Multiple conditions: How do you keep track of all your medications?

I have a similar problem due to the number of supplements I take along with 3 other medications I take daily. I ended up buying three 7 day pill cases and marked them AM, Noon and PM. That way I load them once a week and when one runs out or gets close to running out when I'm filling the pill cases, I can reorder and be prepared a little better.

I did read about what seems like a great idea but there is a one time upfront charge plus a monthly fee which is kind of pricey. It does handle up to 10 different medications and dispenses them daily for you. It might be a good idea if money is not a problem - Hero Pill Dispenser: https://herohealth.com/. Hoping other members may also have some suggestions for you.

@parkerjean Like you, I take several prescriptions, and even more over-the-counter supplements! Sometimes it takes a bit of a project to find the method that works best for you, doesn't it?

As @johnbishop mentioned, having the "what works for me" setup helps ease our mind. While I can easily skip a non-prescription pill, I am paranoid about missing one of my needed ones! I bought a 4 times a day pill organizer, set of two, so there is enough for me to do my medications for two weeks at a time. Each day can be pulled out and taken with me if I won't be home for a required dose. The only thing not going in that organizer is my chemotherapy medication, which has to be kept separate. I take that once a day, at 8pm. I utilize a storage container to hold all my medications, over-the-counter and prescription, and keep a list in there to refer to. I also use a sharpie type pen to write right on the bottle how often the contents are taken. When I sit to fill everything up, all the bottles come out of the container. One by one I fill each medication in to the pill organizers, placing the bottle into the container when done, and checking it against the list. I am not too proud to know that I could forget, or mess up, and just don't want that risk! This has worked for me for quite some time, now.

Does this give you any ideas?
Ginger

Nurses chart whenever they administer a medication, by signing their initials. For my crucial medications I've adopted a similar technique. I chart on a calendar daily whenever I take these medications. Evening medication I also set my iPhone alarm to alert me to take them.

My mother had a quote I wish I could remember, it went something to the effect that those who develop (chronic) illnesses learn how to take (proper) care of themselves. There is another quote that comes to my mind I've read that goes something to the effect that those without diagnoses just haven't had a proper (medical) work-up yet! As frustrating & challenging as it is, please take heart we are really striving to take care of ourselves (unlike some healthy folks that take their health for granted), & we have undergone those medical work-ups!

I have ht Four time slot for each day to the week. I do not take any supplements but after joining Connect, I am going to talk to my PCP about some. My main problem is forgetting the correct time of day to take the Meds. Lost in my own mind. HA HA Thanks for the info. Best regards Parker.

The phone idea is great afternoon is my worst time, I use that trick and calendar settings on my computer. Thanks and God speed.

Not boring. But I think that anyone might be overwhelmed by having to deal with so many conditions. Are you seeing a counselor at all? I've found that to be helpful.

@parkerjean your situation sounds like mine when i was first diagnosed. I went from 1 pill a day to at least 11 pills, plus others at other times. I have the alarm on my phone set for the odd-hour times, like 4am. I also organize my pills like @gingerw does. I have a separate pill case for my most important pills. It’s taken me some time, but I’m able to recognize all my pills and instantly know if one is missing.
Do you have a friend or family member who can help you organize your pills?

Yes I see a Psy. now once every month for mind problems

Can I do elk on just progesterone and not take estrogen

@becsbuddy, @johnbishop, @parkerjean, and all...Well, ain't this fun? This is a great topic for so many of us. I've been taking multiple medications for most of my life. I too have a list far too long of diagnoses, most with far too many medications, although I'm pleased to report I've worked with my docs and reduced them by 6+ of the strongest and those with the most devastating side effects, even if they were actually helping in some ways.

I've used different methods through the years. Until 2021 I used plastic pillboxes for AM and PM only as I refused to take pills all day long. They were included in the morning and night doses. Then, thyroid was added and had to be taken differently and away from other meds. So, I've rearranged the system.

My current system is working wonderfully. It started when a friend who had a lung transplant from Mayo Florida mentioned he has his meds delivered by a local pharmacy. I fainted! delivered by a real person, not USPS or FedEx or mailorder or from insurance co or ????? A real person from a local pharmacy.

So, I began discussing this with the pharmacist and moved all my meds to that store. I take about 20ish meds daily. And supplements. This was quite a challenge to get going, but it's finally set up and I'm thrilled. Now, I have moved my disabled son's meds to the same place for my survival. I just today finished a month of pillboxes, yes- I do it by the month with all the maintenance meds and supplements. I have 4 weeks of pillboxes w/4 times daily boxes. Each day stands alone, so if I leave the house at all, I take that day with me. When I go to the doc or Mayo or the hospital, I take at least 2 days with me in my purse. These are meds my body depends on to keep going, and I won't miss a dose. Period. So, I am obsessive about having with me what I need at all times.

Supplements...B12 complex, magnesium, Centrum Silver for Women, zinc, D3, UTI supplement, Brain supplement. I'm very careful what supplements I take and who makes them/how/where. etc., all go in the Noon and Afternoon sections, with any meds I may need to take then. This keeps the supplements away from the pills that are contraindicated at the same time.

It takes a couple of days to get the whole month of pillboxes filled. When I started, I was weaker and recovering and not strong enough to fill them, so the wonderful pharmacy personnel filled the first couple of months for me. I can't ask them to do that and want to be sure all are where they need to be, as I'm extremely careful to take everything as it's prescribed. Now, I have a pretty good little system going and give myself 2 quiet days to do this task. It's working and I'm thrilled. And, I know if I can't do it myself, the pharmacy folks will help out. If I get so I can't do this well alone, I'll get help, but for now, I'm ok doing it. I also fill my son's boxes for a month at a time. Wow~ what a great way to solve my pill issues and the time it takes to do his and mine. Just finished his boxes tonight, after the meds were delivered yesterday. The pharmacy calls me at the end of each month to go through each med for a refill....and to change any doses or meds I've changed that month. They do the same for my son. So, we never run out of pills we need. It keeps me honest as I now have a backup person to call and remind me of the need to refill. Great help.

I know, this may be a rare system offered in rare places. It may be you can find a way to set this up with a local pharmacy in your town. I worked hard to find this method, it took years of searching and learning. May you find some way to use or adapt any of these suggestions to meet your needs.
Blessings to all. elizabeth