Bipolar Type II Support Group

Hi everyone,

I'm curious where you store all of your meds. Do you use a pill container or do you keep them in their original prescription bottles?

I keep my meds in a monthly pill holder. It contains individual compartments for each day of the week for 4 weeks. It also has Braille markings to designate the day of the week.

I really like this arrangement since I never have to worry about whether or not I've taken my meds on a given day.

Neon,

I have a weekly AM & PM pill holder. I love being organized, and would hate to take too much on accident(it has happened to me before when I forgot what I took). Also missing a dose of lorazepam can send me into withdrawal.

I also have a little pill holder with emergency stuff for my purse. My hubby who has chronic pain, and an as yet undiagnosed medical condition, has a silver key fob for emergency pain and nausea meds.

As for storage beyond the daily pill regime:

I keep PRN items like lorazepam and ambien in the medicine cabinet of a bathroom we don't shower in so the moisture won't get to them, and the rest in a decorative box in that same bathroom. Just to keep them dry and out of the light, but hidden from guests ;-> lol.

Neon I have an AM/PM pill holder and I keep my bottled medications in a plastic bag.

I have a weekly pill container, and I put my AM meds in there since I'm likely to forget the AM ones. For work, I bring mine just what I need for the day and an extra in case I drop it or something, in a Tylenol or other bottle. Usually, I keep them in the original bottles in a ziplock baggie. I do better than way. I try to keep them in a drawer and out the way of any guests and out of sight of them. Things have a habit of walking off on a college campus, particularly stimulants and benzos. On campus I have a fireproof lockbox to keep out any prying hands.

I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to respond until now. Thank you all for your replies. I find it interesting how each of us have different ways of storing our meds. Are any of you concerned when bringing benzos with you? I carry 2 Klonopin with me wherever I go so that I can always control my rapid cycling, but I keep them in my pocket because I worry that if someone saw a pill bottle, they'd think I'm an addict. Of course, I could always prove they are mine by showing an ID, but it's still something I'm nervous about.

I take two to three lorazepam (and others) with me in a plastic disc pill case in my purse. It would make me far more nervous not to carry them than it does if people see me take one! I try to be discreet, but have needed to take one while at a concert or in situations where I feel panic coming on. I only worry about having them while driving. With all the different meds I am on I wonder if it is "legal" to drive? If something happened would it automatically be my fault? I drive very well, and probably less agressively and fast while on my meds, and try not to take the ativan while driving, I'll have my husband take over after I've taken one.

I checked out info on lorazepam aka Ativan and although the site does not specifically have a section for not driving if you're experiencing certain side effects, it looks like if you're experiencing drowsiness, light headedness, muscle weakness, confusion and amnesia, you shouldn't "operate machinery." Here's the link:

http://www.drugs.com/ativan.html

If driving is an issue, I know of one antianxiety med that doesn't cause drowsiness to my knowledge (Klonopin).

Post edited by: SpazyJess, at: 04/17/2009 05:08

Jessy,

You are correct about Klonopin not causing drowsiness. It does sedate you, but not to the point where you feel tired. You may also experience slowed thinking during the first several days you start taking it, but this improves over time.

oceanchild,

I like your idea of using a plastic pill container. I'm going to do just that and use it to carry my Klonopin. I think I'd feel more comfortable doing that instead of keeping them in my pocket.

Post edited by: neondreams, at: 04/17/2009 05:11

I usually do not get like that while driving because I take the higher dose before bed, but yesterday at the pharmacy after several appointments I was being very spacy and forgetful! Yikes, should not have been driving even though it is less than a mile from home. My hubby didn't feel up to taking me to my pdoc appt and I had to go to three appts, including having an ultrasound (diagnostic), so I was nervous and took the higher dose.

Thanks Jess for the link and info, I'll be more careful in the future, and also ask my pdoc about klonopin.

neon,

my hubby carries a metal key fob with his hydromorphone. He has chronic pain due to an as yet undiagnosed medical condition. He carries a few other pills too and pads them with cotton. The only drawback is there are no dividers like in my little disc case.