medic alert bracelets

[Mary]

Does anyone think persons with ANS disorders need to have medic alert braclets or necklaces?? I have POTS and work in an ER seeing multitudes of medical and trauma patients. I get scared thinking I may end up somewhere unresponsive and need to let medical persons know I have POTS... since it would factor into my treatment. Any comments?? Mary

[MightyMouse]

I wear one, but POTS/NCS isn't the reason I got it... I have multiple medication allergies, including allergies to all by 2 antibiotics (I can take the cycline group and sulfa), compazine, codeine, and a few others. Additionally, I have asthma. My concern was that I were I to ever be in an accident and be unconscious, the ER could inadvertantly administer a medication that could kill me.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with wearing one that explains your health condition and that rehydration is likely to be your best treatment.

I've had my Medic Alert account for a few years and think they are so helpful and nice. There were times when I was developing allergies to meds every few weeks (hives, breathing problems, etc.) and would have to call to add a new one to the list each time; they keep a running tab of all that stuff, your major health issues, all your doctors names and numbers, your emergency contact names and numbers, etc.

Rather than use their bracelets/neckelaces, I make my own--and just use their engraved tag. They charged me less money for the tag alone than a bracelet would cost. I make my own bracelets, but you can buy really pretty ones from Lauren's Hope. http://www.laurenshope.com/

Nina

[corina]

I think wearing a medic alert bracelet would be a good idea but what inscription should it have? Just POTS wouldn't alert anyone. I talked this over with my familydoctor because one night I felt I had very high bp, almost blowing my head off but didn't dare calling a doctor because I was afraid of what they might do (or what they NOT might do). So I kept on trying to stand to lower my bp. My familiydoctor then promised me to make a note, in case one of the other doctors in our area should have to treat me. I really like the bracelets of Laurenshope Nina, since it's almost my birthday I might order one, it's just that inscription...

Corina

[Mary]

Unless I'm incorrect... there is a phone number to call with all medic alert tags so a medical facility can find out information on the patient. Does anyone know for sure?? The information you give to get the tag... doctor, medical condition, allergies, etc. is kept for people who need it. Mary

I do think P.O.T.S. would be a good inscription. Many doctors have heard of it but may not be as knowledgable as the specialists. My doctor knew of and about it before I went to her... and she is an internist. Thanks

[ethansmom]

Hi! I have a medic alert bracelet and it gives me sooo much security...I got it when I had my son in case anything ever happens when he is with me. Mine just says Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (spelled out) with my medication allergies underneath. Medic Alert keeps on file all the details about this condition, so that if someone were to call then they could give them e brief overview (at least enough to say NOT to give me anything that could increase HR or bottom out BP, and a few basics on orthostaitc intolerance, etc....) The lady read me the notes they had in their system and I was able to add my own comments for my file about the condition, so I felt it was well covered. I would highly recommend one for any one of us

[MightyMouse]

Yes, there is a number on the tag for emergency staff to call collect--and it's got an ID number, not your name on the inscription. The maintain confidential files that include your meds, doses, diagnoses, doctors, contact information. You may read all about what they do and how here:

http://www.medicalert.org

I got a 3 year membership which saves some $$. I've had my bracelet longer than that because I've already renewed for the next 3.

I don't leave my home without my bracelet.

Mine is inscribed as follows:

Drug Allergies

Asthma

Dysautonomia

Call Medic Alert

(my ID number here)

and then around the top of the tag is their contact info.

Nina

[corina]

I think this is something very well done in the us. In Holland we have necklaces which are meant to use for things like a rare blood group, asthma etc. There is no phone number to call with all medic alert tags. And there are very few doctors who have ever heard of dysautonomia. My familydoctor had never heard of it, I was lucky to have a cardio who new of the existance. My neuro told me there are just a few people over here who have this but I couldn't find them (I've been trying for more than a year now). I also noticed that in the ER they make fun of people having a higher bp when they are in bed then when they are standing/sitting. They laughed at it saying it must be caused by having exciting dreams. I got so angry hearing this. I think I will talk the alert thing over with my doctors again for this situation makes me feel very insecure. (It's just because I'm doing worse right now that makes me so worried, it's not my "normal"me )

Corina

[Ernie]

I have a medica alert bracelet and it says: fainter - keep flat, hyperadrenergic.

I can't say that it helps all the time because more than half the time the pramedic don't even look at it. But I know that on a few occasions it has saved me a few useless trips to the ER. It gives me more credibility.

Ernie

[geneva]

I have a medic alert bracelet and list dysautonomia and high drug sensitivity and hyperadrenergic. After numerous ER visits over the last several years I have found that saying POTS means nothing to medical personnel but that dysautonomia rings a bell and they can sometimes find it in their computers.

One advantage I didn't expect with the bracelet is that my family told me how relieved THEY were when I got it. They didn't feel they would adequately be able to tell ER drs. all that is wrong with me and knowing that the info. is stored with the med alert staff they feel more at ease. Also, they know that I have a wallet card that they could pull out and read from or insist someone call the toll free number.

[justme]

This is awesome. I never knew this service existed. I knew about the bracelets and necklaces as we have several, but they are all generic. We were always going to buy one with all the info on it, but my wife's info is constantly changing. With this service, I can keep it updated. I can also have my name as a primary contact. It will give me some comfort knowing that somebody has the means to get all this info. I thought medical personnel were required to call in a medical alert if the patient was wearing one and was unresponsive to the medics. I am going to sit down with my wife tonight and get her signed up for this service.

THANKS!!!

[MightyMouse]

Glad that you found the information useful. I personally have been very pleased with the service I've received from the people at Medic Alert--like I said, there were times I was calling there every week with changes in my allergy list and staff were always helpful and pleasant.

Just an FYI, my docs have suggested wearing the bracelet on my left arm as that's typically the side that is facing the medics in an ambulance--and is often where they go to put in an IV.

Nina

[ethansmom]

I agree with Nina, they have been very pleasant to deal with, and I've had good experiences too! I would definitely say I'm glad I invested in one of these

[justme]

I just signed my wife up for Medic Alert. I had her pick out one of the nice bracelets since she will be wearing it all the time (also increases the chance that she will actually wear it). Because of all of her conditions, I had to call Medic Alert. They were very nice and understanding. They even called me back to tell me they could squeez the neurocardiogenic syncope on the bracelet. That is along with pacemaker, no mri, allergic to morphine, and Call Medic Alert. She got the small emblem. The piece of mind that I have now is unbelieveable. I just hope the medics will actually make the call.

[seaboardbc]

I wear a medic alert bracelet. I've never taken it off since the day that I put it on. The inscription on mine reads:

"Autonomic Dysfunction Call Immediately For Vital Information"

Medic Alert has the information on all of my condition including symptoms, meds, allergies, doctors, insurance, and emergency contacts. That bracelet is my piece of mind. I don't faint, but I suffer from severe angina, so if I ever go into an ER and can't talk or remember things, all they have to do is call Medic Alert.

[leah1321]

I have one and think it is important. I got it right after september 11th (I live in NYC) so that in an emergency, I would get treated correctly. If I pass out in the subway, they would not treat me as a drug overdose or something. I have used it a few times for bad headaches a few other problems. I love medicalert because they give me a card listing all of my medicines and conditions, my doctor, two other contacts, and allergies and you put it behind your license so they see it during an emergency. The phone number on the bracelet help the doctors find out vital information. My bracelet says Neurocardiogenic Syncope even though I am more of a POTS patient because paramedics and docs know syncope. I also have an allergy to aspirin, so I have that there. That has been very important as a few docs tried to give it to me and then the nurse checked my bracelet and saved me. I have on there that I am on anticonvulsants (neurontin) so they know to make sure that I get it or risk seizures during withdrawal (I take it for headaches not epilepsy) and I have no adrenaline written there but my card says use adrenaline only in cases of dire emergency.

Funny thing- I constantly get complimented for my medicalert bracelet. People want to know the artist and where I got it and stuff. It is funny. I tell them it is a rhodium plated MRI safe medicalert bracelet and then they apologize and feel very uncomfortable. I paired the bracelet with another, really nice one, so I guess it looks like a real bracelet. Anyway, go for it.