I am struggling so hard to get on track. I can't seem to even find the energy to keep up with taking my meds.
Tested + in Feb. Saw my Lyme Dr for the 1st time at the end of July.
Have done 2 rounds of Dox
Now I am trying to work on incorporating everything but when I look at my list that has 13 different meds on for me to take I am overwhelmed.
Every 2- 3 hours that I'm awake I have to be swallowing pills.
Besides this my 12 yr old daughter just showed up + and my 2 year old who has 1 + and 1 - test keeps telling me all the time how his tummy and head hurts.
I still don't even know how to take care of myself let alone now trying to have to worry about having a family health plan in place.
I really don't want to have to go to a port right now but I don't know what the best options are.
Any advice on how to get a better handle on this would be welcomed.
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
This may not be much help, but here's how I do it:
I have four Jumbo sized pill holders. Once a month, I "set up" all my meds and supplements in them.
Each morning I pour the day's pills into a small bowl, and keep it with me throughout the day with water. Every time I drink some water, I take 2-3 pills. I try to make an effort to swallow them throughout the day.
I take over 50 pills a day, mostly supplements, so I'm not really worrying about what to take when, and it's easy to pick out the prescription meds in the bowl and space them out.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I heavily relied on those pill holders. I had a few that had three spots for each day, so I could separate morning, noon, and night pills. There's just no way I could have remembered when to take what with the brain fog I had.
Posts: 306 | From Brownsville, PA | Registered: Jul 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I take tons of supplements and medications.
I have pill compartments that I use to do 3 days worth of pills at a time. I group pills together that can be taken together.
I keep all my supplements in a big canvas bag and my prescription pills in a smaller bag. I fill my prescription pills for the next day right before I go to bed.
I have a schedule set up and I follow it. When I take cholestyramine I set a timer so that I can eat at the right time. When I take digestive enzymes 2X per day on an empty stomach I set a timer so that I know when to take the next round of supplements.
Get yourself an egg timer or use your microwave timer or alarm clock. Have it handy where you sit so you can set it when you need to as a reminder.
This forum is great for support. Use it. If you have trouble, ask for help by posting in medical. There are people who will help you set up a schedule. Post with your list of supplements and meds along with any requirements such as do they have to be taken alone, with food, without food etc..
Take it one step at a time. If you don't get it all figured out today, be patient. You can do it.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I was wondering how I was going to manage all those pills too -- plus trying to remember not to eat any dairy hours before and after taking doxy...
I have a pill container with four places in it per day -- that helps -- I set it up once a week. I can get all my pills and supplements in it, but I won't be able to if I take many more.
I am fortunate in that I am retired and no job to go to or children to take care of -- my heart and admiration goes out to all of you who juggle everything PLUS this disease.
One thing I decided was that I was not going to worry about losing weight, that I would focus on my recovery from Lyme. Take one thing at a time and give myself a lot of slack.
-------------------- Judy G. Posts: 122 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
editing: suggest you add this to your subject line so it's VERY specific; thanks!
taking all your meds in one day?
just click on PENCIL to right of your top post. it opens up subject line and body text; add it, and then click edit send! easy huh...
from my newbie package links...
MEDS SCHEDULE:
BettyG's suggestion for taking MANY RX PILLS/SUPPLEMENTS and keeping them straight! This worked for me really well!! 6.6.08
yes , i can see why you are overwhemed;; i was too when i started 22 supplements 2nd llmd had me take.
first, write out a schedule of ALL MEDS with your llmd.. ****************************************** * before you start, gather all together and split up or different times to take them! * I bought 6 of those really large pill boxes they make. * i have 1 for breakfast,, lunch, supper/dinner * 10 am, 3pm, and bedtime, * ok, now get all the bottles for B,L,D and write them down and how many for each meal.. * get those for 10 am, 3 pm, and bedtime together. * then ONCE A WEEK, i do my pills separating to different times, etc. * i do the one PILL FOR EACH meal before going onto the next meal. * so if i have B, L, D//SUPPER; I'LL TAKE THOSE 3 BOXES SIDE BY SIDE and fill each with their dosage. * then do the same on 10 am, 3 pm, and bedtime. * my 10 & 3 were REFRIGERATOR ONES..... so i had them by frig; would turn over container after taking that time for that day;next time ... 3 pm would be on top to remind me! * i also wrote on a SEPARATE PILL CALENDAR when i started and ended each med! * can someone help you to start with so you are doing this correctly?
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posted
Judy brought up the issue of no calcium / dairy within hours of doxy. I miss my cereal and milk.
Have become creative with the cooking.
Breakfast, I put apple cider on my cereal instead of milk.
We use peanut butter on lots of stuff we used to use butter on.
You can scramble eggs with a little water instead of milk, then use extra light olive oil in pan instead of butter.
My husband had to switch to non dairy creamer for his coffee, which kills me as we try to not eat any fake foods.
I make mashed potatoes with some of the potato water instead of butter and milk. Have heard cooking the potatoes in chicken broth adds good flavor too. Then use some of the broth for mashing.
We try to have our milk products late morning through early afternoon.
Our LLMD also told us to take calcium supplements, which means we need to add magnesium also for balance.
I'd appreciate any tips others have about this. Finished up the IV antibiotics, and will be on the doxy for a year, so I'm looking for ideas. =)
-------------------- Wishing You Showers Of Blessings! Lyme since Fall 1983 = Diagnosed Summer 2008 IV Rocephin 7 weeks Stopped due to drug fever Now doxycycline "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 430 | From Sunny South | Registered: Jul 2008
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