Med's and Supplements
When I was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder with psychosis, my world was torn apart. I had to leave the Air Force under circumstances that were painful, and some people on my unit believed I had faked my illness just to get out early. That hurt deeply.
Two things became very clear to me. First, many people would see me as my diagnosis instead of as a person. Second, I would likely need medication for the rest of my life. I made a decision that has shaped my life ever since. I would prove—to myself more than anyone else—that I was more than a diagnosis. Medication would become a tool that helped me live my life, not my identity.
I enrolled in the VA healthcare system and began working with outstanding physician assistants, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and primary care providers. Over the years, routine lab work revealed other health conditions. I learned I had high cholesterol and high triglycerides, both requiring daily medication.
Later, my primary care provider noticed my creatinine level was increasing and referred me to a nephrologist. That led to my diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Because of my kidney disease, I also take vitamin D. Some medications are prescribed because they clearly improve your health. Others help manage side effects. For example, I take propranolol to reduce medication-related tremors. I also take fish oil every day.
As I studied the lifestyles of many healthy people around the world, one pattern appeared repeatedly: diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids were common in all areas populated with healthy seniors. While supplements are a personal decision made with your healthcare provider, fish oil became one small part of my own wellness routine. Medication is not weakness. It is not failure. It is simply one of the many tools available to help us live healthier lives.
One practical habit I strongly recommend is keeping an up-to-date list of every prescription medication and approved supplement you take. As a former first responder, I can tell you this information is incredibly valuable during a medical emergency. Include the medication name, dosage, how often you take it, and why you take it. Also include your primary care provider, specialists, allergies, and important medical conditions.
With medications, yearly lab work is very important. That's how my healthcare team discovered my chronic kidney disease and my low vitamin D levels. Those routine tests made it possible to monitor my health and begin treatment before more serious problems developed. Take a few minutes to complete your Personal Medical Information Sheet. Then keep it up to date whenever your medications, supplements, or medical conditions change. As you fill your weekly pill minder, review your list to make sure everything is current. Give a copy to your spouse, a trusted family member, or your next of kin, and keep another copy in your wallet or purse.
