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

@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

@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

I set my meds up in AM and PM sorters once a month. If I temporarily need a midday med, I use a separate sorter. I always keep 2 days of meds and a set of inhalers in my purse so if we go off unexpectedly to care for grands or on a lark I have what I need. The habit comes from traveling for work for many years.
Sue

@sueinmn, @becsbudddy, @parkerjean, @johnbishop, and all...one very important addition- your pharmacist is your best advisor. We worked together to organize my refills to be refilled at the same time each month.

I was going bonkers calling in refills for me and my son throughout the whole month! It was exhausting and required way too much work. Too much thinking about meds and illness That's not good for my mental health, so I made the change.

Best thing ever...best thing for me emotionally. Less stress!!!

Hope this helps. Elizabeth