I Really Messed Up- Can't Count

Hi Carol,

  I have noticed that I too,have some lapses in short term memory and fuzzy thinking at times since getting RA.  I gave myself a scare once when I came up 4 pills short on my Methotrexate..(discovered ten min later that I had put them in a pill organizer) I thought I had taken too many.  I struggle some weeks counting my pills over and over to make sure I have not messed up. 

      I would not wait until Fri of next week ,but would call the doctor's office (like Mon) and discribe your symptoms. The doc might also want to change/add a med because of your new symptoms. As for you "really Messing up",dont beat yourself up so much over it.  The real important thing is that you didn"t overdose yourself with the methotrexate as that can be extreemely dangerous.

   What I have decided to do, because of my memory lapses, is to have a family

member double check what I put in each of my daily dose boxes...  Now if I could just figure out how to not be so exhausted....Take care and let us know how it turns out...Mel

I agree with the previous response, don't beat yourself up about missing some pills.  Tell your doc as soon as you can.  I am sure your doc has heard similiar stories.  I take 8 tiny MTX pills plus 2 tiny folic acid pills,  I have to adjust my bifocals numerous times while counting those.  Try different systems for laying out the bottles, maybe ask your pharmacist if they can sell one of the pill counters that they use so you can see the pills then pour them in a pill box.   I just don't know why the makers of MTX don't come out with a higher dose pill of the med so we don't have to count so many tiny pills.

I have taken MTX for a number of years.  I have found that over time the cramps in fingers or toes are seldom a problem.  I did have to go off meds for some surgery and was off for fifteen weeks and when I started back I did notice some of the side affects again, but they seem to be less now.  I take MTX on Wednesdays and know I need to count them out before I take any other meds that morning.  That helps to keep me on track. 

Don't feel bad. I did the same thing.  I was supposed to take 6 pills, and I only tood one a week.  I did this for 3 weeks!!!   Then when I noticed what I did, I  felt really stupid.  I think we are so overwhelmed with all our pills, it's easy to make a mistake.

take care