Part 3 of 12
I don't expect everyone to keep all the
records that I keep, but these are offered to give you ideas. A few
of my fellow support group members are good with databases and keep
more information than I keep. I use spreadsheets in my system. A
few members keep it all on paper from tablet paper to fairly large
accounting paper.
Now that I have patted myself on the
back, I find that there is always more that I could record.
Journaling is not something I had even thought about, but David Mendosa writes about it here. Not only does he journal about the
positive things that happen, but also the worst things that happen to
us with diabetes. Journaling is personal for your own use and not
shared generally and as David says, he uses a diary format.
Since I have blogged about the
spreadsheet format before, I will just refer you to those blogs. The
first is my food log and the information I keep. I keep more than
most people would, as I am on insulin. The second is my daily blood glucose testing log and related notes. The third blog and other logs
are my daily health log, lab test log, and other logs. Yes, they do
take time and effort, but this is my health and I treat this with
respect.
This is mentioned in the third blog,
but I do think it needs some clarification. This log is my
medications log and I do print this out in two copies and one I give
to the doctor for adding to my medical records. This is also
something that I give to my local pharmacist at least once a year or
anything there is a change in my medications. Since I use the
Veteran Affairs pharmacy, I also give the VA nurse a printout which
they check against their records and change accordingly. A change
made at the VA office is available to all offices that need it.
The medications log has my name and
address centered across the top and includes my telephone number.
After I print out the report, I hand write my social security number
on a blank also in the heading and my date of birth.
After the heading, the first column is
just the number starting at one through the number of medications.
This also includes all non-prescription drugs (like aspirin) and
dietary supplements (like vitamin D3
and B12). The second column is for the name (like Lantus - Insulin
Glargine) of the medication. The third column is for the daily
dosage. Column four is the description or purpose of the medication.
Column five is the daily usage or when taken (AM, PM, or AM/PM).
Then for my usage are the columns to
the right after two blank columns. The first column is the RX number
which comes in very handy when the print on the vial holding the
medication becomes unreadable. The next column is the expiration
date of the prescription. The next column is the last purchase date
which comes in handy when the next purchase date will be after to
expiration date. This reminds me to ask for a new prescription. I
have other columns that I use, such the number of pills or capsules
in the bottle of non-prescription drugs and dietary supplements and
this I use to determine when to repurchase and whether the count is
correct.
You will need to determine what works
for you and what you want to keep in the way of records. I will say
that many of us that keep detailed records recover from mistakes
faster and are able to discern the cause of problems easier.
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