Poison Control is awesome!

[Anonymous]

Amen!
Also, our local hospital's ask-a-nurse line is amazing. Again, calm, informed, and helpful.

[Anonymous]

They were amazing when I called after my toddler ate a leaf and berry off an outside plant at our new house! Reminder that they take donations — they sent a donation mailer after I had called.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had to call when my toddler son chew through a glow stick and his whole mouth was glowing bright green. They were awesome.

Ps - they are nonpoisonous.

Ha. My cat did that and was foaming at the mouth. 3 hour trip to the emergency vet at 1 am. Good times. Cat was ok though.

I called poison control when I accidentally gave my daughter a medicine meant for my son -- medicines started with the same letter and were kept in the same place. They were very reassuring and all was fine. And I learned to keep their stuff separate and to label everything with masking time and a giant letter of their first names!

[Anonymous]

Called once when my 2 YO ate holly berries from a bush in our yard. They were great!

[Anonymous]

Love how non judgmental they are

[Anonymous]

Yes, I called them many years ago, they were wonderful then!
too embarrassed to share but thank goodness for them!

[Anonymous]

My mom called a bunch for stupid things my brothers and I did - including when my brother ate all the buds off the petunias! Not poisonous, but they said he might poop a lot for a few days.

[Anonymous]

I have a child that is suicidal at times and has overdosed several times. Until this I had no idea but the emergency room calls poison control when there is an overdose and they walk the doctors through what to watch for and what are the signs of stability. Also the school called the time he overdosed at school. They are so valuable to our community.

My own personal story. I was trying to open a tube of glue - might have been the type you use for model cars. It was stuck so I used my teeth. When it came loose I got glue in my mouth. The warnings on the package were terrifying. I called poison control and they instructed me on washing out my mouth and kept me calm - I was sure I was going to die of my own stupidity. Suffice it to say I have not opened any non food item with my teeth since and that was a decade ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child that is suicidal at times and has overdosed several times. Until this I had no idea but the emergency room calls poison control when there is an overdose and they walk the doctors through what to watch for and what are the signs of stability. Also the school called the time he overdosed at school. They are so valuable to our community.

My own personal story. I was trying to open a tube of glue - might have been the type you use for model cars. It was stuck so I used my teeth. When it came loose I got glue in my mouth. The warnings on the package were terrifying. I called poison control and they instructed me on washing out my mouth and kept me calm - I was sure I was going to die of my own stupidity. Suffice it to say I have not opened any non food item with my teeth since and that was a decade ago.

Yes this is a great point that no one has made yet, I was amazed when I worked in a hospital how much the drs relied on poison control. It helps in so many different areas. And like others have said they rely on funding from all of us. I believe they receive some federal funding, but they are not a federal entity. So those reading this - consider donating! they were at risk of needing to close not that long ago. I also had a great experience when I called for my toddler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Radiolab did a really interesting podcast on poison control https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/poison-control

Yes, I really liked that one too! And I thought if it a couple of weeks ago when I called poison control because my 3 year old ate a tube of toothpaste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My niece swallowed a small magnet. My SIL called the poison control and they said to take her to the ER. While she was on the phone with poison control, my brother talked to their Pediatrician. The Pediatrician said they could wait on the ER and gave them the list of symptoms to look for. They did not take my niece to the ER. Poison Control called back and got upset that they had not taken the niece to th ER. Poison control reported them to the Police for child endangerment. The police arrived at the house several hours later and required that they see and talk to my niece. So she had to be woken up so the Police could confirm that she was ok. The next day a Social Worker showed up. It took 2 weeks to clear the entire situation.

How would poison control know she wasn't taken to the ER?

They called back. My SIL said they had not brought her to the ER because the Ped said there was no need for it.

I think poison control is a great idea and very useful. In this case, the worker over stepped and it caused issues. This was about 10 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fortunately, my kids have aged past the time that I had to call poison control a lot- but I had them on speed dial. They are a wonderful resource. They answer quickly, and give good reasonable advice- its not just 'go to the ER.'

Ha, ha. I swear I called this so much with my youngest that they were probably like 'oh, you again'

She ate an african violet, a disposable diaper, gnawed the top off a children's aspirin liquid container and drank the whole thing, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My niece swallowed a small magnet. My SIL called the poison control and they said to take her to the ER. While she was on the phone with poison control, my brother talked to their Pediatrician. The Pediatrician said they could wait on the ER and gave them the list of symptoms to look for. They did not take my niece to the ER. Poison Control called back and got upset that they had not taken the niece to th ER. Poison control reported them to the Police for child endangerment. The police arrived at the house several hours later and required that they see and talk to my niece. So she had to be woken up so the Police could confirm that she was ok. The next day a Social Worker showed up. It took 2 weeks to clear the entire situation.

How would poison control know she wasn't taken to the ER?

They called back. My SIL said they had not brought her to the ER because the Ped said there was no need for it.

I think poison control is a great idea and very useful. In this case, the worker over stepped and it caused issues. This was about 10 years ago.

PP here. When my son overdosed at school and the school called poison control, they asked which ER he was going to do they could call and prepare them. By the time my son reached the hospital the doctors were ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Love how non judgmental they are

Yes. And CALM. The next day callback is wonderful too. Forever grateful for this utility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom called a bunch for stupid things my brothers and I did - including when my brother ate all the buds off the petunias! Not poisonous, but they said he might poop a lot for a few days.

They’ve heard it all and take the time to answer. Stellar.