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

Posted by parkerjean @parkerjean, Jan 27, 2022

I am 71 and have been following diagnosis (seems like gussing to me) for about between 10 and 20 yrs. I take so many meds I lose track on refills or even taking each one daily. I am sure many in the connect group have the same problem but I would like to talk to someone who has so many diagnosis. ie(KCD stage 3, anxiety disorder, first degree atrioventricular block, sensorineural hearing loss bilateral, subjective tinnitus, Atypical facial pain, Orthostatic Hypotension, Adrenocortical Hypofunction, Coronary Artery disease, Internal Tremors, Hypokalemia, AFib (corrected witn cardioversion) Parkinsonism) Peripheral Neuropathy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Bone Diseases Metabolic, Lumbar & Cervical Radiculopathy, Aortic Valve Insufficiency, Thoracic aneurysm, RLS, Dupuytren's contraction (both hands) Pernicious anemia, Gout, and finally Hypertension. How boring I know but sometimes I just wonder Why.

***Community Director's Note***

Your tips shared in this discussion inspired the writing of this article by Mayo Clinic.

Don't miss a dose: Expert advice for managing meds

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

cgirl0721 | @cgirl0721 | Nov 30, 2022

In reply to @realitytest "Is Medical Alert the same as Medisafe? Thanks!" + (show)

Medisafe is name of a he app on the Apple Store (iphone/iPad). I am not sure if is under a different name for other devices.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Nov 30, 2022

In reply to @realitytest "Is Medical Alert the same as Medisafe? Thanks!" + (show)

Medisafe,
As I understand it is a computer app that helps assure a person takes their medication.

MedicAlert,
is a nonprofit worldwide organization that provides bracelets, necklaces, shoe tags, etc. to put medical information on and has an 800 number for medical personnel to call and MedicAlert provides a database and keeps various types of medical records, legal documents, medication list and physicians and emergency contacts. It’s a membership organization.

Medical alert systems,
The person wears a bracelet or something to press to contact an operator so emergency help can be dispatched.

As far as taking pills is concerned I have an automated pill dispensing machine. An alarm goes off every morning at 7 AM and when I dump out the pills the alarm goes off, I haven’t miss taking my medication since I got it you can dispense medication once or multiple times per day.

I’m not sure if I answered your question or not but there are others I’m sure who will come along.

Take care,
Jake.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Nov 30, 2022

In reply to @sueinmn "How do you remember when you are out and about? I'm afraid the dispenser won't work..." + (show)

@sueinmn
It's only been almost 10 months but I finally saw your message.
I only take medication once a day at 7 AM so if I leave the house it’s not a problem for me. If I’m going to be gone for 24 hours or more I just take it off it’s charging base and take it with me. It holds a 28-day supply if taken once a day.
Happy travels,
Jake

realitytest | @realitytest | Nov 30, 2022

In reply to @cgirl0721 "Medisafe is name of a he app on the Apple Store (iphone/iPad). I am not sure..." + (show)

Thanks for prompt reply!

realitytest | @realitytest | Nov 30, 2022

In reply to @jakedduck1 "Medisafe, As I understand it is a computer app that helps assure a person takes their..." + (show)

And thank you very much too, Jake.

Very handy information!
You continue to take such good care of yourself too.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 6, 2023

Hi all,
Your tips shared in this discussion inspired the writing of this article by Mayo Clinic
- Don’t miss a dose: Expert advice for managing meds https://www.mayoclinic.org/connected-care/dont-miss-a-dose-expert-advice-for-managing-meds/cpt-20528192

Be sure to scroll down to the header: More tips from Mayo Clinic Connect members

wendyhobbie | @wendyhobbie | Sep 6, 2023

Elizabeth must be my sister! I’m 69 with too many diagnoses to share. It took 3 sleep tests over a 10 year period to find that I only had sleep apnea if I slept on my back! Now I sleep on my side and no machine! I need a muscle relaxer and Ambien because I have restless leg syndrome…but sleep 8 hours straight every night.
I keep all my current supplements and medication in a two week pill sorter. My prescriptions are labeled in a sharpie N or L and M in case I need someone to help me. Also I never run out of my medications…yes, I still have neuropathy pain in my lumbar (from surgeries) and my feet but hoping that my Myofascia treatments will help with that so that I can keep on walking!

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Sep 6, 2023

Hello, all. I have at least 4 pill boxes. One for 6am pills which I keep in the bathroom so when i get up to pee, i can see the pill box on the edge of the counter. Then i have 2 in the kitchen: 1 for my 8 am pills and 1 for 6 pm pills. I do have another in the bathroom for my bedtime pills. And a small box in my purse for the ones i take with meals (when I’m away from home.) It can be confusing, but I focus and just fill 1 box at a time.

szucker99 | @szucker99 | Sep 7, 2023

I keep one set of my morning and evening pills in a little pill container in my purse for those inevitable times when I leave the house and forgot to take my pills. Just missing one dose throws off my entire week. It was an easy thing to do but took me years to actually do !

Otto_L | @ottol | Sep 8, 2023

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi all, Your tips shared in this discussion inspired the writing of this article by Mayo..." + (show)

I tried a number of smartphone apps, but now use the free Medisafe app on my iPhone. (It's also available on Android).

A number of my meds need to be taken at specific times, some with meals, and others totally away from food. The Medisafe app allows me to schedule reminders for whatever time I want for each med. I also have an Apple watch, and it also has a Medisafe app, so my reminders show up on both my smartphone and on my watch, and I can record the time I take each med from either the phone or the watch. The snooze function is very helpful for reminders that pop up at times when I cannot immediately take the meds, such as when I'm driving.

I highly recommend using this app.

- Otto