What can a patient do to stay on track with my medications

As a patient with a chronic care disease I have found some common reason I don’t to take my medications and things that have helped me stay on track that I am going to share in hopes of helping other patients. When a provider ordered a new pill I didn’t ask questions, I just took it. After having complications with multiple medications I had to change my approach. I began to speak with my pharmacist and created a relationship where I could discuss all of my medications, what they do, where they process in my body, and any possible interactions with other medications. Remember to use your pharmacist as an important member of your medical team! Know all about why a medication is important and how to best take it helped me get past the fact that I hate taking medications. I used to forget to take my medications. Mostly this was due to high pain levels and having difficulty concentrating. To fix this, I started using a pill box that had morning afternoon and night boxes for each day of the week. If I couldn’t remember if I took my pill all I had to do was look at my pill box and know if I had missed it or not. It became a routine for me and thus easier to remember to look at the pill box and even easier to know if I did or didn’t take the pill at the correct time. I continue this conversation on my medications and what and why I am taking it with my provider each time I see them. Knowing that new medications come out that work differently and that may be more effective I know to ask… what else is there, what are my choices. I have may reactions/ side effects to medication. My body is very sensitive. I keep track of what I am experiencing and discuss it with both the provider who proscribed it, the pharmacist, and my primary care physician. When I have a med-major reaction, I have my provider fill out med-form 3500A so if my insurance company ever wants me to do step therapy to get the medication that will work best, I can prove I have already tried and failed others prior. I know how important it is to keep my treatment choices between me and my providing physicians. We as a team (me as chief of staff of my medical team) are the ones who know my case and what will work best and why. We don’t want a third party who is trying to save money to try to push their way into my care. I know as a patient that we can stand up for what we need, it may take a little time to get this process started, but effort now to get organized will save you time, money, energy, and health in your future. – Barby Ingle, Best Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Philanthropist on Chronic Pain Issues | Chairman, Power of Pain Foundation