FAK MEDs

A

akennedy73

Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
1,265
What kinds of (modern) medicinal drugs do you carry in your FAK?

My list:

Basic analgesics: Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen

Antihistamine for anaphylactic shock

Immodium for diarrhea

Vicodin for extreme pain-relief

Doxycycline as general antibiotic, carried specfically for Lyme's infection

Ephedrine for when sleep is not an option

----------

Just wondering what others carry...
 
akennedy73 said:
What kinds of (modern) medicinal drugs do you carry in your FAK?

My list:

Basic analgesics: Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen

Antihistamine for anaphylactic shock

Immodium for diarrhea

Vicodin for extreme pain-relief

Doxycycline as general antibiotic, carried specfically for Lyme's infection

Ephedrine for when sleep is not an option

----------

Just wondering what others carry...
Click to expand...


If you are carrying diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for anaphylaxsis you need to be carrying an epipen. Diphenhydramine won't act quickly enough orally if you have an anaphylactic reaction. I am not suggesting this but there is some speculation that instead of an epi pen relief could be gotten by use of a non prescription epi inhaler like Primatene Mist. The problem with this is the dose and thre may be other issues with this as well and I am absolutely NOT suggesting you rely or even try this without consulting a physician. If you need an epi pen talk to your doctor. If you need an epi for wilderness travel you need three and diphenhydramine and instructions from a doc.

FWIW,
KR
 
Thanks for the info - an epi-pen has been something I've been meaning to get for a while now. Although I'm not at risk, my wife is (the risk is from food allergens and not insect stings).

So, the diphenhydramine should be for allergic reactions but isn't sufficient for anaphylactic shock - thanks again for clearing that up for me. My weak point in survival knowledge and skills is medical care - and it's one I'm determined to correct.
 
standard in my FAK and PSK are:

Advil
Immodium AD
Gravol

I sometimes bring along a couple Bendryl incase I get swarmed by hornets/bees/wasps. I have been stung by all in the past without anysort of reaction, but I don't know what would happen if I were stung over nad over by many of them, especially in the face.

I also carry Naproxen (Aleve) for my back. I have a herniated disc, and when it acts up, it is the only thing that helps. Advil does nothing. But for other basic muscle/joint pain, Advil works better for me.

When I travel overseas I bring ciprofloxacin for (anitbiotic) for diarreah.

Will
 
hehe

I was camping with a good group of folks when one complained of a headache. I sauntered to my gear and back asking if he wanted plain Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Advil, or Excedrin. It looked like a plastic bag of skittles and he said that when he was a cop, he busted guys that had bags that looked like that. He took some Ibuprofen, IIRC.

I also take anti-diarheals, anti-histamines, Tylenol with a sleep agent for the nights I really need sleep, and general anit-biotic. I've been trying to replace what I can with the fastest acting version on the market, when I can. My view: In the woods, I want to feel better as quickly as possible.

I would also suggest carrying them in ziplock bags that have the type of med, active ingredient, and recommended dosage info. I have to be careful, as my wife has several sensitivities to different meds. When my daughter is with us, I am sure to pack meds specifically for children.
 
akennedy73 said:
Thanks for the info - an epi-pen has been something I've been meaning to get for a while now. Although I'm not at risk, my wife is (the risk is from food allergens and not insect stings).

So, the diphenhydramine should be for allergic reactions but isn't sufficient for anaphylactic shock - thanks again for clearing that up for me. My weak point in survival knowledge and skills is medical care - and it's one I'm determined to correct.
Click to expand...

Not a problem. Just be aware Epi is not benign. It is a very powerful medication. So much so it is a acountable medication on the ambulance. Used improperly it can kill people. I don't mean that as an academic exercise, it happens. The key with epi is to determine if it is a reaction or an anaphlactic reaction. The difference between the two is both patients get hives or feels itchy. The one suffering from anaphylaxsis also complains of breathing difficulty or swelling in the throat. The hives and itchiness is a reaction. The breathing difficulty or airway constriction is anaphylaxsis. If they don't have one or both of those two problems as well as the hives or itching don't give an epi. You can cause more problems then they originally had.

My suggestions would be as follows. Make sure your wife is truly allergic by going to see a doctor. He will prescribe the epi if she needs it. Second, maybe both of you would want to take a first responder class (usually 40 hours) or an EMT class (usually around 120 hours). After that you could get some more really good training by continuing your training and taking the wilderness component of those classes offered by some outdoor schools. Really useful information for when you are going to be more than an hour away from hospital care.

KR
 
Doxycycline as general antibiotic, carried specfically for Lyme's infection
Click to expand...
That's not something you want to take if you don't need to. Believe you me, I was on that stuff last spring for a not too serious but stout infection, for a couple months. It did the job alright, but the sideaffects are nasty. I developed loose stools and ended up in restroom within an hour or two of eating (#2). Also, when on Doxycycline the doctor ordered blood tests to make sure I was not getting messed up. You need to be under serious observation on that stuff.

Looking at your list, I would like to know where you are getting scripts for those drugs. No doctor I know of would be handing those out so you can keep some on hand. Vicodin is a HIGHLY ADDICTIVE pain reliever. "Doxy" requires a script as well, and doctors would be in an extreme liability if you were t screw yourself up with either, and no doubt the DEA might be interested in having a chat with them as well.
 
mp510 said:
That's not something you want to take if you don't need to. Believe you me, I was on that stuff last spring for a not too serious but stout infection, for a couple months. It did the job alright, but the sideaffects are nasty. I developed loose stools and ended up in restroom within an hour or two of eating (#2). Also, when on Doxycycline the doctor ordered blood tests to make sure I was not getting messed up. You need to be under serious observation on that stuff.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right - tetracyclines as a class are nasty antibiotics. But I carry it because I'd rather deal with the side-effects of taking it than dealing with the side-effects of Lyme's disease for the rest of my life. If I believe I've been infected from a tick-bite and I'm out in the woods, I'm not waiting 24 to 48 hours to see a doctor, get diagnosed and get a prescription filled. Lyme's is a spirochete bacteria that likes to set up in anaerobic areas of the body - and once it gets set up it's very difficult to root out. A speedy response to Lyme's infection is the best chance of preventing a chronic debilitating disease.

mp510 said:
Looking at your list, I would like to know where you are getting scripts for those drugs. No doctor I know of would be handing those out so you can keep some on hand. Vicodin is a HIGHLY ADDICTIVE pain reliever. "Doxy" requires a script as well, and doctors would be in an extreme liability if you were t screw yourself up with either, and no doubt the DEA might be interested in having a chat with them as well.
Click to expand...

The Vicodin was given to me by a friend who had a few left over after surgery. Is it legit for me to carry it? Probably not. But I'll take my chances with running into the DEA out on the trail... :cool:

Doxycycline and other powerful antibiotics are all available without a prescription from vendors on the internet (not to mention a lot of other drugs that aren't controlled substances).

Check out http://www.freedom-pharmacy.com/Default.asp

Saves a lot of Americans a trip to Canada for drugs they can't afford...:thumbup:
 
kr1 said:
If you are carrying diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for anaphylaxsis you need to be carrying an epipen. Diphenhydramine won't act quickly enough orally if you have an anaphylactic reaction. I am not suggesting this but there is some speculation that instead of an epi pen relief could be gotten by use of a non prescription epi inhaler like Primatene Mist. The problem with this is the dose and thre may be other issues with this as well and I am absolutely NOT suggesting you rely or even try this without consulting a physician. If you need an epi pen talk to your doctor. If you need an epi for wilderness travel you need three and diphenhydramine and instructions from a doc.

FWIW,
KR
Click to expand...

I agree that those that are for sure allergic to say bee stings, etc., should carry a sting kit, or an epi pen, or both. However, instead of just one pen, I would get a couple. The reason being is that the epi pen is designed to control anaphylactic reaction until help arrives. If you are in the wilderness, odds are help isn't coming.

I do carry benedryl with me in the field, but I'm not really allergic to anything except a certain anti-biotic, which I'm not likely to take in the wilderness. I carry it in case I do have a reaction to a plant like poison ivy/oak, or a mild reaction to a previously uncontacted pollen.

The meds I carry are:

Ibuprofen
Benedryl
Imodium AD
Baby aspirin
 
Liking to travel light, I carry:
Aspirin (good for headaches, fever, and heart attacks, three and a quart of water before crashing help prevent hangovers)
sudefeds
a small bottle of betadine (for wounds)
blood stop powder
tums
chapstick

So far I have found no need for drugs (croses fingers) other than oxytetracycline (residides in the long term bugout supplies not in the smaller kits).
Many doctors feel that it is better to let diarhea run its course rather than trap the cause inside.
Ibuprofen, tylenol, excedrine etc. don't work better than aspirin for me so I don't carry them.

Enjoy!
 
I remember reading that tetracycline will get old and
not only lose potency, but will become toxic.

BTW, herbs can be dangerous as well.

At one stage in my life, I investigated many pharmaceuticals.
I was over reacting and over studying on this one aspect of
survival.

If you or a loved one have a special condition, your research
makes sense, but still, keep it all in perspective.

Question: are you on such a long trip that you must carry
meds for Lyme disease? Is getting treatment from a doctor so
expensive or so much trouble, that you gravitate toward self
treatment? Examine your real risk and real motives; sometimes
frustration with the med establishment can cause over reaction.

Keep going down this road and you might be diagnosing incorrectly.
Treating with meds/herbs that are not appropriate may cause
additional disease and symptoms, a downward spiral.
 
I remember reading that tetracycline will get old and
not only lose potency, but will become toxic.
Click to expand...

You are 100% accurate.

More specifically if you use out of date tetracycline class drugs can cause an individual to have dangerous side effects, especially to the kidney.
 
Thank you both on the info regarding toxicity of tetracyclines - I'll be sure to keep mine up-to-date. This is precisely why I posted this thread - to get this sort of advice.

Yes, I've been in locations (the last place I went camping) with endemic lyme's disease where reaching a doctor could be 24 hours away depending on transportation availability. Perhaps I should be willing to wait that long - but I'm not. I've known those who suffer from Lyme's and it's a horrible disease - the bacteria sets-up in your joints and areas around your neurons. Gives you arthritis and makes you crazy. Just something I'm pretty determined to avoid. I'm not germ-phobic and not obsessed with the possibility of infection in general. I grew up having to pick ticks off myself almost every night during the summer months from running around in the woods.

But given the overpopulation of deer, Lyme's has become endemic in the Eastern States of N. America. And I'm just going to do everything I can to not get it - including self-administering hardcore antibiotics. Once I get to see the doctor after an infection, I'll deal with his or her being upset that I've already taken matters into my own hands.
 
akennedy73 said:
But given the overpopulation of deer, Lyme's has become endemic in the Eastern States of N. America. And I'm just going to do everything I can to not get it - including self-administering hardcore antibiotics. Once I get to see the doctor after an infection, I'll deal with his or her being upset that I've already taken matters into my own hands.
Click to expand...

Also be aware that if the tick has been on for less than 24-48 hours the risk of transmission is very very low.

KR
 
kr1 said:
Also be aware that if the tick has been on for less than 24-48 hours the risk of transmission is very very low.

KR
Click to expand...

Yes, that's usually true - and sometimes it's not:

"An infective tick with local infection must be attached to the host for a day or more before transmission of Borrelia burgdoferi occurs. However, a systematically infected tick or improper tick removal may cause transmission of Lyme Disease much sooner."

Some deer ticks are really really small. Timely removal assumes you'll see something to remove:

pencil.jpg
 
if you are doing to take Doxycycline for lime disease, 100mg twice daily for min 2 weeks. My mother just got perscribed for it and she is on it for 20 days. This appears to be standard dosing for lyme.

There are secondary infections from tick bites that often occur with lyme.

Permethrin treated clothing and deet by all accounts do work very well.
 
I carry aspirin, that is the best pain reliever for me...also use it for sleep.
Ibuprofin, a good muscular relaxant and pain reliever...but would not use it too often...bad for the liver, so I'm told.

Neosporin, a good antibacterial.

Cortizone-5, a good anti-itch ointment.

Other than that, bring along your usual meds.

If you're freakin out about bee stings, everbody else should know it, and what to do about it...likewise where is your glycerine for heart attacks...?

And any other special meds...otherwise, you guys are talking way over my head. If you need special meds bring them and tell everybody about it. Don't leave home without them.
 
I have not been in Eastern forests in many years,
and I am no expert in population dynamics or
ecology.

IMO:

Deer, insects, and brushy plants are overpopulated.

In the far past, Indians would start a fire if there was
too much tall grass or brush plants OR too many ticks.
Some farmers do controlled burns even today.

Many of the over populations of brush, deer, ticks are
near developed areas, with non-agricultural people.

Certain seasons are worse for these insects. (Spring?)

Use your creativity when you schedule trips: avoid the
worst of the worst. For example, do your cross country
bush wacking in early Spring or mid Fall.

Visit the West where there is less thick brush; you can
easily pick and choose what kind of area you want.
In the Rockies, season and insect hatch varies with
elevation so pick the right elevation.
 
fnc wrote; "I remember reading that tetracycline will get old and
not only lose potency, but will become toxic."
I agree most medicines will decay with time. That is why they have date codes.
Check critical resources regularly and replace those items in danger of exceeding their usefull life.
Enjoy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top