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Mom's Medication Schedules: From 3/17/04
Critical Updates:
On 3/17/04 published a current schedule. Some changes since last update. Detrol has been changed to a Flexibly Administered Med. Glucophage intake has become more flexible.
UPDATE 8/38/05: Since this update Mom's medication schedules have been updated at Mom's Daily Tests & Meds. Unfortunately, I haven't indexed the changes and I'm not sure how a reader would search for them. Assume that this is another update I'll be performing in the future.
On 3/17/04 published a current schedule. Some changes since last update. Detrol has been changed to a Flexibly Administered Med. Glucophage intake has become more flexible.
UPDATE 8/38/05: Since this update Mom's medication schedules have been updated at Mom's Daily Tests & Meds. Unfortunately, I haven't indexed the changes and I'm not sure how a reader would search for them. Assume that this is another update I'll be performing in the future.
A.M. MEDS BY CHOICE:
My mother has been a supplement addict since I can remember. These are her current choices.
My mother has been a supplement addict since I can remember. These are her current choices.
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Supplement
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Notes
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1 Vitamin E - 400 IU
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1 Vitamin C - 1000 mg
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*1 Multi-Vitamin for "Mature Adults"
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includes potassium and minerals
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1 Folic Acid - 400 mcg
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1 Garlic tablet - 1,250 mg
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* 1 One-A-Day brand Multi-vitamin for Women |
Used instead of the multi-vitamin for "mature adults" when we are controlling for potassium. This vitamin contains none. |
A.M. Rx'ED MEDS from 3/17/04:
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Medication
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Rx Dose
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Adjusted Dose
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Notes
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18 mg Elemental Iron from 360 mg Iron Protein Succinylate
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1 tablet
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this dosage adjusted for anemia control depending on current anemia profile |
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Metformin HCL (Glucophage) 500-750 mg
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See Metformin (Glucophage) 850 mg under FLEXIBLY ADMINISTERED MEDS
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for blood glucose control; dosage depends on blood sugar readings
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Glipizide (Glucotrol) 10 mg
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1 tablet
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for blood glucose control
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Omeprazole magnesium (Prilosec OTC) 20 mg
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1 tablet
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temporary medication, for a few months, on a hunch, to facilitate the healing of her intestinal lining
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for anemia control
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Aspirin 81 mg
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1 tablet
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for stroke prevention
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Lisinopril (Zestril) 5 mg
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1 tablet
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This is adjusted by the doctor and me periodically.
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to enhance kidney functions; also lowers blood pressure so must be administered to Mom with care
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Albuterol/Iprao mix 3 ml
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1 nebulized vial
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to enhance breathing; vials refrigerated
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MIDDAY Rx'ED MEDS from 3/17/04:
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Medication
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Rx Dose
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Adjusted Dose
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Notes
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Metformin HCL (Glucophage) 250-1000 mg
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1 tablet
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dosage depends on blood sugar numbers and what the menu contains |
for blood glucose control
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18 mg Elemental Iron from 360 mg Iron Protein Succinylate
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1 tablet
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If Mom eats only two meals a day (which often happens when it's a sleep day), this dose is skipped, unless she is looking
extraordinarily pale; then I insist she eat "a little something" and take an iron pill.
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dose adjusted, according to current anemia profile, for anemia control |
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Albuterol/Iprao mix 3 ml
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1 nebulized vial
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Rarely agrees to this dose, unless she is experiencing pleural distress (usually excessive coughing or breathlessness) and
I insist.
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to enhance breathing; vials refrigerated
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P.M. Rx'ED MEDS from 3/17/04:
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Medication
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Rx Dose
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Adjusted Dose
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Notes
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18 mg Elemental Iron from 360 mg Iron Protein Succinylate
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1 tablet
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dosage adjusted according to current anemia profile for anemia control |
for anemia control |
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Metformin HCL (Glucophage) 250-1000 mg
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1 tablet
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dosage depends on blood sugar numbers and what the menu contains |
for blood glucose control
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Glipizide (Glucotrol) 10 mg
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1 tablet
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for blood glucose control
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Albuterol/Iprao mix 3 ml
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1 nebulized vial
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Rarely agrees to this dose, unless she is experiencing pleural distress (usually excessive coughing or breathlessness) and
I insist.
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to enhance breathing; vials refrigerated
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FLEXIBLY ADMINISTERED MEDS:
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Medication
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Rx Dose
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Adjusted Dose
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Notes
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Concentrated oxygen
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Concentration 3-4 liters; canulized from a concentrator or tanks 24/7
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Uses it at night, during naps at 2L/pm. Uses it when we're out at 2-4L/pm, depending on what we're doing.
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for COPD |
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Detrol 2 mg
Tolterodine |
1 tablet
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Administered more flexibly than before, right now. Sometimes, I don't want her to withhold water at night. Sometimes I do. Occasionally we'll use it during the day, especially if we're goint to be out a lot.
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for bladder control
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Opticon-A OTC
Naphazoline HCI (0.03%); Pheniramine maleate (0.32%) |
1-2 drops in affected eye up to 4 times a day
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We usually remember to administer it when her eyes are weeping, although, is we remember to do it "on schedule", 3 times a day, her eyes don't weep.
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for allergy symtoms
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Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg
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1/4 tablet/day
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This one is tricky and must be administered with care. If, through observation, you detect slight swelling in her feet and/or
belly and/or face, first try a vigorous foot and calf rub. If that doesn't alleviate the condition within 6 hours (or overnight),
administer 5 mgs (at present, this is 1/4 tablet). Harsh water shedding leads to blood pressure crashes in Mom. As well,
she tends to "run" a little underhydrated, so it's easy for her to slip into severe dehydration. Always monitor her
liquid intake and get her to consume them any way you can.
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for edema control
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Albuterol/Iprao mix 3 ml
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1 nebulized vial 3/day
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Rarely agrees to this dose, unless she is experiencing pleural distress (usually excessive coughing or breathlessness) and
I insist.
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to enhance breathing; vials refrigerated
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KLOR-CON M (Potassium) 20 MEQ
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1 tablet
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When she is on Furosemide
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See notes on the importance of potassium
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Levaquin 500 mg
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As physician prescribed
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Doctor stopped her intake at half the prescription and cautioned us to keep the remaining 5 pills "just in case".
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Prescribed when she was having trouble breathing and her doctor was concerned about plueral infection.
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Guaifenex DM (Humibid DM)
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As physician prescribed
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Used only twice, for very short periods.
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On hand in case she experiences severe lung congestion. Can cause dehydration.
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Albuterol Sulfate 0.083%
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1 nebulized vial
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as physician directed
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for severe, acute respiratory distress
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Pure Cranberry Juice in Water
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1 tablet every meal
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extra kidney protection
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Used daily
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Albuterol Inhaler - 17 g
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as physician prescribed
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Only used twice because she has trouble understanding them mechanics of it's usage.
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If she needs it, we more often use Nebulized dose of Albuterol
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Philips Milk of Magnesia liquid
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As directed for strong laxative effect
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usually at my discretion
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doctor recommended; works especially well on patients taking iron supplements; may provoke a fecal accident or two so be prepared;
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Tums or generic equivalent
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at Mom's discretion
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antacid effect
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SPECULATIVE MEDS:
Mom has had adverse reactions to these medications, but I've kept them on hand in case we ever want these reactions.
Mom has had adverse reactions to these medications, but I've kept them on hand in case we ever want these reactions.
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Medication
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Rx Dose
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Reactions
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Notes
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Prednizone
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See Rx bottle
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First time: alleviated swelling too quickly when taken in combination with Furosemide.
Second time: increased, instead of alleviated, swelling in Mom; common allergic reaction to prednizone. |
for alleviation of edema
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Naproxen Sodium
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Any dose, any method
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She swells when she takes it and becomes more lethargic than usual.
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anti-inflammatory for arthritis
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Furosemide (Lasix)
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Doses above 5 mg
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Dehydrates her all at once, causing her to sweat and leak uncomfortably, and exhausts her.
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See Adjusted Dose for Furosemide under FLEXIBLY ADMINISTERED MEDS
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Any Iron
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Any dose
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Use with care according to current anemia profile. Sometimes she doesn't need any iron. If the edges of her lips begin turning blue, cut back on the dosage.
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Metformin HCL (Glucophage)
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Any dose
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Use with care according to blood sugar numbers, what the meal contains and how much cinnamon is being administered.
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GENERAL MED INFO:
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Subject
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Information/Explanation
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How medications are listed in above grids
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Whichever name is not in parentheses is the form in which we obtain each medication. We use generic exclusively unless it
is not available.
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Doctor cooperation
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Her attending physician (primary care provider) is as interested in observation as he is in prescribing treatment. He is
interested in the caretaker's observations and suggestions and has often agreed with my advice and treatment determinations.
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Lisinopril (Zestril)
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She originally took 10 mg/day but this dropped her blood pressure too low. Since she isn't taking it for Congestive Heart
Failure, the dose was cut back. The reason this medication is given to promote kidney health as well as CHF is that it affects
(opens up) the artery that leads directly from the heart to the kidneys.
Recent edemic episodes have caused both her doctor and me to observe and treat her more closely for signs of developing CHF, but, so far, this is not critical. |
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Emergency Prescribing
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Be very vigilant of medications prescribed by all doctors under emergent and hospitalized situations. Every
time Mom has had an opposite or "bad" reaction to a medication, it has been administered under emergent situations. Do not
be afraid to question and refuse any doctor's prescriptions at any time, including prescriptions for tests, procedures and
therapies, if you have any doubts.
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Mom's hostility to medication
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Worry if she ever too easily and readily accepts medication.
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Mom's current medication profile
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Overall, my mother is, at this time, on the low end of the medication scale for people her age in her physical condition.
She does not enjoy adding medications to her list, questions any additions rigorously and we joke frequently about the number
of pills she does take. I am pleased that this is true, as I think it is a good sign that she resists medication and would
prefer less than more.
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