carrying medical information, best place About This Page:

[oldmom]

wow, what wonderful information. I posted on two forums here, because some suggested I would get more responses on another forum.

I have a MediAlert bracelet 9sterling silver, actually not ugly--I'll check their web site for the on-line data storage) and have worn it since 1997, not embarressed by it at all. In fact, I'm surprised by the number of people who see it and say that they should have one but for whatever reason, they aren't wearing on. I have asthma and though mine generally doesn't cause ambulance quality crisis, when I worked in the hospital 23 years ago, I did see several patients have attacks that were incredibly fast and fatal. Allergies are a problem and as much as I love my family, I know that their memories will fail in a time of crisis. I also have Lieden Factor V and take a blood thinner. There are lots of drugs out there that don't play well with Coumadin.

I've added info to my phone, and will get a card laminated. The PDA carries a detailed health history that my family can get to when they think of it.

Thanks to all of you.

[emtpej]

Oldmom,
If you can put something on the card to say that it is OK to look in a certain file on your PDA, that would be good. Sound like you could have some pretty bad drug interactions. Many meds we have for the field have some contra-indications and if you take certain meds, like you have said, it sure would be good to know about them before there are problems!
Thanks! and stay healthy!

(Thanks for the sticky, DModerator!)

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Great topic, Good idea to make it Sticky!
I have a typed up paper under my drivers license
with all my medical info & was told that was a good place for it
because in a emergency medical personal would get out my ID..
I hope that's true ..
Deb

[stonewall]

I'd like to thank our very own "rescuesk", for dropping in to post here.She is a paramedic and a long time PassPorter Guide and I know that this topic is one that is really important to her. Thank you Sue

[oldmom]

Thanks to everyone. I have all that info ready. Now we just have to find a solution to carrying my SO legal papers. We have been told that since I'm not his legal next-of-kin I would have no say in medical decisions. But another topic for another day.

[emtpej]

Oldmom,
Can you get a "medical power of attorney" or "durable power of attorney for health care"?
Here is one page from AARP that I found:
Learn to Make Medical Decisions in Advance
I would bet that regulations vary by state.
I'll keep looking for something in MO that can help.

[oldmom]

We are taking care of the paperwork, we are hoping a card in his wallet indicating that such paperwork exists will work in an emergency. The document is several pages long so it will most likely stay in the hotel room in the safe.

[emtpej]

Sorry, I mis-understood. I had thought you were having problems getting the documents. I see from re-reading your post that you said 'carrying' them!
I hope you have a great time and don't have any medical problems while you are there in the World!

[oldmom]

I try to be prepared for the worst so that it won't happen.

[rescuesk]

Originally Posted by stonewall

I'd like to thank our very own "rescuesk", for dropping in to post here.She is a paramedic and a long time PassPorter Guide and I know that this topic is one that is really important to her. Thank you Sue

Aw, gee! You're so welcome! But there's been alot of input from EJ, also! it's nice to have a fellow paramedic on the Boards to help with topics like this!

[stonewall]

Originally Posted by rescuesk

Aw, gee! You're so welcome! But there's been alot of input from EJ, also! it's nice to have a fellow paramedic on the Boards to help with topics like this!

We are lucky and grateful to have both of you, as well as others who pitch in and offer useful information to help others!

[Lilyian]

My brother-in-law is an ER doctor. When I was diagnosed with a rare disease, Idiopathic Anaphylaxis, which could be deadly during an anaphylactic attack, I was told by my doctor to get a medical alert bracelet. I was going to have a cute/sporty band made for it, but my ER brother-in-law told me not to. He said that ER people will not notice it, and will think it is regular jewelry. He said that I should get a regular medical alert bracelet because that is the safest thing to wear.

Other precautions that I do: I carry an ER protocal note from my doctor in the even that I had to be taken to the ER and could not communicate. I wrote on it all the medications that I take, and any medications that I cannot take. I keep that in the window of my wallet where one generally puts their driver's license. I took a red marker and wrote "medical alert" across the top of it so that if one picks up my wallet, it is immediately seen.

Medical Alert gives you a laminated card with your health info on it as well as your medical alert ID number and the 800 number for doctors to call.

I also made a copy of my ER protocal note and gave it to each adult member of my family to keep in their wallet.

[oldmom]

I got my Medical Alert bracelet long time ago, evidently before they gave out laminated cards and numbers. I do have the card the hospital sent me with the blood bank' reference number. It is beginning to look its age.

[Kristen C.]

I got a card from my Dr.'s office that I carry in my wallet that states all my meds and what the dosage is, it also states amy allergies. I really should wear a med allert braclet but I haven't gotten one yet because I'm never alone...I always have a child or DH with me. They know about my card and my allergy to PCN and cortizone. I also take serveral migrain meds. I make sure to update my card whenevr my meds change.

[kayleighnik]

My Mom is allergic to penicillin and wears both a necklace that can open sort of like a locket containing this information. She also has a bracelet, that just looks like a normal identity, curb bracelet when she doesn't want to wear the necklace. It also helps to carry a card on your person detailing this....if there's an accident responders are going to look for ID and will come across this information...