Friday, September 23, 2011

Medication Awareness

NEVER mix all of your meds in one bottle!
As a chronically ill individual I have to take numerous medications on a daily basis. There's medicine for the mornings, the evenings, medication that I take as needed. Pills, pills, and more pills... sometimes it's liquid, and sometimes I have to go to the clinic to receive my medicine through an IV.

For someone who wasn't used to this, when I was struck with Lupus my world turned upside down. My life became all about my disease, my pain, hospitalizations, doctor's appointments, waiting rooms, exams, labs, pharmacies, and medications. Lots of medications. It felt like every medication that could be given to me WAS given to me. I couldn't get out of bed in the morning without taking my medicine and I couldn't go to sleep without my medicine.

I hated that my normal life now had to revolve around medicines. But as much as I hated the new reality, I also knew that I had to find a way to make it work. There is no cure for Lupus but these medications work together to battle it as can best be done. I have to encourage everyone that takes multiple meds to please always be aware of what you are putting into your bodies. When you are on several medications for a chronic illness it's vital to be medication aware. Remember that you are your own best advocate. Years of taking all these medicines have taught me a few things:

1. Review your prescription in the doctor's office. Ask them to clarify any questions you might have about the prescription and ask what the medicine is being prescribed for.
2. Try to use the SAME pharmacy for all of your prescriptions. This ensures that the pharmacist will note if any new meds interact with your regular meds so that no harm can come to you.
3. If possible, drop off your prescription one day and pick it up the next day. Pharmacies deal with so many medicines and patients daily and sitting there waiting for them to churn out your order can make your day feel crappy. It's better to drop it off and return another day.
4. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS CHECK YOUR MEDICINE BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE PHARMACY!! Make sure that what's in the bottle is what the doctor prescribed. Make sure that the medicine bottle has YOUR NAME on it. If there's a mistake, let the Pharmacist know immediately!
5. Consult with the Pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines. This is what they are there for. Use them!
6. Follow the instructions exactly so that the medicine works as it is supposed to. And even if you have been taking the same medication for years, read the directions and warnings that come with the meds. Sometimes information is updated and you'll stay aware of it.
7. FOR PAIN MEDICINES If the prescribed dose no longer works at controlling the pain, tell your doctor as soon as you can so that the dose can be adjusted or a new medicine prescribed. Do NOT increase the dose on your own. This can lead to accidental overdose. 
8. Take your medicines at the same times every day. This ensures that the adequate amount of medicine is always in your body.
9. Report any serious side effects to your doctor and pharmacist. Your doctor may decide to try another medicine instead. And if it's determined you're allergic to a medicine it's very important that your Pharmacist is aware of that. This can save your life!
10. Paying for the medication: Hopefully all patients will have insurance that will cover their medicine but if they do not, try going to the drug maker's website. Sometimes they have programs that can help you pay for the medicine. 
11. If you have trouble remembering to take your meds there are tools and tricks you can use to help you remember: Alarms, Post-it Notes, 7-day Pill Holder, Logging your meds into a notebook with dose and time taken (if you have a smartphone, get this tool as an App!).
12. NEVER mix all of your meds in one bottle. Some people keep a day's worth of pills in their bags/pockets. If you can handle it, more power to you. But if you have trouble remembering things then mixing your medicines into one bottle can be confusing and possibly dangerous.

These are the most obvious rules to follow with medications but if anyone has other suggestions, I hope that they will share them here.
 
*NOTE: DO I REALLY HAVE TO SAY THIS? NEVER SHARE YOUR MEDICATION OR TAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. It's against the law and can have deadly consequences.
 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

What am I Waiting For?

When I started writing this blog it was to increase Lupus Awareness and share my experiences as a Lupie with my friends, family, and anyone else that was interested in learning about my battles with the Wolf.

I thought I could spread a little knowledge as well as share my experiences; but one day I stopped writing. I tried to start again but every time I just stared at my computer screen and wondered what the point was. I had no clue if anyone even read these things- my thoughts, or if anyone cared. Yes, you can probably see where I'm going with this. I had myself a months-long pity party. I allowed the depression that I'm going through take hold and just dictate my every move. For months and months I have felt as if my head is in a foggy state. The days passed me by so quickly and I felt like I was always moving, doing something. But I wasn't connecting. My heart wasn't there.

Recently the physical ailments of my Lupus have grown too big to just ignore. The pain has been unbearable and the tears feel like they'll never stop. I'm not just sad anymore. I'm actually suffering at times. But when it lets up... I feel so grateful! I'm so thankful to be able to walk and talk and touch and laugh!! Oh, how I laugh. :D  I can't spend my short time on this earth acting like I don't matter. I'm alive. I'm here right now and there's a reason for it. I matter, whether this blog is read by anyone or not: I MATTER. And I will NOT allow this Wolf to beat me down. Not anymore.

So if you're reading this, just know that I'm back. I'm here. I matter.