Many people question taking their medication on a regular basis when their disease is under control. When medication is working well, it is preventing flares of disease. Each flare of an autoimmune condition can cause damage which is often irreversible.
Treating a condition well means we prevent it from spreading to more areas of the body. Our advanced treatments for autoimmune disease control the condition but do not cure it. Lifelong treatment of some type will be needed to control the disease. So before you stop a therapy or decide to reduce the dose, speak to your specialist about the importance of maintenance therapy. People missing doses during a vacation or not wanting to carry their refrigerated product have often regretted this decision when flaring on their holiday. We can provide travel notes and ice packs as needed, so always ask your pharmacist how we can help rather than miss doses of medication. It is important to know that in the event that many doses are missed, your treatment may not be as effective when restarted.
Carolyn Whiskin is the Pharmacy Manager for Charlton Health. Carolyn specializes in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, pharmaceutical compounding, women’s health, pain and smoking cessation. Carolyn has won provincial and national awards for her commitment to patient care and public service.