Guest Post – You Look Okay To Me

Jameisha Prescod is the founder of You Look Okay To Me. Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 2014 she regularly writes and creates content about chronic illnesses. She recently graduated from Ravensbourne University London with BA (Hons) Digital Film Production.

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I have something to confess. I (sometimes) forget my medication. It’s hard to admit, especially when you have a serious condition. I mean, it’s a no-brainer. If you don’t take your meds, your illness can get worse. But at the same time, it’s so easy to let it slip. Whether it’s due to a bad flare up, a really busy day, or brain fog. Whatever the reason, just remember you’re human. But for the best results, it’s essential to take your medication as prescribed. So, to help you out, here are 5 tips.

Get a pill organiser 

Pill boxes are a great way to keep track of your meds. Getting a nice, well-designed organsiser that’s simple to travel with makes things easier.
It’s important to find the right pill box for you. Some people need more complex organisers because of the number of pills they take throughout the day. However, people like me, who take a small amount need something more simple. I’ve listed some great organisers below that caught my eye.
Products from Amazon.co.uk

Another good tip is to associate your meds with another task. This will help you form a strong habit. I assume most of us wear underwear (no judgement if you don’t). I put on my knickers every day so I tie my medication to that. I place my pill organiser in my underwear drawer so it’s one of the first things I see every day.
For you it doesn’t have to be knickers, it could with your breakfast for example. Honestly, it really doesn’t matter. It’s just easier to remember things with a task you instinctively do every day.

Use Smartphone Apps

It’s funny, we take our phones everywhere. Some of us (myself included) are more likely to remember our phone than our medication. So if that’s the case, getting a medication app is perfect for you.
There are so many intuitive apps on the market. Some simply provide a reminder, others let you track your symptoms and even have a cool icon that accurately represents your pill. You can even find some that give you detailed explanations about your meds. I personally recommend Medisafe. It’s my favourite app to keep track of everything and it’s so easy to use.

Set an alarm

Maybe you don’t want a full-blown app. Maybe there’s not enough space on your phone. Totally not talking from experience here. If that’s the case, setting an alarm and labelling it can be just as effective. If I were you, I would give it a unique and annoying sound that you can’t possibly ignore.

Ask for help

If all else fails, ask for help. Sometimes sharing the responsibility takes the pressure off. I also think having another person aware of your medication habits makes you more accountable.
Some days you’re going to be sicker than others. I don’t know about you, but in a terrible flare up, it’s really hard to remember anything. Having the extra support can help you stay on track.
So these are my 5 tips to help you keep track of your medication. I’m sure there’s so much more so let me know here or on the social media platforms.

Reposted with permission from YouLookOkToMe. Original post written by author Jameisha Prescod.