[Anon_Admirer]

I don’t think the op meant that in the literal sense of the word “forced”. I took it to mean that arguments were used as a scare tactic to get you to take the multi-vitamin. I don’t think anyone can force people to take anything, but some doctors might be upset after seeing test results if some vitamin levels are low.

[NoZebra120vClip]

So there were several scare tactics used, some half-truths, and some blatant lies to cover up adverse side effects.

I eventually made a spreadsheet wherein I drew up a matrix of side effects from each medication I was currently prescribed (about 5 total) and it very clearly demonstrated that these drugs were working together to enhance and magnify those adverse effects. There's no term for that, of course: they're not "interacting"; it's more like a malevolent synergy.

So I quit all the meds and I rely on a few authoritative sources for which supplements to take. I do inform all my physicians about what I take; I keep them up-to-date, and in turn they do nothing to monitor or test, because allopathy doesn't/can't do that. They typically just solemnly inform me that it's not regulated and I should probably have some professional guidance on it. Yeah, I'm working on that.

In terms of forced drugging, I've been incarcerated in hospitals and they basically expect you to take the drugs they present, or else. "Or else" usually starts with a petition to the court to order the forced drugging. I noticed in my records that someone had written "beware of cheeking" -- it turns out that "cheeking" is a way that inmates pretend to take pills but put 'em in their cheeks like a squirrel instead.

Typically, if I was incarcerated, I'd just go along with the drugging regimen and pretend that it helps, because that avenue meets much less resistance than the others. Last October I simply refused, and they weren't too fussed about that, because I was voluntary anyway, so all the treatments were my choice, my right. And I've been 100% voluntary treatment for over 20 years: nobody can say that I haven't relentlessly pursued every possible treatment at every opportunity. I merely disagree with the proposition that drugs make it better or easier.

[hammyhavoc]

My step-dad and ex-fiancee really struggle with paranoid schizophrenia (my step-dad ended up on the street in another country with a criminal record before we were able to find him and intervene), and they've both really struggled with being medicated, from pills to injectables. Whatever it is that ails you, I really hope you're doing a lot better these days, and I hope it continues forevermore. I completely empathize with what you wrote, it's very painful to watch someone go through and not be able to help in a meaningful way.

May you be in excellent health, mate, both physically and mentally.

[hammyhavoc]

I understood what was meant, I'm just curious what people have found effective in terms of over-the-counter supplements versus prescribed meds.