Re: Medic Alert Reminder to myself and others

[Guest guest]

What a great idea! R. (53) Sarcoid/PF 3/2006 Carlsbad, California

I was just reminded by some talk about meds and what we don't want totake or can't take. We had a discussion sometime back of Medic Alertbracelets so that if something happens and you can't express yourselfthe emergency people can get quick information. Beth is theabsolute leader in how she has her bracelet and her car set up and allthe needed information. I have my records in my car but don't have abracelet or anything and am going to do something this weekend.Why is this so important? Well, let me give you some simple examples formyself. If I was having chest pains and they feared blood clots or justfor any reason wanted to do a CT they would proceed to do it withcontrast. I cannot have contrast and it could very well cause kidneyfailure. Similarly I'm not suppose to have NSAID's including anythingmore than an occasional tylenol or two. So, if you're prescribing painkillers for me

its far preferable to go to oxycontin or oxycodone thanto Vicodin or Percocet. The APAP/Tylenol additive to the Vicodin andPercocet is worse for me long term than the opiate.Some can't have any opiate based pain killer. I'd bet some of you can'thave penicillin. Even if no contraindications exist, just havinginformation available is critical. You don't want them to have to startat ground zero to diagnose the problem.Just an issue in an area I know I haven't done what I need. I carry allmy records with me when I'm in my van but what if with someone else andsomething happens. It's a simple thing, I've put off and going to donow. I encourage others to look into medical alert bracelets whichprovide instant access to your medical history.

-- Dyane L. BillingsSenior Staff AccountantBall & McGraw P.C.