10 replies to this topic

[GerryL]

Hello,

I couldn't find the thread where a discussion was held on how to know if you've taken your Gleevec or not, so thought I'd put an idea here.

I've found if you buy a pen that writes on DVDs, with a fine tip (Pilot make the one I used) you can write the day and date on each of the individual push out bits in the blister pack for your Gleevec. You don't need to press down heavily to write using the DVD pen as they are more like a fine felt pen, so you won't pearce the packaging. The DVDs pens don't rub off either.

[Pin]

Good idea Gerry!

I put my week's worth (inside their blister packaging) in a 7 day pill box every Saturday when I clean the house (it's part of my routine!!). So far it has worked really well (I also set a reminder on my phone, which I think will eventually become super-irritating). But I haven't been doing this as long as some so...

[everonward]

I have family back.up as they bring my Glivec from bedroom dresser to table at supper and if the empty blister pack is not n the table when the dishes are cleared away I have 2 or 3 voices saying "Have you taken your Glivec?" often in unison.

When we go out for supper I leave my Glivec (in it's blister pack) and a small bottle of water on the coffee table so it is prominent when I get back home. So far I've only forgotten it once, which was due to me having a few glasses of bubbly at a celebration meal. I woke up at 2 am as my brain said you forgot - so I took it then.

It works for me

[CallMeLucky]

Mine comes in a bottle of thirty - so it amounts to keeping track of the day I opened it and then feverishly spilling them out onto the table and counting on the days I can't remember if I took it.

I tried the pill box for a while, but I found that taking them out of the bottle and storing them in the pill box did not preserve them the same way (I had a situation where some of the coatings cracked).  So now I just leave it in the bottle and deal with it.  As far as I know I have only missed one pill since I started.  While I don't recommend missing doses, it was nice to miss it once and see the world didn't end

[Jamar]

I have the bottles of 30 as well

I have a 7 day pill case, after I take my sunday pill I then fill the case up again

I also Have a tiny pocket pill case, so if I am going out to eat I'll put that days pill in the pocket case.

Its all about having a consistent system

I used to take my pill and then turn to my wife 10 minutes later and tell her I couldnt remember if I took my pill or not

[Marnie]

Who knew they came in blister packs!!  Is that an "across the pond" sort of thing?  Mine come in a bottle (Sprycel, but Gleevec was the same).  I was embarrassed to buy a pill box, but it works great.  I got a small double-day box, which works great for vacation.  I can carry 2 weeks worth of pills in one box (plus the 3 extra that I carry in my purse wherever I go. . .talk about paranoia!!)

Also. . .both my husband and I have our wristwatch alarms set to 7:00, and he has taken his duty of making sure that I've taken my pill very seriously.  Which has been good, a time or two.  Typically if we're at home, I don't forget the 7:00 p.m. pill.  But if we have a change in schedule, it's easy to forget.

Marnie

[hannibellemo]

Sounds like you had a system to begin with, Jamar. You just got a better one.

[Pin]

It must be - I think "Glivec" (UK, Aust etc.) is in blister packs and "Gleevec" (US) is in bottles.

Honestly, I was shocked when I opened the box and it didn't have some inbuilt method of keeping track of the pills - like the contraceptive pill or some brands of antibiotics, which have the days of the week printed on the packaging for you.

Really, it's pretty dang important that we take these pills everyday (and in their best condition, if that means not taking them out of their original packaging), I am surprised that they have not thought of this.

[jenn]

I bought my husband a daily planner...he keeps all his appts,results ect..  and every time he takes his pill after dinner  he puts a "g" in the corner of the page on the date,hasn't missed a pill yet ! .... he's so awsome !!!

[Susan61]

Hi:  Mine come in a 3 bottles of 30 pills in each bottle,, and I use one of those round dispensers that hold 6 different pills. I just dump 30 pills  into my dispenser at a time.  After I dump the last bottle of 30 into the dispenser I know its time to put my order in again.  I take 6 pills each day, and  all my pills are one a day, so I take them right after my breakfast and coffee with a glass of water. I take all my medication in the morning.  It has been my daily routine for 11 years so I never forget.  Wish I was that organized with everything else in my life.

Susan