Help? I'm Such an Idiot...

Okay Mommee, You did the RIGHT thing by calling 911. You are not stupid or an idiot. You made a mistake that even MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS make! Please don't beat yourself up about it!

Take it easy. He's going to be okay. Right? Don't feel stupid. It could happen to anyone.

My husband had dental surgery this past spring. He was a mess. It is much harder to medicate and tend to a drugged out in pain adult, than it is a kid. Much more stressful in my opinion. They don't HAVE to listen to you, and they KNOW it, lol.

My hubby was so doped up he was getting mad at me for taking so long to get him a cup of coffee! (which he couldn't drink b/c his mouth was stuffed with gauze and he was numbed up!). He slept most of the afternoon...

So, okay.... you messed up. Now just label two big pieces of paper and tape them on the bottles (sleeping pills) (pain/swelling). Then plop the bottles on a sheet of paper (or a clipboard) that you write the last dose and time on. Then you will know what he is due and when he last had it, how much, etc.

It'll be okay. Everyone makes mistakes. Remember those surgeons who have cut off the wrong limb??? It happens. He'll forgive you.
((hugs))

Sorry my dear. But I have a story that can top this one :) My parents live in an inlaw downstairs. My father has a spinal cord injury and takes quite a few medicines such as nerve blockers, pain killers, sleeping pills ect. One night my mother was getting him his nightly pills (stronger ones at night) and got herself 2 ibuprofen. With out even realizing it she handed him her ibuprofen and swallowed all his pills. She realized it in an instant, but it was too late. I had to take her to the ER and she was acting like such a wackadoodle. Not a fun night for her or me, and try explaining to an ER doctor how you ended up taking all these pills and trust me they questioned the story. She turned out ok :) Don't beat yourself up too much. At least he will get a good nights sleep.

He's fine. You made a mistake. He's fine. You learned something(keep meds seperated). He's fine. You were there and responded immediately. And he's fine. Stop beating yourself up.

Stop beating yourself up!!!!!! He is fine! You are fine. Humans make mistakes. This was a bad one. We all make bad ones and little ones. Forgive yourself and go eat a cookie ; )

Your Human !! he will be just fine :-) just try to be more cautious next time! Relax and breath !

Oh, my goodness. It's an honest mistake. I'd probably feel the same way you did, but you made a mistake, and you've done the right thing by calling 911.

There are medication errors all the time. I used to sell insulin. It's the largest source of medication errors in the US. Heparin, administered in hospitals, almost killed Dennis Quaid's twins a few years ago because of an error.

Please don't beat yourself up - it sounds like he's going to be fine. If it had been a child, it might be a different story. Hopefully, he'll sleep well and come out no worse for the wear.

Really, this is SO much more common than you can possibly imagine.

Oh quit!!!!!
Of course you feel awful....you made a mistake but it does happen. You did the right thing, called 911. You know how many pills you gave him.
Please don't beat yourself up over this any more. It was scary enough for you. No need to drag it out. Your husband is going to be okay. You didn't purposely poison him or anything. So, no need to feel "guilty". (Have you ever watched "Snapped"?)
Guilt isn't due here, sweetie. Easier said than done, I know.
Keep your hubby comfy and give yourself a break. You are NOT stupid!

With all my heart I hope you and your hubby can have a sense of humor about this after a while.

Wash your face, get a cup of tea and know that things will be okay.

Best wishes.

I once put cat ear mite medicine in my daughter's eye -- she had pinkeye --- when I grabbed the WRONG container. After an awful trip the emergency room my daughter was fine. Did I feel bad? Probably the worst I've ever felt. We all goof up. You're fine, he's fine, thank goodness for 911. Give yourself a break.

This will be a good story when your old. My husband would never let me live something like that down, but I am sure he would forgive me and laugh it off. I wouldn't worry to much. This is probably the best nights sleep he has ever had!

Once, I was trying to give my sister's cat a pill it needed (for fleas or something) and I had dropped one, and picked up a different pill someone else had dropped, and gave it to the cat...something which turned out to be toxic to cats. The cat went into spasms, and spent a few days at the vet, almost died.

Just a tip for the future. Keep a log of what drug, how many/much, and at what time, each time you give him something prescribed or over the counter. Keep the log in a small notebook next to where you keep the medicines, so you won't forget to write it down. Be sure you write it down BEFORE you give it to him, to ensure it gets recorded.

This is especially helpful if he has to take several things at the same time...or if for some reason doctors need to know what he's had and when.

I was prescribed pain pills and muscle relaxers together one time. The pain med was a 4 hour med and the Muscle Relaxer was a 6 hour med. I was in serious pain and was not thinking to clearly. When my pain med was due, I got mixed up and took the Muscle Relaxer instead. I was at my MIL house due to her brother being in from Nevada and I was so embarrassed because I could not walk straight and I could not sit up straight at the dinner table. I literally had to hold on to one side of the table to keep from falling over on my husbands uncle. I struggled through the meal to act normal and not fall on him. After 2 hours, I was fine. I just had 2 hour overlap where I had overdosed. I was really careful after that to check and double check and record the time of what I was taking so that I did not do that again. Thankfully, I only had to take them for a couple of weeks.

It happens!!! I'm glad he is going to be okay!!! You will both look back and laugh about it later!!!

I liked Margie's response. Believe me if your husband is anything like mine he will get a lot of mileage out of telling everyone how you tried to do him in ;-). So in a way you will pay. Seriously, I'm glad he's okay, You handled it very well when you found out what happened. Also, you have a lot of support here and good ideas on how to handle this situation or one like it in the future (keeping track of all those pills). Everyone knows how easy it could happen and I've probably made similar mistakes several times, just lucky enough they didn't adversely affect anyone.

geez, trained professionals in hospitals have made MUCH worse mistakes! Forgive yourself, OK?

My daughter's husband is in the army. He had to have surgery on his foot. They gave him a pain med. He was doing really good with them. He asked my daughter to make him a drink which she did. A nice big vodka and orange juice. He didn't realize it had the vodka lol. He had put the pain pill in his mouth and swallowed the pain killers with it. When he realized it and she realized he was taking a pain med it was too late. she said where are you going? he said to bed since I am about to be out for the next 10 hours lol. they laugh about it still.

He's going to be fine. He's getting a nice nap. Praise God everyone's fine. It was an accident. I've made some real bad mistakes as well. I'm not sharing them though. I 'm sure we all have. Let it go. Be happy he's alright. Move on.
C. ")

Some people would take that on purpose - party like a rock star, right? I am the same way - I make a mistake and beat myself up for days. I hope it felt good to get it out, though - looks like you got a lot of support and that you aren't the only one. I like the response that medical professionals mess up, too!
I once put my daughter's ear drops in my eyes after Lasik surgery. I sure felt stupid.
Oh - when we moved to my house, for some reason I stored the knives on a top shelf which came tumbling down on my husband. Freudian slip perhaps :).

I agree with keeping a log. When my husband came home from surgery i had to use a little notebook. He had TONS of meds at all different times...even throughout the night. I was exhausted and did not want to make a mistake. Check each bottle as you give it to him and write down what time, the name and how much. I am glad that everything turned out ok.

It was a mistake, he is fine now, don't be so hard on your self. We all make mistakes or do things that you wonder how you could be so careless, clumsy, or dingy, but things turn out fine and you can laugh about it later.

A few months ago my mom fell at work and broke her knee, and face very badly. Well when I was taking her out of the ER I banged her wheel chair against something THREE times. Bumping and jostling her poor swollen and bruised body over and over again. I was pregnant and clumsy and wondering how I could keep doing that. I of course was not intentionally doing anything wrong it just kept happening.
Now, even as I write this I am chuckling at the thought of it.

Feel better and I hope he feels better!

Just deny it ever happened. If he remembers the paremedics, tell him that must have been a wacked out hallucination from the meds. lol Seriously, there are people out there who would do something like this on purpose and not feel the guilt you're feeling! Don't beat yourself up over it, it was an accident and he's going to be fine. I bet you (and everyone reading this) will be painfully careful after this learning experience and something good will come from it.