Changes from medication are sometimes noticed by those around you before you notice them yourself

A long time ago, I encountered a concerning situation while visiting a patient for dental care.

The patient had full dentures, and the upper denture alone was fine.
However, when the lower denture was inserted, the patient would start moving their tongue in and out, causing the denture to fall out.

The facility staff were also troubled.

"The dentures keep popping out."
"What should we do?"

Neither I nor the dentist were psychiatric specialists.
Therefore, we could not make a definitive diagnosis.

However, while observing the medications they were taking and their movements, I remember saying,
"It might be the influence of their brain or the medication."

During meals, those movements did not occur as much.
When focused on something, they could sometimes be a bit calmer.

So, we decided that they would usually only wear the upper denture, and use the lower one only during meals or when staff could assist them.

Instead of jumping to conclusions about the cause, we looked for ways to reduce the difficulties in their daily life.

As a dental practice, I cannot say for sure that this was the correct approach,

but looking back, I think it was a very important perspective.

I had a similar experience in a different situation.

During a period when someone close to me was adjusting their medication, their body felt restless, and it seemed painful for them to stay still.

The person themselves was suffering, and those around them didn't know what to do either.

Calling out to them.
Rubbing their back.
Staying by their side.

There was only so much we could do.

Later, there was a period when the medication was right and they were calm.
But then, there were times when I could see physical movements that the person themselves didn't notice.

The person doesn't notice.
But those around them do.

Is it the effect of the medication, a physical condition, or fatigue?
Unless you are a specialist, you cannot judge.

But you can notice that something is "different than usual."

And recently, I found myself in that position.

I adjusted my medication, and my mood felt a little easier.
But my body felt floaty.

It was hard to put strength into my hands and feet.
My legs would buckle when I started to walk.
I fell in the entryway.

I thought to myself,
"I can walk if I'm careful."
But in reality, I fell.

At the hospital, a nurse assisted me.

I felt unbearable regret and embarrassment.

But I think that wasn't embarrassment, but rather for the sake of safety.

Medication can be a help if it is the right one.
It can also ease suffering.

But precisely because it is effective, it can also cause changes in the body.
Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, movements that are different from usual.

The person themselves is surprisingly unlikely to notice.

That is why I thought it was important to communicate this to family, caregivers, doctors, and pharmacists.

Not just,
"I felt better after taking the medicine,"

but also,
"I felt better, but I felt dizzy."
"It's hard to put strength into my legs when I start walking."
"I fell."

"I have felt dizzy with other medications before."
I think such information is also necessary for treatment.

I am not in a position to diagnose.
I have no intention of making assumptions about things outside my expertise.

But as someone who has watched from the sidelines.
And now, as someone who has become the one being supported.

Do not dismiss "something is different than usual" as just your imagination.
Do not assume "it's fine because the person says they are fine."
When in trouble, record it and tell your doctor or pharmacist.

That might be more important than you think.

Changes from medication are sometimes noticed by those around you before you notice them yourself.

And the person themselves may notice later.

That is why we should observe, record, and share without blaming.

I think that is necessary for both the one supporting and the one being supported.

#CoinBridge
Verbalizing structures and connecting the field with the system