Asking for my parent's health history

**Palooka** · 08-19-2010, 10:38 PM

My mom called me today and I probably have not talk to her in a few weeks. My dad had a mini stroke(months ago) but they sure as heck wanted to hide that from us kids! I asked a ton of questions!!

I told my mom on the phone today that I needed to know what meds and cholesterol and blood pressure stuff,
family history.

I realize I can die in my Jeep tomorrow, but wanted more info.

I have high blood pressure, too.

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-19-2010, 10:58 PM

Oh Palooka get everything you can now. Ask for a photocopy of records if they'll go for it. My parents are 78 and 82. Facts are changing in their minds. They just don't remember chunks and are oblivious to this. They just say,OH, I don't remember that. and laugh.
The same goes w/ family member info. Mom will tell me something 1 day and I ask more another and the story is "What,I never said that ,What the devil are you talking about?" I beg you get it now. My parents are the oldest living people in the family and moms an only so some stuff is just lost.

**NikoSan999** · 08-19-2010, 11:25 PM

Yep, get all you can get out of her...or him. Both.
Cholestrol and triglyerides can be hereditary. Mine is.

**Darlene** · 08-20-2010, 08:27 AM

Good for you & nice if they will let you know so you can help make sure facts are straight when talking to health care providers. Recently dh was with his dad who had to have cataract surgery. When the hospital worker was going through preliminary questions she asked dad if he had any major surgery in the past 5 years, Dad said no. Dh jumped in and said "Um Dad, don't you think the open heart surgery you had 3 months ago counts?!"
Older people really need someone looking out for them and I hope your parents will let you.

**savvy_sniper** · 08-20-2010, 08:38 AM

I cared for my mother for five years. She had MANY medical problems including Alzheimer's and had had many surgeries. It got old filling out her medical history when we saw a new doctor, went to the hospital for surgery/procedures. I started a handwritten list of everything and put it in a Word document.

I had a page with her doctors' names, addresses, phone numbers, and what they were treating her for.

I had a page with her medications, dosages, and doctor that prescribed them (so you could look at list of doctors and get address and phone number).

I had a page of all surgeries/procedures.

I just printed the pages and took them to new doctors' appointments and the hospital when she went for surgery/procedure. They all thought my lists were wonderful and everyone should have them!

When meds changed I updated the meds page. When she had a new doctor I updated the doctor page. When she had a surgery/procedure I updated that page.

Towards the end my mom couldn't tell you ANY of that information. I was so glad I made the lists.

**mek42** · 08-20-2010, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Darlene

... When the hospital worker was going through preliminary questions she asked dad if he had any major surgery in the past 5 years, Dad said no. Dh jumped in and said "Um Dad, don't you think the open heart surgery you had 3 months ago counts?!"

...

[sarcasm]Pshaw, that's clearly a minor elective procedure.[/sarcasm]

I don't get on well with my folks and other than whatever my wife may have gleaned I just accept that I'm at a diagnostic disadvantage sometimes since I'm not willing to talk with them.

This might not be the reply the OP was expecting. :shrug:

**MaryCarney** · 08-20-2010, 10:29 AM

Ask me how many times in the ER you ask a seriously ill man what meds they take, and the answer is "Ask my wife- she takes care of all that" Grrrrrr.......

I actually got a ding on my record for telling a patient that at age 60, he spent more $$ on his meds than his car, and yet he knew every detail about his car, and not even the names of his meds!!!

**frugalfranny** · 08-20-2010, 01:44 PM

Yep P, you need all the info.........YESTERDAY!

And you need to write it down.....and keep it, so that your kids will have it.

Also, makes 'notes' as to the 'type of lifestyle' if it has any affect on the 'medical thing'. Some things are genetic but can be 'hastened' with a certain lifestyle.

**McD** · 08-20-2010, 02:07 PM

Currently fighting this battle wtih my dad. There is a family history of brain tumors and anyeurisms. Docs wanted to test my dad, so all of us kids know if we needed to be tested. It wasn't until the 4 of us kids quit speaking to him, that he finally decided that he would get the test done. The whole time he was complaining that we were robbing him of his choice to do what he wanted.

He has high cholesterol and refused to take meds or alter his diet. Now he has severe plaque build up on his carotid artery. When my dad started apologizing to the doc for not taking better care of himself, the doc told him to save his breath for when he needed to apologize to his wife, kids and grandkids.

**angelbumpkin** · 08-20-2010, 02:28 PM

I actually made a history for my grandparents including meds. because of oldest lives with them. It is updated by me if their are new hospitalization or medication changes. My son has copy on his computer, we also have print outs in the wallets for each grandparent ,my son has a copy he with him and their is one printed off for each at home and and both cars.

**angelbumpkin** · 08-20-2010, 02:34 PM

My dad shares his history with me my mom passed when I was 19 and I have all this in a big med. history file as well. I have large binder for each kid with health info and family history in them. I also have one for myself.

**ansley** · 08-20-2010, 03:39 PM

I have a DD and would love to find out more about my IL's health history. I know my MIL lost her first DS at full term. MIL went into a coma (not sure if before, during or after giving birth) and was not able to attend the funeral. She was told she would never have a live baby but did end up with 3 living dc and no more losses. She will not talk about it and neither will her mom.

**frugalfranny** · 08-21-2010, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by ansley

She will not talk about it and neither will her mom.

How about if you told her that you wanted the info for future 'health history'? Sometimes they don't want to 'just talk' about things but if they think that it is for helping someone in THEIR life they will talk.

**mek42** · 08-21-2010, 08:56 AM

Regarding the drugs, I know more about the drugs I want to take (300 mg allopurinol to keep the gout away) than the drugs my Dr. wants me to take (BP and cholesterol - I know names but not doses).

**MaryCarney** · 08-21-2010, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by mek42

Regarding the drugs, I know more about the drugs I want to take (300 mg allopurinol to keep the gout away) than the drugs my Dr. wants me to take (BP and cholesterol - I know names but not doses).

Do yourself and the nurses of the world a favor - right now, write the names and doeages of ALL your drugs down on a paper, make two copies, and put one in your wallet and give one to your SO. Thanks!