Thank you for comments, I think my very low mood yesterday was exacerbated by a really bad night and hardly any sleep. Slept better last night so I feel a lot better today. I had a very helpful phone consultation with my GP yesterday afternoon, he came up with a couple of good suggestions to help husband with some of his most severe memory problems, which in turn should help me to cope better. It came to light a few days ago that husband had completely missed taking one of his meds - for up to a month, he can't remember exactly, he thinks it happened because he finished up one box of the med (one of his prostate tabs, he takes 2 different ones) and simply forgot to open the new box the next day. I always make a point every day of checking with him that he's taken his meds....mostly he has, but does forget on occasion, hence why I remind him. However, it didn't occur to me to check on each individual tablet. The GP reassured me that of all the meds husband takes, the particular one he'd omitted to take was probably the 'best' one to forget - or rather the least problematical if he didn't take it. So that was a relief. He did say it would probably be of great benefit for husband to use a dosset (tablet) box - he did have one that I got for him some time last year, but he quickly got fed up with filling it up and just gave up on it - and now he can't find it, he's put it somewhere but has no idea where. So I shall buy him another one tomorrow, and we will both sit down once a week and fill it up together, hopefully avoiding any tablet mishaps in future.
The GP also said it would be beneficial if I could persuade husband (or get husband to go see the GP with me and GP and I would tackle him together) to either have antidepressants or some kind of CBT. Well, he's previously said he doesn't want tablets as he takes enough of them as it is, and flatly refused to consider any kind of talking therapy. However, the GP said an antidepressant could possibly help with husband's memory problems, so that's a good bargaining chip. The GP also said that it would be best to encourage husband to do more, both physically and mentally, which should help his mood and in turn his memory. I know that and constantly try to get him more involved and doing things, but so far it's been a (very steep) uphill struggle. I won't give up though. One thing I am going to do is to say he can't have the TV on and doze in front of it all day - he can watch one or 2 afternoon programmes he particularly likes, but he's not having it on all the time for just any old rubbish. And he certainly doesn't need to watch the news (which is all doom and gloom anyway) 3 or 4 times a day!
I have had a preliminary chat with husband and let him know just how difficult I'm finding things, and how it would impact heavily on him if I couldn't go on. He did seem to take in the seriousness of it, it certainly seemed to make him think. He even came up with a couple of suggestions of his own.
I've had 2 letters, a phone call and 2 texts reminding me about my appointment tomorrow at the rapid access chest clinic, they certainly don't want me to forget.
I'm glad your GP seems to be on the ball. Here's hoping you can both persuade your husband to take antidepressants. I can understand his reluctance, but if it's going to help...
ReplyDeleteYes, they certainly don't want you to forget that appointment, do they? I hope you get some answers from it. xx
I'm glad your preliminary chat with husband was positive and that your GP is proving so very helpful.
ReplyDeleteHoping the appointment goes really well for you. xx
Hubby has a pill box with 2 slots for every day, for am and pm tablets, like your hubby he takes loads of pills, we keep it next to the kettle in the kitchen, it's a spot we visit many time every day.
ReplyDeleteLife is hard sometimes and things seem to happen all at once. At the moment we have a close family member recovering after bowel cancer surgery, another newly diagnosed bowel cancer family member awaiting results of an MRI in order to plan treatment and a third member in hospital long term after a very serious accident breaking several bones including both legs, an arm and pelvis. It's very hard.
ReplyDeleteIt's very good your GP suggested antidepressants - they've helped my husband in similar circumstances and hopefully yours will go for them if they're presented as (truthfully) a medication that can help with memory problems!
ReplyDeleteHopefully your husband's memory is not so bad that he will accidentally take ALL the pills for the entire week at once because he can't remember to only take the next day's pills. One of my neighbors with dementia did that. The two of us watching over her then started taking over only that day's pills in a little baggie. Another neighbor hated taking her 12 pills/day, so she told her dr. and he went through the list and said she only really needed 4. She was so happy. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteCan your pharmacy not provide blister packs? The morning pills are all packaged together as are noon, supper, and bedtime pills.
ReplyDeleteFast and easy to see if doses are missed. I've seen them package for a week at a time or even rolls of meds packaged in tear off pouches.
Dosettes are fine if you can be bothered to fill them but then they are not safe or secure if small children are around.
No idea, but as our pharmacy (attached to our GP surgery) is chronically understaffed and extremely busy, I doubt she'd have time. Filling the box won't be a problem and there are no children (small or otherwise) here.
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