No, she has all that on file. I go to only one doctor and take only meds for HBP and cholesterol - knock wood!

No, mine doesn't, but my MIL's does. I think it's because of a combination of reasons. She takes more medication, she has strange views on medication, vitamins and health in general (so I think they want to double check that she is doing as she has been instructed).

Everyone that comes to see the doctor, not just me. They have signs posted. I only see the one doctor, well actually I haven't seen a doctor in many months. They make the appointments and I see a nurse practishner (I don't think that is spelled right). Anyway, I think you should see a doctor at times, that's probably what your insurance is paying them for.

Sue

No one has ever requested that I bring them in, but they go through the list every single time even if I've been in very recently!

I don't take mine as it is in their records. I can see where it might benefit to do that if you go to a number of different doctors though, or if you can't remember yourself what meds you are taking. Sometimes doctors don't bring in your whole chart, so they don't have everything handy.

Nope.

They ask me if I'm taking anything each time I go. Right now it's easy as I'm not taking anything.

Nope, no need to, they have the list in their medical records. I go only to my same primary physician for the past 16 years. I only have one RX and only take that on rare occasions. NancyLouise

Well my doctor has a list of all my prescribed meds already. But I have taken in my supplements (flax oil seed, Vitamin D, glucosomine) so she can approve.

No, but I too can see where it would help them if there were several things from maybe different doctors. Next time I go, I think I'll just take mine with me, just to simplyfy things for them.

(the other) Sue

No but my doctor and I were recently discussing how so many people mess up their meds by taking "natural" vitamins and supplements with them. He said some people come in with sacks of stuff that not only do they not need but are harmful mixed with prescribed meds. Maybe that's why some docs are requesting their patients bring everything. So they can spot the users of herbal, nutritional etc. supplements which patients probably don't think to mention. After all they don't see them as "drugs" even though many of them are.

I think a good doctor would be interested in your herbs and vitamins. Some herbs are blood thinners and others even more dangerous. Some people make tea from a flower I can't begin to spell, to ward off colds. My sis's friend was hallucinating, doctor's couldn't find out why. She was drinking this tea, stopped and the problem went away.

The one I am going to now wants you to do that.

Mine doesn't. But he wants a list of what I take. I just mark down in my medical journal (that I made for myself) what I take, and bring that.

This way, there is always an updated list of everything (even herbal) that I take.

I think, the bringing in is a good idea.

Moni

No, but she does ask me to bring in a list every once in a while.

The hospital and clinic here have all records on ERecords now. It's all on the computer. At every visit the nurse asks if I am still taking....and lists my meds and vitamins. Same thing in the ER, they have the clinic's records on their computer. I have never been asked to bring my meds in. The doctor in St Louis sent me a health history to fill out before my visit and I listed my meds there.

There is a sign on the telling you to do so but we never do. I have all DH meds & doses printed on a business card and on back side have all his doctors names and phone numbers. It's laminated and we each keep one in billfolds.
Our ems people here give out a thing a vial of life. It's a small bottle with a paper rolled up in it and you put all your info on that. If ems has to come to your house you just hand them that and they don't have to waste time asking questions.

I take a list, of all medications, I take, including
any over the counter drugs. Then I go over with my doctor
the meds and dosages. Medical mistakes can happen.

one doc did, but they're all from his office, lol...they were updating for the new year last time i went..(feb)

I write mine down the dosage time etc. but let me tell you a good one...I am a retired nurse one nite I got this patient admitted and she had a sackful of meds. Going thru them I didn't recognize a couple so i asked her about them and she told me they were her DOG pills. Us professionals really have to be on the ball. I really think its a good idea also some people go from doctor to doctor and don't tell their doctor.

I keep all my meds in a zip lock bag. Grab it every time I go to a doctor.

Yes, I take 2 meds for HBP and he checks them to see that the dosages are right and if I need the script refilled soon or a change of meds altogther.

I can see them wanting the elderly to bring in all their meds. I'm a retired RN and worked home health for several years and made lots of home visits and it's amazing the amount of meds you would find in these homes sometimes. They would be going to several different doctors and get prescriptions from each and never tell one doctor what they were getting from another doctor.

It would be real mess, taking double or triple the amount of meds they should be and each bottle from a different doc. Would get them straightened out for awhile but sure they would return to previous behaviour.

So, physicians should be asking the elderly to bring in all their meds so they can be checked.

A lot of people bring their meds to our hospital and we have to take them away from them if a family member isn't there to take them home. We then mail them to their house. Big hassle, especially with narcs, because then we have to count them in front of the patient and another staff member. Sometimes the patient gets home before their medications, not a good thing. Even if you are going in for a clinic appointment, you really don't know if you will be admitted to a hospital. Better to leave them at home and take a detailed list with dosages and how often you take them.

I know what drugs I take, my Cardiologist and Rheumatologist share info with each other.
Both know that I don't believe in OTC supplements, and that I stay informed on legitimate news about RA and the drugs I take.

Yes he requires us to bring our prescriptions but they make a list of anything else you take too.

Each time I visit, the nurse wants to know what I'm taking, so rather than have her handle individual bottles, I have a computer-generated list that she can scan. I have noted on the list those that need to be refilled. Saves time!!!

Each time I visit, the nurse pulls up my file on the computer and sees what I'm taking. I'm surprised this isn't the case with all of you, with modern technology!

Sheryl

Greetings, everyone,

Were I to have kept my meds in a Zip-loc bag, up until about last Christmas, I'd have had to put a big Sharpie label, "Ed's current drugs" on it, to have known which bag it was ... 'cause it'd have been empty for about the last 30 years, at least, so indistinguishable from all of the other empties.

My doc prescribed antibiotics (I have "swell legs"! - but not as photogenic as when I was younger), then drug for water reduction, in recent months.

You'd think that the darn body could have waited till my 80th birthday to have pulled the "need-a-drug" trick on me!

Oh, well - you can't win 'em all, I guess!

I'm truly thankful to have enjoyed the level of good health which has been my lot, up until now!

ole joyful

P.S. They do ask about what meds that I may have been taking - but I'm pretty sure that they haven't asked me to bring them in (but don't remember, exactly, as it wasn't an issue of concern).

o j

Yes, I can see bringing in a list of things you take, but every time, even if it has just been a couple of weeks or a month later you are back to see the doctor, you are asked to bring the meds back in. Yes, they have it all down in their files and go over it once again. No they don't want a list, they want the boxes and bottles brought in.

Sue

A current list should be adequate if it includes dosage, time of day taken, and any OTC medications and/or supplements.

My dad sees a family doctor, a urologist, a cardiologist, a pulminologist, an opthamologist, and sometimes an orthopod.

It's a lot to keep up with... *sigh*