I have all sorts of resolutions for the New Year. At the top of the list is updating this blog more frequently and creating a daily routine that I actually stick to. Then there's the one about being nicer to telemarketers (not that I'm not nice already but I could stand to be nicer..I mean they are people too). Then there's going to bed earlier, eating more beans, and being better organized with my medications.Many of you already know that I'm a complete mess when it comes to my medications. I happened to mention this little fact to DH's auntie about a year ago and I think she took it as a personal affront (bless her heart). Since then, she's come up with a number of "systems" to help me get organized. I think this latest one might actually work. As you can see, each day is color coordinated and there's an AM and a PM and each little case is portable and the text is in a ridiculously large, clownish font.
If this doesn't help me then I really don't know what will...
Update: for those of you interested in purchasing one of these sweet pill organizers for yourself..Amazon sells them for $8.12.
Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Apex-Pocket-Med-Pack-Tray/dp/B000EGN1A6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1262998871&sr=8-1
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12 comments:
That's a neat little organizer. I only take my regular meds once a day(extended release) so it wouldn't work for me, but it would be great for my dad. Is there a link or source where I might locate one of these? Happy New Year by the way!
Hi seernisse!
Happy New Year to you too! I used to take an extended release tab.. (Ms Contin). I'm curious do you take anything for break-through pain? I can't imagine the convenience of taking something like a fentanyl patch. 72 hours of not having to worry about taking any meds..wow! Too bad fentanyl makes me feel like I want to barf...
Anyway, I posted a link for the pill organizer under the post!
Thanks Danimal. I'm going to check that out for my folks. I take Ultram ER 200 mg every morning, and then take up to 100 mg of Trammadol per day as needed for breakthrough. I am very intolerant of most pain meds: ineffective or make me sick. That's why the scs has been such a blessing. I'm not 100% pain free, but about 75% improved since implant. Glad you're back to your blog. I think a lot of folks find it helpful. Have a great day!
This is off topic but I am having my permanent Medtronic SCS implanted tomorrow (yeah!) and I am curious about whether or not you pay a warranty fee?
I also have a question that is off hte subject. I had my stimulator implanted on Halloween (St Jude's) Has anyone problems with the stimulation of the colon? I just met with my rep today she turned down the frequency but I still think it is stimulating the colon. My stimulator was implated to get rid of L5S1 and leg and hip pain. I have 2 leads 1 for each side of my body.
Hi Anon. #1:
No question on here about stimulators if off-topic..so feel free to post anything you want!
I did not have to pay a warranty fee for my Medtronic Stimulator and, in fact, I've never heard of that before. I did have to fill out a warranty registration form and return that form within 30 days of my permanent implant. That is required for the Limited Warranty to take effect (I just looked through the warranty booklets and it seems that my equipment has a replacement warranty for product defects for up to a year).
Were you asked to pay a warranty fee? If you were and aren't sure about it and you'd like me to email my medtronic rep. to see if that's normal..let me know.
GOOD luck with your surgery tomorrow. Please know that you have friends here who understand what you'll be going through post-op...so def. come back for a visit if you need support!!
Hi Anon. #2:
Thanks for visiting Chronic Stimulation!
I'm so sorry you're feeling stimulation in your colon. I have not had that experience, however, my stimulator is placed much higher (at the T9-T12 dermatomes) for L2-S1 nerve root pain. I DO have stimulation in my lower abdomen..which is not ideal..though it's noticeable more so when my stim. is on a higher setting rather than all the time. I think it's difficult to get stimulation in only one spot and not in others..simply because the nerves are so close to one another. But I can imagine that having stimulation in the old bumski area is not particularly pleasant. :( I'd say to try to get another re-program even if you met with the rep. today. I know it's a real pain in the butt to do that (sorry...pun definitely NOT intended!) but I think so much of getting the "right" stimulation is trial and error. How many programs did she leave you with? Have you tried all of them and, if so, do all of them cause stimulation in the colon area??
Let me know what happens...thinking of you!
Danimal-
Thanks for the prompt response. I wasn't asked to pay a warranty fee. I just came across someone's post somewhere on the (literally) world wide web and got curious. I don't plan on dropping it in water or breaking it like I have cell phones in the past.
I am so anxious for the surgery tomorrow! The trial relieved ~60% of the pain I have from sacroiliitis and lumbosacral neuritis (idiopathic origin, which literally means no one knows why the pain started four years ago this week). I am on fentanyl, oxicodone, and Lyrica and am anxious to try lowering all three doses - especially the Lyrica since my insurance won't pay for it and it's $300 a month when I can't get samples from the PM doctor.
I'll email you again after surgery. I feel like you are a friend having read your posts from oldest to newest!
London
Hi D,
We chatted in email a while back -- just wanted to let you know that I still haven't made any decisions on an implant, so the medications organizer could be helpful for me too.
A funny (or maybe not) thing that just happened: I recently had an MRI, as one thing I wanted to know before making a decision was, what's going on with my soft tissue?
When I saw my PMS last Friday, he waltzed in the examining room and said "YOU have a spinal fracture!!!" Um -- hello? Do we know each other???
Actually, for a while I thought he was saying that I have a new fracture -- 2 in all -- but no. He just hadn't remembered. Jeebus! What else have I been in treatment for the last 3 years?
Gramted, I'm also (lately and probably not associated with the fracture) experiencing disc degeneration and osteoartritis.
But that wasn't discovered until I asked for a 2nd x-ray lower down than the fracture, more than 2 years ago now. This idiot doctor had forgotten, IF he ever knew, that this whole thing started with a fracture!
He made a good recovery, though -- said that there is also a fragment pressing against my spine, which could be causing some of the pain, and so he wants to try injections (steroid type) on each side of my back. He pretended that the news was actually that he didn't know if this fragment was pressing on the spine before, since he doesn't have x-rays. Which, actually, he does.
But he wss in a huge hurry and we also had to discuss the changes due to my husband's employer switching prescription coverage. (Grim news there -- they probably won't cover the Theramine which has helped me so much. See more at www.medicalfoods.com. It's not a food supplement, it's a "real drug", listed in the PDR and FDA-approved, but my new pharmacy service doesn't have it on the formulary and can only suggest I try to get it through my medical coverage as a treatment, since it is only available in physicians' offices. Blue Cross/Blue Shield didn't sound too hopeful about that, which is bad news because the Theramine has helped so much.)
Anyway, since hearing about this fragment, I've actually become scared -- what if I fall and it severs my spinal cord? What if it just grows and does the same thing? Is that even possible? I know what the prognosis for my lower back pain is: WORSE TO COME. But what about the fracture?
I also wondered if a surgeon could just go in and shave it down -- "with a Dremel tool" as my son suggested. But PMS says surgery is the last option. Is that because... he doesn't DO surgery? He's an anesthesiologist, which is why he can only do peripheral leads as well.
I do see a neurostimulator in my future -- just don't know if I'll go for peripheral or the paddle. Another thing that kind of took me aback was reading, here, that once you go bionic it's forever. That's such a big step to take. On the other hand, the pain is so bad. And despite the tons of opiates, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants,and Theramine I take, nothing really helps much. I'm only pain free when I've been lying on my side for a while, preferably asleep. But even though I'm nearly twice your age, D, I still don't want to sleep what's left of my life away!
Well, best wishes to you, D, and to everyone who reads and comments on this blog. All of you have helped me more than my doctor and the Medtronics reps combined. Best wishes to all for a pain-free-ER 2010!
Cheers,
Margaret Shank
Thanks for the suggestions about my stimuation problem. My rep left me with 3 programs and all do the same thing. I guess I will bite the bullet and make another appointment with my rep. It is so nice to be able to talk to someone who has a clue on what I am talking about besides my rep. I can say though this little problem is so much better than having that constant pain and better yet I am loosing weight!
I'm buzzing . . and not from the IV surgery meds! The surgery lasted about two and a half hours (longer than expected because of scar tissue), but I am home now recuperating. The surgeon had the device turned off after making sure it worked and before he sewed the impulse power generator into my hip. I am told I said "turn the "darn" thing back on!"
My 5 year old son was asked to be really careful around momma for a few days, so he gave me one of his softies "to be a sign of him" when he can't be snuggling me.
Do you still use a cane and would you please send a picture of it? Thank you.
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