Chapter 5, My Little Beige Pill Summary and Analysis

Patty Duke believed her little beige pill, her lithium, was a miracle drug. After many years of struggling with her unnamed illness, Patty finally had a way of fixing what she had never realized was broken. However, when Patty began speaking publicly about her illness, she began to learn that many patients would not take the miracle pill because of possible unpleasant side affects. Patty Duke had never had a problem taking her pill. Patty admitted that she experienced an increase in thirst and urination, but it was not something she could not handle. Patty also told her readers that she occasionally needed to have her lithium levels checked when she felt her moods cycling or when she could taste a metallic flavor in her mouth. Patty needed to eat on time as...