Keeping track of when I start new meds..

[ErinENj]

I was wondering about how I should keep track of my meds. I haven't been keeping track of when I start medications, and I don't have a list of everything I am on and the dosages at all, including not having one I can carry with me.

Should I go back through my prescription records and try to figure out when I started my meds? Do you all do that? Do you think it's important to keep track of the start dates? Is it important to have a list that I keep with me with my current meds, that I continuously update, and a list that someone else has or has access to so that they can bring it to the ER in case of an emergency?

I actually found this great free template from microsoft for excel, so if anyone wants it, let me know. It's a great setup for a medication list and all of the columns are set up and labeled, and are also changeable to suit different peoples' needs.

How do you all keep track of your meds? And how often do you update it?

Thanks everyone!! I don't want to have an issue if I need to suddenly go to the ER and aren't able to tell the people what I'm on for safety's sake and the correct person isn't there yet.

[BrokenBladder]

I have a typed list in a place where my family knows to go and find it. I also carry a list in my wallet in the event of a car accident or something of that nature. Other than that I'm not sure what else you could do but maybe someone else has some better ideas.

[Kira]

It is really important to have a current list of what you are on and the doses. I write them out on an index card and put it in my wallet, folded in half.

This is the format I use:

Drug name, Dose, Frequency
(For example, Prilosec 20mg Every Morning)

You can also include what the meds are for and who the prescribing doc is, if you are really ambitious.

On same side of the card, I list what I am allergic to... but I write "ALLERGIES" big before that section, so they know that they are allergies, not current meds.

The format for that section is:
Drug name, What the reaction was
(For example, IV Contrast, Anaphylaxis)

Then, on the back of the card, I list all of my docs, their specialties, and their phone numbers.

The format for that section is:
Dr's name, Specialty, Phone number
(For example, Dr. W, Neuromuscular, ###-###-####)

I would say that, bare minimum, everyone with medical problems should carry a list of their meds and allergies on them. If I had room on the card, I would add a list of my medical problems. Maybe I will find room on the next version of it.

It helps the docs and nurses in the ER or if you are being admitted quite a bit to have the meds all written down. Cuts down on errors, etc.

It would be less important to have a list of when the meds were started, etc... though it might be nice to know what you have tried. I don't have this written down anywhere but can still figure out a rough estimate of when certain drugs were tried from my own memory. Might be an interesting thing to do, but I would say less important than having an up-to-date list to carry with me. I go to the ER/get admitted fairly often, though.

[Pharmacist.steve]

I keep the information in a word processor document .. so that I can just make changes as needed and reprint.. it is important to mark the card with ICE ( in case of emergency) .. also put ICE in your phone with emergency numbers. Start date are not really important for EMTs or ER docs .. just what you are on now.. that is all they are dealing with the here and now. We both carry flash drives on our key rings with copies of Advanced health care direrectives and POA's and ICE and a computer with a USB port can print them out.

[hoops2u]

I keep the information in a word processor document .. so that I can just make changes as needed and reprint.. it is important to mark the card with ICE ( in case of emergency) .. also put ICE in your phone with emergency numbers. Start date are not really important for EMTs or ER docs .. just what you are on now.. that is all they are dealing with the here and now. We both carry flash drives on our key rings with copies of Advanced health care direrectives and POA's and ICE and a computer with a USB port can print them out.

Wow, Steve, wish I were a bit more computer literate. Maybe come Spring I will take a course or two. Right now I am in the process of being snowed in and I really don't mind. Got a fire in the fireplace and a pot of veggie soup on the stove top. Can ya smell it? Y'all come on over. Everyone's invited. There's always plenty.

Anyway, I do want one of those, whatdja call it, flash drive? or um, what?

I can't believe I don't live closer to you Mr. Steve. Darn it!

Bless You,
hoops

[Pharmacist.steve]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.continent.com.au/images/products/lg-platinum-flash.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.continent.com.au/buy-1476.html&h=300&w=300&sz=8&hl=en&sig2=WFBFyVc4ADHUr_WsBWWC-g&start=33&tbnid=Y95EKTcreEhrlM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&ei=t-LIRd7_CZ-2hQTMt4nNDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dflash%2Bdrive%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D2 0%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Here is a pic of a flash drive.. you can buy them just about anywhere.. they plug into the USB port on computer - computer treats it like a drive. Create the
ICE on a WORD or Worperfect document and save a copy onto the Flashdrive. Most all computers started coming with USB ports about 4-5 yrs ago. I use a PDF file .. because everyone has - or should have - the Adobe reader - it is a free download.. You can get these flashdrives for as little as $20.00.. when you need to change info .. just pull of the original doc in the word processor make the changes.. plug in the flash drive .. save the document both on your hard drive and the flash drive ... take the flash drive back out and put on your keyring .. done...

[BrokenBladder]

Steve thanks for giving that information. That's a great idea!! Now why didn't I think of that?
The great thing is I have 2 of the flash drives laying right here in my study so I'm working on it now. I always worried that I might end up in a position where my POA or my medical directive wasn't being followed. This really simplifies alot!! Thanks Again!!

[Pharmacist.steve]

Steve thanks for giving that information. That's a great idea!! Now why didn't I think of that?

Porbably because you spend too much time on the computer .. posting on discussion groups!!!

[Mark N]

Thanks for the reminder as I have been planning on doing this and keeping a copy in my wallet but I seem to keep forgeting to do it.

[ErinENj]

I have a flash drive that I keep in my bag for school in case I have to save something while I'm there since none of the computers are 100% operational, so I can't be sure if the zip drive will work. Gotta love the amount of money I spend for my college classes, including the technology fee, that obviously doesn't go to getting me any functioning technology. Anyway...my rant over..moving on..

I'm so jealous you're getting snowed in Hoops!! It's just been completely and utterly beyond bitterly cold here, without any snow. There's no point in it being this cold without having snow!! There were 2 huge fires in the state yesterday and the firemen had a really, really hard time trying to fight them because the water would freeze as soon as it left underground. I think they were having problems keeping the hoses from freezing, and they had this picture on the front page of the biggest paper here in NJ, the Star Ledger, of this fireman covered in this icy-slush because the water was blowing back on them due to the wind. They would put a few guys in the bucket, raise them to fight the fire from above through the roof, and they could only keep them up there for about 10-15 minutes or so before they had to bring them down and send fresh men up because of the huge risk of frostbite. They had to set up this special heating tents so that they had a place to warm up and at least lower their risk of frostbite. It was their worst nightmare. Well, one of them. (Around here, 9/11 is THE nightmare. A lot of the guys on departments in North Jersey reported to the city right after the towers were hit and a lot went in after they came down. My dad's a fireman and the first question I asked my mom when I got through was "Did dad go?" Luckily, he didn't. But I had friends who did and they're still having these horrid nightmares.).

Everything is iced over, and it's terrifying!! I am so scared that I'm going to completely bust my butt! My driveway is one major ice sheet. To the point where I thought it might be a good idea to throw on my ice skates. It'd be safer!!

Anyways...thanks for your advice everyone!! This week is insane, but over the weekend, I'm planning on putting my list together and getting it into the important places. I already have the ICE on my cell phone, but I'll write it out. I'm such a weirdo: I have I think 7 ICE in my cell phone, all in order on who they should call first on down the list. But I don't have any written down, so I have to get on that. Thanks again! I guess I need to worry about my current meds now more than when I started it, and get them all together in a list, just to be on the safe side.

[BrokenBladder]

Porbably because you spend too much time on the computer .. posting on discussion groups!!!


LOL!! You're right about that one!!:p :o :) ;)