Medic Alert Bracelets - Do you wear one?

[Justin May]

used to wear one as a kid for the stroke I had. Now it's no biggie, EMTs don't look for them around here or are bound to do what theyre gonna do even when confronted with a bracelet.

I like the dog tag idea, but I rarely wear jewelry. I kinda thought a tatoo would work better for me, but i need to think that all the way through.

I can attest to the medical profession around here thinking all young people are on illegal drugs. It is worth it to me, though, having to get loud and nasty with a murse who basically called me a liar and a druggie after performing three $500 illicit drug tests in three days, while I was in the ICU. Frustrating to say the least. But it's preferrable to being marked as a liability wherever I may go.

[April1811]

I really wish that wearing a medic alert watch would make a different but in my area the ambulance drivers don't even look for them. I really wish they would look for them much more I don't even think if they do see them they pay attention to them. What can I do? When I got into the hospital they were taking my blood for something I didn't even take. I asked them if they looked at my watch and they said the ambulance driver should of, but he didn't write down the meds. from the watch just what I told him after my seizure. How many times do I remember what I was saying after my seizure? How can we complain to the Ambulance Company they just want money and take notes. They know I have epilesy and they know I will wake up soon after picking me up, I have gotton all the records of the ambulance company and I am really upset they don't pay attention more to the medic alert watch at all.

[stilldancing_98]

I don't wear one and I should. I have a lot of medical issues. They do pay attention here.And my son needs one. We are well known in the community that we live in , but if we go on a vacation or something its different. They have to be able to contact our Dr.s I will get an anklet.I think.

[Belinda5000]

I don't wear medic alert and I should wear something.
I have something actually telling of my epilepsy,asthma,bronchitas,allergy iodine which can kill me if injected.
Belinda

[brain]

My Hospital System now has a new modernized
system for awhile now, and I don't know about
the availability in other major metro-areas.

But there are options:

1) Notifying your major Law Enforcement Agency
of the County (If Sheriff or Police) - and alerting
them and providing them the info, so in turn they
can put the information on the 9-1-1 database
as well; some of them will even go so far as to
ask info of your Doctors, medications you are
allergic to (major meds), the Hospital you prefer
to be sent to (it's a good idea to discuss this with
your Doctors as far as which Hospital so they would
be in rapport), emergency contact info, etc.

2) You can also go into your Driver's License Office,
whether License or ID - and have that same info
as above, but the State often asks for more specifics.
(In case of the event if you had to be transported to
a Trauma Center or somewhere else, they will have
all this further information on that State database).

3) Hospital System now have new modernized system
whether via: thumb print, palm print and some have
eye (iris) scanners - where your information and every-
thing is already in the system, so in the event if you are
ever unable to respond, unconscious, in coma, or
whatever the case might be - they can get it all in a snap
with no time lost at all!

----------------------

I am on all three of the above systems, even though
I do wear a medic alert bracelet and have special cards
in my wallet - and pretty much everyone knows who I
am anyway (and that's embarrassing to me), but there's
been times they've used the scanner to get my records
in a flash - that's how quick and handy it is.

-------------------------------------

With this computerized technology, even the Medical
Doctors can put in "orders" to the ER specifically as
well as monitoring you via the computer without even
having to go down to see you and having all the test
results right then and there even if they are in their own
office and provide directions from that standpoint. It
really is amazing that 1 Doctor can handle 9 of their
patients at 5 different Hospitals who are in the ER Dept
for various reasons all at once - right smack at their
computers! So much faster and speedier and the patient
gets the proper care and instructions without the Doctor
having to fly all over the place like crazy! Even if it's 21
patients of his/hers, which could range from an accident
to a fall to whatever it might be - but it might drive the
poor Doctor "nutty"... having to handle 21 patients all
scattered abroad like that.

The good thing is, the Physician can determine from the
results of who can be discharged or admitted, because
they know the patient, unless the ER Doctor finds some-
thing else on top of it and admission is necessary, so
these computerized systems are truly a big blessing than
the phone ringing off the hook and having all these things
read to them.

Because many Physicians now have Patients Charts also on
computers, they are able to pull up their Patients up on the
computers and *Presto-Bango* - So and So is right there!
And they can be evaluated and monitored right there and
so much more.

I encourage you to be involved if it's all available in your
area, even if only part of it is available - get in, and get
recorded ... for one day, it can save your own life!

[cbmc]

I wear a medic alert bracelet all the time. At first I was annoyed because I felt I was labeled for everyone to see but no one even notices it. Medic Alert has a id number that allows the hospital to access contact info. and info. on medication etc... so if it takes a while to become aware of what is going on my husband can be contacted. I think if there is any possibility that time will be saved or better treatment will occur it is worth the effort.

[stilldancing_98]

Now how did every body go about getting one, and how much did you pay?

[brain]

Now how did every body go about getting one, and how much did you pay?

Umm, mine was on sale for $1.50 plus tax
at a Grocery store!

It was pre-engraved!



But seriously, my ex-husband years ago bought
a 14k gold one, and when I had a Grand Mal (Tonic
Clonic) - it vanished! This was an expensive
bracelet with a double-locking lobster clasp.
I can't remember how much he paid for but
gold was high back then and it's unknown if
the paramedics, ambulance tech, or even the
hospital personnel staff took it.

What was so insulting was, I hadn't even had
it for very long, I can't remember but it couldn't
be for 4 or 5 months. He phoned everyone, but
everyone "denied" touching it or having seen it.
(And yet, I had the 14k gold wedding band on
and the 18k gold necklace on?) Of course they
had IV on both of my arms - so it's hard to say,
but we always stuck with the cheap ones since then
as my (ex) husband said he wasn't going to spend
a fortune on another expensive nice jewelry like
that again.

But that wasn't the ONLY thing though.

I've had other seizures where paramedics, ambulance,
and hospital personnel had taken other gold jewelry
10k and 14k and one 18k (necklace) - white, yellow,
and white and yellow gold. Rings with genuine precious
stones (diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc - as I'm very
picky about the quality and grades - I know this stuff),
and necklaces - with or without charms and charms
that came with or without precious stones. Earrings
that were with or without precious stones.

I do not wear faux jewelry or faux stones.
I loathe them!

But for now - I'm just sticking with an "el cheapo".

[Belinda5000]

I have a sterling silver necklace engraved on it.
I paid about $40-50.00 I don't remember how long ago.
I can't wear anything that's not sterling silver or gold I break out.
Belinda

[feast]

You really should wear a medic alert bracelet. You will have a number that the doctor can call in an emergency. What if you are in an accident and wind up in the ER or ICU. They will not have a clue what illnesses you have and who to contact.

With Medic-Alert they will contact your family. Medic-Alert has a toll free number. I urge you to contact them.
feast

[feast]

[Belinda5000]

a bracelet no thanks the necklace will do and it is medic alert.
I use have a bracelet and it broke when I went running down stairs catch the subway and broke my foot.
Belinda

[stilldancing_98]

Yes, I want a silver necklace. I break out to. Or white gold.

[ziggidypoo]

It would seem that EMT's are more interested in stopping the immediate prob than looking for a bracelet or necklace. Where I live, an Assisted Living Facility they are given a "face sheet" but it is not always accurate and a list of all medications (usually accurate) - the EMT's look at those. They ALWAYS do the STERNUM RUB - I hate that.

I wear a tag - BRIGHT RED - with all of my doodah's - name - address - phone - blood type - allergies - med conditions - etc. They sometimes look at that.

Mostly they listen to my companion, who knows me best.

AND, even in slow motion, when I am semi- alert, they listen to me because I tell them POST-ICTAL!!!

[stilldancing_98]

Because you can say postical? lol You are so smart Zig. What am I going to do with you?I still don't have a bracelet. Every county is getting to know me. lol

[feast]

I am Feast. Yes, I do wear a Medic-Alert Bracelet.

[feast]

I am Feast

I wear a Medic Alert Bracelet.

[joan]

I wish my son would wear one but he wont. The only time I can con-vince him to wear one is when he travels. We're working on him*

I think it a good idea to wear one as it gives anyone trying to help a clue. Looking at my son, his age, I bet they jump to the wrong conclusion its drugs. I think it just safer? to wear one.

Enjoy the day all
joan*

[feast]

Hi
The other sons/daughters will not jump to the idea of illegal drugs. He needs to explain, if they ask, that it is for his protection. He can explain the Medic Alert to others who may need one, but did not know about it.

[Contralto]

I just figured I would mention that my mom has been a paramedic for years.

Most of the EMTs aren't cruel enough to steal jewelry or other valuable from you, but there are times where it does happen.

Most EMTs care greatly about their job and the people they take care of, but there's always the one or two people who just happened to finish their Basic degree and find nothing in it aside from the money.



As for MA bracelets, I wore my mom's first husband's Epilepsy bracelet for a couple years. (No relation, he died before I was born.) I decided to stop wearing it after the chain broke and I nearly lost it. It was too important to my mom to let something like that happen.

I plan to get a new one soon, since things have gotten worse. Working two jobs, where many of the employees I work with don't remember things like my medical history; it's starting to look like a necessity.