MedicAlert bracelets?

[TalonNYC]

Outside the OSA, the only medical issue I have is allergies to Penicillin and its family of drugs. Since ER docs wouldn't use those unless they had no other choice these days, I might be ok without one for now.

[JohnBFisher]

I have one, but have multiple health issues. Since I am now an Insulin Dependent Diabetic, I am thinking of buying a new bracelet that will include the following:

Diabetic
Insulin Dependent
Sleep Apnea
Hypertension

Most of the rest can be sorted out after the fact, and are available anytime anyone calls with my MedicAlert ID number.

All my doctors like the wallet card which includes all the medications (and I take a lot). That's a great thing to have on hand.

[BernieRay]

I've had a MedicAlert necklace since being diagnosed with diabetes and OSA in 1997. On the emblem I have key info, including mention of diabetes, contacts, OSA, and blood type. My PHR with MedicAlert includes my pressure settings, as well as emergency contact info, doctor info, medications, insurance info. I also keep a current 8½x11 printed copy of my PHR in my wallet (handy when doc's need to update my info).

The peace of mind that comes from having this info in multiple places (paper in wallet, electronic at a 24/7 toll-free or collect call site) is easily worth the annual fee for the service.

I don't like the concept of just an ICE entry in a cell phone or something in my wallet. What if someone robs me of both my cell phone and wallet and I'm left unconscious? The necklace is cheap, so there's less chance of it being taken so that it will be there for first responders/ER staff to see.

[BernieRay]

Outside the OSA, the only medical issue I have is allergies to Penicillin and its family of drugs. Since ER docs wouldn't use those unless they had no other choice these days, I might be ok without one for now.

Personally, I wouldn't base this decision on the chances of them being used. I would base it on what could happen if they did to use them. If it's bad, then they need to know that before administering them to you.

[BusyLyn]

I'm a state certified First Responder and I volunteer with my local Fire & Rescue Co. Training teaches us to check for Medic Alert-type bracelets, pendants, watches, etc on patients who are unconscious or have altered mental status. My training convinced me to get my own Medic Alert inscribed watch. I have hypertension, asthma and multiple drug allergies to go along with my OSA and take I several medications daily. I keep my medical history and the medication list current, and I keep the card in my wallet as a very handy way to let any medical professional know what drugs I'm taking without having to spell everything out myself.

AS an EMS volunteer I also ask that anyone who takes any prescribed medications to please, please, please keep an accurate medical history and a list of these meds and dosages handy along with the name and number of their primary physician. I've had relatives hand me unlabeled boxes of pills, expecting us to know the names of the medications from the shapes and colors of the pills! You never know when this information will be useful - at home or out and about. The more you can help us to help you and your loved ones the better!

Lyn

[Starlette]

on the android phone you can get ICE "In Case of Emergency". I did.
The only thing lacking is the summary of health which i will state OSA and cpap information.

Starlette

[Tip10]

On the front screen of my smartphone, among all the other stuff, are two prominent Icons -- One is an Emergency Icon which links to the contact info for my Wife.
The second is a document Icon labeled ICE DOC which brings up a word doc containing all of the emergency medical info for me, name, conditions, meds, dosages, PCP name and number, etc. All one needs do is click on it. Note: It's basically a repeat of the info provided by my Medical Passport (link above) which I wear.

[TalonNYC]

My phone does have an ICE contact already set up. More and more EMS teams are learning about it and checking the phones =)

[Muse-Inc]

MedicAlert bracelet here, 24x7 a few months after starting CPAP therapy. 3 cell phone ICE contacts, one's bound to be available who knows about me. Carry 2 cards with all my meds and supplements and conditions, APAP pressure range+AHI+Hybrid Universal mask. MedicAlert records say to monitor O2 and breathing if on back along with a whole bunch of other stuff. When at Dragon*Con I sign-up for a medical handicap sticker (plus I'm the 'seeing eyes' for my legally-blind diabetic buddy) and paste a printout of all drugs, conditions, supplements, APAP range & warning to monitor oxygen levels and breathing if on back (I figure that gets me faster medical attention to prevent the desats I know occur if I'm on my back without CPAP).

[reitzell]

If you have info that would help diagnosing a current medical problem ( diabetes, heart hx, something like that) then you should carry medical alert. I don't think apnea contradicts with any medication or treatment that you are likely to get and if you do get some pain med that reduces breathing function... your going to get intubated.. so...(a tube shoved down your airway to hold it open)

Now if you are conscious and are going to be put under it is something you certainly should mention.

Just my guess... but I live in the US in a big city with professional responders.

Rob