![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e24f6ff-2d95-4cdf-aa19-7491cda06c75_4032x3024.jpeg)
Forgive the informal writing style here, I’m still down with two different tooth infections that need root canals — I hope that’ll give me enough of your pity to forgive the familiar tone.
Talk to your fucking doctors, y’all. Holy shit.
To recap if you’re just joining us: I am in the middle of a long, drawn out battle with tooth problems that has become a series of life threateningly persistent infections, a potential malpractice lawsuit for the last endo sealing gangrenous material in my jaw with a poorly done root canal, and more. Last week, I was in so much pain I wanted to shove a screw driver through my temple to relieve the pressure. Even momentary relief from that pain was enough that I just passed out because otherwise I wasn’t sleeping.
So, I sought help at the local dispensary because everyone else was trying to give me ibuprofen: which I was already taking. Three gummies a day and I’m at least moderately functional vs the absolutely miserable state of me before.
I did the responsible thing and told my psych about this today.
She didn’t overreact but she did insist we go through my medications to check for interactions, which seemed reasonable. We landed on Singulair during the process which she asked me to eliminate my usage of Singulair because the two have potential side effects individually that would pose a genuine risk to my life if one or the other started me spiraling.
If you don’t know, Singulair (Montelukast) has had a black box warning since its usage was linked directly to mental health issues and suicidal behavior.
I’m grateful I have a medical team I can be honest with when I need to make changes, but I’m aghast at how many people can’t or don’t trust their providers enough to have these discussions.
When you have PTSD and DID in particular, knowing yourself means acknowledging how little you know and relying on trustworthy outside systems to keep you functional. Your doctors are one of those and they can’t work correctly when we introduce too many unknown variables for them to manage.
Unfortunately some people have good reason to be distrustful of medical professionals. You're not wrong about the risk, but it's a tough position to be in. The medical system in this country needs a complete overhaul so that all patients CAN feel safe with any provider they see and confident that they'll be taken seriously instead of gaslit.
As far as drug interactions go, the internet is great for that. It can also tell you about additional interactions that your provider and pharmacist might not bother to mention - like say, for instance, that grapefruit increases the efficacy of a certain medication significantly and you only find out when you suddenly start feeling like you double dosed 🙄
Check for grapefruit interactions, y'all. It (and pomelo - they're cousins) messes with a variety of drugs.
Glad you were able to get that sorted before it caused bigger issues. I usually check interactions between pharmaceuticals but almost never between herbals and other natural remedies so thanks for the reminder! And yeah, my PCP prescribed Montelukast knowing I was already on anti-depressants for, in part, suicidal ideations...