Medications Can Be a Hard Pill to Swallow Amidst Pressures to Heal Naturally
August 30, 2024
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Despite doing everything right — exercising, eating well, and taking vitamins — I still need medication to survive.
When I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 15 in 2009, I was handed a brief pamphlet on how to navigate this disease. I’ve been handed many rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and medication pamphlets in my life, all of which were vague (and, to be honest, ended up in the trash).
When diagnosed with a chronic illness or prescribed a new medication, your immediate response might involve turning to the internet, with social media being the primary destination. There, I found many posts about “healing naturally,” and it made it sound like the easiest thing in the world.
But that’s far from the reality of living with a chronic illness and the time it might take to find a treatment plan that works for you.
The social media cesspool of ‘natural remedies’
Social media provides a space to connect with others managing chronic illnesses. Building connections with those who understand your experiences can help alleviate feelings of isolation.
It’s why it’s my top tip for coping with a chronic illness. I highly recommend utilizing social media to connect with others similar in age who share the same disease.
While social media is a valuable tool for connection and support, it can also be physically and mentally harmful if not used carefully, especially when it comes to posts and advertisements promoting wellness products that should “help you heal naturally.”
Why ‘going the natural route’ can be so appealing
If you have a chronic illness, you might be familiar with the phrase “going the natural route.” This refers to attempting to manage a disease without medication and instead relying solely on natural remedies.
Social media often showcases this approach, featuring methods such as celery juice, vitamins, Epsom salt baths, and CBD lotions.
Frequently seeing posts from healthy influencers promoting the “natural route” and sharing their success stories can feel like the fairytale cure is in touching distance.
It can be so appealing to see the apparent ease at which some people claim to have healed their symptoms, especially amidst criticism of pharmaceutical industries and the challenges of health insurance.
Most of us might not be thrilled about starting a new medication. The extensive list of side effects can be scary. This hesitation is why many of my Spoonie friends have either delayed starting their medication or discontinued it without consulting their doctor. I am guilty of this myself.
Accepting the necessity of medication can be a hard pill to swallow (pun intended).
Frequently seeing posts from healthy influencers promoting the “natural route” and sharing their success stories can feel like the fairytale cure is in touching distance.
While this approach may work for some, it can be dangerous for others who genuinely need their medication.
Delaying medication use caused me unnecessary pain
When I came out of remission in 2015, I refused medication for 7 weeks. During this time, I couldn’t walk and had to have my knee drained of fluid each week.
Those 7-plus weeks of suffering could have been avoided if I had started my medication right away.
I wanted to try the natural route (whatever that means exactly) to see if I could heal myself. This decision led to more joint damage and an increased risk of infection after each knee draining.
Eventually, I decided to start the medication, and within days, I was able to walk again.
Why I decided to delay medication use
One of the reasons I delayed taking my medication was due to the influence of friends and family members who shared their opinions on the dangers of RA drugs.
I heard comments like, “Have you tried yoga?” and “My uncle’s dad’s sister got cured by only eating red meat!” or “Eliminate sugar and gluten, and you’ll be healed!”
While I didn’t resort to an all-red meat diet, these suggestions made me anxious enough to postpone starting my medication.
The number of DMs I’ve received through social media with similar messages is almost comical.
The pressures and pitfalls of ‘healing naturally’
Why is this culture of “healing naturally” so toxic?
You might be in a position where you don’t want to be medicated but have no choice. Going off medication can cause more harm and pain to yourself.
Spoonies often see videos on social media where individuals claim they got off their medication by following certain methods. This can lead you to question, “Why them and not me?”
It might tempt you to try extreme diets and supplements in hopes of achieving the same results.
You might adopt toxic eating and lifestyle habits, like extreme diets that are unsustainable and could potentially lead to difficult relationships with eating.
It can make you feel inadequate for not adhering to strict diets and remedy regimes. And trying different products and remedies can result in further discouragement when you realize that natural methods might not be enough on their own.
Spoonies often see videos on social media where individuals claim they got off their medication by following certain methods. This can lead you to question, “Why them and not me?”
It can be frustrating to wonder why, despite doing everything right — exercising, eating well, and taking vitamins — you might still need medication to survive.
The mental health effects of ‘going the natural route’
You can imagine how all of this can negatively affect mental health in chronic illness patients.
Getting diagnosed with a chronic illness is stressful enough. You don’t need people online telling you to take the natural route because it “cured them.”
Each of us handles chronic illnesses differently. What works for me may not work for you.
It’s taken a lot of therapy and raw conversations with other Spoonies to reach a point where I’m not triggered by these social media posts anymore.
Getting diagnosed with a chronic illness is stressful enough. You don’t need people online telling you to take the natural route because it “cured them.”
Medications and natural remedies are not enemies
If a Spoonie is able to go off their medication and enter remission, that’s great! My friends and I are always excited to hear this news.
I’m currently in a medicated remission myself. I incorporate natural remedies such as fitness, maintaining a balanced diet of 80% nutritious foods and 20% fun foods, taking vitamins, and stretching. I also take two types of medications, one of which is an injection, and I’m OK with that.
This is what my body needs to survive, and I’m incredibly proud of myself for how hard I’ve worked to get to where I am today.
Make sure your treatment plan is made with you in mind
Hearing stories about “healing naturally” can be so appealing and even give you newfound hope. But remember that these stories might just be stories!
When you start to notice yourself comparing your journey to others on social media and wondering, “Why can’t I be like that?” take a step back and think, “Wow, great for them, but let me focus on what my body needs.”
Each of us is unique. Our journeys may be similar, but none are exactly alike. That’s what makes you, YOU!
Make your treatment plan with a trusted doctor who knows your diagnosis and needs. Remember that natural remedies and medications are not enemies, and don’t ever feel pressured to treat your chronic illness in ways that others approve of.
Medically reviewed on August 30, 2024
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