MedicAlert emblem will be a life saver.....

[Marietjie]

We previously (few days before Xmas) talked about having a MedicAlert bracelet. My husband gave me a pretty silwer bracelet for Xmas and I am having it engraved now.
In the meantime this is what I read this morning about an unconscious OSA patient:( http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-dis ... Narcolepsy and OSA patient when they are unable to speak for themselves) = Any patient with OSA, who sustains a loss of consciousness or an inability to communicate, as a result of a medical emergency should never be positioned flat on their back unless maintenance of the upper airway patency can be assured and continuously monitored. Additionally,....
So, I think it will be best if I register with MedicAlert then, hopefully, MedicAlert staff will be able to assist emergency personnel if I should happen to be unconscious and need special attention for my OSA condition! I am going to contact MedicAlert South Africa regarding their awareness of treatment for an unconscious patient. I am very curious to hear what they know about OSA! (Now I am nasty!?!) I do not recall anyone at sleep study (or even the sleep doctor) recommending a MedicAlert bracelet. (Maybe it is not so serious!? - I do not know! has anyone else got more info?)

[Julie]

Hi, I doubt very much if most doctors ever think about such things- most patients with anything more chronic or serious than minor illnesses would theoretically qualify for the bracelets and MD's don't mention them. Plus, realistically, in any emergency situation the first thing 90% of personnel does is lie you flat for examination and only notice your bracelet .. soon, not necessarily immediately, even if they're trained to pay attention to it. But I also think that the notice you posted may be a bit alarmist for most of us, certainly in short term situations. If left on your back for long periods of time unattended you might have a problem, it seems to be an unlikely event after all, and most of us, with or without Cpap, probably expose ourselves unwittingly to similar scenarios (though not unconsciousness due to real trauma) all the time. However, of course it is a good idea to wear the bracelets (or neck chains) anyway if you can.

[Julie]

Hi, I doubt very much if most doctors ever think about such things- most patients with anything more chronic or serious than minor illnesses would theoretically qualify for the bracelets and MD's don't mention them. Plus, realistically, in any emergency situation the first thing 90% of personnel does is lie you flat for examination and only notice your bracelet .. soon, not necessarily immediately, even if they're trained to pay attention to it. But I also think that the notice you posted may be a bit alarmist for most of us, certainly in short term situations. If left on your back for long periods of time unattended you might have a problem, it seems to be an unlikely event after all, and most of us, with or without Cpap, probably expose ourselves unwittingly to similar scenarios (though not unconsciousness due to real trauma) all the time. However, of course it is a good idea to wear the bracelets (or neck chains) anyway if you can.

One thing occurred to me - emergency workers are trained to look out for the bracelets, but yours is not going to have the caduceus (medical symbol) on it as it was 'regular' jewellery, and no one may bother reading the back of it for information in a crisis.

[GumbyCT]

While I do agree a Medic Alert is a good idea, you should understand that it only serves to notify the rescuer of a medical condition, period.

It is not like the rescuer will stop to call Medic Alert to ask questions. I am not sure at what point, if any, someone would call Medic Alert. The concept has served its purpose once the rescuer reads the Alert info.

Rescuers are trained to check ABC's = Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Maintaining a patent Airway is key for any medical patient.

I didn't want someone to think that if you don't get a Medic Alert that the rescuer wouldn't even think to check your breathing, lol.

[GumbyCT]

In the meantime this is what I read this morning about an unconscious OSA patient:( http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-dis ... Narcolepsy and OSA patient when they are unable to speak for themselves) = Any patient with OSA, who sustains a loss of consciousness or an inability to communicate, as a result of a medical emergency should never be positioned flat on their back unless maintenance of the upper airway patency can be assured and continuously monitored. Additionally,....

btw - The link returned a "404 - Page Not Found" for me.

[Marietjie]

The link returned a "404 - Page Not Found"

...try - MedicAlert - Protecting the Narcolepsy and OSA patient when they are unable to speak for themselves.

but yours is not going to have the caduceus (medical symbol

... Jule - see pic, I want the medical symbol on one side and 'OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA' on the reverse side. I emailed MedicAlert SA asking them about their procedures for an unconscious OSA patient. (I will wait for their answer before I have the bracelet engraved)

[Hawthorne]

I have a MedicAlert bracelet because I have artificial joints and need antibiotics if I am injured and am at risk for infection.

I called MedicAlert and had the following added to my bracelet - "Sleep Apnea- CPAP".

[foxhunter]

I have had a medicalert bracelet for a number of years now, and it has been utilized many times by hospital personnel for information on me. My medicalert file has also been updated at least three times by surgeons automatically.
I have added my sleep apnea data to my record on file and at some time in the near future will have a notification added to a new bracelet.
As I read it, your bracelet is maybe a piece of jewelry that you are having engraved. The Medicalert bracelet has your file number and emergency Medicalert number engraved on it. This is important.

[DreamOn]

I didn't want to pay the annual fee to use MedicAlert's services and I also wanted all the information with me (no need for medical personnel to make a phone call), so I recently ordered a medical alert necklace. On the front is the easily recognized Medical Star of Life, in red and white. On the back are engraved the words "Sleep Apnea" and "See Wallet Card". I made up my own wallet card

The front of the card has some information about sleep apnea and lists my pressure. On the back of the wallet card, I have my sleep doctor's contact information and my name and address. I don't have any other major medical problems, but if I did I would include that information as well. If you use a BiPAP machine, you would list Inhalation and Exhalation pressures, and with an APAP you'd list your pressure range.

~ DreamOn

[Muse-Inc]

Sleep doc recommended I get a MedicAlert, so I did. The company has my meds and supplements as well as CPAP pressure and my allergy to penicillin, Avelox, -mycins, and sulfa drugs. When I lost about 50#s, one of the highlights was having 5 links taken out of my bracelet . Just told my bipolar buddy to consider getting one for the same reason, it 'speaks' for you when you are incoherent or unconscious.

[always_tired]

I have a MedicAlert bracelet for other reasons. Unless you specifically request a certain condition or information on the bracelet, MedicAlert personnel decide what should go on the bracelet. I have talked to their customer support about this and always tell them which condition/info I want on the bracelet. But there's no bracelet large enough for all my medical info.

[Marietjie]

I recently ordered a medical alert necklace through eBay. On the front is the easily recognized Medical Star of Life, in red and white. On the back are engraved the words "Sleep Apnea" and "See Wallet Card". I made up my own wallet card. This is the front of the card:



... I don't have any other major medical problems, but if I did I would include that information as well. ~ DreamOn

DreamOn...Thank you so,so much for showing us your wallet card. Gee, I really like this and I am going to do it 'your' way!

[DreamOn]

DreamOn...Thank you so,so much for showing us your wallet card. Gee, I really like this and I am going to do it 'your' way!

Glad to hear it helps someone! Your post was good timing because I just made up the card this past weekend.

I always carry my wallet when I go out. And the engraving on the back of the necklace will direct medical personnel to the wallet card. All my important medical information is on the front and back of the wallet card, so it's quickly accessible.

[danimal71]

FYI I was a paramedic for 13 years. I have seen Medic Alert bracelets before and never called the number once. Calling the number is more for the hospitals to do. Having the most critical\pertinent information engraved on them is the best thing along with having a wallet card. I have checked the wallet on more than 1 occassion when someone had it marked on their bracelet\necklace. Also it's a good idea to have an information sheet with your complete information (name, d.o.b., allergies, all medical conditions) typed out with multiple copies and stored in a container in the fridge. Around here (Chicago burbs) some towns give out vials to put this information in. Then if a family member isn't available to give the information to the medics they can look and see if you have it in the fridge. Sounds weird but I had been to multiple senior highrises and have seen this. It is a time and life saver.

[Junebug999]

What cool ideas -- thank you!