A different kind of review post.

It appears that my newest medication deserves a post.

 

I asked my neurologist to swap out my current form of anti-seizure pills, because they seem to get "stuck" at night when I take them at bedtime. I have had several nights of discomfort directly after taking the Dilantin capsules, where I typically don't have much of an issue at all. 

This pain is the same that sent me to the gastroenterologist for the scoping which showed nothing wrong.  I had a pretty pink pouch.  SPARKLES!  I did not make any connection if the pain = what is in my gut.  But maybe it is?

He prescribed chewable Dilantin, to try out.

Immediately I realize a few things, first:

3.66 refills.  Not a round number.  That last refill, I get ONLY! .66 worth.

Whee.  Yes, the warnings are the same, however MORE APPARENT on this huge bottle.  The other warnings aren't photographed, those get put into the medication information packet, about your face turning to amorphous jello and teeth falling out, but it can happen.  (And more, but I'm Not Going There Because Damn It, I Haven't Had A Grand Mal Seizure In Forever.)

Mr. MM warns me, that the um...

<Word recall fail.  I cannot remember the name of the person who fill prescriptions.  Beth, Hi there, it's your brain talking?  It's a... um... well... *Please note THIS is a side effect of the other medicine I take for seizures!  Still not remembering the word.  Trying to jog my memory.  Pharmacy > prescriptions > pharmacy technician > _________.  Nope.  Can't remember.  And, Beth, it's on the BOTTLE.> 

PHARMACIST! 

I walked away, cleaned the cat box, turned on the self-cleaner on the oven, cleaned up some trash in the yard, put some laundry in, put the dog out, fed and watered the dog, found the kittens <g>, and it hit me, PHARMACIST.

The pharmacist! told Mr. MM to "smell these."  Because, don't let kids get them.  OBVIOUSLY.

The chewable pills smell like toothpaste.  Minty-fresh, and a lot like baking soda.  A child might want to eat them.  Awful, horrible, no-good consequences, put your MEDICINE AWAY. 

In fact, I might add, LOCK YOUR SHIT UP.  I've had too many people have meds stolen, lost or missing from their homes.  (Here I am blogging about a bottle of pills, but ... you will not be getting high on Dilantin, you'll get getting brain dead!)

My concern with taking a chewable -- is the three times a day dosing. 

I will never remember to do it, or if I DO, it will be haphazardly done.  "OH! I FORGOT!"  Honestly *looking around to see who's reading, because shit will fly* I rarely remember to take my morning dose of the OTHER seizure medicine.  I take two at night (without ever missing a beat) and one in the morning.  The morning dose is forgotten about 50-75% of the time.  I know it's partially because the side effects keep me from pushing it -- I'm half asleep about 45 minutes after taking it.  Who needs that during the day?  But, I would prefer being non-twitchy.

Yeah, not a good plan.  Even if I set a timer?  I will forget to have the timer turned on, with me, or nearby. 

"Use your phone!" 

I have a friend that takes her pills via phone reminder.  That might work, if I used the phone more often.  Being at home, I don't carry a cellphone anywhere.  I keep it plugged in or in my pocketbook so that I know where it IS to take off if I have to leave the house.  If I didn't -- I'd lose the phone.  I have lost the phone.    

I know this sounds absolutely silly, but it's the simple things that are THAT difficult for me.

Like, remembering to take pills three times a day.  I suppose I could add them to "meals" -- and that sounds great -- most people eat Three Squares a day.  I eat, when I am hungry, at completely random times a day.  This may be the most logical dosing, if I can make sure to find a way to jog my memory while GETTING food prepared three of the six or more times a day I eat.

That is, if I can get past the taste.  :o  

(I know.  Shut up. Suck it up and take your G-D pills.)