Organizing my health: How my pill box became a lifeline

Before 2016, I didn’t need to take any prescription medications, at least not regularly. But during my first episode of optic neuritis and a few years later, after my diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, I was forced to create a new habit.

During that first episode of optic neuritis, my neuro-ophthalmologist prescribed me a high dose of steroids to restore the vision I’d lost in my left eye. Prescription medication, other than antibiotics I might’ve taken for a virus, was a whole new world for me.

Throughout this time, I set alarms every few hours to take the appropriate amount of steroids. I also recorded the time I took my medication and the dosage so I could keep track of it. Making those records helped me a ton because I otherwise could’ve taken too many steroids or not enough.

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I started my first disease-modifying treatment (DMT), a tablet I took daily by mouth. All I needed to remember was to take my DMT each night, and that was manageable. At that point, I chose not to set a reminder alarm because I found it simple to add the medication to my nightly routine.

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Managing a mess of pills

As the months went by, however, I suddenly had multiple prescriptions and supplements that I needed to take daily for various symptoms, such as migraines, bladder incontinence, tremors, insomnia, and more. I maintained the same medication schedule, continuing to take everything at night. That worked for a little while.

I remember sitting on my bed in my college dorm with all my medications sprawled out in front of me and my roommate across the room on her bed. We were in the middle of our nightly conversation when we recapped our day to each other. I started taking my medication and supplements one at a time, keeping them in two separate piles — one for what I’d already taken and another for what I still needed to take.

I don’t remember what my roommate and I were talking about, but I do remember being so caught up in the conversation that I mixed up my piles. I didn’t know what I’d taken, which was a huge problem. I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t want to double up on anything, so I didn’t take any other medications that night. That’s not a good thing to do when you’re trying to manage your condition well.

After that night, I went on Amazon and ordered a weekly pill organizer because I didn’t want to experience that again. Since then, I’ve upgraded to a monthly organizer, yet still take my medications each night before bed.

I also started to leave the organizer on my nightstand to ensure that I see it every night. This strategy has helped overcome any MS-related memory issues and brain fog that might cause me to forget one of the most crucial aspects of managing my condition: taking my medication.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.