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Posted 12/8/2007 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Have any of you ever gotten to the point where you have to start carrying information cards on what you have, what meds you take, what surgeries you've had etc.  just so you can keep it straight when you go to the doctors??  I have so much stuff that is wrong with me or have had done, that I always tend to forget one or two things whenever I get to the docs (especially a new doc or one that I haven't seen in a while) that I feel like such an idiot at times!

So, if you do carry info cards - how do you outline it?

Posted 12/8/2007 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
I keep my medical history and med list on my computer. Each time I go to a visit, I print it out and hand it to them. Takes too long to go through the list, "Are you still taking....?" And I can remember all the drugs, but there are too many and the dosages change too often to remember them.

I also printed it out in a small font on a half-sheet of paper. I carry this in my billfold, folded around my insurance card. I figure if I end up unconscious in the ER for some reason, the insurance card is the first thing they'll be looking for.

Posted 12/8/2007 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
I carry a med list. on one side, what I take and the dose and on the other side everything I am allergic to, then I have a seperate sheet for what I have wrong with me and what operations I have had and dates of them. its a pain to try to remember it all so I right down everything.
Posted 12/8/2007 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm...I SHOULD do all these things, but haven't yet. The on thing I have done, which would be helpful in emergencies anyway, is put ICE after a couple of my contacts, like my mom and sister. The ICE stands for In Case of Emergency and it's what medics would look for on your cell phone if you're unconcious.
Now, off to make an information card...oh wait the TV is on.......
Posted 12/8/2007 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
I think that's a good idea. I was in the habit of writing things down prior to my doctor visits. I noticed my doctor always seems fixated if I'm holding that piece of paper in my hands, who knows what's going through his head. Even though I've complained of memory problems and brain fog, i can't help but imagine he is thinking that I'm a hypochondriac.
Posted 12/8/2007 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Oh this post made me laugh!!  :-)    Because I so have an info card!! I thought I was the only one that did this!   I've had to use it so many times lately,  i"m so glad I have it.  I hate not knowing the answers to the questions they ask, I feel like an idiot!  So if I can just pull out my card and give them exact dates,  seems to make everyone happy!     The clinic I work has lil wallet sized medication cards they provide for patients......I used it for meds and everything else.    meds on one side,  allergies on the other,  and below allergies I list all my important dates:   I have the date of my UC diagnosis,  the date of my diabetes diagnosis.  my last eye exam,  my last tetanus shot,  my last pneumonia and flu shot,  my last pap smear,  last mammo, and the dates of my hospitalization.     cool
Posted 12/8/2007 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have an info sheet in my wallet. I have this fear that if I am ever in a medical emergency they won't give me my UC meds!!!!
Posted 12/8/2007 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried carrying info cards before but Judy, you're right - it seems that things are constantly changing that it's kind of difficult to keep up. But doing it on the computer would be a lot easier then having to write everything down.

I have the ICE on my cell phone too. I learned that off the news last year. But I asked my hubby - who's my ICE contact - if he knew what meds I take. And he didn't know! So I've been trying to educate him, but his memory isn't the greatest. So I told him that I would print out a info card for him too because I know for a fact that he wouldn't be able to find it on the computer. He's computer illiterate!
Posted 12/8/2007 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have a list on the computer of all of the meds I take. I print it out for each doctors appointment. I also will add whatever questions I have and anything important they need to know - like when my last dose of prednisone was.

I have a list in my wallet - which reminds me that it needs updating...
Posted 12/8/2007 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry,

I have a card which I print onto photographic paper, it fits neatly into my Diary, on it is my next of kin details, doctors details my details the date I printed out the sheet and in a table I have listed the medication I take including dosage, time of day and the amount of tablets I need to take.

Each time I change meds, I print out a new copy, place a copy in the cupboard with all my meds and then replace the one in my diary, Mandy knows where I keep both copies in case they are ever required. If it's any use I will e mail you a copy of mine and you can adapt it to your needs.

Take care.

Dave
Posted 12/8/2007 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
This is a great thread!

Whenever I go to a new doctor, I bring a print out of every UC Med I've taken in the past and all my current meds. I'm glad I started the list a few years ago because I would NEVER remember now the names of every med I've tried and for how long.

Having the print out -- that I give to a new doctor -- saves a lot of time because it otherwise takes FOREVER and a day for someone to take a medical history from me!

I also bring copies of all my colonoscopy reports (the pile gets bigger!) and some summary documents I have about my condition. That's just for new doctors.

For my regular doctor, I almost always have a list of things to ask her. If I don't write it down, I get distracted and forget to ask. My husband makes fun of me for having written down some REALLY embarrassing questions to ask my former GI who was a cute, young guy. I was in my twenties at the time and I was just too embarrassed to ask him sex questions so I handed him the piece of paper with the questions. Hey, it worked. I got all my answers! And he was probably happy to read my questions instead of having to look me in the eye while I stammered through it.

I've been remiss about keeping any info in my wallet (or cellphone) about my meds and allergies. I should really do that now.
Posted 12/8/2007 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
If it's not too long and you have the correct sized sticker/label, having you meds and supplements listed and printed on a label so they can just paste them into the chart at the correct location I am sure would be appreciated.

I never thought about putting together my entire history, but that's not a bad idea.

My 77 year old mom is moving back to Minnesota next year, and I will be going to her doctor visits with her, and I plan to have all of this information at the ready for when she starts new relationships with new docs, GIs and ophthalmologists here in Minnesota.

This is a great idea.

Mitz
Posted 12/8/2007 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I actually started the attaching my history and meds to my insurance card well before I was diagnosed with UC. I was treated for Graves disease of the thyroid (also an auto-immune disorder), and if I have surgery it's very important they know that I will need increased thyroid supplementation to get me through the surgery.
Posted 12/9/2007 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Dave, yes if you could email me your copy that would be great! I'm looking for a simple, easy to read format that even my husband can read. Thanks :)
Posted 12/9/2007 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sitting here laughing....I wish I could put the info on cards....maybe someday...I have this "impressive" looking briefcase with everything but the kitchen sink in it when we go to Dr. Appts. I have everything in there and have it in alpha order by category so if I need something fast I can find it.

I do keep his current meds on the computer and keep it updated and he does carry that in his wallet though.

Maybe after the first of the year that might not be a bad idea to try to do some 5x8 cards with the same categories in the briefcase but a synopsis of things. This can be a full time job for most of us! (My husband has it easy...I'm the secretary and accountant.)
Posted 12/9/2007 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry,

Your wish is my command, have emailed it to you.

Take care.

Dave
Posted 12/9/2007 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have been carrying a card with me for several years now. I update it every time I need to. I started doing it the first time I took Prednisone. I print mine out at:  http://www.medids.com/free-id.php You can update it right there and print it out at home. I then laminate it and fold it and keep it in my wallet. It's a great idea to have one, especially with the meds we all take!!!
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