What is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinson's disease (paralysis agitans or PD) is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia), and in extreme c...
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Taking Medication on Time
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Hi,
I am a caregiver for my husband who was diagnosed with PD about 7 months ago and he just turned 60 years old. They didn't think he needed the meds at the time, but since his tremors have worsened and the fatigue has increased so they put him on levodopa/carbidopa which has to be taken at 7 a.m. 11 a.m. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. without any protein, so he just takes it with water. He remembers the 7 a.m. with the use of the alarm at the bedside, but the others he doesn't always remember or maybe off a half hour or forget altogether. I want him to remember by himself and get used to the schedule so that the medication will work. He's only been up to full dosage for less than a week, so we haven't seen any sign of improvement yet. Do you think I should let him remember on his own, even though he might forget or get off schedule? The pharmacist said that it's important to be on schedule so he body will get used to the meds. I don't want him to get off schedule, but at the same time, I don't want to nag him or always ask if he took his medication and I can't be with him all of the time. He got a little upset and said he has to think of pills all day long, which I know can be depressing. Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe in time he'll get used to the schedule, and maybe I'm worrying for nothing, but I am concerned. Thanks for your support.... Posted on 07/20/08, 12:07 pm |
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I take my pills every 6 hrs so I got one of those pill boxes with 4 sections and I wrote to time on each section. If it is actually his memory there's not much you can do but remind him yourself. If the 'forgetting' is more than 1/2 hr maybe you should let the Doctor know.
Is he motivated? Does the medication make him feel better? If not, see the Dr again. This is a tough subject as often "nagging" seems to make the other person even more resistant . Good Luck! 
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For the first year post-diagnosis, I wouldn't take meds because I didn't want to have PD. I started taking them and saw good improvement in gait and writing at first. Then, I eventually maxed out on medications and had DBS, bilaterally.
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Hi Vtskier:
He has a pill box especially for the PD meds so I kind of know if he is missing one if I am around. It just when he gets busy doing other things, then he forgets. Hopefully he'll get onto it. If the pills were taken with meals, then it would be much easier but they are take at odd times. (I think anyone would have difficulty). He hasn't been on the meds long enough to show any difference. They were taken at a gradual rate, and he's only been on full dosage for a very short time. I pray that in a few weeks we will see some difference. Thanks...for your thoughts.
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Believe me, he will start to remember by himself after awhile. When the shakes interfere with using his hands, eating, sitting still, and such he will take them and after time will remember pretty well. I am late most of the time taking my meds. I get busy or whatever, but eventually it reminds me. then I pay for it in many ways. Let him take the responsibility I think. You might be surprised. Sass
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Since I always have my cell phone I set the daily reminder and it goes off every day at the time I should take them.
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Gosh ConnieBell, he im sure is not an idiot, he will work out when he needs to take the meds. It is a hard thing to remember take a pill at this time, take one at that time,, We are not human clocks!
I do suggest letting him remember for himself , he will work it out for himself dont mother him, l think he has a lot to come to grips with Im sure you love him lots, as you show great concern, Schells had a great idea with the phone alarm
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My daughtere and son-in-law got me a 4 slot pill box with an alarm system that covers all 4 times. It alarms each time I am to take my meds and keeps on alarming until you turn it off.
God Bless, Lee
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Conniebell,
I too will sometimes forget to take my next dose of Sinemet, but my body definitely reminds me that I have forgotten. I do know that there are some electronic medication reminder devices that can be purchased. I looked for one in our local drug stores, and there are quite a few that will allow you to program up to four reminders. I take six doses during the day, so that would not work for me. I plan on going on line to see if there are any others that will allow for more than 4 reminders per day. If the meds are helping him, he will definitely be able to tell when he has forgotten. The benefits of the meds may become motivation enough to want to remember, although there may still be a few times where he forgets. Good luck and God Bless you both. Nicole
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I also use my cell phone, since it is always with me. Most of them have only 3 alarms so I have to reset it after the third dose unless you use the calendar. There are some off-the-shelf timers with up to 12 timers see:
http://www.bindependent.com/cgi-bi... It definitely helps out when I am busy, although my day seems longer because it's measured by your med timer. It is still a small price to pay for complete on time! Don.
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Hi Conniebell,
Since I have to take my meds every 3 hours, I have an extremely annoying but very helpful alarm which I keep in my purse or somewhere near me. It's made by a company called E-Pill, and it's loud enough that I can hear it on the other side of the room, and I feel I have to attend to it, but not so loud that it annoys other people too much. Sometimes, if I try to ignore it, my son will hear it and say "Hey Mom: BEEP BEEP BEEP!". Bless his heart...:-)
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