Feeling overwhelmed

You have my sympathy and my empathy. Like you, I often feel overwhelmed.

Being disabled by a stroke, I find that I get rattled by changes to my routine. I'm home a *lot*, much of it alone. That doesn't really bother me; I sleep at odd times (constant pain keeps me awake).
In the last couple of months, though, I've had many disruptions. Some bad, some good, but I just need people to go away for a while and let me recover. It isn't happening. I get exhausted, then cranky, then overwhelmed, then crankier, etc. etc. Not pretty.

Allow me to suggest a couple of things.

1) Have compassion for yourself. Nobody's perfect. It sounds to me like you're doing a superhuman job. Don't pile guilt on top of exhaustion.

2) There's a technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that uses acupressure tapping to help with a wide range of issues. I use it a lot, and it helps. Try this video as a sample:

We use the pill holder that has AM and PM for a whole week, if that is any help. I can keep track to make sure my husband takes his meds.

Hello. Aside from my career as a caregiver there's been occasions where it hit home. Taking care of loved ones presented even more challenges physically and emotionally. The struggle to do it alone can be overwhelming. What helped was family and friends coming along to help share the load. I personally needed to humble myself to ask for some help. I found that kind of hard to do because of my nature to control everything. When I did ask for help, It was amazing to experience the kindness and genuine concern/empathy from others. Not to mention the rest I got. Reaching out for support can provide extra caring hearts that can also be extra eyes for your tired ones. Ernie

I'm sorry your having a rough day. But remember you can only do what you can do.
For my meds... We use two different color and size pill containers for a weeks worth. The smaller size is for am pills. Larger weekly set is for evening.
I preferred the two separate sets so I am less likely to confuse them .
It really helps on days I'm not focused well.
My husband helps fill them each week but I double check for correctness as he puts them in.
Please take care of you. You are important!
Doing self care, like exercise, walks in nature, rest , good food , doing things you enjoy , as well.
Thank you for all you are doing for her.
Prayers

As a tech nerd and cancer caregiver, I found the use of an app to manage medications extremely helpful. I use an iOS app called Medisafe, but I am sure there are other good apps out there. This app gives me detailed instructions and warnings for every medication, and warns of known interactions, as well as the usual notifications of times and doses of medications, and tracks inventory to remind us when refills are required. We used to use the daily pillboxes, but found that the pill load and constant medication changes were too much for that system. Through the weeks surrounding our bone marrow transplant at Mayo Rochester we had detailed daily Medication reviews. The same reviews went on through six months of chemo as well. Nothing can substitute for maintaining a written record of every dose of every medication except for perhaps an eidetic memory. We put together a bag to serve as a portable medicine cabinet so that we can take all our meds with us in the original containers. If a question comes up in a med review we just pull out the bottle. If we need to take some medications during an outpatient visit (common in chemo after waiting for blood results) we have them with us, along with the app and our various instruments.

I guess what I am trying to say is that an organized approach to caregiving can relieve some of the stress. When the nurse or doctor changes a medication on the fly we just make the change in the App and add a note as to the reason. This certainly beats living in constant doubt as to whether we have properly followed doctor's orders. And on those days when we come home exhausted and overwhelmed, then muscle memory kicks in and we let the app tell us what to do and when.

@laura42, you sound like you need a break. Do you have someone who can help relieve you periodically? How are you doing today?

Thank you so much!

Just try taking care of my mom and you will feel like climbing the walls with your back!!! I honestly believe you are doing great. You are not a failure. Sometimes the stress and helplessness of you seeing your loved one suffer can be overwhelming. My husband suffers from Parkinson's disease and it's so hard seeing him go through so much. Be encouraged. One thing that helps much is praying and trusting God. God bless and help you. Do have a wonderful new year. Warmest regards.

Giving ourselves grace is the best I can do right now. I feel guilty feeling sorry for myself when I know what my mom is going through is way worse. She has never liked asking for help. She has no choice now. I'm grateful for this group and I hope you know that we all make mistakes.

I've made the same mistake a few times. Sending you lots of strength today.

One Mistake Doesn't Make You A Bad Person

I’ve learned through trial and error that one mistake isn't the end of the world.