I often forget to take my meds.  And other days, I can’t remember if I took them or not.

So, here’s another great (FREE!) iPhone App:  Rxmindme

From their features list at http://www.rxmind.me/Features.aspx

RxmindMe has a growing feature set. We keep adding new things to help fellow pill takers monitor their medications, track what they take, and view their history of their medications.

We believe compliance is important for anyone taking medications, that is what RxmindMe aims to do, help you stay healthy and safe. No matter what you call your medications – pills, prescriptions, medications, or vitamins, we have the App to track them all.

RxmindMe allows you to use any application and receive reminders. We utilize iOS 4′s Local Notifications instead of the old Push Notifications. With Local Notifications, you need no network connection. Meaning you’ll receive your reminders anywhere at any time.

The home screen of RxmindMe gives you all your reminders for the day in once place. It allows you to easily identify which reminders you have missed, which reminders are coming up, and which reminders you have already taken.

From this home screen, you will have the option to create snoozes, add as needed reminders, and add prescriptions you take randomly throughout the day – like Asprin.

RxmindMe allows you to create nine different types of reminders

• Daily reminders, ones that can occur on any day of the week
• Weekly reminders, like daily reminders, but you can set weekly repeat intervals
• Monthly reminders, monthly reminders that occur on a specific date during the month
• Monthly reminders, monthly reminders that occur on a specific day of the week of a specific week of the month – for example, the last Friday of the month
• Our new Every “X” Days reminder, repeats every few days
• Hourly reminders for specific hourly intervals
• As needed reminders which are taken infrequently
• On specific dates, reminders that you want to occur on specific dates – for example the 28th of November

Now with the ability for devices with cameras to take photos of your prescriptions, you can see visually what you are supposed to take.

RxmindMe will keep and store your photos for your medicates, then it will display them along your reminders.RxmindMe now includes the up to date FDA database. You can search for prescriptions in RxmindMe, select the one you want, and it will auto populate the details for you. No more entering the units and name yourself!

No more forgotten meds for me!

I just found a new iPhone app today which looks pretty good. You can add family members and send the info to another phone so everyone has the info they need. It’s only $.99 in the iTunes store:

It’s called Capzule PHR and the website is http://capzule.com/phr/ with help files at http://capzule.com/phr/phrhowto.html

There’s a free version to try called Capzule PHR Free

Features

* Push Notification to alert appointments
* Data Visualization via Interactive Timeline
* Edit records and upload files from Desktop/Laptop
* Record conditions and allergies
* Store doctor appointments
* Enter medications
* Email summary and graphs
* Print or download summary from Desktop/Laptop
* Maintain immunization records
* Enter vitals in Metric or Standard units
* Analyze line graphs of vitals and lab results
* Keep family, social, and medical history together
* Create custom health screening templates
* Enter notes, upload results and files
* Manage physician and insurance information
* Reset password when password is lost
* Categorize Notes and Attachments
* Email flowsheet data in CSV format along with graphs
* Email Summary with graphs embedded
* Backup and Restore from Desktop/Laptop
* Export CSV data from Desktop/Laptop
* Email documents
* Add files from other Apps (iOS 3.2+)
* Summary Reporting Filter

smilez133 posted this on the message boards here

Massachusetts General Hospital Launches iPhone App to Locate Emergency Rooms

FindER Connects Users to the Most Complete Database of ERs in the U.S.

BOSTON—Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital’s (MGH) Emergency Medicine Network (EMNet) announced today the launch of EMNet findER™, a free iPhone application designed to help users locate the closest emergency room to their current location, as well as provide directions and additional information with a touch of the screen. FindER uses the iPhone’s global positioning system to quickly direct patients to emergency rooms anywhere within the United States.

“FindER is designed to provide key information to people experiencing health emergencies,” says Carlos A. Camargo MD, of MGH’s Department of Emergency Medicine and EMNet director. “FindER uses information from EMNet’s own database of emergency departments, which is the most complete and accurate in the nation.”

Along with directions and general information, findER is designed for quick phone calls to both the care-center itself and in cases where necessary, 911 emergency services.

“EMNet researchers maintain a database of nearly 5,000 emergency rooms in the United States. Unlike a simple Google search where the results may include many emergency centers that have closed or moved, or even veterinary hospitals, findER’s results are based on an aggregation of emergency room listings from multiple sources that have been confirmed by researchers at EMNet,” says Camargo. “FindER is designed to help patients get to emergency rooms in the shortest amount of time.”

FindER is ideal for travelers, especially those suffering chronic medical conditions, or those traveling with friends or relatives with health problems. FindERis available now as a free download in the iTunes app store. Simply click this link or search “EMNet findER,” to download. For a short demonstration video, users can visit YouTube.

From http://www.massgeneral.org/about/pressrelease.aspx?id=1248

MaryONote: Just as info – the iTunes store said that there was nothing called FindER when I did a search. I found it only by typing EMNet findER. I have the app – looks great – and I hope I never need it again!

Since the last topic was about Adrenal Insufficiency, it seemed that a great next topic would be about Medic Alert Bracelets.

Many doctors insist that everyone who has had pituitary or adrenal surgery have a bracelet – and some will even tell patients what they should say on them.

While I was still a patient at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) after my pituitary surgery, I was given my first bracelet along with my kit in care of adrenal crisis.  I had to learn to give myself a shot before I could go home.

Now, my endo checks mine at every visit to be sure I’m wearing my bracelet and reads it to be sure it’s still legible and checks to see what the text says.

He feels that the bracelets – and he insists that they LOOK like medic alert bracelets, not disguised as jewelry – are life savers.

I’m not so sure – I read stories on the message boards that people have gone into AI (adrenal insufficiency and no one has ever looked at their bracelet.  That was certainly the case for young Sam.  Her mom had instructions everywhere, none were heeded and the situation rapidly turned disastrous.

…We have dealt with Addison’s for 7 years; but I have handled everything. Apparently the vials of solu-cortef with step-by-step instructions hanging on the bulletin board in the kitchen, medicine cabinet and in every vehicle somehow missed his attention…  (read the whole story at survive the journey: Stars Go Blue)

A Paramedic wrote on the message boards:

I’d like to add a couple things from the perspective of a Paramedic…

A lot of us are not taught about adrenal insufficiency during our education….nor do many of us (if any at all) have a protocol to administer Injectable for AI unless we are able to contact the ER doctor for permission. So…if any of you should have an AI crisis please gently nudge your paramedic to contact the receiving physician for permission to administer the medication. I know this sounds like a lot of responsibility on the part of the patient…but you have to realize that we’re taught to recognize the most common life threats and endocrine disorders (other than diabetes) most usually do not present with life threats (we all know that as cushing’s is more recognized that this will change)…and our protocols cover the most common life threats….so while we may recognize that you are hypotensive and need fluids (IV) and are sweaty, nauseated, decreased level of responsiveness etc…we are not equipped to deal with the actual cause unless you help educate us….

Also…please don’t get angry with us….if we are having problems understanding…just gently insist that a call be made to your doctor or the receiving ED (usually not feasible for us to call your doctor since they do not come to the phone for just anybody but if you have access to them, as many cushies do, it would be great to talk to them)…

Paramedicine is evolving….someday soon, hopefully, our education will include more diagnostic skills…untill just in the past 5 years or so we were NEVER to make a diagnosis at all…just treat the symptoms!!!! So there is hope out there for futher understanding of such a critical problem for those without adrenal (or asleep adrenals) glands….

The medical alert jewerly is a life-saver and we do look for it….

So, the questions for discussion are:

• Do you have a medical alert bracelet

• Does your doctor check on it or suggest proper wording.

• If you have one, has any medical staff read it during a crisis

• And… what does yours say?

Robin wrote a great blog post about Jackie and Sam dealing with Adrenal Crisis.  This is a very important article that all should read.  Be your own advocate!

New PDF! Managing Adrenal Insufficiency

New Podcast! Podcast: Adrenal Crisis

If left untreated, adrenal insufficiency can cause serious illness or death. But by working with their doctors and nurses, patients can learn how to manage this condition.

A Paramedic wrote on the message boards:

I’d like to add a couple things from the perspective of a Paramedic…

A lot of us are not taught about adrenal insufficiency during our education….nor do many of us (if any at all) have a protocol to administer Injectable for AI unless we are able to contact the ER doctor for permission. So…if any of you should have an AI crisis please gently nudge your paramedic to contact the receiving physician for permission to administer the medication. I know this sounds like a lot of responsibility on the part of the patient…but you have to realize that we’re taught to recognize the most common life threats and endocrine disorders (other than diabetes) most usually do not present with life threats (we all know that as cushing’s is more recognized that this will change)…and our protocols cover the most common life threats….so while we may recognize that you are hypotensive and need fluids (IV) and are sweaty, nauseated, decreased level of responsiveness etc…we are not equipped to deal with the actual cause unless you help educate us….

Also…please don’t get angry with us….if we are having problems understanding…just gently insist that a call be made to your doctor or the receiving ED (usually not feasible for us to call your doctor since they do not come to the phone for just anybody but if you have access to them, as many cushies do, it would be great to talk to them)…

Paramedicine is evolving….someday soon, hopefully, our education will include more diagnostic skills…untill just in the past 5 years or so we were NEVER to make a diagnosis at all…just treat the symptoms!!!! So there is hope out there for futher understanding of such a critical problem for those without adrenal (or asleep adrenals) glands….

The medical alert jewerly is a life-saver and we do look for it….

Be sure to print this page to carry with you.

From the NIH. This information was developed by the patient care staff of the Clinical Center to help patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) understand their condition and how to take care of it. It explains what causes adrenal insufficiency and how it can be controlled. If left untreated, adrenal insufficiency can cause serious illness or death. But by working with their doctors and nurses, patients can learn how to manage this condition.

National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service

6 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3569
Phone: 1–888–828–0904
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 1–703–738–4929
Email: endoandmeta@info.niddk.nih.gov This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Internet: http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/

The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The NIDDK conducts and supports biomedical research. As a public service the NIDDK has established information services to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals and the public.

Publications produced by the NIDDK are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts.

This publication is not copyrighted. The NIDDK encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.

From http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/creutz/alert.htm

Toll free number in the USA is: by phone 7 days a week, 24 hours a day: 888-633-4298
209-668-3333 from outside the U.S.

Alternative names:

adrenal crisis; Addisonian crisis; acute adrenal insufficiency

Definition:

An abrupt, life-threatening state caused by insufficient cortisol, a hormone produced and released by the adrenal gland.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The two adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They consist of the outer portion, called the cortex, and the inner portion, called the medulla. The cortex produces three types of hormones, which are called corticosteroids. The androgens and estrogens affect sexual development and reproduction. The glucocorticoids maintain glucose regulation, suppress the immune response, and provide for the response to stress (cortisol). The mineralocorticoids regulate sodium and potassium balance. These hormones are essential for life.

Acute adrenal crisis is an emergency caused by decreased cortisol. The crisis may occur in a person with Addison’s disease, or as the first sign of adrenal insufficiency. More uncommonly, it may be caused by a pituitary gland disorder. It may also be caused by sudden withdrawal of corticosteroids, removal or injury of the adrenal glands, or destruction of the pituitary gland. Risk factors are stress, trauma, surgery, or infection in a person with Addison’s disease, or injury or trauma to the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland. The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.

Prevention:

People who have Addison’s disease should be taught to recognize signs of potential stress that may precipitate an acute adrenal crisis (cause it to occur suddenly and unexpectedly). Most people with Addison’s disease are taught to give themselves an emergency injection of hydrocortisone in times of stress. It is important for the individual with Addison’s disease to always carry a medical identification card that states the type of medication and the proper dose needed in case of an emergency. Never omit medication. If unable to retain medication due to vomiting, notify the health care provider.

Symptoms:

• headache
• profound weakness
• fatigue
• slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
• nausea
• vomiting
• low blood pressure
• dehydration
• high fever
• chills shaking
• confusion or coma
• darkening of the skin
• rapid heart rate
• joint pain
• abdominal pain
• unintentional weight loss
• rapid respiratory rate
• unusual and excessive sweating on face and/or palms
• skin rash or lesion may be present
• flank pain
• appetite, loss

Signs and tests:

• An ACTH (cortrosyn) stimulation test shows low cortisol.
• The cortisol level is low.
• The fasting blood sugar may be low.
• The serum potassium is elevated.
• The serum sodium is decreased.
• This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
  • sodium, urine
  • 17-hydroxycorticosteroids

Treatment:

In adrenal crisis, an intravenous or intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone (an injectable corticosteroid) must be given immediately. Supportive treatment of low blood pressure is usually necessary. Hospitalization is required for adequate treatment and monitoring. Low blood pressure may be treated with intravenous fluids. If infection is the cause of the crisis, antibiotic therapy is indicated.

Expectations (prognosis):

Death may occur due to overwhelming shock if early treatment is not provided.

Complications:

• shock
• coma
• seizures