Medication Review Resources

I use a website called Drugs.com.
The have a fill in app that goes over your drug list.
You will likely come up with interactions but most of them are minor
with no real problems. Any majors you can discuss with with your doctor or
pharmacist. I get my biologic through a specialty pharmacy at the university
with a PhD pharmacist to consult.
You will find several drug interaction checker sites on line.
EPIC MyChart has a current listing of all my drugs for my doctors to access.

@seniormed Thank you for your reply. I am familiar with Drugs.com and for me it was a start.
Here's some questions I would ask. I take eight different medications after breakfast. Is it okay to take these meds at the same time? Are there foods to avoid or beneficial before I take these meds? For example, I found it helpful when I read it's best to take Curcumin with fat. (This is not a recommendation, just something I read.)
My pharmacy (large chain) does not red flag counter indications or provide medication reviews. Their pharmacists all PhD's.
Here's my situation. I have many doctors and take medications from most of them. My PCP asked me to keep a current list of meds organized alphabetically and by time of dosing. I bring a current list to each DR appointment. I am not a medical professional and want to know if I'm on the right path. What are my options? What can I do to optimize my treatment?
A DR wants to add another medication and it feels like it's too much. I declined and will talk with my PCP.
In a few days I'm going to a hand DR for the first time, I hope my current pain meds are ample.
Thank you for listening!

At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, you can request a sit down with a pharmacist. Don’t remember how I got the appointment.. The pharmacist will want you to bring all your medication’s and your supplements and they will go through each and everyone of them and if there is any concerns about reactions between them. I did this many years ago and it was very informative. You could also ask where you pick up your medication if they have someone that will sit down with you.
OK
I made a spreadsheet with four columns name of the medication’s
AM
PM
Last one any information I might need on a weekly base.
My doctors love it when I see them for the first time and so do the nurse It’s easy for me to do my meds once a week about what or when to take the meds.
I put yellow over the a.m. and a blue over the PM for a visual for me when I’m doing my meds
I make a copy for myself and I take one with me when I go to the doctor
If medicines change, then I make the change on the paper
I hope that helps you and gives you some more ideas. How you can make it easy for yourself.

@minnesota10 Like you, I have a spreadsheet with my medications. There are two groups, one is over the counter, the other is prescription. In addition to the medication, I list the strength, dosage, when it is taken [a.m. or p.m., how many times a week] Also, which Dr prescribed it, when, and what it is used for. Whenever there is a change, it is noted. On the backside of this sheet is a list of the names, addresses and contact information for my medical team.

Too detailed? Not according to my providers!
Ginger

@gingerw My method is similar. I do keep the list as a document on my computer so it can easily be updated. Even though the doctor's office stresses "Bring your medication in the bottles" when I bring out the list, they are very happy.

I'll call the pharmacy departments at large local hospitals to find out if med reviews are offered. My friend said Medicare may offer a covered review with a nurse. These are great leads!
It is so nice when a DR pays me an unexpected compliment about my medication list. I've spent a lot of time building it and keeping it current.
How do you organize your meds? 🤔 I color code meds in big pill bottles with neon colored stickies according to the dosing time and then consolidate the "pills for the day" into smaller bottles (eight days at a time.) It gets a bit crazy because some dosing is at odd times. A quality assurance check is important to me because I don't want to skip a dose or double dose. What works for you?
Let me know of any suggestions where to find information about med effectiveness and diet? Or, what is the best time of day to take certain meds if not specified by your doctor?

@texasblooms My "in-use" meds are kept in a plastic craft container. Refills and extra bottles are in another box. I use a weekly pill organizer, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Daviky-Organizer-Organizers-Vitamins-Medication/dp/B08ZHY4ZK4/ref=sr_1_5_sspa
over-the-counter are loaded into separate spots from the Rx meds. I set up 2 weeks at a time. At this time, I use morning and evening pill taking regimen. On the days for my oral chemo, which is kept separate from any other medication, that is taken first thing in the morning since I need to keep an empty stomach for an hour after taking it.

My bottles are all marked with a permanent marker as to their dose and if they are a.m. or p.m.. I don't try to rely on the bottle label or small print! Here is an article from Mayo Clinic you might find helpful: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/what-time-of-day-should-you-take-your-medicine/ And, as always, follow what your medical team advised for specific instructions!
Ginger

@texasblooms
I use the AI app Claude for analyzing my blood test results, symptoms and for information on my meds so I have an idea of what to ask before my appointments. It's not a replacement for doctors or pharmacists, but it's good for general information and you can load it up with information to be analyzed. It's interactive too. It helps uncomplicate my medical journey through PMR, SMM, cervical and lumbar spine issues and the wear and tear issues of aging.

@kjoed53 Thank you all for sharing your personal experiences with support and hugs. Hugs back to all of you. 🤗
Seems I need to learn AI, besides managing my medications I want to ask doctors smart rapid fire questions in the "allotted time".
This week a national morning show had an interesting segment, two patients compared their AI experience to doctor medical advice. My takeaway from the segment was the same as your comment. Very timely. I see my PCP tomorrow and use your insight to prepare.

.... about managing medications. Also, I received a timely and relevant invitation to a lecture titled "Managing Medications" from a local senior not-for-profit. It's not until August. Bummer. I can tell you one speaker is a a Geriatrician MD and Director of Medicine Senior Health at a large local prestigious medical school. The other speaker is a Clinical PhD pharmacist specializing in Psychiatric Pharmacy at the same medical school. The medical school requires all of their doctors to commit to both clinical and teaching duties. A friend's daughter practices at the hospital, and their requirements for technical and clinical knowledge/experience impresses me. I'll let you know if I find more leads.
Give yourself hugs throughout the day. Smile. I'm working on ways to quiet my mind.

@texasblooms
You're very welcome. Claude is an app that I downloaded to my phone. I type in the question whether it's in a long list of blood test results or a list of symptoms and medications, or even all three. Claude comes back with results and usually a question or two. There's really no learning curve for using it this way. It also saves the conversation so you can go back to it later or you can delete it.