[oceansend]

I am curious as to whether or not anyone has some information as to the biological nature of what my doctor is referring to as my 'tolerance' to drugs (or as I am slightly suspicious of seeing as simply a euphemism for 'ineffective results'[?]).

I am very new to medication of any kind (psychiatric or other) and in the past, wouldn't even fill prescriptions for minor drugs given to me for pain or swelling from small accidents or minor post-op procedures etc.

Physically I am mostly healthy, and don't drink or smoke; though he did mention a relationship to drug tolerance and a family history of addiction (being as how both my parents, in addition to several other family members are severe alcoholics and/or other addicts-- and probably another reason I lean toward avoidance of meds, and certainly abstain from any possible addictive scripts).

The plus side is I seem to not experience the most common side effects of my meds, but also, unfortunately, no common positive effects either.

Being as such that my goal (as I imagine is alike with many of you) is as little medication as possible, and I certainly don't want to be in a position to which I feel I am being over medicated; I am finding it important to look into this theory of 'tolerance'/'immune response' to drugs as thoroughly as I can, prior to agreeing to any additional dosing of my meds.

Has anyone been told, or know more about issues of medicinal 'tolerance'?

Thanks for the input!

Oceansend

[Umbral_Seraph]

I don't know much about about medicinal tolerance; I know my body is very resistant to medication as well. It seems to be related to me having a fast metabolism combined with my genetics; my mother is resistant to medications also (though nowhere near as much as I am...). I have been attempting to find medication that works for a little over a year now without much of a result, good or bad. I have tried a couple of benzo's, and quite frankly can't understand how anyone could get addicted to them, because they just didn't do a thing for me...

[oceansend]

Thanks Umbral!
Maybe that's better wording that perhaps the doc was sparing me or something because it does sound a bit more bleak ('resistance'). I hope not. But it is very interesting that I'm finding so little information on this, so I'm really glad for your insight!
I very much hope that you find something that works for you. I imagine your dr as well has encouraged higher doses(?) So sorry this has been taking so long for you!
Thanks so much for the input and good luck!
Oceansend

[(JD)]

Tolerance: A state in which a T cell can no longer respond to antigen. The T cell "tolerates" the antigen. Also called immune tolerance.

I have a real issue with this, myself.

It's a physical response to medications. It's also connected to allergies (as you see :antigen: )

A medication that produces no results is well on its way of causing an allergic reaction to you. It's best to keep track of those meds that don't work, and not take any of the same grouping, to avoid a severe reaction, imo.

I know part of my trouble--with generic medications--is a reaction to the fillers they use. At first (many years ago) we just thought the med quit working. But then I began to have reactions.

There are whole categories of medications that I cannot take: antibiotics for one.

So don't think this is "all in your head" or something psychological. It isn't. I've even had doctors think it was, and they nearly killed me (many times) in giving me one medicine I said I was allergic to, but telling me it is another.

Keep track.

[oceansend]

Wow, JD
Thank you so much for this info. I didn't know any of that stuff about meds! I'll most def keep track of this and talk to my dr.
Sorry bout your bad experience- that is truly awful! And thanks again for sharing, I will certainly be keeping all this in close mind
Best,
Oceansend

[Umbral_Seraph]

Yes, pdoc will put me on a higher dose but won't go above the max doseage; he has me taper off and try something different. The goal is to find the right med/s first and then find the lowest effective dose.

[Pikku Myy]

I believe I am the total opposite..... I try a new med... and the local hospital needs to be on alert. lol It did not happen overnight, being over sensitive... I believe too about 25 years. And now I can't almost take anything.... Yours could be a reverse to my reaction... something to think about? Hugs