Medical ID tag - do you wear one?

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:35 pm

I have some red tags with a medical symbol that I wear on my laced shoes. I thought that when I go somewhere I would always have my shoes on but might forget to put a bracelet or necklace on.

I asked the engraver to include the word "over" on the tags so hopefully someone would turn the tags over.

They are very inexpensive - $2.00 each for the custom tags.

However, thus far no one has inquired about the tags.

The name of the company is Letters 'n Wood.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:20 pm

I have a Medic Alert bracelet. I paid for my year's membership at http://www.medicalert.org/. I bought beaded bracelets from someone on eBay to replace the stainless steel chain. The bracelets have a lobster claw on both ends to make it easy to change out the bracelets. Now I can change the bracelet part to match with whatever I am wearing and it doesn't really look too obvious.

I ordered the bracelet/membership because we were going to Mexico and I wasn't too sure about the food preparation at the spa we were staying at. (I have allergies to shellfish and bees in addition to DVTs and sleep apnea.) I like that there's an online database where I can update my info if it changes.

Use this code for free shipping: 5559 I think it's $5 off a new membership or free shipping if you are already a member ($4.95 value).

Kimberly[/url]

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 1:42 am

Problem-going into surgery you cannot wear anything made of a conductive metal. People who want to take a rosary-get a plastic one. When they ask if you have allergies-tell them to write sleep apnea on the bracelet instead-usually hospitals have several colors of those plastic bracelets-just make sure it doesn't get written on a color that usually means DNR. I suggest the allergy one as they have to read what the allergies are-so would see sleep apnea. Maybe say "I stop breathing"-to avoid the idea it only happens during sleep.

Janine · Post by **Janine** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 2:18 pm

I do wear my medic-alert bracelet when I travel or go into the hospital - if it is known that is. The urge to write in red magic marker on my forehead and hands

Insulin Dependent diabetes
Do NOT remove my pump
and now
I stop breathing if unconscious/sleeping

is strong. They just do not listen sometimes... I insist on a red bracelet and write on it myself if I have to.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:15 pm

When my son had knee surgery I wrote on one knee (the good one) NOT THIS ONE! in red marker. On the other knee in green I wrote YES, THIS IS THE ONE! The doctor said the whole OR staff busted out laughing Then quickly stopped and said that it was a good idea for all patients to do this. How scary is that!

Brenda

marymoon · Post by **marymoon** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 4:34 pm

3 weeks ago I underwent emergency surgery to repair a severely broken and dislocated ankle. When we were in the ER, we were sure to let everyone know that I had recently been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. While I was under, my husband brought my cpap to my room and the hospital's RT hooked me up. When I woke up, my mask was off and the nurse had me on oxygen because my o2 levels had dipped so low (they got down to 82% during my recent sleep study.) She knew I was on cpap, but apparently wasn't able to make the connection between my mask falling off and the low o2. She couldn't understand why my o2 levels weren't improving until I explained that if I didn't have my cpap on, I wasn't getting the benefit of the supplemental oxygen since I couldn't breathe!

girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:35 pm

Wow, Marymoon, that sure was awful that the nurse couldn't understand why you were on cpap, and its place after surgery. Somehow, I can't understand how some people get any type of medical certification. One has to wonder how to protect oneself in the event of a hospital procedure and being sedated. Patient advocates are so important, be they family or friend. The problem with using a friend is that unless the person is designated by medical power of attorney, and the proper release forms are in place, nobody's gonna talk with them anyhow. Makes the whole medical maze a nightmare for those of us who don't have any family close by.

I loved the idea of a printable medical ID card. Great link!

girlsaylor

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 8:22 pm

girlsaylor wrote: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

I don't wear any "tags".

arthuranxious · Post by **arthuranxious** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:58 pm

I wouldn't consider wearing it just for sleep apnea, the odds of something happening for which the medical team would need to know that immediately are small. But if someone is wearing one anyway, for diabetes or allergies etc. wouldn't hurt to add the OSA. the only reason why we might be advised to have it is that in the event of emergency surgery there are apparently more successful recoveries from anesthesia if the OSA is known to the anaesthesiologist. But you have to feel comfortable thinking of yoruself as having a health problem, and I am far from that.

Medical ID tag - do you wear one?

Medical ID tag - do you wear one?

some of these medical people are really scarey

Re: Medical ID tag - do you wear one?