Posted by Ted on August 30, 2001, at 11:31:04
In reply to in case of an accident..., posted by v on August 30, 2001, at 8:30:10
Here is what I do:
I have two cards in my wallet that I made myself and laminated in plastic to make waterproof.
Card #1: Red Ink:NOTICE
Current medications include:For treatment of bipolar disorder:
.... each drug listed with generic &
.... trade name with dosage
....For seasonal allergies:
.... just like aboveDrug Allergies:
.... each drug known to cause allergic reactionCard 2: Front side:
My name & chart number with my medical clinic
Primary Care physician name & phone number
Dermatologist ... ditto ....
Ophthamologist ... ditto ....
Optometrist ... ditto ....Name, address, & main phone number of my medical clinic.
Card 2: Back side:
"I am under the medical care of
...., MD, psychiatrist"followed by pdoc's office address, telephone number, and pager number.
Both of these two cards are kept with my driver's license, which has my photo and other information, and with a third card which lists emergency contact names & telephone numbers.
I think this is sufficient because in the event of an emergency, one of the first things done is to search for identification, and when mine is found, all other pertinent info will be found as well, including insurance info, etc. Remember, hospitals want to be paid, so they WILL look for insurance information! I think a medic alert bracelet is a good idea when taking MAOIs, but with other drugs, the risks are much less severe.
You make a good point regarding wills & trusts, etc. Perhaps I should make new cards with info on where to find my legal documents as well. The last time I was in the hospital, I was asked directly about whether I had a will on file with the hospital or with an attorney and the attorney's name & address.
Ted
> how would a para-medic or any doc know what medications you are on and at what dosages? which ones cannot be withdrawn abruptly? which ones might be toxic to something they want to give you?
>
> keeping a sheet attached to your id & insurance cards would work but they'd have to have access to it... and they don't always look before administering care...same for living wills unfortunately...
>
> many years ago, when on maoi's, i wore a medic-alert bracelet with my pdoc's # on it
>
> is this what many of you do? if not, what do you do?
> if so, how difficult is it to change the listing on the bracelets if you change your meds?
> (it really was along time ago for me plus i am currently cognitively brain dead from my meds - have a hard enough time spelling, much less remembering anything)
>
> i'm currently on concerta, wellbutrin, effexor & klonopin daily, with valium, xanax & ambien on an as need basis
>
> it is quite obvious to me that someone not knowing this could produce disastrous results and while inadvertantly killing me doesn't bother me very much, leaving me alive in any other additional damaged form bothers me ALOT
>
> so what do you all do?
>
> regards,
> v
poster:Ted
thread:76946
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010828/msgs/76958.html