Meds on time

Taking one's medicines on time is vitally important with Parkinson's disease. Gaucher disease, treated by an enzyme replacement therapy via infusion is not the same and can be delayed by a few days, with no ill effects to the patient, as it works in a very different way from Parkinson's medications. I always take a small pill box with me in my handbag, containing pills I will need whilst out, plus extra just in case we end up staying later than expected. When hospitalised, it is crucial to continue one's regimen, but this can sometimes prove problematic. You may find yourself in hospital regarding a completely different health issue, and end up in a ward, for instance the orthopaedic or oncology department, where the staff, as wonderful as they may be, are not specialists in Parkinson's and don't necessarily understand how vital it is to take PD medications on time. Most know the crucial timing of diabetic meds, but Parkinson's medications if not taken at the right time can also be detrimental, and set one back considerably. I have a paper written out with all my pills, dosage and time of day to be taken which goes with me into hospital. It can be attached to a chart at the end of my bed and I hand an extra copy to the doctor to put in my file.

In America The National Parkinson's Foundation has created an entire kit in a handy bag for one's medications, along with pads especially for you to fill in details of your pills. They also include a metal bracelet with "Parkinson Disease Alert" written on it, for there are many patients who have difficulty in talking, so by wearing this, hospital staff should be alerted to your special needs. However, if one is required to have an X-ray, MRI, any scan or operation, we all know that all jewellery etc. must be removed, so my suggestion to the Parkinson's Foundation is; a plastic wrist band, the type one normally wears in hospital, should be added to this "Kit" with one's name and "Parkinson patient" written on it so that in hospital this doesn't have to be removed at any point.