After Surgery - Can't open child-proof pill bottle >_<

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strawberrybubblegum
strawberrybubblegum Member Posts: 8
edited April 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi Everyone,

After my lumpectomy, mastectomy and TE exchange surgeries, I found opening the pill bottle is such a nightmare! I just had my exchange surgery today and there're pain killers, antibiotics, and stool softener that I had to take at different times throughout the day. Oh, let's not forget about Tamoxifen! Since my husband was not with me 24 hours, I had to open those bottles on my own. And OH MAN it's hard! I understand the cap is designed for child-proof, but don't they know patients like us don't have any strength in our arms? I just simply didn't have strength to "PUSH", let long TURN.... Whenever I tried pushing the cap, I could feel my pac muscle being pulled/activated and it hurt.

I thought about putting those pills in a pill case, but I don't always remember which is which without labels. My current solution is to leave the caps open. I don't think this is a good/long term solution due to humidity. I'd like to know if I'm the one that's whining about the situation? And if I'm not alone, what are your tips and tricks? Thanks so much. :)


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2018

    Ask your pharmacy to transfer them to non-childproof caps. Until then, remove caps, cover the bottles with saran wrap and rubber band them closed, or put the open bottle in a ziploc bag.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2018

    I couldn't open my percocet bottle by myself after my lumpectomy. Luckily I had my husband there to do it for me. KSusan's advice is good. You could also get a separated pill case (like one with the days of the week on it), and label each individual section somehow. Or get your pharmacy to fix it. I bet if you took your pills in, they would happily switch the bottles out and slap new labels on there so you can keep it straight. Pharmacies generally will take steps to support you with taking your meds and they wouldn't want you to be in pain trying to open the bottles up.

    Definitely don't leave the bottle uncapped without something over it. Humidity and light can affect many meds.

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  • strawberrybubblegum
    strawberrybubblegum Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2018

    Thank you Ksusan and gb2115 for your suggestion. I didn't know I could ask for non child proofing bottles. I'm definitely gonna ask next time. :)

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