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WHAT UP DOC? : MEDICATION TIPS
Do you always forget to take your pills? Do you hate taking so many, hate not knowing
exactly what they're doing, and hate the side effects? Here's advice on how to get over
it from other young people who have been there:
- Getting Organized
- Being Creative
- Being Informed and Prepared
- Staying Upbeat
Getting Organized
- Keep your pills next to your alarm clock, with a glass of water. When your alarm
blasts in the morning and you roll over to turn it off, your pills are right there,
staring you in the face. Make it a rule that you're not allowed to get out of bed
before taking them right then and there.
- Is there something you do every morning and evening? If you brush your teeth at
those times (like you should, ahem), stash your pills next to your toothbrush. If
you wear contacts, find a cozy spot for your meds near your contact case. In
other words, add your pill taking to something that's already part of your routine.
- Walk the dog every day at the same time? Take out the garbage before leaving
for school? Set the dinner table? If you've got a household chore or responsibility
that you do at a regular point each day, make it a habit to take your meds at that
time, too.
- If you can never remember whether or not you've taken a set of pills, get a pill
organizer with compartments for morning, day, and evening. If a compartment
still has pills in it...uh, that means you've haven't taken them yet.
- Make yourself a medication schedule and post it somewhere you spend a lot of
time, like the kitchen or bathroom.
Being Creative
- If you have trouble gulping down so many pills (or even just one), you're not
alone. Try one of these time-tested swallowing secrets:
- Smush the pills inside a thick, chewy piece of bread, then eat the bread.
- Practice with M&M's (or the small pill-like candy of your choice), raisins, or
mints. Keep trying and don't be disappointed if it takes a while.
- Ask your doctor if it's okay to crush or open your pills and sprinkle them on
something yummy.
- Cut your pills in two and swallow half at a time.
- Talk to your doctor about condensing your med schedule so you're taking them
less often. It's hard to take pills during school, so ask if you can schedule one set
of pills for after school.
- If you don't want friends and classmates to know you take meds, carry them in
an Altoids tin. When you take your pills, it'll look like you're just popping a mint. If
you're worried about people asking you for one, carry a second tin full of the real
thing.
Being Informed and Prepared
- It's normal to feel like medications are mysterious and even a little scary. Don't
swallow in silence -- really know what you're taking. Ask your doctor exactly what
each medication will do once it's inside your body, how it's supposed to help you,
and what side effects to expect. Do extra research if you need to. The important
thing is to get the info you need in order to feel comfortable with what's going
down your throat.
- Know whether it's okay to put two or more different kinds of pills in the same
container, because sometimes it's not.
- Keep a three-day supply of pills and a copy of all your prescriptions at school,
and even at some of your close friends' houses, just in case.
- Keep a list of all the medications you take with you at all times, maybe in your
wallet or day planner...or enter them into your cell phone.
Staying Upbeat
- Remember that you're not going to take a pill and then WHAM, feel great the
next day. Keep your eye on the big picture and know that you'll feel better
eventually...even if it takes months.
- If taking lots of pills a day seems impossible or is just a huge bummer, keep in
mind that like anything new in life, you'll get used to it. Imagine a time when you
won't have to think about your meds; they'll just be part of you and your daily
routine.
- If you feel like medication isn't helping or you have any doubts about it, be honest
with your doctor and express your concerns.
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