Making sure to take all medicines

[ronroush7]

I take synthroid once a day on an empty stomach for my thyroid. I am suppose to take both Gastrozyme (for my stomach) and Gabapentin (for peripheral neuropathy) three times a day. Colestipol(for the Crohns) is once a day. Imuran , Lialda and a medicine for stomach acid are all once a day. How do others reinforce all the medicine they need to take?

 

[JessPeper]

Hi Ron! I like to put mine in one of those weekly pill boxes. They have some that are for each day of the week that are morning, lunch, evening. Maybe that would work for you? I am able to take mine all at the same time, but if I get distracted in the evening or we go out for supper I forget to take them sometimes. The box on the counter is a good reminder!

 

[ronroush7]

Hi Ron! I like to put mine in one of those weekly pill boxes. They have some that are for each day of the week that are morning, lunch, evening. Maybe that would work for you? I am able to take mine all at the same time, but if I get distracted in the evening or we go out for supper I forget to take them sometimes. The box on the counter is a good reminder!

Thanks

 

[Tony H]

pill boxes and I set up reminders on my phone , lots of free apps for android and some for iphone , paid ones are generally more or less the same but without adverts .

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I have a weekly pill organizer that I prepare each week. My weekends are the middle of the week, so during my weekend I get my pills ready so everything is ready for Sunday. My work schedule is all over the place, but majority of the time I do have lunch at work. So, I put enough pills in my lunch to last the week.

At one time I took 3 doses a day. One for breakfast, one at work and then one when my husband and I ate before bed. Days off are a little challenging, but if you can get into the groove of taking 3 doses it might get a bit easier. Here's a website for walgreens that will give you some ideas of what we're talking about.


https://www.walgreens.com/search/results.jsp?Ntt=Pill+Organizers & Accessories&design=new

Also, Google play should have some apps for pill reminders. Plus, if you google it there are some free ones. Such as: CareZone...

 

[sabrina123]

We always set up everything in pill boxes for the different times of day. Have done phone app reminders - but sometimes those get ignored or "lost" when multiple notices.

But honestly, one of the best ways is to link taking pills to another routine activity that you tend to do everyday at the same time it becomes a habit. There was a book called the power of habit that talks about building habits to routines - you probably can find a summary somewhere. People also refer to habit stacking. That way its a little easier to be on auto pilot or not even think about it. The challenges become vacations etc, where you change your routine. It also tends to work best if you are a person who likes routines.

 

[MaryCherub]

How do others reinforce all the medicine they need to take?

I gave up medication years ago. But I use to have a seven day pill container labeled Monday onwards. On Sunday night I would prepare my pills in their daily compartments for the week ahead, then I carried this pill contain around with me.

It was the best way to ensure I remembered to take everything when I needed to. And there was no way I could accidentally double up on doses either.

Looked a bit like this:

https://www.forgettingthepill.com/products/easy-fill-weekly-am-and-pm-pill-organizer-item-457

You can get weekly ones, and also AM and PM ones