Approximately a year ago, I became aware that I was quickly becoming unable to maintain my own medications. I could no longer reliably parse out the required meds for the individual doses I was placing in the multi compartmented pill organizer that would keep my week uncomplicated. And even if I did manage to get the correct medications into the correct compartment, there was little guarantee I would remember to take the correct compartment on the correct day at the correct time of day. I did not want to thrust the additional burden of maintaining my meds upon my wife.
Therefore, we decided to try PillPak, a service which places each day’s doses into time appropriate sealed plastic packs that are individually sealed and easily torn into. Something that’s truly appreciated by those of us who have less than cooperative fingers. You pay your copay, just as you would at the pharmacy, there is no other fee associated. We keep the box that contains the sealed packets on the bathroom counter, directly next to where I brush my teeth each day, so that I have a better shot at remembering to take each dose correctly. And, to this point that system has worked well.
That is until recently. Karen has a habit of periodically checking my medications to ensue that I am indeed taking them correctly. Lately, she has noticed I have been skipping more and more doses. Completely unaware until she pointed out. Even with reminders on my watch and other automated reminders, I was unable to reliably take my meds. Then, over the weekend, she found that had I not only not missed any doses, I had somehow taken enough extra doses to be a day and a half ahead. Instead of my next dose being due on Sunday morning, the next available was due Monday evening. And all of the empty packets were in the trash so I had apparently taken them.
It was mutually decided at this point that it best if I give up control of my meds. Karen now places the dose I am due next in a plastic cup sitting on the counter for me to take at the appropriate time. If she feels I am in a deepening fog, she will make sure to gently remind me to take them or simply bring them to me.
Not the situation I had hoped for, I am adding more to Karen’s already overburdened task load. But at least we are going to continue with PillPak, which will alleviate the tedious take of separating them each week. And, as always, she has taken on this task without a word of complaint.
This is just another not so subtle reminder that things in the life of the LBD patient are rarely fluent and consistent. But, alas, that’s just the way it is. We have no choice but to adapt and move on. The only other choice is to give in and just quit trying. But, for the majority of us, that just isn’t in us. We will press on until completely unable...
Be well.
Randy
