Opinion ID: 2633391
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the Commission err in failing to consider the significant side effects from the medications Gooby was taking?

Text: During the course of her treatment, Gooby took various medications, some of which caused significant side effects. When describing the various symptoms about which Gooby complained to her physicians, the Commission listed side effects or minor adverse reactions to various medications prescribed for her. Gooby argues that the side effects she suffered from some medications were much more serious than minor adverse reactions, that they are nonmedical factors that the Commission should have taken into consideration, and that if the Commission mischaracterized the severity of the side effects it did not properly take them into consideration. During the hearing, Gooby testified that the medications she was currently taking were Cardizem and Adreninol for her heart and blood pressure; Relafen, an anti-inflammatory; Effexor, an antidepressant; and Hydrocordone, a pain medication. She testified that when she took the Effexor at a high dosage it made her vomit, but it did not cause side effects at the lower dosage she was now taking. The Relafen likewise did not cause her problems once she learned to take it all the time rather than only when she felt she needed it. At times, instead of Relafen she takes Ibuprofen, which she feels relieves pain faster than the Relafen, but she thinks the Ibuprofen causes stomach cramps. Finally, she stated that taking one Hydrocodone pill causes her to have a dry mouth and to become a little sick to my stomach and a little bit dizzy and a little bit tired. If she takes two pills, she becomes sick to her stomach, but she learned that if she lays down and takes the pills with food, it seems to pass. She added that she does not drive when she takes Hydrocodone because I don't feel responsible at the wheel on pain pills, but that when she was working she only took the Hydrocodone when she came home after work. In addition, Gooby described the significant adverse side effects she experienced with other medications that her physicians had tried earlier. Although Gooby certainly experienced significant adverse side effects with some of the medications, her testimony showed that by changing medication and altering dosages she was able to keep the side effects to a manageable level where they would not interfere with her ability to work.