As I have posted in the past, I am 100% compliant with my meds, PT, and exercise routines.
How am I compliant? I set short and long term goals, the achievement of which necessitates full compliance. These have been athletic (see my blog), academic, and personal. I am convinced that much of my success has relied on my health, and the more I achieve the more valuable it becomes, the more I want to protect it, the easier compliance becomes. CF often pushes us in a downward spiral, and this is how I reverse the vortex.
My routine has become NON OPTIONAL. I am at a point where it is not a choice. I have to do my meds, and knowing that makes it easier for me to stick to the routine. The costs to my health are simply not worth even the occasional slip in compiance. I am also sure that if I were non compliant even rarely that it would be a slippery slope down to even less compliance.
I make myself accountable for my compliance, and have surrounded myself with supportive friends, family, and loved ones who understand the importance of my health and routine. I put my health first. I've ended relationships with people who didn't get it, I've avoided situations and crowds where my health wouldn't be valued (ie. didn't drink in college/ go to smokey bars and parties - it is possible to have fun without them). It is my experience that true friends will recognize and respect the importance of your treatment, even if it takes them a little while to learn just how important it is.
I STRONGLY disagree with Throatviolence's post. Most of the CF treatments we should be doing are intended to keep us from getting sicker. I firmly believe that the more compliant I am the more I am able to do, and the more "normal" I am able to live. Doing your treatments doesn't mean you are sick... you have CF no matter what. Not doing them doesn't change that, and ignoring it will only make it worse. As far as the mental aspect of things, obviously living with CF is difficult. I handle it by knowing I am doing everything possible to fight it.
Chris
27 m w/CF