I've volunteered to speak to a group of new doctors (residents and interns) about mast cell disorders.  I have some ideas myself, but want to get some from all of you, too, about what they need to know.  

I'll only have about 30 minutes to enlighten them, so if there is  something you think they definitely should know, I would love to hear your ideas!!

Here are some of the topics I already plan to touch on:

*Believe your patients really do have something wrong with them, even if their symptoms don't make sense to you at first.  Don't stop looking because the easy things turn up negative.  Instead, start looking for the harder to diagnose possibilities.

*Common symptoms of mast cell problems

*Testing to rule mast cell disorders in or out (Heather, may I copy  your chart to use for this presentation?)

*Meds to try on a new patient when you suspect a mast cell disorder

*The similarities and differences between MCAD, MCAS, IA, ISM, SSM, ASM, etc.

THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

Joan wrote on 02/11/11 at 15:35:55:

Of course!

And Kim... that's a great suggestion about referrals.  Another thing I would add is the definition of anaphylaxis (acute onset, at least two different systems in the body).  Way too many people think "it's only anaphylaxis if you have hives" or "it's only anaphylaxis if your throat swells shut"... etc...  NOT TRUE.  A good example would be vomiting plus tachycardia.  It might look like "food poisoning" or even a heart attack, but sometimes it's not!

Heather

Joan, at the last Masto conference they were talking about Dr C/ Akin/ and other top docs are coming up with a "training seminar" which will hopefully become available online also and Dr's will be able to receive those (can't recall real name) ..... learning credits they have to keep up with. Anyway until then, I'm guessing if you contacted TMS they would furnish you with a packet for each doc in the room you are speaking to. The Mast Cell Activation Symptomatoloty DVD 9 thats the you tube video with 4 or so specialists, then theres the ER Protocol info ( hopefully corrected! after your find)  my biggie is they need to understand gastrointestinal anaphalaxis  so many docs have nooooo clue. Anyway see if TMS will donate some educational products for doctors, I'm guessing the would greatly support that. It was a topic this year, how to rapidly get the education out there to dr's and ER's.

Hi Joan , Ramona , heather ,

I am embarking on some teaching for ED here My recant experience of them wanting to send me home without an epi pen has secured it as a vital need

Any and all ideas welcome . I have developed a patient to hold guide to help patients stand their ground esp with aytpical presentaions , like , as you mentioned heather , tachycardia and vomiting .

All ideas welcome
Jose