What are Your Thoughts on Carrying a Medical Alert ID

[Joefnh]

I had my followup with my GI today and given the time that I will be on Entocort, he mentioned that I should get a medical alert bracelet or pendant.

What are your thoughts on this subject

Thanks in advance


--Joe

[JLH]

http://medids.com/free-id.php

[Gabes-Apg]

mine is for my allergy to penicillian and latex (banana's)
i had been contemplating getting one that states that i have serious food intollerances. I figure if i am passed out and am unable to tell them situation, they will contact my NOK and they can explain the intollerances.

[ant]

I think it is a good idea, but no doctor has suggested it to me (after all MC is "just a nuisance disease" - not!).

Best, Ant

[Linda in BC]

I had no idea one could get a card such as what was offered in JLH's post but I think I will order one. Thanks for posting that! I seldom take chances when I know I am going to be away from a bathroom that I can access right away: I take pepto or immodium, but I have had a lot of close calls, even so. I may never use it, but it would be good to know that I have it if I ever need it.
Linda

[JLH]

You can make a FREE medical alert one on your computer.

[Joefnh]

Thanks for all the inputs. I have decided with much prompting from my ex-wife to order the pendant and wallet ID card from http://www.medicalert.org/ they are a non-profit that has some quality offerings and services. I generally do not wear jewelry but will wear a pendant necklace that will be hidden normally by most any shirt, but any emergency personnel in an emergency room would readily find. That plus the wallet ID card makes sense for the steroids that I am prescribed and the penicillin allergy.

Thanks again for all the help on this website

--Joe

[Olivia-Micro-Colitis]

so yes i was reccomended my my Doc to get one because of the steriods. I haven't yet tho. but i am allowed to wear in with my cammies as soon as i find one.

[Joefnh]

Olivia check out http://www.medicalert.org/ they also have a 'dog tags' version that I also got for $ 9.95 and in my case states that I am taking steroids and am allergic to penicillin. There is a phone # on the ID that a emergency personnel can call with a unique ID # that will reference my medical record. This would be quite helpful if I am not able to talk or whatever.

My understanding is that if you are taking steroids for more than 3 to 4 weeks, that you will need additional steroids if you are significantly injured as your body will not be able to respond to an injury the way it should. If the doctor knows that he or she can give you additional steroids to help you stabilize. If the doctor is not aware of this it could put you at additional risk

Thanks again for the input

--Joe

[Joefnh]

I received my ID kit this Saturday from http://www.medicalert.org and overall the kit is well done. I ordered a simple gold pendant with chain, as a bracelet would drive me nuts. I also ordered a "dog tag" version as a backup. The kit also comes with a nice sturdy plastic credit card sized ID card for your wallet to be placed behind you drivers license. On the pendant it lists that I am steroid dependent and that I have an allergy to penicillin; there is also a unique patient ID # and a 800 toll free phone number with a 24 call service. The wallet ID card has my doctors info, meds, allergies and family contact info.

Registered with the 24 hour call service is my basic medical record including all relevant medical facts, multiple contacts including GI and PCP docs & family and friends.

Overall this seems like a well thought out service, and certainly is worth the time and cost to set this up.

Thanks for all the feedback on this topic.


Nurse Nestle Approved

--Joe

[tex]

Joe,

Talk about irony . . . I voted "no" on your survey, (since I don't have a Medic Alert device), and now, since my TIA on Tuesday, my doctor tells me that I should have one for the Plavix that I'm now taking, because of the bleeding risk. Apparently, aspirin wasn't good enough as a blood thinner, so now I have to be careful that I don't cut myself while shaving, or doing anything else. A simple accident could be fatal, since my blood won't clot, with this stuff in my system. It has to be discontinued a week before elective surgery, for example. I've had two emergency abdominal surgery events within the past 5 years - I reckon I'd better break that habit, ASAP.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

[Joefnh]

Tex I would get the ID. When your out cold its hard to talk to the doc.

Speaking for myself and I'm sure many others, I would want you around for a long long time to come.

--Joe

[tex]

Thanks, I think I'd better take your advice.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

he he he - i wonder how many characters or lines of information the online system can handle......

are they ready for people like us with a big mosiac of medical history!!!!!

[Joefnh]

I hope so...

Hello to the land of Oz. Gabes do you recall a body of water just north of Canberra that every so many years literally disappears? In a couple of trips there in the 90's I actually witnessed this, but cannot remember the name of the lake. A friend of mine was asking me about that on a video I had of the lake but I could not remember the name

--Joe