When her mother-in-law showed signs of confusion, Annie knew something was off with her chronic pain meds. Watch the video to find out more about her story.
Based on a real story about Kareena Ivanis, pharmacist at Roulston’s I.D.A. Pharmacy, and one of her patients.
“Being a caregiver means devoting a big part of your life to the person you’re helping,” Annie said. “I moved across the country to live with my mother-in-law and saw first-hand the effects of her condition and medication—it was very stressful. I knew that Kareena, my pharmacist for over 10 years, was helping with opioid overdose prevention in her community. So I sat down with her, and we decided a change was needed.”
“I worked with her mother-in-law’s physician,” said Kareena. “For her to get better, it was important to lower the dosage of her painkillers and consider non-opioid medications as well. It was a bold move, as she would likely experience adverse effects like withdrawal symptoms. But with close monitoring and teamwork, we completely changed her regimen and improved her quality of life significantly.”
Pain medications often cause serious side effects. They should be taken only as needed, but you shouldn't avoid taking them either, especially if your pain stops you daily from leading a normal life. Many of the side effects caused by pain medications can be managed with over-the-counter products. Your pharmacist can help you find what's best for you.
