Actually I have 2:
When you travel, do you keep something on you that states that you have RA and what you are taking??? I have a friend who is diabetic who must do this, but had never considered it for myself until I realized that I will be travelling alone this spring. It seems weird to even be considering it...
Second question: Can you donate organs if you have RA? Right now I am listed on my state's organ donor list should I die in an accident. I would hate to think in trying to save someone's life that I could give them this awful disease.
Yes, these are bizarre questions, but I am in a bizarre place in my mind right now and I feel like I need answers and hope someone here can give them, cause I don't feel like waiting 3-7 days for my Dr. to get a roundtuit!
thanks
You can get one of those bracelets they advertise at Walgreens that states that you are on immuniosuppressents (given that you are). Should you end up in the hospital and unable to talk to the drs/nurses it is helpfull for them for I believe that there are certain meds that they cannot give us while we are immuniosuppressents. Liz would be a better one to help w/ that though. And for the donating of organs, I dont think that we can pass on RA by donating organs for it is not a disease that can be contracted that way. Now the meds we are on may me the reason why they would or would not want our organs. That is something to probably ask the dr next time you see him/her. Its a good question though for i am on the organ donor list also and never gave it to much thought till you brought it up. It would be a good idea and do what Liz does (sorry Liz bringin you up alot on this) she keeps a list of her meds on the computer and i belive she has one w/ her and in the car should something happen they have a list of what she is on and that she has RA. And im sure when they go to do the whole organ transplant they do an indepth look at the donor in any case wether it be a donor that offers like a kidney or a bone marrow donor where the patient is living and will continue living or wether i be worst case the donor will not continue living and his/her organ will be donated. Ok so i rambeled alot and no sure how much of that made sense. Hope it helped though.
It might be an idea to have a list of your meds with your id. IF god forbid you should be non compos you then wouldn't be given anything that would clash. TBH, I hadn't thought about it. I understand the importance with a diabetic though
I have a card that my nurse gave me that states that i take Humira.I think its incase of infection and open woundsDo you have Medic Alert Bracelets etc in your country, I think they're international. but not certain. Anyway, it's a little I/D bracelet or neck chain, disc with a recognised logo with your allocated number and a phone no. to phone in case of medical emergency. That call goes to a National Centre Database. I think the applications go through your Dr (here in NZ anyway). who advises your medical conditions, medications, and other relevant info. pertaining to you. NOK contacts I guess as well.you will not give anyone RA by donating your organs so don't worry about that.
I keep a small laminated card in my purse which states I have RA, what meds I'm on, the doses and has emergency contact details (my GP and parents) on it. I made mine myself. It also comes in handy if I go to the dentist and can't remember everything I should be writing on a form!I wear a medic alert bracelet I found in the gift shop of a hospital i stayed in. The bracelet part of it is glass craft beads, very tasteful and cute! I took it to the mall and had the back engraved with "med list in wallet" as large as they could make it. In my wallet I keep an updated med list with all my doctors' business cards. I can change the color of the beads if I want.Like Kiwilass, I keep a printout in my wallet of all my meds and supplements (including dosages) and contact information (including doctor and family contacts), plus my insurance information and allergies.
I also list my phamacy contact...if there's any question about the meds I've written down, they can always call my pharmacist. Plus they can check about meds I'm taking on a temporary basis, like a pred pack.
I also state that I wish to be an Organ Donor and I'm a member of my state's donor registry (http://www.sharenj.org/howto.htm).
And at the very bottom, I include the date I last updated this info!
LOL Shannon that is ok. I also keep a list stored in my computer for a quick print out when I go to the doc office so I don't forget anything. Both my docs go over my meds with me on each visit no matter what I go in for. I consult my sheet to make sure they are right. I have what the dosages are and what each med is taken for on my med sheet. I also have a list in both of our cars and Danny keeps a list in his locker at work too. I have all my docs names and numbers listed on it plus Danny's supervisors phone numbers. I have it in big letters at the top of my meds list that I am immune supressed. I do not wear a bracelet as I would have it off more than I would have it on. Jewelery on my hands or wrists bug me. I am thinking of getting a medic alert necklace and wearing it only when we go out.
I think I need to check with my doc on organ donation. It would all depend on what meds an individual person is on for what organs they can take. I am a whole body donor so if all else fails and my organs are crud they can take like my eyes and skin. It is better than not being able to donate anything.
I can say from expericence..and recent experience at that lol...that they nurses and docs in the ER and the floor (if you are admitted) are extremely appreciative of a meds list. It makes their jobs so much easier.
This is not a strange question at all - it's a good question and something I had not thought of. I am now on 8 rx plus have a couple med allergies. I had never thought of carrying a list with me. I'm not sure my hubby could even tell someone all my meds.
Laker
http://www.mymedilist.org/index.phpVery cool - thank you.
Laker