I do hope you are recovering well...

I remember in 2008 going in for yet another abdominal surgery and my psychiatrist having weaned me off all my psych meds (lithium & klonopin) prior to the surgery.  It took over 6 weeks but got off the meds because of my hypersensitivity to medication, and he understood, he was cautious of the meds potentially interacting with the meds I'd receive while inpatient for the surgery and recovery.

we went over all the pros and cons and he & I both agreed this was good.

went into the hospital for the surgery, listed the meds, and told the hospital WHY i was not taking the meds for the time being.  They kept "arguing" with me and insisted that I had to take the Lithium and Klonopin.  They even insisted on me talking with one of the hospital's psychiatrists, while I was recovering.

Finally.. a nurse came in and demanded to know who my psychiatrist was and how to reach him... NOT because I was having symptoms BUT because I wasn't to take the medication UNTIL after I came home and got off all the narcotic pain killers they'd give me upon discharge.

They argued and argued with me BUT once I gave the contact info... I never heard another peep out of them about taking the meds.  Upon the morning of my discharge, I asked... my medical doc had talked with my psychiatrist... all was in agreement of his course of action (psych).

Sure enough... after I finished my 7 days of pain killers at home... I waited 4 days... went to the psychiatrist and re-started my meds... as agreed.

Sometimes doctors and nurses ONLY SEE crazy... they do not see a "human".

nurz

5/ 7/12 10:26pm

to live!

Please Have YOUR meds listed, what for and dosage and how long.  Also be prepared with YOUR husbands meds and YOUR relatives! 

The lifes you save could be your family.  Yours and your husbands!  Also be prepared to know your last level done!  May it save yours like it saved mine!.

Your life is precious and in someone elses hands!   

Nurz and husband

Tabby

5/ 9/12 10:53am

Unless the relatives are willing to share all the medications, dosages, and last levels drawn (if they even know them).. there is nothing to share

Unless your spouse is willing to share all the medications, dosages, and last levels drawn (if they even know them).. there is nothing to share

 

hell, most patients do not know ALL their medications, ALL their dosages, ALL and why they are given, HOW long they've been on them, and especially... what their last blood levels are

 

I know.. I've worked in several medical clinics for so many years and my job, or one of them from time to time, was to write it down and/or transfer it to their charts....

 

So yes... it would be good to have a running list of all your meds, all your blood levels (if you can get them), and all of that which relates to those immediate family members for which you may be called upon to give information on... should an emergency arise and it is much needed to be disclosed

 

it's just so many people do not have a clue, do not try to have a clue, and rely on their docs and pharmacy to keep it all up and current for them

 

AND HIPAA rules as to WHO can access your information.... is very specific!

nurz

5/15/12 12:44am

I have [had] my girlfriend who never told anyone her meds except herself.  Her husband nor kids never knew even!  husband never even knew what they were.

nurz