Managing meds

[Sa08x]

Hi guys I'm a teenager living with kidney disease I am really struggling to keep up with my medication especially as I'm in college now so i just qanted to ask if theres anyone else experiencing this issue

[allene7]

No I personally have no issue keeping up with my meds, Not sure what your issues are. Do you need a pill minder? Can you set an alarm or notification on your phone to remind you to take your meds? Wish I could give more advice but hope you find the help you need.

[Sa08x in reply to allene7]

I do have alarms but I can't find the energy to take them most of the time especially the cystagon cuh I have to have a lot of water to get them to go down but when I have more water it makes me feel sick but I can't be sick properly as I have a fundoplicaton I have bought this up wi my drs but they don't rlly help tbh

[drmind in reply to Sa08x]

So sorry to hear about all the trouble you're having. You have to try to make the doctors listen. As we have all learned, we have to advocate for ourselves. Also, you need to find a counselor preferably at school who can help you deal with some of the stress you're having. I wish you the very best luck in getting the help you need.

[Sa08x in reply to drmind]

Thank you I will look into counselling not sure if they have a councillor at my college

[drmind in reply to Sa08x]

Find out if there's a counselor at your school and dont just womder. Go to Student Services to check it out. If there is no counselor at school, then find one locally. Your stress may be keeping you from dealing more effectively with your doctors. Your medication problems are legitimate and should be addressed by your medical team. Best of luck

[VickiTNZ in reply to Sa08x]

I’d never heard of a fundoplication. I can see why it causes problems for you. My first thought is can you space your meds out to breakfast, lunch & dinner? Rather than all at the same time which I am thinking is happening at present.

Getting drs alongside is frustrating and takes energy. Do you have someone who could be your advocate with this?

I found this on google - kidneycareuk.org/get-support/

Maybe contact them & ask for support 🤗 sadly you’re very young to be going through this. Even us oldies need a ‘Team’ on our side, from family, friends, medical support, drs & specialists. It’s hard on your own.

Big hugs and best of luck. Please let me know how you get on.

[allene7 in reply to Sa08x]

I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time. I really have no advice for you. Hopefully someone here will have some advice for you. I wish you good luck.

[PKDpostTRANSPLANT in reply to Sa08x]

I am not certain that I am researching the right medication, so please ask a pharmacist or doctor, but I read that this medication can be opened up and sprinkled onto food.... If the pill you are currently taking can't be opened and sprinkled onto food, it's possible there is a different form of the same medication that can be and it may be worth switching to...

[PKDpostTRANSPLANT]

Some things you can try that have helped me are:

Setting alarms on your phone

Setting your meds where you will see them easily (I drink coffee every morning so I used to keep my meds near my coffee mugs).

Use pill cases so you can easily grab multiple meds without having to open all the bottles. I also like them for if I start to question if I took my meds already or not.

Keep an extra set in your purse or bag in case you walk out the door without them.

I hope some of these ideas help you.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

I have an iPhone and have a timer set for every day so I never forget.

[nonna70]

Is it possible for you to talk with a pharmacist about easier ways to take your meds? If your mood is getting in the way (as mine did with depression) make sure your doctors understand this. Find a friend or counselor to talk with and yuck-possibly an antidepressant! Hugs!

[Sa08x in reply to nonna70]

Yes I will do this thank you

[barbara55109]

I've been taking pills since I first got ulcerative colitis at 18. Every day for 44 years. I fill a box with my meds. I found a box that holds two weeks worth of morning and night meds. I establish a routine and try to take them at the same time every day. I admit sometime my morning on Saturday and Sunday is later than M-F. I never used an alarm or a pill dispenser. They are cool, but very expensive. You load a month in them and alarms ring and you pills come out. If the medication is too big to swallow, contact your Dr. to see if it is available in a different form. Some meds are also liquid. Some big pills can be cut in half. Two halves are easier to swallow than one giant pill. Check with your Dr or pharmacist to see about cutting them or getting a different format. I remind myself that without my medication my life will be shorter. It keeps me on task.