A few weeks ago my medical team and I agreed the time had come to alter my arthritis treatment plan – a necessary act that many of us with chronic illnesses are familiar with, right?
Basically, the alteration translates to a change in my daily medicine regiment, along with additional prescriptions and increased dosages, all for the sake of improving my life while battling the beast within (something I’m accustomed to after all these years, right?). Wrong!
Over a period of time, my team and I discussed a number of options based on my needs then we determined the medications that seemed appropriate. After coming to an agreement, we discussed how the change would take place so it would not interfere with my current medication, the order of adding new pills to my routine, the required dosages, the time line of what to expect and the effects of the experiences, as well as the side effects that mattered and those that didn’t. We also outlined a plan B, C and D, just in case this combination of drugs was not effective or my body was non-responsive.
Being somewhat resistant of the idea at first, I walked out of the office with a handful of paperwork, several prescriptions and my mind swirling; yet, I was surprisingly at peace with our plan. Initially dreading the thought of change, I felt confident with my team and the personalized care I’d received.
But this week, it’s a different story – while my confidence continues, my routine is scrambled and my days are all about the clock! Taking pills first thing in the morning, once a day, is as easy as a medical treatment plan gets, but also a thing of the past!
Now I’m taking multiple pills four times a day, some with food, some without, constantly watching the clock to stay on schedule waiting for it to tell me if I can or cannot eat or drink, carrying a baggy with the proper dosage, a snack and drink for when I leave the house, going to bed then getting up because I forgot to take the bedtime dose, and so on.
I’m now on a medical treatment plan where medicine controls my days and dictates my meals. And the good news is, this is the first and simplest of all the plans. If it doesn’t work, there are other options to try.
If there is a positive side, it’s that I’m now working out four times a day, wrestling with additional childproof pill bottles. Since we’re in the ‘try and see’ phase of my new treatment plan, I’ve not yet come up with a pill dispensing practice nor did I remember to ask the pharmacist for easy caps. Instead, the additional bottles sit on the counter as if they’re a team wearing uniforms made of brown plastic with white hats, planning their strategy at four-hour increments.
Do you ever feel like it’s you against the medication? What is your daily practice of taking pills and following a routine? How do you finance the cost of multiple prescriptions? Please share your stories, tips and strategies in the comment section below.
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