Suggestions for tracking medications, etc?

Posted by mnschaef @mnschaef, May 5 10:40am

Hello, my mother just finished her first cycle of Folfirinox. Today is day 7. Does anyone have suggestions for tracking medications and fluids? She's rotating Imodium and Diphenoxylate-Atrop for diarrhea as well as Ondansetron and Procholorperazine for nausea. Trying to keep track of these along with a couple other meds throughout the day/night is challenging. I'm also trying to keep track of how much water she's drinking. She isn't eating much at all and I think I need to start tracking that too. I looked at some medication tracking apps but they seem a little difficult when she's sometimes not taking one if she doesn't have the n/v. It's been a lot for me and I'm leaving to go back home and she'll be with my 80 year old dad. I'm very concerned about her messing up her medication but also not drinking without me being here and giving her regular "reminders". Anyone find a way to track everything successfully?

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sheridanb | @sheridanb | May 5 3:14pm

It is hard. Neither of us had ever been on prescription drugs other than thyroid, so having a whole bag of pills is confusing. We do have them in a bag next to the couch though so they are handy to take rather than needing to go to the kitchen or bathroom to retrieve them. So far I've just trusted my husband to take meds when he needs them... but he is 10 years younger than your folks. I do know that when I left for a week once (my mom was turning 100 in another state) that Dan did not bother to eat/drink enough and they ended up cancelling that week's chemo as his blood tests were messed up. I only mention that because I really thought he would be fine... and we had friends stop by to check on him and walk the dog, etc... but it was just too much effort for him to walk to the kitchen when needed. Someone needed to be here all the time to actually put food/drink in his hands to make sure he would eat/drink. Hopefully with your dad's help your mom will get the nourishment and medication when needed.

markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | May 6 12:18am

Folfirinox for an 80-year old sounds rather harsh (borderline crazy) in my book.

I was the remote, part-time caregiver for the first six months of my 85-year old dad's battle with mesothelioma.

He had been in pretty good overall mental health (physical declining) when he was diagnosed at age 84, but his immunotherapy and side effects (immediate and lingering) sent him downhill pretty fast -- far beyond his ability (living alone) to take care of himself, manage his meds and food/fluid intake.

We finally had an aunt move in to care for him full time, with pre-filled 7-day AM/PM pill boxes, spreadsheets and checklists for everything, but it got to where he was just tired of it all and didn't really want to cooperate.

Glad you mentioned keeping an eye on fluids. Dehydration can lead to several problems, including UTI's which can really affect the mental status of elderly patients.

I don't want to recommend medical marijuana/THC for an 80-year old, but some CBD oils or gummies might help a little bit with the nausea. My dad had megestrol for an appetite stimulant (worked OK) but the box warnings recommend not using it for too long. I think my father-in-law (kidney cancer) had better luck with Remeron (mirtazapine).

If your dad can't manage your mom's needs, and your mom is on such a strong chemo regimen, I think something has to give; e.g., another live-in relative, an assisted living facility, or a gentler chemo regimen.

I totally understand how difficult this is, having been there so recently. Wishing all of you all the best with this.