Medical ID braclets/necklace

I was wondering how many of you wear a medical alert braclet or necklace to alert medical personnel of the pacemaker. I am very young and don't want to wear one. The worst part about my decision is that I am an ER nurse and also a Paramedic. The way I look at it is if they have to work on me and put me on a cardiac monitor and they don't see the pacer spikes then they are not that intellegant to begin with. However I am 100% paced and I know not everyone is!! So just wondering if I'm the only one that doesnt want to wear one???

12 Comments

Medical ID braclets

by scpck - 2008-01-23 02:01:15

I'm an RN and I have a nice gold colored engraved Spiedel Medic Alert bracelet. I've never needed to be paced so no spikes would show. My caution (not really fear) is someone unknowingly would think that flat device is a venous access device (portacath/medport etc). It has been known to happen.
On the back of my bracelet are my med allergies so pretty bracelet, peace of mind.

Medical ID braclets

by June2901 - 2008-01-23 02:01:32

I am 33 and got my pacemaker when I was 27. I have never worn one just because we didn't want my stepson to know I have a pacemaker. My husband is a paramedic also and he urged me to when I first got it. I let a few people I work with know just in case something happens. My opinion is it is each person's choice. Being young, I don't want everyone to know I have one. Good luck!

Try going here....

by gmnordy - 2008-01-23 03:01:37

To www.fiddledeeids.com That is where I got mine. They are so pretty and I have had mine for years.

Debbi

medica alert

by Shell - 2008-01-23 05:01:40

I've been a member of Medic Alert since I was 8 (way before I got my pm) (I'm 36 now) I've always had a complete heart block. I hated wearing it then and as a teenager I kept it on my key chain. As an adult I wore it when I went on my honeymoon and when I was pregant. when my second son was born i decided to spurlge and get a nice gold plated bracelet. (can't afford a real gold one) Then when I got my pm i got a new one. It also has on it that I take coumadin. Plus, if anything happens they can call and get my info and medication I'm on. (being an ER nurse I'm sure you know this.) Medic alert has so may different styles now they don't all look like a medical bracelet.I feel safe if I go out with my licensce because I always have my id on. I don't know how many time I've been asked what I'm allergic to or if I have diabetes when people see my bracelet.

Medic Alert

by Yorker - 2008-01-23 06:01:59

I've only had my "diehard battery" for 2 1/2 months, and got an alert bracelet right away, while I don't like "advertising" that there is an issue with my health, I figure it's better that everyone know than no one. The one I have now is pretty utilitarian, but I plan on getting a nicer one in the near future, I guess it just a matter of how well you adjust to being battery powered, it's best to look at it as just another part of your life and embrace it!

I don't....

by mobags - 2008-01-23 08:01:27

I also don't wear a bracelet but I'm also bad in that I don't carry my pacer id card. I guess I'm not so much bonded with it yet (got it in oct). Maybe it's because I feel strange that I have it at my age (33). Plus only the people I work with know about it (I work in the OR that I got it at) my family and friends still don't know so there's no way I would wear an id.

I don't

by turboz24 - 2008-01-23 08:01:33

I though about wearing some sort of ID, but if I'm ever in the Hospital and they start working on me, since I have an ICD, it's hard to miss that cell phone sized lump with a visible cable coming out of it, so.

When I need to replace my ICD or it needs work and I have it relocated, I might get a bracelet also since I would hope you couldn't see it anymore.

Please wear one

by Jack - 2008-01-23 09:01:58

Holly,
You are forgetting about accidents AWAY from the hospital environment. I have stopped at the fire station and questioned several paramedics and they all agreed that they look for MedicAlert chains and bracelets. Plus, as someone as already said, they give a phone number and ID # to get the total picture of your health.
I wear mine 24 hrs. a day and really feel safer.
Please wear one ALL the time.
Jack

p.s. With the several different locations they place PM's now they might miss yours visually.

Young or not

by ela-girl - 2008-01-23 10:01:24

I was 29 when I got my pm and am almost 31 (thanks to the pm!). I've worn a medic alert bracelet since the beginning. You 'supposed' to take your pm card everywhere with you--even if you just leave the house for a walk. Well, if I'm not carrying my purse, my card doesn't go with me. So, it's such peace of mind to just have the bracelet. It looks nice and the id part of it looks like a charm--I've never had anyone notice it's a medic bracelet either but have gotten compliments on it. I realize that having a pm and telling people is an individual decision...but I REALLY don't see the big deal about other people knowing. Of course, that's just me. I am not self concious about it. Why should I be? You can also get id's that go on your shoe lace or on a key fab etc. so it doesn't just have to be a bracelet.

I say wear one!
ela-girl

Hi Holly!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-01-24 03:01:22

I completely relate to you. I have no desire to have a medical braclet but my dr did recommend it. I also would say from my experience of being an EMT it was the first thing I always checked for. But i'm also stubborn they get in the way when you are taking care of others and I have always looked at them and have said they don't fit me.
So don't take any of my advice because you probably should get one as I should do the same but i'm also young and would prefer just carrying my pm card with me in my pocket.
Good luck at finding one that will fit you.

Tammy

medic braclet

by Janice - 2008-01-24 12:01:04

Hi Holly,

My husband got me one for Christmas. He bought it at a jewelry store. It is 14 K gold and very feminine. On the back, he had it engraved PACEMAKER, AND DIABETIC. You can get alot of different sizes and styles of bracelets. I have alot of comments on mine, and it basically looks like a gold chain braclet. The website that Karen gave you is good also. They have some very different styles, and are pretty. I think you should wear one. Shop around and I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Take care,
Janice

I wear one

by Megg - 2008-03-31 01:03:23

as I ride horses and if I had an accident the paramedics would know immediately. My PM is hardly visible.My bracelet is a sterling silver medic alert,not the large one it is the next size down.It doesn't get in the way.I had to get mine made smaller.

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