Poison Control is awesome!

[Anonymous]

I called when my kid got ahold of one of those plugin air fresheners and sucked all the fluid out. I was a first time mom and thought for sure they would judge me and chastise me for letting DC have access, but nope, they were so kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Love how non judgmental they are

+1 They were so kind every time I called.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

When my DH was a fellow in pediatric emergency medicine, his program actually had them rotate through poison control. He thought it was really useful.

[Anonymous]

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

Thank you! What a great listen. Had missed this one.

[Anonymous]

Poison control has been so helpful as well. The times I’ve called I’ve been paralyzed by indecision and they have calmly talked me through things.

Fun fact: they are located on NM Ave NW in the office building attached to Chef Geoff’s. I had a consulting client over there and it cracked me up every time I walked by the door.

[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?

NP here. I assume that when poison control called back, they asked the parents if she'd been taken to the ER and the parents said no. In my experience, having called poison control several times, they always call back to check up on the situation and to see how the kid is doing.

And, having called pet poison control as well, they did not call back and follow up. There are several pet poison control numbers and they cost different amounts. I think the one we used was $49.

Actually it probably happened in the situation and somebody called CPS on them for another reason and they lied and said it was poison control

[Anonymous]

I was doing a little holiday baking while my newborn slept about 10 feet away. A baking sheet I put in the oven had gotten a large plastic lid stuck to the bottom of it, and in my tired daze I didn't notice--until I started smelling burning plastic fumes in the air. I was worried about whether the fumes might harm my baby, but didn't know whether 'burning plastic fumes' was within scope for poison control. I called them anyway, and they were so great. The person I spoke with (who would have known!) knew a whole lot about plastic and how it burns. Baby was fine, and poison control called later that day and then a few days later to check on him. Love those people.

[Anonymous]

I’m so thankful for poison control. I never thought about saving the number in phone until I heard the Radiolab podcast when it came out. I couldn’t sleep and saved the number in my phone as a “just in case”. Wouldn’t you know it, a few weeks later my son figured out how to get into the baby proof cabinets and take a bite out of a dish washing pod. Called PC and they reassured me he would be okay since he didn’t ingest the liquid.

I had to call a few months ago after a similar story to OPs. I think PC is something most parents don’t think about. I was just thinking that would be a smart gift idea for a new parent, is to include the PC magnet with the number on it for a gift.

They are so calm, cool and collected.

[Anonymous]

I work with poison control on a professional basis. When patients overdose on certain meds/products and are brought to the ED, poison control is consulted. Poison control also follows up hours after to see how the patient is, if there are any symptoms they should note, etc. I'm always impressed by them.

I've called poison control once, when my 6 month old got into the diaper cream, slathered it all over the crib and himself, and it looked like he may have eaten some. They were very nice and said it was one of their most common calls for kids around that age. I don't think many people know that there is an app and online help available. My friend has some social anxiety and has a hard time talking to strangers on the phone so she's very appreciative of places that allow for online access.

[Anonymous]

This thread is an unexpected thread of positivity. Thanks for starting this OP and contributing to these PPs!

[Anonymous]

My cat killed a mouse in my house and I found my son with it in his mouth. I called the pediatrician who said to call poison control. They were unfazed! Amazing resource.