My son is heading off to college next month and we've been trying to think of ways to make the daily CF pill-taking regimen simpler.
One idea we have is to pre-package his pills for each meal in 3 mil. mini Amber ziplock bags which will protect from UV rays. We are thinking of doing only two weeks worth at a time. I called Solvay and spoke to a pharmacist about whether the Creon 20 would be ok but they didn't have any info other than to keep them moisture proof.
Besides the Creon-20 (7 with meals), the other pills in the baggies for each meal would be: ranitidine (generic Zantac), a multi-vit (SourceCF softgels), focalin (not CF related, this is for ADD) and when prescribed, an antiobiotic such as Cipro or Bactrim. Also, occasionally the anti-inflammatory Prednisone.
Any feedback would be appreciated and any other helpful college hints for CFers would be too!
Thanks for reading.
Welcome to HW concerned_mom!
Sounds like you are doing the right thing (prefilled baggies with his meds), I bought the little individual plastic pill containers for my son (they come in 2 packs at walmart or CVS). They fit perfect in his pockets.
I know how stressful that first year off to college can be (my first one off to college doesn't have CF and just that alone was stressful, so I feel for you). She is now going to grad. school for her masters in OT. I have an 18 year old that is leaving for basic (USAF) in late August. I have a teenager that just got put into a full leg cast for the rest of the summer and than there is my youngest with CF who is doing really good right now!
Target was our favorite store when my daughter was going away to college for the first year. Also, when filling out your FAFSA and grants for college, I believe there are programs that can benefit you due to your son's CF. Let me see if I can dig up the info.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Sandra,
Thanks for responding! By the way - I have a daughter who will be a junior college, too, (no CF) so I know the whole FAFSA routine!!! (Ugh) We shopped Target for her stuff and it was fun! Boys are so different - my son could care less about getting stuff for his room so I bought everything for him - the only thing left is a small window ac unit - the college doesn't rent or sell them.
Back to the pills, around how much were the pill containers you bought? The amber bags are close to $30.00 for 1000 which works out to be 3 cents a bag. So approx 9 cents a day ain't bad....
We've also applied for every scholarship known to man. As far as the CF specific scholarships, we still have to submit something for the Boomer Eseisian one - they do it 4 times a year. We got turned down by the CF foundation, Elizabeth Nash Foundation and just yesterday, the Bonnie Strangio scholarship which is administered by the Boomer foundation. Still waiting to hear from Solvay. I think that our income is the problem because Bill's grades and extracurricular/community activities are numerous. He did get one CF scholarship - the Missy and Angela Woolsey education award (need to be PA. residents.)
That's all for now. Write again!
Sue
Well Sue, you sound like you are right on top of everything with the college bound kids! Kudos to you! The first time I did the FAFSA, I was like, whew!!!!!
The pill containers we use over and over, I think they were $3.00 for the two pack. Your idea with the disposables are probably the better idea for your son.
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Hi Sandra.
Just as an FYI, my son is Mr. Enzyme (Bill). After I found this forum I told him about it. I think it will be really good for him to talk to people his age with CF.
We live in southeastern PA, about 25 miles west of Philadelphia. We go to the CF Center at Children's Hospital of Phila.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Sue