A quick one today, prompted by my visits to a local health clinic.

Examples of medication shaming

I found myself sitting in the waiting room every week, for months on end, staring at a handwritten quote on a blackboard. I’m sure it’s supposed to motivate me in some way, but instead, it just annoyed me. The quote said:

“A person’s health can be judged by which they take two at a time – pills or stairs.”

So, what annoyed me about this statement?

It implies that my health is something to be judged by others. It’s not. It felt like it was saying I’m doing something wrong. I’m not. And finally, I live in a bungalow because my health dictates that. It felt like, by this quotes definition, I’m not even on the scale.

My daily pill total is nearer to forty than it is to thirty. Yes, I just went and counted. It includes medication for chronic pain, bladder muscle dysfunction, the repercussions of having no colon, and supplements for nutritional deficiencies. I have six pill reminders – the longest I go without medication during my day is four hours.

In real life, many times I’ve been on the receiving end of people saying: “I don’t take tablets”, like it’s some kind of achievement; my body is a temple type rubbish. Seemingly implying that they’re stronger or superior to me. All it makes me think is that they’re lucky they don’t have anything they need to take pills for…

Taking medication is often not a choice

For me, taking medication is not a lifestyle choice, it’s a necessity. Without them, I’d be unwell, in agony, miserable, isolated, and most importantly, I would be UNhealthy. Taking my medications allows me to get up in the morning and partake in exercise. Exercise that benefits my body AND mind. It allows me to eat more healthily, and leave the house to socialise and get my body moving. It allows me to be the healthiest I can be.

I don’t feel weak because I’m taking tablets. It’s something I need to do, to be the healthiest I can be, because my body, just like everyone else’s body, has different requirements to function optimally.

Can we stop the medication shaming now?

My body IS a temple; it was just hit by an earthquake and needs more structural support. 💊