Confessions of a Concussed Cyclist: medications 

September 18, 2026

I will never understand how or why people feel that I need to hear their opinions about my own life.  I’ve heard so many unsolicited comments about my brain injury.  Today, let’s talk about the comments I hear regarding medications I take, because of my rattled brain. 

Family: some variation of “the medications are what make your head feel so bad.” (I guess they are ignoring the fact that I have literal brain damage!) 

Nurse: “Whoa!  Quite a lengthy list here!”

Pharmacist: “Geez!  Picking up quite a few today!”

The first few times someone made comments to me regarding my medications, I was actually taken aback.  I am rarely left speechless, but I was at first.  I didn’t understand why someone was saying something.  The comments very quickly became old and I would get frustrated/angry when they were made.  Let me make something very clear, IT IS NOT UP TO YOU WHY SOMEONE ELSE TAKES MEDICATION!  It is not your business why they take something.  It is not open for your opinion, your judgment, your input, or discussion.  It does not affect YOU and you DO NOT have a say in it.  EVER!  Ok…I hope those in the back heard me this time.

As comments continued to be made, I began answering with “get hit by a SUV at 30 MPH and then we’ll talk about what you do in order to make it through the day!”  There may or may not be an F-word thrown in there when I say this. 

When people see my daily pill box they fail to realize that the majority of the pills you see me swallow are vitamins, minerals, and supplements.  But honestly, it doesn’t matter if I take one prescription pill or ten.  It’s not up for debate.  It’s not open to discussion. Although I do have access to a lot of different prescription medications, I do not take them all, every day.  The medications that I do take are not meant to make me feel amazing, to numb me out, or to give me a high.  They are strictly meant to help me function, help me get out of bed, help me make it through the day.  The bare minimum. 

The comments and the judgments are wild to me.  That someone feels it’s acceptable to offer up unsolicited opinions is crazy to me.  That an individual thinks I need their feedback, is insane.  Years ago, when I was complaining about this very topic, a friend shared a quote with me: “don’t let anyone who hasn’t been in your shoes tell you how to tie your laces.” Until you’ve lived my life, don’t you dare judge or comment on what I do to get by.  Until you’ve lived my life, don’t tell me what I’m doing wrong or what you would do instead.  You truly have no idea what you would do and I hope you never have to find out. 

A few years ago, at a doctor’s appointment, after reviewing my medication list, I thanked the nurse for not making any comments.  She was floored that other people had.  She said “you’re here!  You survived!  I would never judge what you have to do to get through the day.” I wish more people were like this.  I wish more people kept their mouths shut and simply noticed that I survived, and I’m doing what I need to do in order to get through the day.  It’s that simple.