Do you bring medical records when traveling?

[lovemy6monkeys]

I'm going to ask my doctor what he recommends, but I just wanted to see what you guys do.

The Easter Bunny brought us all seasons passes to a local amusement park. It is only 2 hours away, so we can go often. We are hoping to go twice a month.

We live in upstate NY, which gets humid and hot in July and August. I have a feeling this summer will "make or break" a diagnosis for me. I'm not going to push myself, and my husband just bought me a folding chair with an attached sun shade so I can just open it up and sit whenever I do feel too hot. I'm not going to be looking for problems...but I also want to be prepared in case I have any.

I hope I do not have any issues while we are at the amusement park. I'm going to take precautions so I don't, I'm going to try to get a cooling wrap, we will stay at the water park if it is too warm, if it is supposed to be too hot or humid we will just stay home, etc.

I'm just curious if I should bring medical records (locked in the car, of course!) when we go. If I have something major go wrong, I think it is too far to drive all the way home, plus on a weekend my doctors office would be closed anyway. So, if I did have to go to an out of town hospital, should I have medical records to show them? Or, since I'm in Limboland does it not really matter?

I hope you are all having a great day!!
~Jess

[Growing2Boys]

Quix!!
Your eye story cracked me up! Once on a sleepy night shift I charted that a bi-lat amputee had warm feet with good pulses :) OOPS!

I just ordered a 3 medic alert tags (they are only $10 each + the annual membership fee)
I don't like metal jewelry, so I will put them on braided leather, a sports band or something like that.

That works in the USA. The place I normally like to travel don't have good healthcare anyway, so I just cancelled a trip to Vietnam while I rethink how the heck I live with this situation.

Sarah

[Ginosmommy]

This is a great subject for us newbies, I would never think of taking anything with me on vacation and considering I will be a couple of hours away from home for the 4th of July (can't wait it's our annual Lake Chautauqua trip in NY!) I really should do some emergency information to go with me.

MeLissa

[twopack]

My medical information used to be so simple.....usual childhood illnesses, tonsilectomy, 3 pregnancies, 2 births, period.  I had it neatly stored in my brain's instant recall.  Then I started to get old before my time.  Fortunately, it was about the same time that computers became available to average folk.  

Now I keep my medical information on my word processor program.  It includes lists of my ALLERGIES, MEDICATIONS (prescriptions, over the counter, supplements, and irregularly taken drugs), HISTORY (diagnoses and dates), SURGERIES (with dates), DIAGNOSTICS (tests with date last done and date of first noted abnormality), and a LIST OF PHYSICIANS (with address and phone).  At the end is the word UPDATED followed by the date of the last review/change.

It's so easy to make changes and add new information.  Before appointments I look over the info, re-date, then hit the print button.  The date assures the office they have the latest info (and me too, since I usually carry a copy with me).  This has saved me a bunch of writing as I always just write "see attached" in each section of the paperwork that matches stuff on my personal record.  I don't ask if it's OK and only ever had one person question it.  I always offer to let the office keep the copy I give them.  

My records are legible and accurate and my husband knows how to access them for me if I'm ever unable to myself (this feature was life saving once for my sister-in-law).  I've gotten a lot of favorable comments from office and hospital personnel.  

One draw back - sometimes the history takers forget to talk to me!  I recently sat and watched as the pre-screening RN entered the info from my personal printout history into his own laptop computer charting.  Too bad I had to even be there.  (gotta go---thunderstorm brewing)

Mary

[Guitar_grrrl]

I've always wondered about this - there's no way I'd pass the "stupid human tricks" either.  I'm ordering a  med-alert bracelet tonight.  

I carry a list of my meds on a card in my wallet.  I chew my patients out for this all the time - I follow the advise I give them.  When things change, I update or replace my card promptly.

Thanks for a cool thread, and thanks in advance for a travelers' HP.

[Quixotic1]

Thanks everyone for your help with this.

Another thought with regard to a doctor's letter.  If I am ever stopped while driving there is no way in Hades that I could pass a Field Sobriety Test.  I would refuse to do it rather than take it and fail.  I would demand a Breathalyzer or a blood test.

I need a letter from my doc stating that my equilibrium is too severe to take the Field Test.

Actually, for me, since I have hand controls on my car and am licensed to use them, I think the explanation of MS would work.  But, for those without a diagnosis...

All of these things would make a good HP on Traveling with MS, to be included with things like how to assess accessability, how to check ahead for the assistance we need, etc.

[doublevision1]

All of my my medical reports, prescriptions and contact numbers are copied to a USB flash drive and I keep it in my purse, so I always know where it is and don't have to go looking for it when I travel.  

On a related note, I also travel with a letter from my neuro confirming my Copaxone prescription, and stating I must have my DMD on me at all times, and kept cool which ensures I won't have a problem getting the syringes, liquid contents, and gel packs through security.  I have had to show the letter on occasion, and my meds  hand screened, others just say fine and wave me through.

[Ufrustrated2]

i carry a  med card that lists VA sc id num, diagnosises, rx meds(name & mg) and neuro & pcp name & their office phone numbers. hope i never need it

[Lulu54]

I just heard a good med record idea today on Sound Medicine - an NPR show about medical ideas.  There was a doctor talking about electronic records and said he has all his records on a portable thumb drive/usb drive/ memory stick (the portable storage things that go by all sorts of names).  

He recounted the story that he went to a new doctor, they handed him forms to fill out, he gave them his thumb drive, they said "that's nice, but you still have to fill out our forms."  :-)

But his other point is all of his records are in one spot just in case of an emergency.  I was given a 2Gigibyte storage that is very small and has a ring to fit on my key chain.  Perhaps I'll scan my records and put them on it for future travels.   I already carry a paper emergency card with all my pertinent information.

enoy those passes.
Lulu

[Quixotic1]

All of us should carry a Medic Alert tag or similar or a card that lists our allergies, meds, major medical conditions, and doctor's phone.  If any of us have findings on exam (like a big pupil) that should be listed too so they don't think we have major brain damage - like from an injury.

(funny story)  Once my blind exhusband was taken to the ER unconcious.  He was going to be okay, but in the beginning the doctor came to me and told me very gravely that his pupils were unreactive and fixed.  I had to tell the doc that his eyes were acrylic.  Some things the docs should know.

Mine card lists my spasticity, plus all the usual stuff.

While MS won't cause unconsiousness, a car accident might.

Think about portable fans, those misting fans (I think there is a portable one)  plan on acquiring a cooling hat, a cooling neck wrap, and a cooling vest.  Drink iced drinks, if incontinence is an issue plan for pads.  Consider using a wheelchair from the park if you start to fatigue.

And have fun!

Quix

[essdipity]

I can only answer for myself, but I wouldn't bring records on an excursion such as you describe. With a husband there, that should be enough support.

Unless a person is unconscious (which is highly unlikely in MS), he or she can deal with whatever arises best, by telling the medical folks what's going on.

I went to Europe for 2 weeks alone, and never thought of bringing records, which was probably not the wisest thing I've ever done, but still it all worked out.

What you definitely need to take are things to keep you cool. That's the most important consideration. Then if you are not feeling up to snuff, home isn't all that far away.

ess