Public Service Announcement about Medications – Please Share

​This little baggie could save my life someday, or at the very least keep me out of the hospital.

My biggest fear in life is that I will be stranded somewhere without my bipolar medication. Not because I’d go crazy, although that is a good possibility.

Because my body is addicted to this medication. Maybe someday science will figure out a cure for bipolar disorder and if anyone knows of something, please let me know. Until then, Lamictal is a miracle drug and the only thing keeping me functioning in society. Unfortunately, my body (my brain specifically) is physically addicted to this medication.

Before I tell you the rest of that story, let me say this: I have a huge amount of compassion for anyone addicted to any drug, legal or illegal. If you have any substance that your body is physically addicted to, follow my advice here. There is no law enforcement agency in the world who is going to send you to jail for what I’m about to encourage. They might send you to rehab, but if this is the case maybe it’s time for you to look into getting help. For now, take this bit of advice.

My advice to anyone physically addicted to any substance: count out exactly a three day supply of that medication, put that in some sort of pill container (or a plastic baggie if that’s all you have) and keep that with you all the time.

With the number of catastrophic disasters our world faces, there may come a time when you will have to evacuate your home or office and not have a way to get to your medication.
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Think about that for a minute. Missing one dose will probably be tolerable. Missing two doses, eh, personally I’d start to feel the effects. Missing three doses, I’d be pacing the floor and possibly in a corner crying uncontrollably. Missing four doses, I would probably need to be hospitalized.

During a crises or disaster there may not be a hospital.
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I am responsible to make sure I have my medication with me. I am responsible to make sure I take my medication on time. I am responsible to make sure the loved ones who are with me know enough about me that they would be able to step in on my behalf if I am incapacitated.

In this little three-day supply include a note that says:
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​911 Emergency
This bag contains a 3-day supply of emergency medication for {Your Name} {Your Phone #}.

Note to Emergency Care Provider: My body is addicted to this medication and I may require hospitalization if I miss even a few doses.

{Name of Medication} prescribed by {Name of Doctor} {Phone # of Doctor} {Dose} {Time of Day}
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Emergency Contact: {Name of Person to Call in an Emergency}
Phone: {Phone # of Name of Person to Call in an Emergency}

(Note: if the medication you are carrying is an illegal substance be honest about what the drug is, why you are taking the medication, and what will happen if you stop taking it. No law enforcement officer wants to be in charge of a drug addict and not know what drug they are addicted to, how long they’ve been taking that drug, when was the last time they took the drug, or what will happen to their body if they don’t take the drug. The officer will get you help rather than put you in a jail cell and have you start into withdrawal.)
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​Also, put a note on your driver's license on a sticky note (so it's easily removable if you have to use your driver's license for something that's not an emergency) that says: Emergency Medicine in my purse/bag.

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​Now, the rest of my story: a few years ago our insurance company changed to a system where they now ship our medication from an external pharmacy rather than us walking into our local pharmacy and refilling our prescriptions. Due to a misunderstanding (my own fault) I did not get my bipolar medications in time and I ran out. I thought I’d be okay for a day or two. I was wrong. My brain did something I can barely describe with words. The feeling was somewhere between heart palpitations (except in my brain) and electrocution. For those few hours until I was able to get my medication, I would have done anything to make that feeling go away.

That is why I have such compassion for anyone addicted to anything. That is why I will keep my medication with me every day from now until eternity.

I strongly suggest keeping a three-day supply of all your medications in a safe place in your home (perhaps locked in a safe place if you have children) where that supply can be carried with you in the event of an emergency or evacuation. But for any essential medication that you’re addicted to, keep the medication with you all the time.
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Please share this message. It could save someone’s life. God bless you, my friends. Sincerely, Julie L. Spencer

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