I left my meds at home.. not good

Have you ever left your bipolar  meds at home?  It’s not a good feeling. I had a coaching call this morning that went well. I then got things ready to go to my writing office- at Starbucks.

My meds were on the counter- I should have put them in my bag last night- and I didn’t.  I managed to leave them on the counter.

So now it’s 5PM and I have missed two med doses. Luckily I have my Lamictal in the car- so I was able to take that- but not my Lithium.

I don’t do well when I miss doses.  When I get home later tonight,  I will take one pill- then wake up at 2 am or so and take another pill and then the final dose in the morning.  That will get me back on schedule. It’s not good sleep wise- but bipolar meds are more important to me than staying asleep.

Medications are essential in my treatment plan.  I have to make sure I put my darn bottle of meds in my bag!

Tips:

  • Put a few doses of your meds in the car- at a relative’s or a spare bottle in your bag.  This can save you a lot of stress.
  • Do not skip a dose…………spread the pills throughout the night- this is the way to get back on track. I’ve messed with my meds before- “oh, I can just skip a day.” No, I can’t.  I will never do that again. It’s too dangerous.

Julie

PS:  I always think about parents and partners when I write about  meds- maybe the person you love won’t take bipolar medications- or maybe they are dealing with bad side effects.  I’ve been through it all- I’m on my 24th medication-  and I will keep trying until I find what works.  It’s part of having a genetic illness.  No, it’s not fair. But we have to keep going no matter what.

4 comments to I left my meds at home.. not good

  • Holland

    I found a skinny tin that fits in my wallet, (I don’t carry a purse) now I can carry my rescue medicine with me at all times. I tried carrying my meds in a little zip bag, but it just turns to powder. 🙂

    • Nice idea Holland! It’s so good to plan ahead. My Ativan disintegrates- so that is only at home. If someone broke into my car and opened my glove compartment, it would look like a pharmacy! But I only keep a few doses in each bottle.

      Thanks for the tip.

      Julie

  • I think your suggestion about having some doses of meds in your car or in your bag is a great idea. However, if you are going to carry them outside of their original pill bottles, you may also want to carry a copy of your prescriptions for them. This is especially true if you take a controlled substance. Some anti-anxiety medicines and pain killers are controlled substances. If you’re not sure you should check with your pharmacist. While I doubt having a mood stabilizer or anti-depressant pill is going to send you to jail, it might raise suspicions that could be avoided if you have some paperwork to go with it, or perhaps you could save the older RX medicine bottles and store your pills in those.

    • Hello Heidi! You make an extremely important point. It’s the same at an airport. I keep my Lamictal in its bottle- but I know I have added a few other pills in there! I will be more careful. I love the idea about the prescriptions. I will get on that!

      Your comment will prevent a lot of troubles! julie