So I'm going to be ordering a medical alert bracelet...

[CAMary]

I'm taking extra precautions on the side where I had lymph nodes removed to prevent swelling and long term potential problems. No IVs, blood draws or BP on that side. These things could certainly be done w/o my consent if I was in an accident/unconscious etc..

I get 4 lines. Haven't fine-tuned my wording yet...would it be worth adding "no NSAIDS"? I figure I don't need to worry about the gluten issue - it's not like they'd be tube-feeding me "Cream of Wheat" if I was comatose Are NSAIDS only in pill form, and therefore not a concern as if I could swallow a pill, I could also verbally refuse it ?

What do you think? I'm also getting one that looks more like jewelry. I know some people think those can be easily overlooked by medical personnel - but if I need to wear it all the time, it needs to be cute
There are no guarantees when you wear *any* bracelet - and God forbid I'll ever need the information accessed, but I'll make the effort anyways...

Mary - getting all of my ducks in a row

[annie oakley]

Hi Mary....I think it's a good Idea. I'm with you If I had to wear it all the time I would want it cute also. I carry a list of medical problems and meds in my wallet as well. So maybe you could do that as well as the bracelet. I really think most people are aware of mrdical bracelets these days and check people closely, especially medical people. I'd like to see a pic of it when you get it. Love Oma

[tex]

Mary,

I think you are correct. I've been looking, and it appears that virtually all of the tube-feeding formulations are gluten free. Most of them contain maltodextrin, but in this country, maltodextrin, (unless stated otherwise on the label), is made from corn, (and sometimes potatoes). The only hitch is that medical compounds are exempt from the standard labeling laws. I'm not sure that tube-feeding solutions would be considered to be pharmaceuticals, (or medical compounds), since many of them are commonly available OTC, (examples are Boost, Ensure, etc.). Of course, many other meds and supplements, (including vitamin supplements), are available OTC, also, and we tend to be suspicious of them.

From a practical standpoint, I would say that the odds of gluten turning up as a feedstock source for the maltodextrin, would be practically zero at this point in time. The reason I say this is because wheat is always priced higher than corn, and it is historically high this year, at two to three times it's normal long-term price. Typically, the price of wheat, to the farmer, is in the $3 to $4 category. It is now worth around $8 per bushel, and the price continues to climb. Corn, on the other hand, is also historically high, but it is priced around the $3 per bushel level, so no manufacturer in his right mind is going to use wheat for a product that can be made from corn.

I'm not sure about NSAIDS in general, but plain old asprin has always been available in powder form, which means that it is easy to put into solution. Whether or not a hospital would do that, I wouldn't venture to guess. The few times that I've been in a hospital, and in need of pain medication, they always used morphine, by IV, or pills with a combination of hydracodone and acetaminophen. If they had slipped something into the IV, though, I wouldn't have had a clue.

I think it's a good idea. If they at least notice it, it should cause anyone treating you to be more alert about what they do, and it clearly shows that you are concerned about how you are to be treated.



Tex

[barbaranoela]

Hiya Mary-----I think its a good idea----

Kait wears a bracelet and U cant imagine how many people DO notice and then proceed to ask about her issues--

Its a *safety* factor~~~~

And they do carry some very nice ones too---
luve Barbara