Organizing Meds/Supplements

[Julie B]

I don't know where to put this, but since it is a trick I use to help me lead as normal of a life as possible I figured here was as good as any place!

For the past several years I have organized my meds in zip lock bags.......usually 4 weeks at a time. I take meds am and pm so that means 56 zip lock bags. I used to use the sandwich zip locks but then, when we were cleaning out my mom's house, I found some 2" x 3" bags.........they were perfect and they take up less space.

Anyway, I put the rows of baggies out, by week, am and pm, and I place the meds I need for that time of day on the bag. (Maybe I should take a picture of this, LOL, it is hard to explain!) When all the pills are distributed I stuff them in the aip locks and use those office clips to keep a week at a time together...........

That way, I only have to think about my meds once a month and I don't have to open all of those jars over and over again, at the risk of forgetting something. Also, this system is much more manageable than using a large medicine organizer.

I have lost or damaged enough of the bags that I can only do 3 weeks worth tonight, so I went online to see if I could buy them. I found the 2 x 3 bags on Amazon, of all places! I think you would be able to find them other places too. If you want to see what I am talking about here is the link Zipper Bags (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002ZWZCE/ref%3Dnosim/nutraconsults-20)

When I get them (even with shipping they were like 1c each!) I will take pictures of this process.

[kadi]

Great idea!
I use a 7 day pill box (but I don't think I take as many oral meds as most IC patients). It is a relief to only deal with counting one day a week & it's easy to see if I've remembered to take meds or not.

Good thing about either method is that you find out if you're running low in advance so no drama at the pharmacy with waiting for doctors to approve refills:)

[SandyRN]

That's a really good idea. I had used a 7 day pill box before, and decided that many of my meds are as needed, and I really cant put those in to be used. I had a lot of un-taken pills left over. I guess it would make sense for me to try sorting the ones that I take every morning and every night the way you do, and just keep the prn ones in the bottle til I need them. You have me wanting to get more organized than the big makeup bag I have full of pill bottles!

Thanks, Sandy

[kadi]

A friend of mine who has lupus & takes a lot of meds has a triple size pill minder box. When she gets back from vacation I'll ask her where she got it.

[SandyRN]

thats a great idea too kadi. Triple size ought to hold all the stuff I take!

[traceann]

Wow, what a great idea! I am finding more and more that I need some kind of system, sometimes I discover too late I missed a med!

Hugs,
Tracey :)

[SrMaggie]

I found some of those pill minders at the dollar store. My FNP also had some as samples from drug reps. So if all else fails ask your doc. In fact, the FNP gave me several after I had a trip to the hospital. One morning at work, I was talking to a staff member and started feeling really funny. My speech started slurring. I got up to go to the faculty room, so I could eat breakfast and was tripping and weaving. Some folks got me in a chair and were helping me with my pears and cottage cheese - which I don't remember. I spent about a day and a half in the hospital emergency department and the only thing we could come up with was that I had taken my night meds with my morning meds. That was a real scare for everybody. It was suggested that I be driven to the hospital instead of waiting for an ambulance. My friend in the car said I told them I was disappointed that I couldn't ride in the ambulance!LOL. The hospital was no picnic, so I am really, really careful about my meds. I take a few minutes on Saturday to count them out for about two weeks or more. That also helps me to get my refill in on time so that I'm not waiting for the mail to come.
Blessings to all.
Maggie