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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fires on August 12, 2007, at 19:52:54
I'm wondering what those with med alert type bracelets/dog tags, etc.. put on them to alert paramedics and other med personnel?
"Taking an MAOI ...."
I had one years ago, but it wasn't for taking an MAOI.
Posted by Quintal on August 12, 2007, at 20:35:00
In reply to MAOI users with med alerts, posted by fires on August 12, 2007, at 19:52:54
I wore a med-alert bracelet when I was taking Parnate. I also made a small business card listing the most pertinent points in my wallet, lest the bracelet fail me. That might sound overly-dramatic but I am accident-prone and paramedics use tramadol as a first-line analgesic here, and that can be deadly for people taking MAOIs. So I made a card emphasising that point very strongly, and also that morphine and codeine were safe, just in case they followed my psychiatrist's line of thinking "You can't take opiates with MAOIs, so if you get run over by a bus there will be nothing we can give you".
I have a horror that most medical staff will say "Emm-ahyyy-whaaaaaaaaaatt????" at reading MAOI on a medical bracelet, and just plunge the syringe in anyway. I have no faith in them. It's hard enough trying to educate psychiatrists, people who are experts and should know about these things, never mind ordinary medics and nurses.
So yes, if you have a med-alert bracelet I would use it just in case.
Q
Posted by FredPotter on August 12, 2007, at 21:39:39
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » fires, posted by Quintal on August 12, 2007, at 20:35:00
I asked my Dr if I should wear a Med alert bracelet and he just laughed. When he'd recovered himself he said, "Let's see how you get on with them first"
Posted by Quintal on August 12, 2007, at 21:59:30
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » Quintal, posted by FredPotter on August 12, 2007, at 21:39:39
Posted by yznhymer on August 12, 2007, at 22:02:55
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » Quintal, posted by FredPotter on August 12, 2007, at 21:39:39
My doctor gave me a wallet insert to carry around with EMSAM, and of course there is the patch itself, which is somewhat visible. I expect very few people will know what it is, however. Still, your post makes me think that wearing it on my chest as often as possible is probably a good idea.
I'm not inclined to wear a bracelet but I can see the sense in wearing one, more so if it gives you peace of mind.
Y
Posted by fires on August 12, 2007, at 23:38:28
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » fires, posted by Quintal on August 12, 2007, at 20:35:00
"So I made a card emphasising that point very strongly, and also that morphine and codeine were safe"
Q, I had a lower endoscopy done with morphine and I was wide awake during the entire procedure and watched it on the the monitor. I didn't feel anything.
Thanks for the input. I may just get a dog tag type, because the wrist bracelets are quite a nuisance at times. (I had one years ago for another reason).
Thanks to everyone for the replies.
Posted by FredPotter on August 12, 2007, at 23:52:06
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts, posted by yznhymer on August 12, 2007, at 22:02:55
can you wear the patch on your forehead? Or write "MAOI" in felt tip pen? Probably not good for social anxiety
Posted by Quintal on August 13, 2007, at 0:02:04
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » Quintal, posted by fires on August 12, 2007, at 23:38:28
Mine was a metal bracelet donated by my uncle (diabetic) and it was too loose even on the tightest setting and kept flapping around as I went about my daily business, a nuisance as you say. I was thinking of having dog tags made but my pdoc refused to give me the dose I needed (at least 80mg), so I had to stop early on. I suppose a tattoo would be going too far?
Your doctors seem fairly enlightened compared to mine, who believe that all opiates were dangerous simply because the BNF says it's so.
Q
Posted by yznhymer on August 13, 2007, at 2:02:10
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » fires, posted by Quintal on August 13, 2007, at 0:02:04
Oh, you can never go too far. ;-)
Posted by d0pamine on August 17, 2007, at 17:50:48
In reply to MAOI users with med alerts, posted by fires on August 12, 2007, at 19:52:54
> I'm wondering what those with med alert type bracelets/dog tags, etc.. put on them to alert paramedics and other med personnel?
>
> "Taking an MAOI ...."
>
> I had one years ago, but it wasn't for taking an MAOI.I just purchased a necklace and had it laser inscribed with "Alert: MAOI USE Hypertensive crisis possible with some meds" and on the back it says "ABSOLUTELY NO DEMEROL NO EPINEPHERINE Potential complications in medical emergency"
But hopefully I'll never have the chance to wear it as I've been med free for about 2 weeks now for the first time in many years and hope to stay that way by maintaining a very particular diet. Guess we'll see.
Posted by Quintal on August 17, 2007, at 18:34:21
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts, posted by d0pamine on August 17, 2007, at 17:50:48
If you ever do go back on an MAOI it's important that staff know that serotonin syndrome is also a possibility with some meds used in an emergency situation, as well as hypertensive crisis. The contraindicated opiates are dangerous because they're mild serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It might be worthwhile pointing out that morphine and codeine (and diamorphine if it's used where you live) are safe alternatives to drugs like pethidine and tramadol, because most drug references don't make that distinction. Also, that serotonin syndrome can be treated with cyproheptadine in people taking MAOIs. Sometimes I think we need a small pamphlet, there's so much information they need to know and most drug references don't cover it thoroughly.
Q
Posted by fires on August 17, 2007, at 20:27:02
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts, posted by d0pamine on August 17, 2007, at 17:50:48
That wording sounds good, except I've heard that for anaphylactic shock one usually has to have epinephrine, and then if ones' BP goes up, one has to be administered another med . I was on Parnate for 14 years, then stopped it per a cardiologist. The cardiologist was wrong, and within 6 months I had another bout of Major Dep. I've sworn that I will never go off of Parnate again.
I'm curious as to what your diet is.
Thanks
Posted by blueboy on August 18, 2007, at 8:02:16
In reply to MAOI users with med alerts, posted by fires on August 12, 2007, at 19:52:54
I got an inexpensive medic alert necklace on a cheap chain, and it was completely unobtrusive. A woman who wants to wear lower-cut tops might think about a long thin gold or silver chain.
Mine was small and enameled (so it looked nice) and just identified my drug and a contact name/number. I would have put "NO DEMEROL" but there wasn't room, and I figured anyone cautious enough to find and read a medic alert tag isn't likely to administer injections without checking.
I think it's important enough to warrant the time and expense: unlikely you will need it, but a lifesaver if you do. Your chances of getting a fatal shot of demerol or something, if you are rendered unconcious in an accident, are pretty high.
A wallet card listing acceptable meds is a very good idea. Good doctors can get very freaked out when they find out you're taking an MAOI and they need to administer anesthetics, painkillers, etc.
> I'm wondering what those with med alert type bracelets/dog tags, etc.. put on them to alert paramedics and other med personnel?
>
> "Taking an MAOI ...."
>
> I had one years ago, but it wasn't for taking an MAOI.
Posted by fires on August 18, 2007, at 19:24:27
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts, posted by blueboy on August 18, 2007, at 8:02:16
I was thinking of getting a Medic Alert necklace or wrist emblem. I think I'll go ahead and get one. I believe that yours is the Medic Alert "brand", not just the generic type. Right?
I know that Medic Alert has a phone support system, from which med personnel can get more information.
Thanks
> I got an inexpensive medic alert necklace on a cheap chain, and it was completely unobtrusive. A woman who wants to wear lower-cut tops might think about a long thin gold or silver chain.
>
> Mine was small and enameled (so it looked nice) and just identified my drug and a contact name/number. I would have put "NO DEMEROL" but there wasn't room, and I figured anyone cautious enough to find and read a medic alert tag isn't likely to administer injections without checking.
>
> I think it's important enough to warrant the time and expense: unlikely you will need it, but a lifesaver if you do. Your chances of getting a fatal shot of demerol or something, if you are rendered unconcious in an accident, are pretty high.
>
> A wallet card listing acceptable meds is a very good idea. Good doctors can get very freaked out when they find out you're taking an MAOI and they need to administer anesthetics, painkillers, etc.
>
Posted by blueboy on August 20, 2007, at 14:03:55
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » blueboy, posted by fires on August 18, 2007, at 19:24:27
No, I got a less expensive generic from the internet. Light blue enamel background, six arm dark blue cross with a metal cadeusus (sp?) in the vertical arm. A little larger than a dime. (I think this is some sort of official EMT icon.)
The Medic Alert telephone thing sounds like a good idea. I was trying for the cheapest alternative that didn't look totally hokey.
Posted by fires on August 20, 2007, at 23:49:52
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts, posted by blueboy on August 20, 2007, at 14:03:55
I think that you're correct about it being an EMT/Paramedic icon. Years ago I read an article saying that the correct medical symbol/image is not the caduceus, but the staff of A______ . The latter (name?) is a staff with a single snake wrapped around it. Not 2 snakes with wings on top, like the caduceus.
I've seen handouts for bracelets/necklaces in doctors offices that are "generic", but I've never really looked into them.
> No, I got a less expensive generic from the internet. Light blue enamel background, six arm dark blue cross with a metal cadeusus (sp?) in the vertical arm. A little larger than a dime. (I think this is some sort of official EMT icon.)
>
> The Medic Alert telephone thing sounds like a good idea. I was trying for the cheapest alternative that didn't look totally hokey.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 22, 2007, at 15:12:01
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts » blueboy, posted by fires on August 20, 2007, at 23:49:52
I got mine from American Medical. I ordered it in gold plate since I wear gold jewelry much more than silver toned. You can specify exactly what you want on it, and I added a charm of the symbol to make it stand out more. I think the whole thing was about $65 online.
gg
Posted by fires on August 22, 2007, at 23:21:11
In reply to Re: MAOI users with med alerts, posted by gardenergirl on August 22, 2007, at 15:12:01
Thanks, I'll check into American Medical.
> I got mine from American Medical. I ordered it in gold plate since I wear gold jewelry much more than silver toned. You can specify exactly what you want on it, and I added a charm of the symbol to make it stand out more. I think the whole thing was about $65 online.
>
> gg
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