Medic Alert ID

Hi everyone!
Someone had suggested that I should get a medic alert ID (bracelet).
I was wondering if any of you wonderful folks could give me some advice on whether it is necessary or not and whether you use an ID or not.
I have an ICD and I am also severely allergic to Penicillin and Codeine. I have never gotten a bracelet so far because neither of those drugs would typically be used in an emergency.
Thanks!
Candi

15 Comments

Tic Tok

by gldoble - 2008-06-17 04:06:09

Hi There. THere are some very nice ones on the market. However I don't wear one. Kinda a guy thing I guess. But as tuboz24 said it would be a good idea to have make and model on the braclet. I only carry my card and use it to help zip through airports. But as to having a braclet, ehhhh. If and when need and ambulance or go to a hospital the scar and buldge will be the 1st thing they see. So its your call.

But there are some nice ones out there. And not expensive at all.

Have a nice day and don't forget your coffe tomorrow morning.

Greg

allergys & bracelets

by aldeer - 2008-06-17 04:06:17

Candi, one of the first things they will ask you when you are admitted is "Are you allergic to any meds?". Vicodin makes me violently ill as does codeine, so I have allergic to Vicodin on my bracelet. If you have an allergy to Penicillin be certain to have that on because it can be very serious.If you go to the website medicalert.org you will find many very nice bracelets and they will help you with what info to put on the bracelet. aldeer

I wear one

by TKS - 2008-06-17 04:06:25

at the urging of my husband. He wants paramedics to be sure they know I have a PM and other assorted issues. I do a 25 mile daily commute through the city and he is terrified I might have an accident and not get the proper care (i.e No MRI, etc). So I really wear it more for his peace of mind.

Theresa

information

by turboz24 - 2008-06-17 04:06:44

I would think it would be more important to list your ICD make/model instead of the fact you actually have an ICD. For me, the minute they pull open my shirt, it's very obvious I have one, so since they already know I have one, model/make would probably be more important.

bracelet

by HelenB - 2008-06-17 04:06:57

Hi Candi,

I just ordered one last week. I probably won't wear it all the time but I thought it might be a good idea to have one when traveling or when I move out on my own again.

Mine is from a Canadian company (Universal Medical ID) so the options may be different, but the website had a list of suggestions for what to put on the bracelet. I ended up putting name, then "Heart Patient", then "AICD".

I too wasn't sure whether to put allergies on it - I have a severe shellfish allergy and I am always a little nervous at restaurants. I decided not to put it on the bracelet, though, as there wasn't much room and I always tell the people I am eating out with about the allergy if there is any uncertainty. It sounds like if neither Codeine or Penicillin would likely be used in an emergency, it probably isn't necessary to put them on the bracelet.

Anyway, that's just my two cents. Hope you are having a great day!
Helen

I wear mine 24/7

by Swedeheart - 2008-06-17 05:06:02

Hello Candi,

I have a medic alert bracelet and I got mine via the medcalert.org website. They not only offer the bracelets and engrave them for you they have a wide variety of services that are most excellent if you travel at all. I suggest you check out their website and read through the information there. They are an international organization so if you are in other countries they will be able to assist you. They will help contact your family, doctor, etc. in an emergency especially if you cannot speak for yourself!

I have a PM and I am also allergic to several antibiotics which are commonly used... so I believe the information is vital. I see it as a way to provide information if I can't speak for myself. I think of auto accidents and things of that nature, but with a wonky heart... who knows what might happen! Gives me a deal of peace of mind.

Good luck.

Swedeheart

ID BRACELET

by LindaScarberry - 2008-06-17 06:06:33

Candi

Hi, it's Linda! I too have an ICD and I wear a bracelet. I got a very pretty crystal bracelet from www.laurenshope.com. They have a lot to chose from! I talked with three paramedics the other day and I asked them if they looked for ID bracelet/necklaces. They said it's the first thing they look for; it gives them critical information. Mine has my name, that I have an ICD, allergies and two contact names and numbers.

My doctor highly recommended a bracelet; mine is so pretty no one really notices.

Hope all is well and you are doing better. Let me know how you are feeling and what you are feeling - both physically and emotionally.

linda

more to ponder..

by candi51 - 2008-06-17 07:06:01

Thanks for all the tips! I will have to check out some of these sites.

I am leaning towards putting my drug allergies on the bracelet. Even though I tell them I am allergic someone always ends up trying to feed me a different form of Pennicillin or Codeine. I am allergic to those two so severely that my airway closes, etc.

Some brilliant nursing staff at the hospital when I had my ICD implanted were trying to make me take Tylenol 3- duh, codeine.....

Anyway- I guess it just goes to show that we each have to be our own best advocates!

Thanks for the idea-turbo- I had wondered about adding that info. I figured they would be able to see the device but it would help them to know what it is.

Don't ponder. Just get one

by ted - 2008-06-17 08:06:11

In my opinion, there are no two sides to the question of whether to get a Medic-Alert or similar bracelet. Anyone with an ICD or pacemaker or an allergy to the drugs you have described has to have a bracelet listing your ICD and your allergies. The odds of it making the difference between living and dying may be great, but why gamble with the only life you have?

Why not get one?

by clichtenberg - 2008-06-17 10:06:17

I have one on my son. He can't speak for himself, but you might not either if you are hurt. And I really think you should because of your allergies.

It probably will never be used, but that one time it would have been used could save your life.

There are really pretty ones for women. And it could just have allergic to Penicillin and Codeine and Medtronics pacemaker. They may see the scar, but they won't know which pacemaker you have. I wouldn't want someone going from machine to machine trying to figure out which one you have!

Good Luck!

Be in style....get the ID bracelet!!!

by harley63 - 2008-06-17 11:06:10

Candi~

I got mine from www.laurenshope.com and it's wonderful. The crystal band is interchangable for different outfits! I've found that a lady cannot have TOO many bracelets!! Usually I'll add one or two other nice silver girly bracelets and nobody ever notices. :O) At first I thought it to be like a neon flashing sign, but it's not.

Wear it hun.. it's for the best! I'm a nurse and I advocate for all patient with allergies to have one. Compound the allergies and the internal bling bling.. yeppers, ya' need one! There are many different types on the market, so do some research before you purchase. I've seen some made for the shoe, ankle, belt, necklace and of course the bracelet. And I've seen several for small children that would be very trendy for either gender.

toodles... I need a sign off that's suitable.. what fits me? zoom, zoom.. as I'm the energizer bunny?? hhmm.. until tomorrow??

Harley63

Get one......

by Bionic Beat - 2008-06-17 11:06:43

I have two Medic Alert pieces of "jewellery".

A friend pointed out that the bracelet could fall off, so I have a plain stainless steel disc on a chain and the bracelet.

My doc suggested that the three issues be:
PM Dependent,
Anticoagulated,
followed by my allergy to penicillin.

Medic Alert has the make, model etc of my PM and I have two copies of their information cards.

I either carry a Medtronics card or a Medic Alert card in one of my pockets at all times.

I've covered two pulse points in one go, if they don't notice the bracelet, they'll find the disc.

My doc felt that being anticoagulated was VITAL for them to know, if I am ever unconscious.

I'd hate to have a head bleed after this last year......really.


I feel fabulous!

Bionic Beat

Just do it...

by dward - 2008-06-18 04:06:58

Well, you've already read that getting a medic alert ID is a good idea.

Funny you used the example of Penicillin not being used in an emergency...? I wouldn't be too sure.
One never knows what the scenario might be in an emergency (i.e. an accident where you have severe cuts and bruising, possibility of infection etc.)

My sister AND my cousin BOTH have had close calls getting Penicillin after an accident.
(They both wear Medic-Alert ID now).



Thanks

by candi51 - 2008-06-19 12:06:12

Thanks to all who posted and gave me advice!!
I ordered a bracelet today and a necklace so I have an extra or in case I don't want to wear the bracelet.
I put on it : Heart Patient, ICD SJM V-168, and allergy to Penicillin and Codeine.
I guess that sums it up :-))
Candi

Be safe!

by sweetkozy - 2008-06-20 01:06:11

I would get one just to be on the safe side. You never know what they will give you if you are unconscious. I also know that I would not want to be sent to have an MRI done with a PM implanted if I was unconscious and they didn't know. It's just better to be safe than sorry, even if your chances or something happening are slim!

Cheers:)
Jenny

You know you're wired when...

Lifetime warranty no longer gives peace of mind.

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