Posted by jsarirose on January 7, 2003, at 1:07:58
In reply to Re: New to MAOIs » jsarirose, posted by Mairwen on January 4, 2003, at 17:20:53
> Hello
> I have just started on Nardil and have no medic alert bracelet, no auto wrist blood pressure monitor, emergency meds or wallet medication card. These have not been mentioned to me. Should I be worried?
> MairwenYou should definately have an emergency pill. I don't understand the few doctors that don't prescribe one. Some say to call 911 and they'll meet you at the hospital. This is unnecessary. There are others, but I take Chlorpramazine (Thorazine). I take it only if I have an attack. You can tell if you're having an attack because you will get an incredible migraine headache, and your blood pressure will rise causing claminess, redness, etc. (Blood pressure doesn't always rise, or perhaps you don't always get symptoms, because I've had two attacks where I just had the migraine.) As soon as you realize, you take the emergency pill and it will bring down your blood pressure. It's very dangerous to wait as you can have a heart attack or stroke, etc. But, if you have the emergency pill you don't have to worry about that at all. I keep one in my wallet, one in my car, and some at home.
A home blood pressure isn't absolutely necessary but it helps to know what your regular blood pressure is and it helps to take it if you think you're having an attack. I've heard the wrist ones aren't as accurate as the arm one. I do recommend an automatic one as when you're having a hypertensive crisis it's not always easy to take your own blood pressure. I had an Omrom and was quite happy with it.
I do think it's a good idea to keep a med list in your wallet. If you have an accident and are submitted to the hospital they need to know you are on an MAOI. It effects anesthesia.
And I didn't think about an emergency bracelet until recently. Personally I'm not going to wear one unless I can find something very discreet.
Anyway - out of your list, I strongly urge you to get an emergency pill. Good luck on Nardil.
-Jessica
poster:jsarirose
thread:75408
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/134777.html