Problems with the "Count"

Ok you guys....here is what happened; I counted my meds because I am due for refills. All have been called in and I have 28 day supply each time except for my Lexipro which is a 30 day supply. Upon counting my percocet I found out that I am 1 1/2 days short. We thought about it and apparently I am taking to many over the last two days because I forget that I have already taken it and then two hours or four hours later I will take another thinking that I haven't taken it and am in lots of pain.

So here is the plan........I have an empty bottle that I was going to discard but hubby had an idea to keep me straight on my meds with it. I am going to place my full days meds in the bottle and then I will know if I have taken the pills that I need to for that part of the day. Hubby is going to check them for me to make sure that I have the right ones and also check every evening to make sure that I did not take too many or too less.

I am sure that each of you have had this problem with your meds at one time or another and I was hoping to get your input on this. What do you think?

Hi Scarry: Real glad you started a new topic on this one. Did you count Your pills when You got them from the pharmacy ? I am sure you did but others may not be aware that their druggist could be a druggie.
Also this highlights my groups recent problems with the new Urine testing and the guidelines. We all screw up and pray the Doc's don't hold it against us or force us to see a therapist that's a so called drug abuse expert.
I guess You are staying on line keeping Your mind occupied ? Fridays Your big day ! Fingers are crossed, prayers are out and will keep coming.
Your friend Scarry and Iam with Ya good or bad, -- Tom -- when you have a chance how about sharing your Wyoming potato salad reciepe with Your old cranky N.J. painfilled buddy ? ?

I can't help but laugh at all of us! The tricks we play to keep track of our meds which == our life! I do some similar things, scarred. Use old bottles and put exact number in. Turn pill bottle upsidown on the counter once i've take a dose (which works ok until you get close to the next dose and can't remember if the bottle should be right side up or not! LOL), try to fill one of those dispensers that has each day but all my pills won't fit, and finally, try to remember to write down when I put anything that's round or oval or square and small into my mouth and swallow it.

Now, about feeding the pigs...

PaLady

I have been keeping track of mine, I have a medication reminder thing that has morn, mid-morn, lunch, afternoon, bedtime. I have it filled Mon-Fri. I keep my 3 as needed pills in an empty bottle. Each day I can have 3. It is a memory thing for me. This is why that fentanyl patch worked so good for me. I alternated shoulders and days on the calendar. I get confused so easy as my brain is continuously thinking of the pain, spasm or discomfort. It consumes me.
Happy day to all!
Cloe

LOL! Yeah, you guys are all right. We go through crazy maneuvers to keep the meds straight, don't we? I use the same methods as some of you do. The ones I take 2x/day I don't have too much trouble with - I take those at exactly the same time every day. But the BT meds I want to take when I need them but still be careful not to exceed the 24 hour limit my doctor has set. With those, each morning I count out the daily maximum amount allowed and put them into a small pill case that I can carry in my purse. Then I can see by the number remaining how many I've taken already that day. And if I'm having a not so bad day I don't have to take them all - which is great! When that happens, I just don't have to take as many out the next day to fill up my pill case.

For me this is really helpful for those middle of the night times when I wake up in terrible pain too. Those are the times when I'm least able to clearly think about how many doses I've taken throughout the day and whether or not I've exceeded the daily limit. Now that I manage the BT meds this way, I know that I can only take meds in the middle of the night if there are some left in my pill case. Like PaLady, I live alone, so it's essential for me to keep track of this stuff without anyone else's help too.

Scarry: good thin ya don't go no damm goat.

Hey Scarry : I am almost ready to pass out-- so so tired. This hot weather we have here (humidity) is awful and unforgiving. My dogs are my babies and know how I feel . both are trained service dogs and know how to help me up from a fall. Lick my face to awaken me, bark and howl to draw attention, and to protect me at all times. I always take one of them when i go to any Doc. Being service dogs they are allowed to go anywhere with me by law.
Been in a major flare up and it is getting harder and harder even to keep my sense of humor. Even seeing to type is hard for all the lack of "good sleep" I need. Wife and I are going on vacation at the shore in Maryland at a friends home overlooking the ocean. My buddy has almost the same
problems that you suffer from in his lumbar region. The home is handicapped ready and He and his wife will let me bring my puppies with me. My buddy is waiting for our next litter as He loves my male dogs temperment and wants me to train his pup like my dogs.
My oldest son is taking Paul and my youngest son is taking Adrienne ( both autistic) so my wife and I can have some relaxation. We are going for two weeks and we are praying for good weather. I will be taking my Mac with me so i will stay in touch. Unknown to me till a hour ago I found out he and his wife have been monitoring our forum and laugh at the interesting conversations we trade back and forth. I look forward to them giving us their input as it is one thing to read our posts but another to openly share your feeling and flustrations ( spellling ? ) with others.
My buddy went thru a mylo about a month ago and was advised that he needs the screws to come out and be replaced. He is seeking a third opinion. He has been denied for a pain pump based on a Psycho evaluation ? ? Damm Doctors. I understand why i have to wait but my buddy ??
In one of my many posts i wrote about a friend writing a book that got published, She works for a publisher and had a hard time getting them to publish her book and it ( the book) sold really well and continues to sell and She got a advance to write yet another this time some of the Chapters are written by Your truly. when you finish or get near let me know i'll give you Her information and i am positive She'll help You.
Sadly i fear taking some sleep meds i got awhile ago for i am afraid they might show up on my next pee pee exam ? Kinda like they ( the doctors ) could care less about our quality of life ? Guess I am over-tired and just plain miserable -- just wanted to write ya and vent a little, tom

Dear Francis: How sweet You are ! thank You for the tea tip. You know I never thought about calling about permission to take the Sleeping pills prescribed for me while I was on Methadone. Guess i am burned out even got yelled at tonight for leaving a post that got to dirty !! I went thru bio feed back and relaxation stuff and nothin works for me. As You are aware I cannot lie on my stomach because of my neck, lying on my right side is impossible because I have meralgia parasteica ( spelling ) it is RSD type of pain. plus on my right side i have facial trigeminial nerve damage. Left side my knee which was replaced years ago needs to be replaced again ( surgery pending need clearance last brain scan/mri showed increased swelling-- been swollen since my accident.
so I cannot ly on my right side this leaves my back to lie on ! muscle spasms tonight, cannot win no matter how hard i try. Anyway guess You cannot sleep ?
I'll be calling 1st thing Sat. morning with hopes I get a return call-- funny all i have is restorill for sleep and i am afraid to take it.
May God bless You tonight and every night-- pleasant dreams, Tom