Posted by may_b on August 10, 2001, at 2:03:40
In reply to Re: parnate questions » may_b, posted by Cam W. on August 9, 2001, at 19:35:58
Hi Cam
Thanks for your thoughtful answer.
>There are too many liability concerns.
That's exactly what I felt was going on in emerg: do nothing, and maybe she'll pull through.
>Also, would you know if you were having a hypertensive crisis?
It was a pretty classic presentation of the symptoms in the literature--though I had only made mental note of severe headache and stiff neck. I had studied the literature re food restrictions and thought I had proceeded with my usual paranoid overcaution. Some of the detailed diet recommendations say local canned or bottle US beer is supposedly safe per the info on this very website. This is what I chose. Immediately (within 5 minutes) I had palpitations (which I ignored for about 2 or 3 minutes) and then neck stiffening and headache. By that time, I barely had time to convey the message that I had to go to emergency. In another five minutes I was nearly too weak to speak. In ten minutes I was vomitting in emergency (which helped get some attention). I knew it was hypertensive crisis: believe me, it feels like you are about to die.
>
> Have you talked to your doc about your reaction to the beer?Tried. Earliest appointment was 10 days away.
>You should phone him/her before you go in, so the doc will know how severe it was, and he/she can formulate a plan before you go in.
This is a good plan, except she doesn't take phonecalls. I'd have to tell the girl on the front desk...sigh. This requires some humility.
>Also, ask about carrying the meds you mention. The doc is less likely to dismiss the idea, if he/she has time to think about it (although I not sure it would be a good idea, for the reasons mentioned above.
Your comments are confirmation of my anxieties: I had worried that she would refuse me the nifedipine for the reasons you mention. But I will certainly try.
>Also ask the doc about restarting the Parnate; five days is too long to wait.
I agree. However, it seems too scary to pursue right now.
>
> I would recommend a Medic Alert-type bracelet or chain for anyone taking MAOIs.This would have helped.
> Also, learning as much as you can about the drugs you are taking (as you have) empowers a person to take charge of there illness, and not leave it all up to the doctor.
I wish this learning was respected in emerg. They seemed to resent it.
> You are doing the right thing by researching the meds (perhaps take a copy of any articles you have with you to your appointment), but don't read to much into the articles.
Thanks, and yes, I have detected the provisionary tone of all statements in the articles -- CYA?.
>Let anyone who you dine with know that you have restrictions to your diet and educate them in what to do in case you should have a hypertensive crisis (call 911).
This is good advice. More humility required.
:-).Thanks so much for your input,
may_b
poster:may_b
thread:74195
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74433.html