processes. Many people require more supportive minerals and vitamins, or other drugs.  When it comes to thyroid, traditional TSH blood tests cannot accurately detect thyroid disease until you’re obviously already very ill. To get a more accurate picture, choose “better tests like free T3, reverse T3, the ratio of the thyroid hormones, as well as a complete antibody panel.”

Pain relievers and autoimmune drugs– Do you deal with chronic pain? Autoimmune disease? Test yourself for Lyme disease as soon as possible. The infection confuses doctors, they often think lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and more are at play. Not so. “Testing is key to uncovering this infection which mimics about 300 diseases!”

Read the full article here: I’m Going to Ruffle Feathers but I’ll Tell You Anyway | Suzy Cohen, RPh