Medical History/was: Re: I have questions

[Guest guest]

What wonderful advice! I hadn't thought to turn it into a timeline,

or to outline the medications like that. So, I changed it up and

filled in a few blanks so I have a solid week regarding patterning of

pain and tender points and such, and hope that I can keep up with it

for the time period between now and when I finally get in to see a

doctor. I'm sure, like you said, it will benefit the doctor to know

what I'm suffering, how often, and so on.

Oh, and by the way, I have one of those computer storage things, LOL.

I would be lost without it as a writer. That there is a wonderful

idea.

Bless you for your insight and assistance, all of you,

A. Neff

>

> > In a few weeks, I hope to have gathered enough funds to go to a

local

> > clinic here and get some answers. Yesterday I got some

information

> > from

> > Pfizer about Fibromyalgia and the tender points. My question is

this.

> > What if I have more tender points than they show?

> >

>

> I wouldn't worry about it. There's supposedly a certain kind of

pain

> in the tender points. They should be able to tell.

>

> > Also, I have written out an outlined health history of sorts, for

when

> > I go to the doctor. Is this a good thing to do? It describes

injuries

> > suffered as a child, breaks and falls, and other things like

that. I

> > describe the problems suffered while in expectancy with my four

> > children, the family history of polymialgia with both my

grandmothers,

> > the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, TMJ and even

arthritis

> > (they

> > said osteo when I was only nineteen). I described the pain I

suffer

> > daily, where it originates, if I can tell, how it affects me and

> > what I

> > do about it, holistically or OTC drug wise. I name off my

> > allergies, my

> > drug interaction problems and so forth as well. Is this a good

way to

> > go to the doctor?

>

> Oh, dear, yes! Excellent work!

>

> If you can use a word processing program, type it up. Make one

page

> your medications and medication allergies, formatted like this

(use

> your own meds, not mine! ;D):

>

> Current Medications:

>

> Claritin (OTC) one per day

> Theo-24 400 2x day

> Albuterol inhaler As needed. Currently

2 puffs 2x day

> Albuterol nebulizer As needed - usually

only when ill. Not

> currently

using.

>

> Supplements:

> Magnesium capsules 480 mg/day

> Magnesium injections Once or twice per week as

needed.

> Calcium w/ vitamin D 1500 mg/day

>

> Allergies:

> Penicillin - hives

> sulfa drugs - hives

>

> Then on subsequent pages, I have a section for " Recent Events " ,

for

> example, my disastrous attempt to change to a generic anti-

> inflammatory. I have a section for " current problems " . If I'm

going

> to the doctor for a specific reason, I start the first page after

the

> meds with " Why I am Here " , and a description of what's going on.

> That might be a good place to put your detailed description of the

pain.

>

> Then list your history, including any hospitalizations, surgeries,

> illnesses. I do most recent first, going back to earliest. Like

this:

>

> Condition Date

> diagnosed, occurred,

>

or

> treated

> Hernia fixed, removal of L breast lipoma

> (hospitalization) 5/16/07

> Poison Ivy

5/11/2007

> Total knee replacement L knee - 1/29/2007

> Developed UTI during hospital stay. Treated with

Levaquin;

> also staph infection at epidural site.

>

> *****

> In addition, I keep a diagram of my Duodenal Switch weight loss

> surgery, and a copy of the surgeon's letter, in my wallet.

>

> Especially if you have multiple medical conditions or take a

number

> of medications, you should have this document updated at all

times.

> There's no way I'm going to accurately remember all the meds I

take,

> sitting there in the doc's office or an emergency room. It is

> crucial to have this information with you if you go to the

emergency

> room or to the hospital. Docs are under such pressure there;

they've

> got to evaluate you in a few minutes. It helps them tremendously

to

> have a list of your current meds and your history.

>

> There are computer storage devices that can fit on a keychain, and

> Medic Alert has the ability to store this information. I take an

> updated paper copy every time I go to the doctor or hospital.

>

> Good work on this! Great idea, and well worth any effort that you

> put into it! Besides providing information for the doctor, you

> present yourself as proactive, involved in your own care, and

serious

> about working with the medical team to come up with solutions.

>

> Z

>