My insurance switched me to a different Prescription Drug Plan and when I got all my medications through the new mail order pharmacy I was like, dang! That's a lot of medications and Diabetes testing supplies. So before I started sorting everything, I decided to take a picture, not knowing what I was going to do with it and then sort it where it goes.
Then I figured I would share a little bit about myself.
I have several chronic illnesses and medical conditions including:
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto's
High Blood Pressure
Osteoarthritis in my knee's and hips
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder
Depression
Anxiety
Agoraphobia
There are a few more but these are the big ones. So I take a lot of medications.
I test my blood sugar when I first get up and take my insulin. The thing that looks like a pen is actually a pre-filled pen with the insulin. I just dial up how much, stick a pen needle on the tip and inject the medicine. Sometimes they send me vials of insulin that I have to draw up into a syringe and inject it that way. It took some getting used to.
After a walk with the dog, I have to eat something so I don't get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and then take 6 medications.
At lunch I do it again as well as use a blood pressure machine to check my blood pressure. Make sure I have a snack before dinner and then take more medications after dinner and check my blood sugar again. I usually stick my fingers 3 times a day and give myself 1-2 injections. Some of the pills I take 4 times a day so it ends up being more than 17 pills a day.
I have Osteoarthritis in my knee's and hips and take Celebrex for that. I am in pain most of the time but I can't take prescription strength pain medications because they make me really sick. I can take anti-nausea medication with the pain medication but they make me really sleepy and I want to be awake and functioning during the day so I end up taking Ibuprofen instead.
My doctor comes out once a month to see me because I have so much going on right now. It's not just the Diabetes, high blood pressure and Thyroid problems. The mental illnesses I have cause me to have a lot of anxiety, hallucinations and voices but the medication does help somewhat with that too. There's a lot going on and a lot to keep on top of but I'm doing it.
I see no reason to hide mental illness, it's an illness just like the others. The stigma around it at times is bad which needs to stop.
So that me most days, how are your days?
Sadly, I think the more medicines you take the worse you feel. Here in Europe we believe more in natural medicines and healthy diet, but your big pharma industry won't let you get away from them, sadly.
ReplyDeleteI'm only functional because of the medication helps me. A few years ago I was only on two meds and things were really bad.
DeleteDamn, I had no idea. I'm sorry to hear you suffer under such a burden.
ReplyDeleteCan you always tell that the hallucinations are hallucinations? I'd think they could be really dangerous if you believed they were real.
Not all the time. I use my dog a lot to see if what I'm experiencing is real. If the dog isn't reacting then I try to ignore what I'm seeing.
DeleteI hope you don't start to hallucinate that Falcor is reacting to the hallucinations. If ever you think "I wonder if that's real" and Falcor turns to you and says "Yes, it is," don't believe him.
Deletelmao I wouldn't have thought of that but I will keep that in mind.
DeleteI'm of the same opinion as Dezmond. The pharma industry and the insurance industry shouldn't be trusted!
ReplyDeleteEveryone should listen to his/her body, watch its reactions over periods of time, and draw the neccesary conclusions.
The medications make things a lot better for me.
DeleteThat is a lot. And yes, this country is all about throw a drug at it rather than fix it.
ReplyDeleteThere's no fixing a lot of these things.
DeleteThat is a lot of meds. I had no idea. I have High Blood Pressure, pre-diabetes, hyperthyroid(thankfully now in remission), arthritis in my back, shoulder pain, and now chronic kidney disease from the Aleve I took for pain. I take 3 medications for my blood pressure and take lots of natural stuff and vitamins. Have to see my kidney doctor on Monday, and I am not looking forward to it. Went to pot with myself over the holidays and my bloodwork shows it.
ReplyDeleteDang, you're dealing with a lot of stuff too.
DeleteThat is a lot to deal with. I’m sorry, Mary. My mother began having hallucinations about two years ago. Some she forgets about, but others she remembers and believes to be true. Does that happen to you?
ReplyDeleteI've had hallucinations for 15 years and yes sometimes they do seem real.
DeleteThat's a lot for sure but they each serve a purpose and are keeping you on the road to better health!
ReplyDeleteThat's very true.
DeleteYou are so great to have such a good attitude Mary, as you know I'm a fulltime caregiver to my disabled husband and as his condition declines he becomes more of a handful. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Good luck to you too.
DeleteI didn't know what schizotypal personality disorder was - I googled it and learned something.
ReplyDeleteAnd...that's A LOT of medications. I hope they aren't causing you other issues at least (digestive-system-related, for instance).
I'm glad your doctor comes to see you once a month. Very considerate of them.
"I see no reason to hide mental illness, it's an illness just like the others. The stigma around it at times is bad which needs to stop."
Absolutely. I appreciate your honesty and openness about it. I guess the place where you live doesn't help...with all the things that are going on with you, it would be nice if you could have some quiet around.
I didn't know what it was until I was diagnosed either. It is a lot of medications and most of them don't cause me problems. If I have a issue from a medication I try a different one to see if it will be better.
DeleteThis place doesn't bother me mostly because it's not happening to me, I'm just watching things happen around me.
Taking meds can keep you busy for sure. I have type 2 diabetes and have to take meds for mine. When I was first diagnosed, I could control it with diet and exercise. Now, I have to use meds.
ReplyDeleteMy sister had schizophrenia. The meds she took later in life made a tremendous difference. They had improved so much from when she was first diagnosed at 19.
I'm glad your doctor comes once a month. I'm surprized how quick people give medical advice. I always go by what my doctor tells me.
I always go by what my doctor tells me too but I know that people are just trying to help.
DeleteThe medication does help.
I'm glad you do all you can to help yourself. There is nothing wrong with being honest about mental health. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteOh Mary that is a lot of medical conditions to deal with. Stay strong.
ReplyDeleteI will, thank you.
DeleteWow...that is a lot to keep track of! I don't know how you do it. And I love your honesty about it all. Hope you have a good weekend! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Having one of those pill organizers is really helpful.
DeleteI do hope the new pharmacy and meds are a smooth transition for you and all the meds play nice together. I've seen your walking daily and eating healthy foods so you're doing your part to work with the health plan and meds. I know with some that it will be lifelong and I agree that mental illness shouldn't be more dramatic than physical illness. You're a great advocate for that, Mary.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that. Everything is working fine for now.
DeleteBless your heart. As if all those meds are not enough, there's the human pin cushion aspect of your daily life. Stay strong.
ReplyDeleteI got used to testing and giving myself shots a lot faster than I thought I would.
DeleteYou deal with so much, Mary! I'm sorry you have to take so many meds! Sending positive thoughts out your way!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThat is a difficult hand to have. I have Hashimoto too. I am treated for hypothyroidism with the typical medication. The one symptom I can't seem to overcome is the unexplained weight gain. The exhaustion comes & goes. Mental illness is so difficult since it is something someone cannot see with their eyes. It is not something that is ever healed. I am so glad to hear you found a doctor that is helping you deal with your issues.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor is great. I'm glad I found one that will come to me.
DeleteMy husband was diagnosed with Type 1 last year. It was a shock to us, especially as it is rare to find out about it so late in life. I totally relate to the frustrations with pharmacies. The costs of these medications are outrageous!
ReplyDeleteWow, yeah that is rare to find out later in life. I hope he's managing alright with it.
DeleteThat's so much to deal with, Mary. I recently got diagnosed with Hashimoto's & endometrial hyperplasia so it's been fun . . . but it's nice to know I'm not losing my mind and that things absolutely were not normal.
ReplyDeleteIt took a long time to get diagnosed with some of the stuff I have. So I get it. Several people I know have Hashimotos too.
DeleteDid you find out why you received so much at once? Hopefully your coverage didn't decrease or something like that. Hopefully your routine continues to work for you. It's great that you have a doctor who comes to you. Sending positive energy your way!
ReplyDeleteIt was a new prescription drug plan (insurance) so I was able to order all of my medications at the same time in the beginning of the year.
Delete