SLOW SUICIDE!! DO WE CARE... ?

I am overtime!

I am bored of life...

For whom should I live??

I keep forgetting...

It is too costly for my age

I am just waiting for “HIS” call

Nobody needs me!

Too many types of medicines are just confusing!!

Haven’t we heard this all.... YES! Anyone managing a chronic disorder like Diabetes or Hypertension has spoken these words one time or the other. Management of chronic diseases is a network. It starts with the patient but, involves family members, care givers, doctors and society as a whole.

Recently I came across a blog post by my dear friend and a very popular blogger Dr.Roshan Radhakrishnan. MY FRIEND, ARE YOU THINKING OF COMMITTING SUICIDE? #SUICIDEPREVENTION   In this post he had very nicely written about the signs and symptoms of people who might want to end their lives. He ends it very elegantly saying “Our few mins can add a day to someone’s life”. This post by Dr.Roshan got me thinking.... Are we all conveniently ignoring the very subtle signs given by our own kith and kin? Is non compliance with treatment equivalent to committing suicide? No law has been framed to punish people who slowly kill their own health. The reasons given by our patients may range anywhere between “My wife din’t give me tablets” to “For whom should I live?” We are just too good in giving reasons!

The starting point or the triggering factor for the whole issue is ageing... As we age we tend to forget. A person who could remember all phone numbers, all account details and all his office related things has now started forgetting! Here starts the emotional dilemma. Some of us cope well, accept that forgetting is perfectly normal and go on... Many of our kith and kin fail to accept the normal ageing process. Here starts the viscous cycle of events. Human ego comes in the way of acceptance. The phenomenon of forgetting can be very clearly seen with medicines. The reason being simple – There are many types of tablets to be taken at different timings. Somewhere along the way one or two medicines are forgotten... over a period of time number of forgotten medicines increase. Slowly and steadily the whole schedule of treatment goes down the drain and so is his/her health... Isn’t this suicide? We need to understand the severity of the subtle signs and act before it is too late.

Everything starts at the personal level. Forgetting is perfectly normal. Your brain is as old as you are. Now it needs your support.

Few suggestions -

• Type out a list of medicines to be taken in the morning, noon & night.
• Keep medicines in sight. Keeping them on the dining table or dressing table will be very helpful.
• Use technology. You can always set reminder in your mobile phone
• Always stock medicines in advance so you don’t have to run at the last minute.
• Have an extra set on a separate pouch which you can carry when you travel.
• Please check the brand name and expiry date every time you buy your medicines
• Have periodical visits with your doctor so that any small error in following the prescription can be set right at the earliest.
• You can also enrol yourself in health management software. The software will remind you when it is time for blood tests, Doctor’s advice and your prescription will always be safe online even if you lose the hard copy

As a family what can you do....? 

Yes there are lot of things you can do as a family. Family plays a huge role in successful management of chronic conditions.

• Ask if your family member has taken his or her medication
• Take a copy of each prescription and file it separately
• Make sure all medicines are bought and available at home every month.
• If possible take up the responsibility of giving medicines yourself.
• Make appointments for regular lab visits and Doctor’s consultation.
• Never taunt a person with chronic illness...

The most important person in the link is the Doctor.

Patients believe you. Little bit of your extra time with the patient will definitely go a long way in attaining good compliance with treatment schedule planned. We can always try to go beyond the numbers we see in blood tests and spend some time asking and understanding the compliance levels. Always involve the family while discussing treatment options. Finally as far as possible keep the prescription simple!

Little bit of TLC can go a long way in successful management of chronic disorders.

Signing off...