14 replies to this topic

[JohnFromChicago]

During the first few months of treatment on 2 occasions I could not remember if I had taken my pill or not. I take my pill in the morning while I am getting ready for work. I am constantly running late because I am not a morning person. After 6 years of a 9-5 job you would think I would have adjusted but no such luck. Maybe that will come with age in my 30s. As we all know it would be very dangerous to take a double dose of any of our TKIs in one day. This cap fits on the top of pretty much all pill bottles and it marks the current time and day on the screen any time you open the pill container. Comes with an empty pill bottle to use as well. You can also set an alarm to go off at a certain time to remind you to take your pill (although I don't use this feature). I just like to be able to confirm that I never miss a dose. In the event that you ever think you may have forgotten to take your pill you can always check the timestamp on the top of the container and take your dose a few hours late without worrying that you doubled up. It is a little expensive but it is sturdy and foolproof and I think it is worth the piece of mind.

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W8EQC4

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[Antilogical]

I take a number of prescribed and OTC medicines, and have to separate them between AM & PM.  I find that a weekly pill organizer works nicely.  The one I use now has removable daily sections, so I can carry that day's meds with me.

[rcase13]

Oh I love it. Very nice. They just need to make one for blister packs. For the Tasigna folks.

 

But I am so paranoid I will miss a dose I have my watch set, my phone set and my wife set...

[kat73]

John - That's quite nifty.  Where did you get it?

[kat73]

Oops, never mind - I see the Amazon link.  Sorry.

[JohnFromChicago]

Oh I love it. Very nice. They just need to make one for blister packs. For the Tasigna folks.

 

But I am so paranoid I will miss a dose I have my watch set, my phone set and my wife set...

 

It actually comes with an empty pill bottle too you can use with it. Wow that is an impressive amount of alarms haha. I literally wake up and do the same thing every day I'm pretty scheduled haha but when something throws off my schedule like having a 7am conference call with coworkers in another country I tend to forget things that are part of my morning routine. If I have to be in the office on any given day before 9am it pretty much just wreaks havoc on my morning schedule haha

[rcase13]

I have always wondered if I could break all the pills out of the blister pack into a pill bottle. Does the blister pack keep them fresher?

[JohnFromChicago]

I have always wondered if I could break all the pills out of the blister pack into a pill bottle. Does the blister pack keep them fresher?

 

 

Good question, I have no clue. When I compare it to medicine which comes in a bottle, the bottled medicine usually has one of those anti-moisture capsules inside it. I assume then the pills separated out in foil pouches works in lieu of an anti-moisture capsule. I also assume there would be no harm in removing the anti-moisture capsule after opening the bottle which gets used in 30 days. So based on that I would assume that would be the equivalent of removing each capsule from its foil pouch. That is a lot of assumptions though haha.

[Antilogical]

Packaging depends on the pharmacy filling the prescription.  The pills I get through Accredo come in a square white plastic bottle sealed with foil on top, but no anti-moisture capsule inside.  It looks like it's pre-packaged.  The pills I used to get through Aetna's distributor came in a typical amber pill bottle, with no other special packaging.  I suspect that breaking the pills out of the blister pack & storing in a pill bottle would be just fine.  Is the labeling strip on the blister pack container small enough to tape to a pill bottle?

[tiredblood]

I've thought about writing the date on the Tasigna blister pack, but have never done it

[gerry]

I did that with the Gleevec, CD writing pen day and date just to be sure.

[MarCap73]

I take a number of prescribed and OTC medicines, and have to separate them between AM & PM.  I find that a weekly pill organizer works nicely.  The one I use now has removable daily sections, so I can carry that day's meds with me.

 

I get my Sprycel from from CVS/Caremark via UPS, in a plastic bio-hazard bag.  I asked the CVS/Caremark pharmacist if I could use a weekly organizer and was told that because of the toxicity of Sprycel I should keep it in the container it comes in and not in a weekly organizer.  (It doesn't need to be kept in the bag though.)  

 

Anyone else ever told that?

 

As far as remembering whether I took the pill or not, I created a simple Excel sheet with Pill Number, Date, and time columns.  I have the pill number and date prepopulated.  I have it synched up with when I start a new bottle.  I just print the sheet and ink in the time I take my pill.  I know exactly how many pills are left, which is helpful when CVS calls to do my refill and asks me how many pills I have left.  

 

The "log book" method goes back to my days working in the engine room of Navy ships.  Log everything!

[Antilogical]

Whether a tki is toxic or not, since I'm the only one using that particular pill organizer, & since I take my evening meds at the same time, I don't think it's an issue.  My doctor has never expressed concern.

[tiredblood]

Whether a tki is toxic or not, since I'm the only one using that particular pill organizer, & since I take my evening meds at the same time, I don't think it's an issue.  My doctor has never expressed concern.

 

I don't think it is an issue either. I also think that the Tasigna blister packaging is designed to help the patient keep on track with taking the med, kind of like how birth control pills are packaged.  Now, JohnfromChicago's device takes brain fog into account.  I like that.

[DebDoodah22]

Thank you for posting this!
I'm with you John this is a fantastic idea...I only take the Sprycel, that's my only med..and I do this mornings too....This now very routine but as you say routine changes can mess me up AND...The sameness of it sometimes trips me up, too.

I do two things to remember...
I only use one particular cup and always leave a little water...not much...that way I know if the cup is wet, I took it....
this works fine until I travel.
When I travel, I try to do something unique when I take my pil...such as shake the bottle or count to ten...that way I am more mindful and I have a memory clue that I have taken it.....
BUT, this cap would put an end to all that and give me some peace of mind. THANKS!