Monday, February 2, 2015

Do You Keep A Stock Of Meds With You Just In Case?

Now that we no longer live in Manhattan – and hopefully I will fill you all in on the move in a future post – I’ve decided to carry at least one night and one day’s worth of meds with me at all times.

The Blizzard of 2015, which wasn’t quite what we were expecting, also prompted me to make the decision to carry some meds with me at all times.

Having to commute from outside of Manhattan and back means that if there are severe issues with the train or weather, I might not be able to get home.  Because we know people in Manhattan we can stay with if we need to, there is a real possibility that there may be times when we have to do that.

And the main thing that would prevent us from being able to do that – or would at least make it difficult if we didn’t have a choice – is me not having my meds. 

I can’t sleep without my night meds, and if I don’t take my day meds before noon, I won’t feel good.  Yeah, it sucks to be in a situation where I am that dependent on meds, but such is life with lupus and RA, I guess. 

The only time I ever really have extra meds with me is when I’m traveling.  I always bring all my meds with me just in case.  And that seems totally logical. 

But the idea of getting stuck in the City, without my meds, seems kind of ridiculous. 

It’s just another bizarre thing with New York living that makes me realize that I’m not in Michigan anymore.  I’m not a fifteen minute walk home anymore.  I’m not even a fifteen minute drive home anymore. 

The thought of not being able to get home at night feels me with dread.

But what fills me with more dread is not having my meds. 

I guess this is sort of a simple thing, and I’m surprised that I never thought of it before, but I’ve never had to think about it before. 

I’ve always known at the beginning of the day where I will be going at the end of the day, and that place always has had my meds.

This also presupposes that I have enough of a stock of meds to do this in the first place. 

For one day and one night’s worth, I do.  But not much more than that. 

So I’ve taken an old prescription bottle, put in a day’s and a night’s worth of meds in it, and have tucked it away in a pocket of my purse, so it will be there just in case.

Hopefully this will provide me with some peace of mind, especially as we prepare for another major winter storm.    

I guess it goes to show that it’s best to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.   

Sometimes the world outside of illness is just as unpredictable as the world with illness.

5 comments:

  1. That's really sensible, Leslie. I've had a couple of times when I've had to miss my night and morning doses of meds, and it wasn't fun. No sleep, increased pain, and in the case of tramadol, mild withdrawal symptoms.

    Wishing you the best in your new home--and that you'll be able to leave that little, tucked-away pill bottle right where it is in your purse, unopened, for a very long time. Sending a hug your way, too. ;)

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  2. I used to carry my meds around when I was first diagnosed, but not so much anymore. But that totally backfired this weekend when the blizzard hit and I was stranded without my meds which led to me getting crazy sick the next day....*sighs* it is what it is.

    have a nice day and may God bless you with a crap load of spoons this week :)

    princessfaithm.blogspot.com

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  3. Leslie, I think having extra meds on hand is a great idea. After my first lupus flare, I was pretty scared about the "next" one. My DH and I spoke with my doctor about the plan for next time. Part of the plan involved me taking a high dose of my steroid meds on the way to the hospital. Now that I am further away from the episode, I have gotten lax about carrying around my emergency meds. But your post is a good reminder. I am going to get my little emergency pill box out of its drawer and put it with my keys.

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