ID bracelets or tags??

Do most people with PM's/CHF wear med alert bracelets? If so, where is the best place to buy them? I have seen some stylish ones online, but pretty expensive.

Thanks,

Brendakt54

8 Comments

bracelets.....

by Pookie - 2009-04-06 08:04:48

I bought mine from Lauren's Hope. Yes, a tad expensive but oh so beautiful. But hey, we're worth it.!!

I was at the ER last week (non heart related) and the minute I told them I had a pacemaker, the first question out of the nurse's mouth was: where is your bracelet? I had taken it off to have my shower and failed to put it back on.

We all really should be wearing one and I am glad you are looking into it.

Another tip is to put something in your purse or wallet to indicate that you have a pacemaker (or defib). I have gone as far as typing out the list of medications and allergies I have, then I got it lamenated and that is in my purse at all times. I scored a point in the ER for that.

Pookie

bracelets

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-06 08:04:49

Yeah, you should wear one. I resisted for a long time but wear one now. If you search the old posts a few months back, Holly (live_strong), another member who is a paramedic, scared a bunch of us into it. She very eloquently listed all the reasons why we need one.

I have a sportsband for the gym that I got from
http://www.americanmedical-id.com
They also have everything from stainless to 18K, you can pick your charm, chain, etc and customize it.

I got the sportsband there because it comes with their online medical record for free (or you can buy it for $29). All I have on my id is my name, PACEMAKER, the 800# for omr and the access code. Then I went to their website and entered everything from my allergies, doctors, emergency contacts, there's even a place to put a picture, if I'm an organ donor and my blood type. Any medical personal calling that number with the code can basically get my full medical history, way more than you can fit on a charm or even a wallet card.

I got a charm on ebay that I put on a bracelet I already had. It worked out a lot cheaper than getting one from american medical. Do a search, there are tons of them and most come with free engraving.

tattoo

by marijke - 2009-04-07 06:04:03

Well, I have allways an updated letter from the dr in my purse with my medical history and medcation and telephone nrs. But I laso thought of a tatoe on my left upper arm. A heart with an arrow pointing to the pm and written under thr heart "p(e)acemaker". I thought that in case of something would happen at least people know that you have one. But maybe people don't take a tatoo serieus...I'am more afraid of being in a car crass or other accident and than maybe your bracelet got lost and your purse...I live in Jakarta, you don't have those fancy bracelets here. Marijke

Like Tracey said

by walkerd - 2009-04-07 06:04:06

thats what I have bracelet and necklace, bought two for the price of one, they have deals like that all the time, also they have them for about any price affordable to well unaffordable I would call them lol. No but seriously I got the stainless steal ones they are great, never take them off and even some of thier gold ones didnt seem to out of line. And it is amazing all they can put on them for no extra cost.
dave

tattoo

by Brendakt54 - 2009-04-07 10:04:45

hmmm, might be a good idea. I personally do not like to wear bracelets. I wear a watch, wedding rings, earrings and necklace. I did see some watches with the med alert thingie on them.

As far as the tattoo goes though, it would have to be out in plain view or it would probably be missed.
Definitely an option. Or a sports band. Something a little snug and not too masculine.

BrendaKT54

I've been swayed

by Ivana - 2009-04-07 11:04:19

I hesitated about getting an ID until I read all the good arguments for here on this site - now I have a sportsband from amercianmedicalid to wear when I'm out on my own and not with someone who knows my situation

Holly's post

by Tracey_E - 2009-04-07 11:04:41

Here is the link. I think this post convinced dozens of us to go shopping for medical alerts!
http://www.pacemakerclub.com/public/jpage/1/p/story/a/storypage/sid/10273/content.do

e-bay

by ShadowWeaver - 2009-04-07 12:04:36

I just found this guy on eBay, may want to check it out. Looks like some nice bundles.

http://stores.ebay.com/Medical-ID-Alert-Bracelets-and-Tags_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsxQ3asstQQtZkm

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.