Last post Fri, Apr 11 2008 2:30 PM by Sad. 6 replies.
I take my Vicodin every 6 hours (per my dr) in order to "stay ahead" of the really bad pain. However, recently I noticed I've started to forget a dose here and there and then the pain gets ahead of me. I have no problems remembering to take all my morning meds and my evening meds, but this every 6 hours thing is more difficult.
Adding to the trouble is that I don't always take them the same time every day. In order to get ready in the morning, I need to wake up, take my first dose, go back to sleep for about an hour while it starts to work, and then I'm able to get up and shower and dress. Problem is that right now my schedule varies, so what time I take the first dose varies, and I end up forgetting the next dose.
Anyone else having this trouble? What do you do to remind yourself? I know there are alarms, and I used to use the one on my cell phone, but while I'm on disability, I'm not always in the same place at any given time--I could be at my desk at home, out at physical therapy, picking up a prescription, watching tv (rare), etc.--and I'm not always within earshot of my phone.
I had the same problem and I just had to make sure my phone was always with me. That's not too hard for me as I don't have a land line at home and use only my cell phone.
Julia
The only reminder that I have found to be basically foolproof is my wife who I generally insist cares about me too much. But I'll admit, without her brains, I'd be totally lost. LOL
I don't have any suggestions that you are not aware of other than to set alarms wherever you can; computers, cell phones, electronic watches, etc. Of course and as you've found out, the best alarm is when your body "reminds" you that you missed a dose.
Dave
Hi..why dont you ask your doc to prescribe long acting drugs such as duragesic patches...you onoy have to change every 72 hours...or mscontin you take every 12 hours or kadian you take every 24....talk to your doc...any of these drugs are more effective then the vicoden you are on..your doc might be willing to still prescribe vicodin for break thru pain. good luck.......Debra
I've got a whole slew of meds that I need to take every day and I've experienced the same issue as you, InnerGlow.
The solution for me was what I call "my brain"... a weekly pill organizer. I know what time I woke up and can look at it to see if I've taken my meds yet. They sell them at pretty much any pharmacy for $10 or less.
Is there any way you can adjust your sleep schedule so you wake up the same time every day? I am now on an "as needed" schedule but when I had to take them every four hours I awakened at 6 even on weekends so that I always took my pills at 6, 10, 2, etc. I know it sounds like a pain in the ass, but it really helped get me on track, and it was kind of nice going back to sleep or spending the morning in bed while waiting for the pills to kick in in the morning.
But then again, I was then at a point where the effects started to wear off after three hours, so I was usually staring at the clock waiting to take the next dose!
there are definitely many other options, 12 and 24 hour pills, that might work better for you. i have never liked the patches, could never get them to stay on properly with out crazy taping them all over and they itch too. though i am on a cocktail of meds now and some i take as needed which in the last few month is happening pretty much on 4-6 hour schedule, so i completely understand your problem, clocks and alarms didn't work for me, what did work better is aligning pill intake to some other consistent events like meals, brushing teeth, going to or returning from work, picking up kids, also again longer acting meds like kadian or avinza are much more convenient to use.
