I keep forgetting to take my meds!

I keep forgetting to take my meds.
I usually just take them after lunch because that is the first meal of the day.

But I keep forgetting to bring them with me,they would be at home.
And I don't have time to go back home before my next appointment.
When I forget them them the next dose isn't until 1030 pm.
I can't really tell if I take them or not.
Does any body know it 5mg of haldol twice a day is a big dose?
bizi

I’m not sure. I take mine as soon as I wake up. They’re next to my kettle. I can’t start my day or coffee without seeing them.

It’s a decent dose but not ridiculous.

I second the idea of getting into the habit of taking them first thing in the morning. I used to do that and I never missed a dose accidentally.

When I was on Haldol I took 5mg three times a day, plus getting injected with it once every three weeks with I can't remember how much. I don't think you're on a ridiculously high dose. But I don't know for sure. I just know after seven years I had to get off that stuff because it stopped working and was causing me muscle stiffness.

I agree with others about taking your meds right away in the morning.

If you can't take them before you leave home can you stick your pill box in your purse so you have them when you remember? Or even just do that while you try to build a better routine in the morning?

I know how hard it can be to take AM meds. I even take my synthroid at night because I can't take it in the morning. Not recommended but my body seems used to it and it's ok. I don't know what would happen if I had to take an AM med. If my "poop pudding" were to stop working I'd have to go on a prescription that is an AM med and it scares me.

I take Synthroid when I wake up in the middle of the night. I ran it by my endocrinologist and she said it is OK. As long as you take it on an empty stomach, do not eat anything for at least 30 minutes after you have taken it, and do not take any drugs or supplements for 4 hours after you have taken it, it is ok.

She is a new doctor on my treatment team. Before I started with her, I had not known about the 4 hr rule.

Regarding Bizi's question, I carry a small bottle of Geodon in my purse. If I happen to be eating out, I take Geodon from my purse. If I eat in, I take Geodon from another bottle that is on my dining table. I do remember if I have taken it. If I didn't remember, I would open a thread with myself in my email and would message myself right after taking it. This way you would not take a double dose.

There's a really good, free app for your phone called Medisafe.

It keeps on reminding you to take your meds until you mark them as taken. I have been using it for years and don't miss doses, whenever they are.

It also keeps track of the number of pills you have left and reminds you to refill when you have 10, or whatever you set, pills left.

Thank you for your responses. I take my meds 12 hours a part.
So I take them at noon and midnight some times it is 11pm and 1130 am.
I need to work on my routine. I always set up my pill box the night before. I take a lot of supplements. Then I set the"box" which is actually a round plastic container. I place this in a dish along with my watch and earrings.
I have changed/tweeked this. I used to place the pill container under my watch. I have started putting my watch under the pill container. This has worked for me now. sorry this is so tedious. but I had to make it work for me. In the morning I pick up the pills container and put it into my pocket then put my watch on. It has worked like a charm.
I don't eat breakfast and feel that if I take it to lunch and take them after eating because it is a lot of pills. This is working out for me.
If I ate breakfast then I would probably take them then. But am not hungry for breakfast. I think by ensuring that the watch is underneath the pill container that will work.
Thank you for letting me talk this out.
Thank you for reassuring me that 5mg of haldol twice a day is not too much.
By the way. I am a visual person. I take everything out of my cupboards and med cabinet that I use for my night time routine and then have a certain order that I do stuff. I am a bit OCD.
so when I finish a task I put it away. then move onto the next chore.
My meds and supplements take up 2 shelves. I take them in the order that I have them organized..
That is alot of pills to keep organized, keep track of my rx meds and refills and supplements I order on amazon.
anyway.
thank you if you hung with me about this.
hope all of you lovely people sleep well at night.
bizi

with the supplements, as you take a lot, figure out if it is OK to take them all at once
I have just learned that:

- iron needs to be taken on an empty stomach and accompanied by a kiwi or citrus fruit
- vit D needs to be taken together with some fat in the food
- NAC brain booster needs to be taken on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after last food and 30 minutes before next food
- B vitamins need to be taken with food

So it is not so simple, unfortunately. I am still learning about how to optimize it.

I'm pretty good at reliably taking my meds, but occasionally I forget. Especially my morning meds, which if forgotten for most of the day, I simply skip. If I forget my evening meds at my usual time, I eventually remember later, mostly because I can't sleep. If 2 am rolls around and I'm not the least bit tired, I remember. I do take them then, not just to finally sleep, but my mood goes south rapidly. By 4 am, I would have already destabilized a bit.

I keep a dose of both my morning meds and evening meds in my pocketbook. I used to set morning and evening med reminders on my phone. I have my meds in a box on my dining room table and associate taking them with meals. Breakfast: First sip of coffee then take meds. Dinner: After first bite take meds. Habit makes it automatic. It's mostly when my routine is disrupted (eating out, travelling) that forgetting happens.

soupe,
my weekdays are pretty set in stone. The weekends are a challenge.
I just keep my meds out on the bathroom counter and when we get home from brunch or lunch I see them on the counter then take them.
best to you.
bizi

Bizi, is this getting any better for you?

Thanks tart,
yes have not forgotten my meds at all since the change.
Thanks for asking!I think you are a peach!

I used to take NAC for excoriation disorder. ocd related chewing on hang nails.I stopped taking it because I felt like I had a handle on this. This nasty habit stopped so I stopped taking the NAC.
bizi

Glad to hear you are doing so well!

I take NAC because my pdoc himself takes it. The way he explained it to, NAC is for long term neuropsychiatric benefits. So I do not expect to see any immediate improvements. More like an insurance policy. It is amazing that NAC helped you get a handle on all that stuff.

How much NAC do you take tart?

100 mg

Has to be taken on an empty stomach. At least 2 hours after the last meal and at least 30 minutes before the next one.

Amazon.com link to the NAC

this is the specific brand my pdoc takes and now I do, too. He explained something about its superior bioavailability.

Glad everyone was helpful Bizi,

I seem to have gotten lost for a while. But I found my way back.
I have my meds by my bed and just take them as I get up or go to
bed. For me retired it works. I do have two I have to take in the middle
of the day or I will get dizzy so those are the ones I have to worry about.

But I will just rotate the time to when I get home.

HOpe all are having nice weather, we are getting rain.

Donna

I forgot to take my morning meds the other day and couldn't figure out why I was so light headed and dizzy and weird feeling until I went to take my afternoon anti-anxiety pills and was like, "Oh shyt!" I never forget to take my meds!

Anyway. Happy you're remembering now, @bizi.