Skip my medication?

[gregcat]

Hi, my doctor has had me on oral Diabetes meds and high bp meds for quite a while. However, I've stopped taking these meds, though it's been several months since my last check-up. Over the last year I've lost weight, taken up yoga, and am exercising on an elliptical cross-trainer. I am taking some vitamins and herbal supplements, but I thought to ask the Ching what would be the consequences of NOT taking my meds--if I'm endangering my health or if not. Some natural health types feel that these meds do nothing but mask symptoms, not cure or improve the underlying condition--but who knows if this is really true? I phrased the question something like:
"My health if I do not take bp and diabestes meds?" I got:
60, Limitations (Wing) with 6 in the 3rd and 6th place, moving to 9 Restrained (Wing). 27, "Nourishing" is the inner hexagram of 60 (sounds right), and if I change just 6 in the 3rd I get 5, Calculated Waiting (according to Wing) and I get 61, Inner Truth, if I just change the top line. Looking at the other related hexagrams seems to cloud the issue for me. My sense is that the judgment is telling me that I'm better off taking my meds -- that limitations (limiting my physical symptoms?) are called for, but that galling limitations (things that bug me or cause me mental stress--such as taking medication) should be avoided.

As with so many readings, this seems to me to be capable of being interpreted either way. Does anyone else have any tips for coming up with an interpretation that feels "right"?

Thanks!
Chad

 

[Trojina]

I don't know anything about these meds but i imagine its not an issue you can mess about with on the vague say so of some "natural health types"..these 'types' can really bug me when they write off all western medicine as not good...but their nettle soup or whatever is okay just cos its 'natural'..well natural can be toxic too and many of us are only alive and well cos of western meds.....oops there goes a mini rant

Anyhow this is something you need to research properly isn't it ...but I'd see 60.3 as a warning..not heeding limits has consequences. The relating hexagram 9 makes me think these meds perhaps work fairly inconspicuously over a period of time but are nevertheless important in maintaining your health. Some meds one may not notice the lack of for some time..doesn't mean they're not needed.

I see the 60 > 9 as something about maintaining (9) limits (60) and don't diabetics have to regulate the amount of insulin/sugar in their blood...hmm now in the light of the fact that you remaining well depends on some kind of regulation do you really think 60.3 is a good sign for stopping meds ? Personally I don't and it does seem to me your're being a tad casual about this.(60.3 again) If you decide to stop taking meds you need to discuss it with your dr surely...and also discuss with your dr the level of the meds perhaps (60.6)

 

[rosada]

60.3
He who knows no limitation will have cause to lament. No blame.

I see this as meaning diabetes can be caused by eating things your body cannot tolerate. Therefore, if one doesn't obey their body's physical limits they will have cause to lament. The consequences can be dealt with with medication to some extent, but it would be better if the person were able to live within their body's limits and then they will have no problem, no blame.

HOWEVER...
60.6
'Galling limitation" isn't good.
Sometimes eating right, doing all the exercises, living the spartan life, is just too hard or it isn't enough. In that case, "Persevering [with self help] brings misfortune." One needs professional medical care.
In which case, see a doctor and "Remorse disappears.""

I see this as meaning if on your own you can eat right and live right according to your body's limits, great, no blame. But if you find yourself slipping there is no shame in relying on medication. If persevering with the natural approach proves too difficult, see a doctor and remorse disappears.

Hexagram 9 represents a strong element temporarily held in leash by a weak element. Your medical issues are being successfully held in leash by your careful managing of the situation. I see no reason why you shouldn't expect this to continue as long as you continue to honor your body's limits.

 

[willowfox]

"My health if I do not take bp and diabetes meds?" I got: 60.3rd, 6th moving to 9

The above hexs are your sole answer, therefore you need not look any further.

Line 60.3 This line says that you have made a mistake by stop taking your medicines, sooner or later you are going to have problems with your sugar levels/blood pressure and then your heart.

Line 60.6 This line is about galling limitations which you are imposing upon your body by not taking your medication, and the commentary says that your body will attack you sooner or later.

Hex 9 Oneday, it is going to rain on your parade, so, you have now been warned.

Don't forget the question, what will be the result of NOT taking your medication, and the answer is that your health is going to take a direct hit sooner or later. Your body is like a rubber band it can only stretch so far before it breaks.

Do you have a blood pressure monitor at home and also a sugar level blood checker? If you don't then you should.

 

[rosada]

9.
The Taming Power of the Small
Has success.
Dense clouds, NO RAIN...

 

[titania]

Not related to the reading, but I do want to emphasize the importance of good communication with your doctor. Conditions like high bp and diabetes stress the entire system, and could lead to a long-term deterioration of your overall health. It's also important to inform your doctor of any vitamins and herbs you take along with the meds. Herbal supplements sometimes interact with meds, increasing or decreasing their effect. Some meds may also interfere with your ability to process certain vitamins or minerals, which can lead to a dangerous build-up in your body if you're taking too much.

Back to the reading, the moving lines warn of the danger of both too much limitation and too little. This suggests that you pursue a middle way, not abandoning the meds altogether (unless the doctor agrees that's safe), but continuing to make lifestyle changes and seeking alternatives to reduce your dependence on them. Hexagram 9 seems to support this. You need to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar under control, but do you can do that gently, with fewer meds and more of the sorts of things you've started doing. Just keep in mind that while taking control of your own health is blameless, it's not necessarily safe. A good doctor can help you set reasonable limits in order to avoid potential harm.

 

[willowfox]

9.
The Taming Power of the Small
Has success.
Dense clouds, NO RAIN...

Yes, no rain today but certainly it will rain next week, next month, coming soon.

 

[gregcat]

Hi, thanks for your comments. Since I haven't been taking the meds for a while (maybe months), my current situation as it stands is that I'm NOT taking meds currently. So the question at least comes from a place of not being on meds. I know that common sense certainly enters into analyzing the reading, but also as Blofeld emphasises--intuition. The reading doesn't mention seeing "the great man" but of course my doctor (who at least in the U.S. are often influenced in their opionions by drug manufacturers) will certainly have an opinion based on my next general exam in May.

Thanks!

 

[rosada]

Looking at hexagram 9 I think we have to think of "rain" as representing something positive: your good health. At this time your good health is being developed through your own efforts but as Wilhelm says, "It is not yet time for sweeping measures," that is, you do not just assume all is well and turn your back on traditional medicine. Thus, even though you seem to be in good health now, I think your intention to keep your next doctor's appointment makes good sense. In fact, the doctor just may want to know how you did it!
Rosada