Medical ID tag - do you wear one?

girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:44 am

Curious as to how people feel about wearing medical ID jewelry. Usually I think people use a bracelet for that. For those with multiple meds and medical conditions, is there one single medical database where one registers? I know with microchipping pets, one relies on some vet somewhere scanning a lost or stolen pet, and then checking the chip with different microchip companies. Not as easy as it sounds at first glance.

As I've got only my DH local, no other family here, it seems I might consider wearing an ID bracelet. If there were a high demand, it might be interesting to see if a quantity discount were available. But then, one would have to have someone coordinate it, which could be really intense.

girlsaylor

hayeswildrick · Post by **hayeswildrick** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:11 pm

I've wondered about this too. Got a "free" medical id necklace when I joined a sleep apne group, but I've never worn it. Perhaps if I were traveling far from home or out of the country. But I've lived with sleep apnea for years, and I've only been on therapy for about a month. I'm not sure why an EMT would need to know this before my wife got to the hospital.

Jeff

ScottH · Post by **ScottH** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:14 pm

Kind of wondering about that myself. I've heard that if you're admitted to the hospital it will impact your care if they know you're on xPAP therapy, but an EMT wouldn't need to know that.

I already wear a dogtag style medical ID, because they can squeeze more lines of data onto one, but I'm wondering if I need to have a new one made.

lpady · Post by **lpady** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:58 pm

I don't wear a medical ID tag, but I do carry a medical information card in my wallet that I update as needed. There is a website where you can make one for free: http://www.medids.com/free-id.php

They also sell medical id's, of course, but I find the wallet card id enough for me.

Linda

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:24 pm

Obstructive sleep apnea doesn't just occur during sleep. If I was unconscious I would want the EMT's to know I had obstructive sleep apnea. I wear one. On a recent trip to the hospital for surgery I went early to make sure I got to talk to preop and postop staff. And checked that they had a CPAP available (took one of my old masks that is easy to put on). Plus I had my CPAP in the car.

Janine · Post by **Janine** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:04 pm

I know I should, more for having insulin dependent diabetes than anything, but haven't for most of my almost 30 years with it because I don't like them.

I am a silversmith though, and have been thinking I should just make my own nice one that I would actually wear.

I am new to OSA, so had not thought about adding it. I was in the ER earlier this week and made the person write down that I had sleep apnea, because they didn't seem to think it was important...

Linda, thanks for the link. I printed one out!

kavanaugh1950 · Post by **kavanaugh1950** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:11 pm

I don't wear one either but should as I have several different medical problems. maybe I could get microchipped at the vets office!! ha ha seriously there should be one database for medical info. pat

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:22 am

hi lplady

thanks for the link, i just made a card and also sent the link to my mom and a couple of friends!

take care

sharon1965

tlc95066 · Post by **tlc95066** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:20 am

Interesting thread as i just received my bracelet last week. I had never really thought about obtaining one, but I do have several allergies to medications (morphine, codiene, iodine and sulfa drugs). I also put on there that I have sleep apnea.

I just hope that I never have to use it.

Take care,
Teri

pastorgilbert · Post by **pastorgilbert** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:35 am

Thanks for the card ID idea...Say that fast three times. Great ID--idea..
pastorgilbert

lpady · Post by **lpady** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:00 pm

kavanaugh1950 wrote:I don't wear one either but should as I have several different medical problems. maybe I could get microchipped at the vets office!! ha ha seriously there should be one database for medical info. pat

Pat, I think at one time there was some discussion of chipping for humans - especially for those with Alzheimer's or children. The only thing that bothers me about a central medical database is the whole "big brother" thing. I'd be afraid it could be used against you for several things - insurance (they already have some shared medical info - restrictions on licenses, maybe even GPS positioning.

Nissan is actually developing a "smart car" which would use cell phones and GPS positioning to track when the car is too close to a pedestrian and warn the driver. While good in one respect, it worries me about the technology being used for undesirable purposes.

Just call me paranoid. I'd rather carry an ID on me than be chipped.

Linda

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 2:04 pm

I started wearing one a few months ago... I've got multiple medical problems (including allergies and asthma) as well as sleep apnea.

I'm wearing one from Medicalert.com

Tumbleweed · Post by **Tumbleweed** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 3:59 pm

After having a new tear drainage duct made as a day surgery patient, they almost killed me when they stuck me flat on my back in recovery early last year. And this was even AFTER I had discussed my OSA with both the surgeon AND the anesthesiologist! I now wear a tag I had made up for me by an on-line company. Not a guarantee, but I feel a tad safer now with that around my neck!

Hey lpady.... I am now in Florida, but hail from Aurora, IL for my first 49 years. How's things back in the ol' Land of Lincoln?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:52 pm

I have a Medic-Alert tag that looks like a dog tag. It is large enough to to say "Sleep Apnea, Uses CPAP", list a couple of other medical conditions, and show an allergy. There is a toll free number and id number that medical personnel can use to get LOTS more information, including my doctor's name, emergency contact information, and CPAP pressure. Medical information can be updated using an online form. Medic-Alert is well known within the emergency medical community.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:11 pm

I have 2 which I switch off between but don't wear either 100% of time One is just a plain silver medic alert bracelet(free with annual ASAA membership) The other is a black leather bracelet with a small medic alert tag- I paid about $30 for it. Funny thing is it really looks so much like a regular bracelet I think it could easily be missed as being a medical alert bracelet.

Mask

Additional Comments: RLS, EDS, Depression (which will hopefully go away after xPAP??? )

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)