Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 8)

I'm Medication ... Allergic to That I Think It's crucial that you know, and that your care providers know, too T BY PAMELA TRONETTI, DO, AGSF Pamela Tronetti, DO, AGSF, is an osteopathic physician who specializes in geriatric medicine. She is the medical director of the Parrish Senior Consultation Center and a member of the Parrish Medical Group and the PMC medical staff. For questions or appointments, call 321-268-6800. he patient was in a coma and going into septic shock. We had isolated the bacteria causing all the problems and determined which antibiotic to use. I told her daughter what we had chosen. "Oh no," she said, shaking her head. "Mom is allergic to that one." Even though the daughter had a long list of her mom's allergies, she didn't know her mom's reactions to them. The next 15 minutes were tense as the patient's life hung in the balance. We ﬁnally had to call the out-of-state pharmacy listed on one of her medication bottles. The pharmacist had a thorough list, including the reactions, and was able to ﬁll in the blanks for us. Finally, we were able to hang the bag of lifesaving antibiotic and within hours the patient was out of danger. Some people come to the office with a list of allergies as long as my arm. Other people don't recall any allergies until they get to the pharmacy with a new prescription and the pharmacist pulls up their record. Still others tell me that they're allergic to "some antibiotic-I don't know which one." Let's start by deﬁning our terms. nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, urinary retention, etc. It's not a true allergy, but the patient will want to avoid that medicine in the future, if possible. EVEN TRACK MEDS THAT DIDN'T WORK You should also keep track of meds that were tried for your symptoms but didn't work. This will stop unnecessary prescriptions for medicines that failed you in the past. It is crucial that you know what medications you are allergic to, and the kind of allergic reaction you have. It's also important that you know which medicines you simply cannot tolerate. Compile a list. Include information from your doctor, pharmacist and hospital pharmacy, and keep a copy with you at all times. You never know when you might need it. 8 SU M M E R 2 014 GO TO REACTION VS. INTOLERANCE An allergic reaction is the body's response to a foreign substance. This can be a skin eruption, a rash, itching or huge water-ﬁ lled blisters. Or there can be a respiratory response with a swollen tongue and lips and shortness of breath. Nearfatal allergic reactions are called anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions are usually caused by antibiotics. But some blood pressure medications-those in the ace inhibitor and ARB classes- can cause facial swelling and difﬁculty breathing. Then we have medication intolerances. The patient has a disagreeable side effect, such as Medication Record Card in This Issue Find the handy medication record card bound into this issue, fill it out and keep it with you at all times.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips Chef
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Hospital Specialists
I’m Allergic to That Medication ... I Think
Stress SOS
The Truth About Sunscreen
The Transformers
Get Your Head in the Game
The Journey Continues
On the Cover
The Foot Follies
Friendly Fat
Virtual Health
Life After Leaving the Hospital
Screen Savers
People to Support You in Your Fight Against Diabetes
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Parrish Medical Center