Multiple conditions and keeping track of all your medications

P.S. Many people post about taking various supplements. About a year ago, I developed a strange numbness in my
limbs and some neurological syptoms. A wise doctor ordered a thorough blood test, and discovered that I
had 600 TIMES the normal level of Vitamin B6 in my system. Various vitamins are contained in common
foods, and if you don't actually have a vitamin deficiency, taking supplements on top of what you consume
daily can result in toxicity. It is wise to check with your doctor first, before taking supplements.
@ellu

@altilla
Adding the description on the alarm is genius! I, too, use the alarm on my phone to help remind me of meds for my dad. I also keep one of those small notebooks as a log. I need to take his blood pressure twice a day (more if something is going amiss), and his weight daily. So I record them there and then I note the times I have given him which meds. Many of his meds have to be spaced a minimum number of hours from others, so this helps me to keep track. Since hydration is now a big deal, I try to note approximately what is consumed throughout the day as well (but I’m not as good at that. Plus, I don’t want him to know I’m doing it so he doesn’t feel micromanaged.). This way I can take the book in to doc office (it’s small) if we need to discuss blood pressure, how often he has needed water pills or other PRN meds, etc.

I also have multiple medical conditions and put on many medications by different Drs and APRNs in Palliative care.

I grouped all my meds into Morning and Bed time doses and take them accordingly. The visiting nurse checks out all meds. She told me to keep two medication dispenser cups. Fill one w the meds for 9AM and the other one for
9PM.
You can label those cups w color coding, if you wish. When you have taken say morning meds, you put that away and keep the other one handy (out of children' reach) for bedtime.It is simple. Yet it is a lot of work.
I cannot handle four times daily or three times daily type of medicine taking and manage it. I need a nurse at home to do it at home.

You can also keep all your meds in a divided plastic container box and take them as needed.

The best method that I love is:
Blister card dispensed medications. You need a big container to keep all cards and separate them by time
of taking each dose.

Medication errors cause disabling conditions in most people, if not death.Some may die from over dose.
VJ

I find your medical issues anything but boring. How overwhelming it must feel at only 71 to have so many medical issue "balls" in the air!!

I am a medical professional and when reviewing your multiple diagnoses recommend you find a pharmacist who can organize your diagnoses and medication in a priority order.

For example the tinnitus is at the bottom of the totem pole of importance. Anyone who doesn't have tinnitus, who has lived through the rock and roll years, military/wars, ridden motorcycles, is unusual.

Any drug related to a major body system such as kidneys, heart (to include blood pressure) or lungs should be top priority.

This is just my opinion and not medical advice.

My only true advice is to find a knowledgeable pharmacist (even if you have to offer to pay one out of pocket - which you should not HAVE to do but it may motivate one to help in depth) who can help you gain better control of your medication regimen according to importance.

Polypharmacy in geriatrics is becoming a greater and greater concern. All these meds MUST be coordinated. Otherwise more conditions may be caused than are being helped.

On the other hand the way you are handling your medications (or rather NOT handling your medications) may be an underlying sign that you are fed up with life and all the diagnoses/medications/doctors in your life and are ready to let go and just let nature take its course? Food for thought.

Either way, keep us posted and good luck. We are here either way.

@ellu My medical insurance provider is an all-in-one system, and they have a website that does something similar for me. But I only take a few medicines and they're the same every day, so I keep track of when to take them at home. It is nice that we go to our insurance provider,s own pharmacy. So our website tells us when to reorder if we want. When my father was so ill and taking many medicines at different times of the day, we would make a chart and fill it out ourselves to keep track.
But your pharmacist sounds like he goes above and beyond the call of duty! Lucky you! 🙂

Bristol Myers no longer manufactures Coumadin and it has been replaced by Warfarin. My husbands count has been off, which is very dangerous for someone with an artificial valve. Very upset that he has been put in this situation.

@ellu The FDA does not monitor or approve many supplements. As you have learned and I am glad you brought this up: is VERY dangerous to take supplements.

Your bloodwork will tell you and your physician if you need any supplements.

The same goes for fish oils, yeasts, etc.....

@ellu
Along this line of thought, Biotin can interfere with numerous laboratory tests. I discovered this when my son was having Humira blood levels tested. You need to refrain from supplements including vitamins containing biotin for at least 48 hrs before testing. It can interfere with the results. He was not advised of this when the test was ordered, we discovered it when we looked at the lab testing website for test preparation. Biotin can particularly interfere with immunoassays.
Most daily vitamins contain biotin, albeit not high amounts, however to be on the safe side it might be wise to refrain from taking biotin before getting your bloodwork done. Maybe investigate if biotin might interfere with your lab tests.

@ann78 hello. Warfarin is the generic name for Coumadin, they are the same. It might help to label the medication for whoever handles his medications. Thera are other accessories that serve for that very purpose you can buy. Take care

@johnbishop
I avoid taking medications on a daily basis and try to make lifestyle changes to solve problems. If I read side effects and I read scary side effects, I don't take the medication. For pain, I stick to an OTC pain pill and just take that infrequently. I have been doing this for years. I am 83 and currently my daily medication is a multi vitamin and vitamin D. This sounds extreme but it works for me. Do people actually track a medication to see if it is doing what it is prescribed for and does it cause other problems?