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Pills on the Floor

 
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One of the worst things about being bipolar is accidentally dropping medicine on the floor. The reason this is such an awful experience is because I have a small child and I’m afraid he’s going to find the little pills and ingest them.

So when I drop my meds on the ground, I have to clear everything out of the area and sweep the floor until I find the little devil I’ve dropped. This can take several minutes, but I’m happy to report that I’ve always found every pill I’ve ever lost.

My grandmother took a lot of medication, but she was blind. There were dozens of pills all over her carpeting. When she was alive, I didn’t have any children, and she didn’t have any great grandchildren. Thank goodness.

Pills on the floor are just one more “nice” little hassle that come with this disease. I try to be extra careful when handling the medication, but sometimes, one gets away from me.

They’ve made some children’s vitamins so delectable these days. They taste like gummy bears. On the contrary, lots of good things look like medicines – M & M’s, gum balls, all kinds of hard candies.

This makes things very dangerous for a child. And this is why I’m so vigilant about finding any medicine I drop. Let’s hear it for neon orange and bright aqua tablets! They’re easier to spot than those nasty beige capsules.

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Oh oh oh - I can so relate to this! I have shaky hands and thumbs that seem to have minds of their own. The other day I dropped a Morphine Sulphate tablet - tiny little pretty-purple thing. Not only was I now one tablet short of restricted medication that is monitored by a government agency to make sure that I don't misuse/sell/whatever! the damn things, I know that they can be fatal to someone who has not been introduced to morphine slowly - and I have a two year old grandson who visits often. If I don't find it, then I will have 12 hours of pain. And the constant fear of my grandson being poisoned.

I am in great pain, I cannot bend properly - shifting furniture is extremely difficult. Two hours later, just as I was about to give up and call my son to come and help me (and face his upset and anger about me living here alone (again!) especially as I now had this extra problem) I spotted the little sucker right in the middle of the floor, in all its purple glory. My picker-upper-doodad did its magically delicate work, and - there it was! - the pill was in my hand, and then straight down my throat. No, I didn't wash it. No, it was already hours late, and I just wanted it safely taken.

Laura - I reach out to you with great fellow-feeling and empathy - dropping pills sucks - and it happens even when we are being ultra-careful. I am so glad that you have managed to find your pills each time.

One suggestion given to me by a friend was to spread a small towel on the table (to prevent bounce - tablet bounce is not only unpredictably high, but very multi-directional) and take the tablets sitting down, prepared. Taking the tablets at the table, with all prepared in easy reach. sigh - I don't do it - my medication alarm sounds and I rush to the box where that hours meds are already sorted and waiting, and take them with the water I always carry. Maybe I need to listen to my friend and sit and do it more carefully - but I am notoriously obstinate. Is there a pill for that?

July 15, 2010 - 6:46pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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