While your first source for all alternative therapies information should be your Doctor and health care team, there’s a lot you can personally bring to your therapeuric journey through accurately tracking your experience.
Even if you’ve been a Patient for some time now, we encourage you to see how you can stay informed and empowered through titration, journaling and self-reflection, keeping you on the best path for your physical and mental wellbeing.
Titration: the right dose
Titration is the process of adjusting your dosage to achieve optimal therapeutic effects, while mitigating side effects. Titration is a fundamental aspect of your care plan, and should be discussed across your appointments with your Doctor.
The motto of titration is always “start low, go slow”, meaning your Doctor will often start you with a lower dose and gradually increase over a window of time until the desired relief is achieved. Don’t try to rush through this process, and instead, keep a titration notebook (or on a Notes app in your phone) and ensure you feel confident in knowing what dosage you should be administering across the titration process.
Consider mood, physical sensations, any side effects and if you’ve taken it on an empty stomach or at different times of day. Share key takeaways with your Doctor at your follow-up consults, and feel confident to ask additional questions if you need any further guidance as to where you’re at in your titration timeline.
Journaling: your story
Alongside titration tracking, more in-depth journaling and reflection can be helpful to understand how your prescription medicine influences your overall wellbeing and mindset. As you start a prescription product, keep notes on how you feel once you’ve dosed, and changes in mood, productivity or engagement in your work or social life.
Every Patient will be treated for different symptoms and conditions, with some being more psychological over physical, so tailor your journaling accordingly. Remember, journaling is a long game, and the mission is to notice patterns and trends after several weeks or months of writing down your thoughts, so stick with it.
Appointment notes: planning ahead
Across your journey, there may be times when you need to make changes to your plan alongside your Doctor. Bring detailed notes and any key questions with you to your appointment or keep them to hand near you for telehealth calls – this will ensure you don’t miss the chance to discuss a concern or query with your Doctor, or forget in the flow of the conversation.
Alternative medicine is highly personalised, where several Patients can experience different results from the same medication. By embracing journaling, titration tracking and managing your Doctor communication, you’ll remain empowered in your journey to better health.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice. For accurate legal guidance, please consult with relevant legal authorities or a qualified professional.