When was the last time the VA re-evaluated your medication(s)?

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:35:17 -0400

To piggie-back off of SGT(P) Kristin Wiley's post about naturopathic medicine and after talking over with a few other Veterans and seeing the number of pills I take everyday; the thought crossed my mind. It's been along time since any of my doctors stopped to re-evaluate my prescriptions.

Now, I'm not a medical expert, I fix PCs and work on servers for a living so I'm in no situation to speak as a expert. However, as someone that has been on the same pills for some time now and getting ready to see them again soon; I'm wondering if I should ask. Has anyone else every asked to be have this done? Did they change anything around for you? Was it useful in your overall treatment and well being?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 1:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:37:35 -0400

Never!

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 26 at 2015 1:38 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:38:39 -0400

Wow... that's a good question, and I don't know but one I plan to rectify with my next visit next week...

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Aug 26 at 2015 1:39 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:39:23 -0400

Very good question because I always wondered when you been on a med for along time does it still have the same effect because your body builds up a tolerance to meds. They have changed only my sleep aid around.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 26 at 2015 1:42 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:42:28 -0400

VA has done mine when I visit. They review my list of meds along with the known listing I gave them from Tricare. I'll admit while the VA hospital isn't so good, the outpatient clinic on Ft. Belvoir is awesome to me.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 26 at 2015 1:53 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:53:28 -0400

The VA actually refused to acknowledge my condition, however my primary doctor re-evaluates it every 6 months. He try different things, but I've been on the same meds for about a decade and it works.

I'm at the point now where I can tell when the pharmacy switches manufacturers because the side-effects are different.

Response by SGT Tresa Silva-Rooks made Aug 26 at 2015 2:12 PM

SGT Tresa Silva-Rooks — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:12:54 -0400

I guess I am really lucky to have have 2 health insurances and don't have to worry about the change of medications. It seems like I have a fleet of doctors sometimes but all of them are excellent and leave each other alone and let them practice their own specialty but keep in touch as needed.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Aug 26 at 2015 2:14 PM

SGT Robert Hawks — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:14:19 -0400

2014 they wanted to see if my knees had improved they are both artificial and have been since 2006

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 26 at 2015 2:56 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:56:53 -0400

@ ben keen - you should ALWAYS ask about the meds you are on. No-one is going to advocate for you, but you. Your "primary care provider" isn't there to manage your care; this doctor is just a gateway to specialists and provider for less serious issues.

I suggest you get the Epocrates app for your smart phone. It's also available through their website. This will allow you to become informed regarding the meds you are on...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 5:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:02:27 -0400

Every visit, primary care, specialist or mental health. They all review my meds.

Response by LTC Robert Flynn made Sep 6 at 2015 9:15 PM

LTC Robert Flynn — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:15:56 -0400

I had my medications relooked at least five times in the past 10 years. However, two were when I moved and changed VA Facilities and two were after I underwent two life threatening issues. Otherwise the changes were when another SC condition was added to the list.