Vitamins. . .

Okay, I need a really good way to get these vitamins down. I'm a year out (almost) and I'll admit I don't take them every day. Sometimes for weeks. I know it's stupid of me, but I don't seem to be able to get my ass in gear and get those pills down. I have them in a pill box, that is set up for every day. I have them on my kitchen table. I wake up every morning with the intention of taking them but then forget. I hate taking pills. I'm sure that is the biggest reason I don't "remember" to take them. I know they are important too, but my mind allows me to forget. *growls at self* So what do you do to make yourself take them or remember to take them?

I take my thyroid as soon as I get up in the morning. All the other pills/vitamins (except calcium) I place the day's supply in this little mint tin. If it's a weekend, I'll put it in my pocket/computer/truck/etc so that they are with me. At work, I set them on my desk next to my water. Because of the synthroid, I wait a minimum of 4 hours to take my vitamins. I have my calcium citrite sitting on the table by my chair in the livingroom and take them while watching TV in the evening (a minimum of 4 hours after taking the rest of the vitamins).  MOST days I remember to take them this way. Certainly, not all. I think like everything else, it's just a matter of getting into a habit with it and telling yourself that this is a MUST. And it really is. Maybe it would help if you googled vitamin deficiencies and saw how not  taking them could impact your health. The brain tends to remember things better if it have a good enough motivation to. And for those thinking 'I don't take mine and MY levels have been fine'..I want you to add 2 words to that statement...'SO FAR'. Because so far, you've been very lucky not to have any problems. Don't push your luck..it sucks when it pushes back. Maybe you could make it a habit to take them while you are on the pc in the mornings? Sherri

I did almost just like Sherri except she is so much better about spacing out her thyroid medicine than I am. Mint tin is good idea, I didn't think of that but what I did realize was that this had to be done and was now a permanent thing so I treated myself and went online and bought a cute pill box. It is decorated and even has my name on it. I carry this in my purse with my meds/vitamins, but most important, like Sherri I get it out at home or at work and put it right next to my water bottle. This is becoming quickly a little ritual and I think that is what has helped me who also hates to take pills get on with this. In the evening I get all my citracal creamy bites out and set them next to me or on the kitchen counter. Establishing the pattern of behavior is the most important part of this process.

I'm the exact same way...maybe it's the red hair!  Anywho, my latest and greatest trick is to put an entire work weeks worth of vitamins in a ziplock baggy (I put calcium in a seperate bag.)  I throw it in my briefcase and then take all my vitamins in the morning on my way to work.  With the calcium, I just leave the baggy beside my computer and that usually reminds me to take it in the afternoon. Hope this gives you some ideas!    Sam

Sam, How the heck are you girl??? We were just talking about you the other day. Can't wait to see your skinny self! Sherri

Hi!  No wonder my ears were burning!  Things are going well.  I went back to my old job last week after 7 months in hell.  Hoping to get back on a schedule and get into the gym.  Have about 35lbs left to lose.  Has your Achiev One arrived yet?  Mine should be here Friday!  WOOHOO!!  Hope all is going well with you, Bill, and the grandkids!  I'll try and come to the next dinner I promise!  Sam

Thanks everyone. I need to do something different because the week long pill box ain't cutting it. I'll look into the mint tin. And I have told myself I need to take them, but damn that thought disappears suddenly and I don't think about them again till its time for bed.

Routine, routine routine.. I wake in the morning make Rons coffee pour me a glass of decaff tea and dump all my vitamins in my hand.. walk to the computer and take them while it uploads and inbetween reading mails for the day.. On the weekends it is the same because I always wake up here at the computer.. Find YOUR routine!!! somehting that fits YOU!! You need them to be healthy!! Cuz food just aint gonna get it any more.. for the first several months i took 2 tablespoons liquid GNC multivitimins in a cranberry base.. it was doable.. so I did it.. I hate swallowing pills to but I would rather be healthy... so I do it. Linda Kay PS I have always taken my synthroid with my vitamins and my numbers are tested every 3 months...

Linda, You are truly one of the lucky ones...and according to my endocrinologist, a rare one. In the MAJORITY of the cases, if the synthroid is not taken alone and nothing else taken for at least 4 hours before or after it, the dosage will not be accurate for the need. I know that for myself, if I take ANYTHING within 4 hours of my synthroid (including my hormone or vitamins), my thyroid goes whacky. I would instead urge everyone to take their synthroid and their vitamins exactly as their endocrinologist tells them to. Sherri

I take my synthroid on an empty stomach at 5:30.. make Rons Coffee get my vitamins and take them by 6:00 they are all alone for 1/2 hour...maybe that is why it works... I dont know I just know with my loosing my family dr wants my blood tested every 3 months.. she didnt lower the dosage but lowered the days.. I only take them on week days now.. not weekends.. weird I know but it did need adjusted about 9 months ago.. since then everything is fine.. I agree with Sherri ONLY take medications and vitamins as instructed. JUST TAKE THEM!!! Linda HUffman