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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Giveaway and Review - MedCenter System

It's not a secret that cancer patients take drugs.  As do the elderly and most of of the people in this country. And, if you take more than one, like I do, then you end up having pill bottles stacked around. Not only that, but if you have chemo-brain, you might not remember how many pills you have taken in a day.

I know I have done this - had a day of pain and likely taken more than prescribed.  On the other end, I've had days where I felt good and didn't take any, when one of them is supposed to be taken anyway to keep the pain control at a steady level.   Non-compliance with medication is a huge problem in the medical world, and a lot of it is accidental.  "Did I take my pills today?  Hmmm.....well, I guess I better take one/skip one, just in case."   So, when I was asked to review this MedCenter System, I didn't hesitate.

The MedCenter System is not one of those weekly pill counters that still leaves you with bottles of pills in your bathroom or bedside or kitchen - several types of which I've tried and discarded.  It seems silly to only use it for a week when you have a month of medicine.  This system has the entire month at your disposal in a very handy and neat-looking form factor.  Not only that, it comes with a timer that you can set for up to four times a day, for your morning, afternoon, evening and nighttime meds, and will remind you when your next dose is due.  Each case end has a different color - green means full, red means empty and you can see it at a glance.  There is a little tray marked "today's pills" and you take that case out of the stand, put it in the tray and take your meds at the appropriate time of the day, and then when you put it back that night, you turn it over to the red side, and pull out the next days pills.

There are only two problems that I have found using this system.  One, the containers can be difficult to open at first.  I had a spoon sitting beside the system so I could open using that instead of my fingers. It has a little curve on the side so a spoon will just pop it open.   If you are setting it up for an elderly parent, you may want to open and close each case for a bit to loosen it up, and show them the spoon trick.   They do, however, loosen, and not all were tight - 90% of them were easy to use straight from the box.  The other problem is that not all of us get a monthly supply of pills at once.  Some of mine are every ten days, some every month, and that happens at different times during the month. I used to save all the bottles so I'd see how empty they were getting and know when to refill.  Instead, I now keep a little pad and paper behind the system with the prescription number and refill date (which I also put into my calendar).

The best part is that I don't take too many meds per day anymore. If I'm having a bad day with pain, then I just know I have to take what is in the container and not keep reaching for the bottle, possibly overdosing myself and then have the problem of being short at the end of the month.   But the best best part is that I have my counter cleaned up.  I keep mine in the kitchen as it is the handiest place.

Before:



After:


As you can see, there is an open spot for your nasal spray, if you happen to be addicted to Afrin like I am.

This is an excellent product for anybody who needs to take medications and I highly recommend it.  It would be especially handy for a confused elderly person but is very useful for me too.

Not that I'm not confused. Or, by some people's estimating (hello son), elderly.

So, where do you get one?  Well, the MedCenter System products can be found nationwide at a variety of retailers including Walgreens, as well as hundreds of .coms, including our favorite store, Amazon.com

But, in honor of this month of giving, the company has agreed to giveaway not one, not two, but three of these MedCenter Systems to my readers!

Here is all  you have to do.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/MedCenterSystems and "like" their facebook page.   Then come back here, leave a comment telling me you have done so, and I will randomly choose a winner.  You must comment by noon on December 12th.   You may remain anonymous in your comments but you will have to share your name and address with me privately if you do win so you can be shipped the product.  The company promises it will ship as soon as they get it, so it might make a nice Christmas gift.

Oh, and if you can, please take the time to vote for me on Healthline's Best Blogs contest.  Not a requirement of entry but I would appreciate it.

 The contest is closed and the winners will be announced this week.  Thank you!

24 comments:

  1. It looks like a wonderful system! I liked their FB page! And I also have been voting for you. Wishing you all the best!

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  2. Liked! If I don't win, I am so buying one. I made a bad med error earlier this week...: (. Also I vote daily.

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  3. What a great idea!! Would be perfect for all my meds. Have liked the page and also vote daily (I missed yesterday, sorry) :)

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  4. I liked their page (and I vote for you and share it everyday!)

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  5. I liked their page. This looks like a great idea!

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  6. Liked! My sister could really use one of these (on the rear-end of her - hopefully - first round of radiation for BC after chemo).

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  7. I like the idea of this system! Having daily meds now (tamoxifen, effexor, others) that I've never had before, plus chemo-brain, I've encountered the difficulty of remembering whether I've taken what. I've 'liked' the page. Could definitely use one of these to keep my chemo-brain calm ...

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  8. You are so right...I do that all the time. One of the worst parts of being stage IV is all the meds and supplements. I forget if I have taken my Tykerb and my pain pills. Usually I skip them just to be safe and not double dose. Neat product! Ks Gal/Jody

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  9. I liked their page. The system looks really useful.

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  10. I liked their page! This system is really awesome .. I ended up making a check off spreadsheet to track medication doses but that doesn't help if you don't check it when you take your meds.

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  11. I could use one of those as I habitually forget some pills and play those little games of did I take it or not even though I have a weekly pill boxes. And I will go vote for your again. Last time I voted, you were back on top! I do hope you win.

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  12. I liked the page and could really use one of these!

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  13. just "LIKED" Med Center Systems on Facebook! The inlaws could use this..

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  14. Liked yesterday but couldnt post here. Fingers crossed today xx

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  15. Liked Med Center on Facebook! Have a special needs son and a disabled husband and both could use this!

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  16. My husband and I both take about 21 bills combined. It is messy and easy to miss a pill or two. This would be awesome to win. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  17. likes would love to win

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  18. I have liked their page. Thanks for the opportunity. I jalso voted.

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  19. Liked their page on FB. My son-in-law takes several prescriptions and this would make organizing them all so much easier (and make my daughter's life easier too!)

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  20. I liked the FB page. I really need this! I take 11 different meds a day for CHF and this would simplify my life so much!

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  21. What a neat system! I liked their page. My BFF is currently battling IBC, stage 4. I plan on giving it to her if I win.

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  22. I liked the fb page who ever wins will very much deserve it good luck to all fighting. Im a stage IIIA breast cancer fighter going on chemo treatment still need 4months to before double mysectomy, radiation and surgery

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    1. Keep fighting Maria! Sending positive thoughts and vibes..

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  23. I love anything that makes me feel more organized, this looks great! And I'm glad you won't be accidentally taking too many pain pills :)

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