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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 16:12:35
Have your doctors insisted you get a medical ID bracelet?
Have you done so?My doctor says it's important, for if I get into an accident and end up unconscious, the medical personel need to know, so I don't end up in a coma or dead from the "wrong" painkiller, etc.
EMSAM, of course, doesn't necesarily protect us from MAOI drug interaction dangers.
I don't like the idea of something dangeling around my wrist or leg, branding me as "mental patient" on a daily basis. (Yes, I have to accept my lot, but must I advertise or wallow?) And I don't like jewelry! I don't even wear jewelry.
Are there alternatives?
Thank you.
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2006, at 16:31:19
In reply to Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 16:12:35
I hadn't thought of that. Maybe something like dog chains that hang under your shirt? But then they might not see it in time. I don't know. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jost on August 19, 2006, at 18:11:54
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users: » laima, posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2006, at 16:31:19
You can carry a card in your wallet. Most EMS people probably look for that.
I'm sure a chain wouldn't be visible under your shirt.
Jost
Posted by jealibeanz on August 19, 2006, at 19:41:44
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users: » laima, posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2006, at 16:31:19
Hmm... though choice if you don't obviously want to advertise to the world you medical condations. Have you asked you doc or looked around? I'm sure there are some fashionable and more descreet options than in the past. I'm not sure what type of jewelery you'd be absolutely opposed to or as to what medics actually recgnize.
Maybe just carrying mulple cards in various locations in your purse, making sure one is directly next to a driver's license, which certainly would be checked if you were unconcious. Then maybe in other compartments of your purse/wallet as well as in a jacket and pant pocket.
Posted by mayzee on August 19, 2006, at 20:29:50
In reply to Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 16:12:35
Hi Laima,
No, my pdoc didn't mention using a medical alert bracelet or anything like that --but then I think I'm her first MAOI patient.
Back in May there were some posts related to this that I saved for myself. One has a link to a site that has bracelets, necklaces, etc.
Medic alert bracelet "I do wear a medical alert bracelet which states I take an MAOI, and cautions about food and drug interactions. It also points out the risk of hypertensive crisis." http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/642258.html
"The front has: My name, Takes MAOI, No Demerol, See back . The back says: Warning: Drug and food interactions, Anesthesia cautions (guess that's a line that's not needed), Hypertensive crisis risk. I'm not planning to get a new one anytime soon, as this one cost $65." http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/642417.html
"I got my bracelet from here: http://www.americanmedical-id.com/home/ "
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/643446.html"It might be extra protection to carry a card in your wallet that repeats the information, and has the name or phone number of your psych doctor." http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/642330.html
"I carry a credit card sized printed medical alert on card stock with the entire list of my current medications and their doses in my wallet prominantly visible with a medical symbol under my drivers license, as well as my doctor's name, address, and all his contacts for the unforseen circumstances. I update this as it changes." http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060510/msgs/642465.htmlI keep a copy of the EMSAM drug interactions wallet card in my wallet next to my drivers license. But I feel like I should probably be more explicit.
What do you think you'll do?
--mayzee
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2006, at 20:52:05
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users: » laima, posted by mayzee on August 19, 2006, at 20:29:50
Mayzee was it you with the rashes? If so are they any better. Sorry to interupt the thread. Love Phillipa
Posted by cecilia on August 19, 2006, at 21:52:12
In reply to Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 16:12:35
I would think a wallet card would be sufficient. At least don't waste money on jewelry until you've been on the med long enough to know if it's going to work for you. Frankly, I never used anything for any of my 4 unsuccessful MAOI trials.
Everywhere should keep in mind, also, that you don't have to be on a MAOI to have a bad serotonin syndrome reaction. I read in another forum about a woman who had a very bad serotonin syndrome reaction from a combination of Prozac and opiate pain killers prescribed after surgery. The reaction was not diagnosed correctly in the ER and she was considered to be a "drug seeker" and treated horribly. And she was conscious and able to tell them all the meds she was on, so, unfortunately a card or bracelet is no guarantee of safety. Cecilia
Posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 23:08:10
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by jealibeanz on August 19, 2006, at 19:41:44
Thanks- I have been carrying a patch-cover in my wallet and in every purse pocket. It also seems to me that medical personel should be able to locate the patch itself on my body...And I just don't like jewelry- I'm just not a jewelry kind of person; I don't like the sensation of something hanging or dangling on me- just a quirk. My doctor hasn't suggested any alternatives-and he grills me about it at every appointment. I could ask my pharmacist I guess...but first I'll read the rest of the responses on this thread. Thanks again.
> Hmm... though choice if you don't obviously want to advertise to the world you medical condations. Have you asked you doc or looked around? I'm sure there are some fashionable and more descreet options than in the past. I'm not sure what type of jewelery you'd be absolutely opposed to or as to what medics actually recgnize.
>
> Maybe just carrying mulple cards in various locations in your purse, making sure one is directly next to a driver's license, which certainly would be checked if you were unconcious. Then maybe in other compartments of your purse/wallet as well as in a jacket and pant pocket.
Posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 23:14:19
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by cecilia on August 19, 2006, at 21:52:12
Wow, so many helpful responses, I am not responding to each of you individually-( I'd take a whole page!) but want to sincerely thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I am going to keep trying to figure out a way around wearing any kind of "jewelry", because, again, I just don't like wearing it. (Just my thing- don't like the sensation...) I do carry info in all my wallets and purse pockets- I would hope that is sufficient. Realistically, the chances of getting into an accident are low- but of course, the doctor doesn't care. I'll keep looking into this matter.Very interesting about the woman on prozac who had the reaction, by the way- I would have never guessed that to be possible.
Posted by jealibeanz on August 20, 2006, at 7:53:24
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 23:14:19
Have you considered buying an ID bracelet to wear only to your appointment?!
Posted by laima on August 20, 2006, at 9:09:14
In reply to Tips for being a bad patient..., posted by jealibeanz on August 20, 2006, at 7:53:24
> Have you considered buying an ID bracelet to wear only to your appointment?!
There's an idea!
Actually, another idea I had (and dorky as it is, I actually did this):
write "using EMSAM, an MAOI" on my stomache with a marker when I've done anything with high accident potential- such riding my bike through downtown on a super hot and humid day when I was feeling faintish....don't think my doctor would like any aspect of this though. :)
Posted by SFY on August 20, 2006, at 11:48:55
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users: » laima, posted by mayzee on August 19, 2006, at 20:29:50
> I keep a copy of the EMSAM drug interactions wallet card in my wallet next to my drivers license. But I feel like I should probably be more explicit.
>
> What do you think you'll do?
>
> --mayzeeWhere did you get an EMSAM drug interactions card from?
Posted by mayzee on August 20, 2006, at 12:45:33
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users: » mayzee, posted by SFY on August 20, 2006, at 11:48:55
> Where did you get an EMSAM drug interactions card from?
>I got it from my pdoc. I think the drug rep left a few of them with her. It is called the "Dietary Modifications and Drug Interactions Wallet Card" EM-IM0007 04/06 It folds down to about 2"x4"; opens up to ~9"x12".
Maybe you can get one by calling the EMSAM info line: 1-866-EMSAMSTS
--mayzee
Posted by Jost on August 20, 2006, at 21:19:35
In reply to Tips for being a bad patient..., posted by jealibeanz on August 20, 2006, at 7:53:24
Or just a little plaque or nametag on your shirt, identifying yourself as a depressed person under a physician's care, taking a mood-altering pharmaceutical, X, with various contraindications, and a reference to a card in your wallet with more info.
(just if you don't want to spend money on the bracelet)
Which you put on as you enter the waiting room (assuming a one-person office) and take off as soon as pdoc's door closes behind you.
Seriously, though, a card in your wallet with your driver's license should be enough. I kept mine visible so, as soon as you opened the wallet, you could see it, but I made it fairly discreet, so no one would notice, unless they had some reason to look.
By the way, you can get serotonin syndrome from other AD's. Esp if you mix say an SSRI (or even a SRNI) with trazadone, which also raises serotonin. That happened to me with Cymbalta and trazadone (my pdoc was aware of my sensitivity to serotonin, so he prescribed a very cautious first few doses, therefore the problem wasn't life-threatening, just frightening).
Jost
Posted by SFY on August 21, 2006, at 12:29:27
In reply to Re: Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users: » SFY, posted by mayzee on August 20, 2006, at 12:45:33
Posted by yxibow on August 21, 2006, at 15:08:33
In reply to Question for maoi, including EMSSAM users:, posted by laima on August 19, 2006, at 16:12:35
>
> Have your doctors insisted you get a medical ID bracelet?
> Have you done so?
>
> My doctor says it's important, for if I get into an accident and end up unconscious, the medical personel need to know, so I don't end up in a coma or dead from the "wrong" painkiller, etc.
>
> EMSAM, of course, doesn't necesarily protect us from MAOI drug interaction dangers.
>
> I don't like the idea of something dangeling around my wrist or leg, branding me as "mental patient" on a daily basis. (Yes, I have to accept my lot, but must I advertise or wallow?) And I don't like jewelry! I don't even wear jewelry.
>
> Are there alternatives?
>
> Thank you.
>
Thousands if not millions of people around the world where western medicine is practiced wear medical ID bracelets precisely because a disorder, which is most often not psychiatric, alerts people to... saving your life better. Diabetics, people with heart conditions, etc. They're not huge things saying "mental patient" on them, they just may list a medication or in the case like diabetes , a condition.
Don't forget that EMSAM is selegiline (Eldepryl), which is an phenylethylamine derived (amphetamine related) anti-Parkinson drug at MAO-B, and was only tried again for its antidepressant properties. So I don't know that it says "crazy person" to put a bracelet or a card (I have a card with other medications, not EMSAM, I should update it in fact to change some of the drug ranges) in your wallet, outer area of your purse, etc.
Its there to save your LIFE from drug interactions which cannot be determined in the "golden hour" of a serious event requiring surgery or other life supportive methods, that can be changed only if the EMTs and doctors know that there is something that is going on.
At the same time, I agree, if you are on a low dose, or haven't established any benefits, you dont necessarily need to have a bracelet for EMSAM. But people who have been on things like Nardil -- I don't know, that's a personal choice, but wouldn't you want the peace of mind of some sort of clue? The wallet is usually the second place beyond the bracelet that is searched, for an ID of you, so put it behind your driver's license.
-- tidingsJay
Posted by laima on August 21, 2006, at 15:19:28
In reply to Re: ID, et alia » laima, posted by yxibow on August 21, 2006, at 15:08:33
Thanks, I've got my wallet and all purses full of info about using maoi/Emsam- I just don't like wearing any kind of jewelry becaue I don't like the dangley sensation-I also work with my hands a lot, use machinery, etc. Just don't like wearing jewelry, and am into finding out about various alternatives. I hope that easy to find info in my wallet is enough...
> >
> > Have your doctors insisted you get a medical ID bracelet?
> > Have you done so?
> >
> > My doctor says it's important, for if I get into an accident and end up unconscious, the medical personel need to know, so I don't end up in a coma or dead from the "wrong" painkiller, etc.
> >
> > EMSAM, of course, doesn't necesarily protect us from MAOI drug interaction dangers.
> >
> > I don't like the idea of something dangeling around my wrist or leg, branding me as "mental patient" on a daily basis. (Yes, I have to accept my lot, but must I advertise or wallow?) And I don't like jewelry! I don't even wear jewelry.
> >
> > Are there alternatives?
> >
> > Thank you.
> >
>
>
> Thousands if not millions of people around the world where western medicine is practiced wear medical ID bracelets precisely because a disorder, which is most often not psychiatric, alerts people to... saving your life better. Diabetics, people with heart conditions, etc. They're not huge things saying "mental patient" on them, they just may list a medication or in the case like diabetes , a condition.
>
>
> Don't forget that EMSAM is selegiline (Eldepryl), which is an phenylethylamine derived (amphetamine related) anti-Parkinson drug at MAO-B, and was only tried again for its antidepressant properties. So I don't know that it says "crazy person" to put a bracelet or a card (I have a card with other medications, not EMSAM, I should update it in fact to change some of the drug ranges) in your wallet, outer area of your purse, etc.
>
>
> Its there to save your LIFE from drug interactions which cannot be determined in the "golden hour" of a serious event requiring surgery or other life supportive methods, that can be changed only if the EMTs and doctors know that there is something that is going on.
>
>
> At the same time, I agree, if you are on a low dose, or haven't established any benefits, you dont necessarily need to have a bracelet for EMSAM. But people who have been on things like Nardil -- I don't know, that's a personal choice, but wouldn't you want the peace of mind of some sort of clue? The wallet is usually the second place beyond the bracelet that is searched, for an ID of you, so put it behind your driver's license.
>
>
> -- tidings
>
> Jay
Posted by yxibow on August 24, 2006, at 0:09:13
In reply to Re: ID, et alia » yxibow, posted by laima on August 21, 2006, at 15:19:28
> Thanks, I've got my wallet and all purses full of info about using maoi/Emsam- I just don't like wearing any kind of jewelry becaue I don't like the dangley sensation-I also work with my hands a lot, use machinery, etc. Just don't like wearing jewelry, and am into finding out about various alternatives. I hope that easy to find info in my wallet is enough...
Often -- one never knows about the need for that "golden hour" (the 60 minutes when an ambulance should be arriving and taking care of you, or a medevac). I can understand about the dangling of a bracelet -- I don't know if some companies make clasps more specially designed for a particular wrist or not. I can also understand that you would only want something as tight as a watch if you are working with machinery as that is a safety concern of having your hand pulled into something nasty so I know what you're saying.
The wallet and maybe somewhere a duplicate in your purse should be sufficient for a thorough technician if you don't feel comfortable with a bracelet as I say I'm sure they all differ in style, comfort, etc. You'd have to ask the company.
Posted by laima on August 24, 2006, at 0:11:55
In reply to Re: ID, et alia » laima, posted by yxibow on August 24, 2006, at 0:09:13
Hmm....I got stuff all over my wallet- do you think that during that 60 minutes they'd be as likely to find something say, written on my chest as hanging on my wrist?
>
> Often -- one never knows about the need for that "golden hour" (the 60 minutes when an ambulance should be arriving and taking care of you, or a medevac). I can understand about the dangling of a bracelet -- I don't know if some companies make clasps more specially designed for a particular wrist or not. I can also understand that you would only want something as tight as a watch if you are working with machinery as that is a safety concern of having your hand pulled into something nasty so I know what you're saying.
>
>
> The wallet and maybe somewhere a duplicate in your purse should be sufficient for a thorough technician if you don't feel comfortable with a bracelet as I say I'm sure they all differ in style, comfort, etc. You'd have to ask the company.
Posted by yxibow on August 24, 2006, at 11:30:40
In reply to Re: ID, et alia » yxibow, posted by laima on August 24, 2006, at 0:11:55
>
> Hmm....I got stuff all over my wallet- do you think that during that 60 minutes they'd be as likely to find something say, written on my chest as hanging on my wrist?
>
>
> >
> > Often -- one never knows about the need for that "golden hour" (the 60 minutes when an ambulance should be arriving and taking care of you, or a medevac). I can understand about the dangling of a bracelet -- I don't know if some companies make clasps more specially designed for a particular wrist or not. I can also understand that you would only want something as tight as a watch if you are working with machinery as that is a safety concern of having your hand pulled into something nasty so I know what you're saying.
> >
> >
> > The wallet and maybe somewhere a duplicate in your purse should be sufficient for a thorough technician if you don't feel comfortable with a bracelet as I say I'm sure they all differ in style, comfort, etc. You'd have to ask the company.
>
>
Well, the truth is that most EMTs would likely look at the wrist first for extreme disorders -- bracelets have been around for years. It would explain why someone had just had a seizure (epilepsy) and not some other reason, etc.If you're, and this is graphic, lying on the street after being hit by a car or something, and there's no bracelet, you have some chance that on the way to the ER they may see a purse/bag/whatever (men or women) or look in your pants pocket for identification for next of kin and insurance purposes and other reasons and then they will discover a card, especially if it is in a prominent place, like behind your drivers' license /passport/identification card.
I don't think its anything someone should obsess about -- but things unfortunately do happen in life. Its up to the individual to decide. In cases of EMSAM it probably isn't as bad as in cases of Nardil, let's say, as to what things would react. There might be time to adjust things with the prior more than the latter simply due to strength differences.
-- best wishestJay
Posted by laima on August 24, 2006, at 16:28:21
In reply to Re: ID, et alia » laima, posted by yxibow on August 24, 2006, at 11:30:40
No, really, thank you. These are the "hard facts", just exactly the type I need to know about and be aware of regarding my bracelet question. Rosying up won't help me if "reality" strikes. I do have a doctor appointment tomorrow, and will ask him for an opinion. But I have a feeling he'll say pretty much exactly what you just did.
Bummer.> >
> > Hmm....I got stuff all over my wallet- do you think that during that 60 minutes they'd be as likely to find something say, written on my chest as hanging on my wrist?
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Often -- one never knows about the need for that "golden hour" (the 60 minutes when an ambulance should be arriving and taking care of you, or a medevac). I can understand about the dangling of a bracelet -- I don't know if some companies make clasps more specially designed for a particular wrist or not. I can also understand that you would only want something as tight as a watch if you are working with machinery as that is a safety concern of having your hand pulled into something nasty so I know what you're saying.
> > >
> > >
> > > The wallet and maybe somewhere a duplicate in your purse should be sufficient for a thorough technician if you don't feel comfortable with a bracelet as I say I'm sure they all differ in style, comfort, etc. You'd have to ask the company.
> >
> >
>
>
> Well, the truth is that most EMTs would likely look at the wrist first for extreme disorders -- bracelets have been around for years. It would explain why someone had just had a seizure (epilepsy) and not some other reason, etc.
>
> If you're, and this is graphic, lying on the street after being hit by a car or something, and there's no bracelet, you have some chance that on the way to the ER they may see a purse/bag/whatever (men or women) or look in your pants pocket for identification for next of kin and insurance purposes and other reasons and then they will discover a card, especially if it is in a prominent place, like behind your drivers' license /passport/identification card.
>
>
> I don't think its anything someone should obsess about -- but things unfortunately do happen in life. Its up to the individual to decide. In cases of EMSAM it probably isn't as bad as in cases of Nardil, let's say, as to what things would react. There might be time to adjust things with the prior more than the latter simply due to strength differences.
>
>
> -- best wishest
>
> Jay
>
This is the end of the thread.
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