maybe another hcm'r

[jujemendoza2002]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

Thanks for all you're tips, I'll keep those idea's and recommendations in mind.
Burt, I think carring the medical info in my purse/wallet and wearing the bracelet (I do have a cheap medical alert necklace, I wear now. I only wear it when I go places.) is better for me. I don't like the idea of paying dues or anything. If I have too travel into mexico I'll be with my husband who will help me with taking care of myself or what ever else I need, I have already been down to a few mexican shopp's and I can get a bracelet made in espanol, besides I can read and write a little spanish and with his help I can make my own medical history records on my computer.
Hay also don't feel bad being a scatter- brain lady's, so am I you should see the things I have forgot, I hate purses too, I'f I can't stick it in my pocket half the time forget it. now I keep like a little tray in my bed room where I'll at least pass it a few times a day and I keep everything one might find in a purse or wallet in it- that way to when you switch purses fast everything you want is ready to grab and go.

[Burton Borrok]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

Hi again Rhoda,
This old scatterbrained warhorse immediately though of what a number of the women in our bridge group do, and that is – they wear a fanny pack to carry all their incidentals. It’s like carrying a hands-free purse. An alternative would be to get purses with shoulder straps that you wear across your chest so you don’t take it off your shoulder and forget it someplace.

Both those solutions would be better than sticking everything to yourself with thumbtacks – don’t you think?
Burt

[Laoshur]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

I have a question for the women (or any scatterbrained men out there). I don't like to carry a purse everywhere, but some of my clothes lack pockets and I am bad about leaving things - keys, sunglasses, you name it - in the pocket of what I am not wearing on any given day. I am supposed to carry an epi pen for severe food and wasp allergies but I have to admit I don't do so a lot of the time for that reason. I keep one in my laptop bag, but sometimes my husband's and mine get switched and obviously I don't carry it everywhere. Now I find I am supposed to carry a card for the ICD everywhere "in my wallet" but I don't even have one because I know I would just leave it somewhere. So, are there other scatterbrains out there who have similar problems? What is your solution? I know I cannot be the only absent minded professor with HCM!

Rhoda

[Burton Borrok]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

Hey Mary,
Is this the site you mean? http://www.medids.com/free-id.html

This is fine for most people, but my wife and I both take a ton of medications, have multiple diagnoses (I have 16), and of course, multiple doctors / specialists to call, depending on the immediate complaint.

We found it easier, once we knew what information to carry, to have the information on the computer where we could update and reprint the pages as needed. An 8 ½ by 11 page, folded in half, then in half the other way, then in half again, will fit nicely inside my wallet. On the outside, exposed edge, I write ‘Medical’ to aid in the search for the information. Across the top of the pages I print our names so anyone reading them will know whose information they are looking at.

Another benefit we’ve come across is when we are in a doctor’s office it is a simple matter to have the nurse make a Xerox copy of a new drug listing to update that doctor’s records. It usually brings a smile when they realize that they don’t have to sit there and transcribe everything by hand – also, the listings are much easier to find in the file then the notations.

Printing two copies and having your mate carry one also, doubles your chances of having somebody who is able to communicate having the information available at times of crisis. I also find this a good safty measure to follow.

I’ve been at this since May, 1985, so I’ve had some time to work the kinks out of the system.
Burt

[Toogoofy317]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

Speaking from an EMT standpoint we very rarely call for the medic alert people. Simply, because we do not have the time or in my comunity cell phones to make the call ! It is easier for us to have an alert bracelet that says see wallet card. That then gives us permission to go through your wallet and get the info. Don't get me wrong though the hospitals do call medic alert! So it still may be a good idea. One other bad habit a lot of us EMTs have is failing to look for the alert. So many people have the fancy gold one's and they are so small that we don't recognize them as what they are. I strongly suggest having a silver or stainless steal one for everyday use and if you have to have a fancy one for like special events and the such only wear them then.

There is also a website that has a wallet card generator as soon as I find it I will post it.

Mary S.

[Burton Borrok]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

I used to use Medicalert bracelets, but I had a bit of a problem keeping them posted on all the various medications I was adding or subtracting, and the changes in dosage that were being made, and the various hospital procedures I was having – plus the annual dues I had to pay..

They do a lot of great work, but frankly, I found it much simpler to buy a bracelet and keep my records in my wallet along with my wife’s, and she also carries a duplicate set of both our records.

When traveling out of country and dealing with an EMT who does not speak English, they will still recognize the medications and doses you are on, and the hospital procedures you have had, and it won’t take an international phone call to get it. Something I don’t think an EMT on a ‘run’ would do.

Anyhow, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it. Whichever you choose, please use something.
Burt

[Sarah]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

Dear Jen,

Yes, tell them you have an ICD; it is very important they know your situation.

Also, Medicalert is great --they have trained nurses who will go through your history and medications and tell you what needs to be on the bracelet and the rest they put in their records. The bracelet has a number to call and they will give the medics your history and medications, etc. and also call your emergency contacts and your doctor.

S

[BigHeart]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

I would suggest that you check out MedicAlert first. MedicAlert Foundation is one of the world's largest nonprofit membership organizations, that has been operating since 1956, and has over four million members. MedicAlert Foundation International currently serves Members in more than 50 countries.
www.medicalert.com

[Burton Borrok]

Re: maybe another hcm'r

Hi Jen,
I got my wife and I stainless steel bracelets from - www.americanmedical-id.com/

Mine says –

Diabetic
Cardiac
Hyperlipidemic
See Wallet

In my wallet I carry a listing of all my diagnoses, my hospital stays, and why, and I also carry a list of all my medications.

I also carry a set for my wife, and she carries both sets also.

They are quite reasonable in Stainless. Silver and gold are more expensive of course, but they all are critical in an emergency. One note, they come with a long chain. I had to use a pair of pliers to remove the excess links and then put the bracelet back together again.
Burt

[jujemendoza2002]

Today I ran into a old high school friend and she told me she has a male friend who fell of a latter at work when I guess his heart stopped and had to get a icd, I wonder if he has hcm, he's around 30-35 years old she said?
and a for myself with having so many health problems what does one do to have a medical braclet made up, there's not enough room to fit it all. and when I go to my public pool should I tell the life guard about my icd?