Pill Dispenser: I gather, from reading another post... - NRAS

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Pill Dispenser

Jora profile image
Jora
27 Replies

I gather, from reading another post, that not everyone uses a pill dispenser. I find mine invaluable. There are lots of different ones on the market, but I find most of them too small.

I load my 'arsenal' once a week, in my case on Sunday, carefully checking off the pills. There is a second divider, but I removed that since I don't take pills at lunchtime, except for painkillers if I need them. Once a month or so, I put all the compartments in the washing machine. As the units are all separate, if I'm going away for a night, I can just take one.

They do make them with reminder alarms, but so far, the bright red case has never failed to attract my attention at the right time.

I'm sure that most of you have your dispensing all organised. I just thought this might be helpful to newcomers, as I remember how overwhelmed I initially was by so many bottles and packets.

Jora

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Jora
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27 Replies
Jora profile image
Jora

Sorry the photo has been inverted. That's not how I loaded it!

That is genius. Talk about a time saver and easy dosing.

I have new herb pills that were prescribed. I forget to

Take them. I'm running 500 miles to mayo and back.

I take all of my supplement bottles and bulk. I need

This kind of help.thank you.

Philip profile image
Philip

I now get mine in a blister pack from the chemist and it is brilliant, I get delivery every Monday which covers me for 7 days.

I asked my GP because it was getting silly lol.

Azabat profile image
Azabat in reply to Philip

I'm like you, Philip. I'd be lost without 'em.

Philip profile image
Philip in reply to Azabat

Absolutely I was getting so very confused lol I threw the lot in a bin and went see my gp. Never looked back.

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels

I was getting in a muddle as I take 3 of mine in the evening but one is alternate evenings so bought a smaller version of yours, saves me wracking my brain, 99p from the chemist. Makes all the difference. All the others I taking in the morning so I don't bother with those.

Another tip which some may find useful, I store my MTX pens in piles & write on the packet R or L. Only injecting weekly it serves as a reminder which side to inject although since switching to pens I'm in no doubt as the bruise from the previous week reminds me!

Hobbits profile image
Hobbits

That pull dispenser looks different from anything I seen before. I think us Canadians must be way behind the times! Or perhaps I just don't know where to look. I have a plastic big square thing with flip tabs. It only has Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an evening tabs. I need more, bit these plastic squares get ridiculous in size and don't fit in my purse and are very noticeable if I have to take in public. I like yours! You can take each one out!

I'm gonna google!!!

Thanks Jora.

*pill

*but

Azabat profile image
Azabat in reply to Hobbits

That's why I get mine blister-packed. Honestly, it was either that or the plastic one, and I'm taking so many pills now that I was as likely as not to mess up filling it anyway!

Hobbits profile image
Hobbits

Indeed, I think its is probably the most fool proof and easiest way...the blister pack! thanks Azabat!

Azabat profile image
Azabat in reply to Hobbits

My pharmacy doesn't charge for it, either. It's so nice to hand off the headache to someone else :D

Philip profile image
Philip

I take 30 pills plus 5 injections every day lol so I'm very very happy I don't need to search all the boxes lol, it would take days to sort one day out. Blister pack from your GP has got to be the only way forward.

Jora profile image
Jora in reply to Philip

Forgive me, but I don't quite understand, or maybe it's that wasn't very clear in the first place. I only fill up my boxes once a week. I don't do it a day at a time, but, for example, put omeprazol in all the compartments, then prednisilone, etc. That way, I make sure I don't forget anything, and importantly , the Methotrexate is not overlooked on the Wednesday.

Do you mean that all of your medications are blister-packed in weekly lots (Monday, Tuesday …. etc) and that you don't have to go to each bottle, or packet for each of the pills every day?

If so, I totally agree that that is brilliant, but I didn't know that such a service was available.

Jora

Philip profile image
Philip in reply to Jora

Yes sorry, they put an entire weeks worth of pills in a blister pack the pack is decided into day and into morning, dinner time, evening and bed time. Which makes life so much more livable lol. It's a brilliant idea. I asked my gp who then sent request to chemist who then deliver to me every Monday. I have 180 pills a week so it helps so much.well worth a chat with gp.

Philip

Jora profile image
Jora in reply to Philip

Thanks, Philip. I will!

Jora profile image
Jora in reply to Philip

The only query I would have is does the system cope with tapering on Prednisilone> , for example?

Jora profile image
Jora

Several of you seem wedded to blister packs and I am pleased you are happy with them. I'm sticking with my dispenser! With packs, I would have to remember to take them every day and I'm sure some of them would be too large to be blistered.

At the last count, I take over 120 pills a week. I think I would get repetitive strain injury from popping that many blisters! Still, there is probably a pill for that…

Jora

Hobbits profile image
Hobbits in reply to Jora

lol 😄

helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

Yes, blister packs give me blisters.....

Reading this reminded me of what a huge step it was to buy my first pill dispenser! Even tho' it was dead cheap, the fact of investing money in getting one was my first real acknowledgement that I had a chronic disease that wasn't going away. Sadly I bought one that was too small, so very quickly had to get another one.

And now, rather than eyeing up high heeled shoes and so on, I've spotted a VERY snazzy one in wood and leather, rather than plastic and am seriously tempted. How life changes!

Hobbits profile image
Hobbits in reply to helixhelix

😜

gillpalmer profile image
gillpalmer in reply to helixhelix

Hi Helixhelix, If you don't mind me asking where did you see the wooden and leather tablet holder I like the sound of that. Do you live in the UK.

helixhelix profile image
helixhelix in reply to gillpalmer

No, not in Uk and it was a local artist/woodworker so a one off piece I think.

gillpalmer profile image
gillpalmer in reply to helixhelix

Thanks for getting back to me.

Jora profile image
Jora

I agree gillpalmer. RA isn't a glamorous condition, so we might as well have luxury accessories where we can!

nomoreheels profile image
nomoreheels in reply to Jora

I often think that when my h for the umpteenth time points out the snazzy patterned walking sticks in our chemists. If I eventually admit to myself I have the need for one I will definitely get one that stands out!!

gillpalmer profile image
gillpalmer in reply to nomoreheels

I remember seeing a lady walking with two sticks, they had a material cover over them that could be changed to match outfits.

Jora profile image
Jora in reply to nomoreheels

Mine stood out too far. It was stolen! I had to get a cab home. It wasn't ideal in any case as it didn't have RA-friendly handles. I'm now on NHS crutches. I have thought of buying a snazzy coloured pair, but I've decided tho believe that, once my knees have been replaced, I won't need crutches. I also have a collapsible stick with a very good shaped handle. The only problems are. a) My hands/ wrists aren't strong enough to pulls the sections apart and collapse it. b) it nearly caused a nasty injury to someone who went to de-collapse it for me. It sprung open violently. I still use it ( it has an adjustable length) but not the collapsible feature.

J

gillpalmer profile image
gillpalmer in reply to Jora

yes it would be nice to be able to take tablets in something nice instead of the plastic boxes.

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