med alert

[Traveler]

Many wear MedicAlert, I do myself. Mine hasn't been off since the day I put it on, nor is it likely to be left off. It could literally be a lifesaver.

As I mentioned at the insistence of my cardiologist (and wife) I wear a med alert bracelet because of my aortic aneurysm. Based on Sue's comment I read an extensive thread on med alert bracelets from 2004 and a couple of other threads that touched on the subject and I still have a couple of questions.

1. Does everyone (or most everyone) here still wear some form of med alert jewlery after surgery?

2. Why - coumadin usage or is there another reason?

3. Do people with bio/tissue valves wear med alert tags?

Thanks for your thoughts - I know that I shouldn't worry about this (its a small thing), but I'm still trying to get my hands around life after surgery. and from the time I wake up in the morning until I go to bed the bracelet is a constant reminder about my health (and by the way I'm tired of being told that my health is "fragile" will I still be "fragile" following surgery?)

Thanks

Mark

 

[sue943]

In my case, I have two mechanical valves so am on anti-coagulants. I am also type 2 diabetic and for good measure have an underactive thyroid (the latter since my surgery).

Even if my valves were tissue I think I would wear one so that in the event of me being unable to speak they will know what that scar is all about.

 

[hensylee]

Yes, we have this discussion from time to time. Many members wear one and should. What if you are in a collision - if you have a bracelet, the information is right there for the rescue team. Wearers, come on in and let's talk about this again. We should do it every now and then.

 

[jeffp]

I got mine at the encouragement of my wife (mainly for the reason Hensylee said). Just has my name, that I have a mech mitral valve, and am on coumadin. Not being a jewelry wearer by nature (I never was comfortable with a watch, or even my wedding ring) I don't wear it as much as I should. Usually just hang it over the turn signal stalk and put it when I get in the car, and hang it back up there when I leave. Yeah, I know...what if...

 

[marciemarine]

I was told that I would need a med alert bracelet after the surgery, so I got one, but mine is a necklace which I can wear under my clothes since I work in food service and I'm not supposed to wear jewelry while working, and I thought a bracelet on my arm while serving in a cafeteria line would draw unwanted attention. It says that I have two mechanical heart valves and I'm on coumadin as well as listing my other medications. Marcie
PS Now that I have a current red scar, low cut blouses are out anyway.

 

[davidfortune]

I would anticipate that you will find few (if any) tissue valve recipients that don't have other conditions (such as aortic aneurysm) that wear a medic alert bracelet.

I would think it would be a reasonable suggestion for those on coumadin since if you were in a very bad accident such that you couldn't speak for yourself, it could be critical information for a rescuer/medical professional to know.

I would think it a reasonable precaution for other conditions as well, such as pacemaker maybe.

 

[MrP]

Medical bracelets for mechanical vs. tissue????

Medical to alert others of coumadin usage makes sense for mechanical valvers. Bracelets for tissue valvers make sense to eliminate guessing by medical personnel if one is injured and can't speak....mainly to avoid confusion over previous OHS. Also braclets may prove useful after the tissue valve is older than say 10 years or so when calcified. Does this seem reasonable?

 

[davidfortune]

Mr P et al,

I hope nobody took my previous post as a tissue vs. mech issue. I was just thinking practically that there usually aren't special handling issues related just to a tissue valve but that coumadin use could be very important for an emergency medical professional to know since the assumption is that you can't speak for yourself in this situation so the injury is probably severe.

I hadn't thought about any info related to previous heart surgery in general or aging tissue valves specifically. I still bet that very few non-coumadin users wear med alert bracelets.

It would be interesting to see the % of coumadin users who do wear a med alert bracelet. I bet it is lower that you would think.

 

[csutherland]

My hubby has an alert necklace that just notes anti-coagulant usage, but he rarely wears it. If he's going on a "trip" yes, (for us that means a 100 mile day trip), but for everyday use it just doesn't happen. His doctors have never pushed it; I'm not sure they even mentioned it. He wears it perhaps once a quarter. Not good, I know. Maybe I'll talk to him about it.

 

[lance]

Don't leave home without it (medalert)

Don't leave home without it (medalert)

Since valve replacement surgery I have worn a medical alert bracelet--the one with the serpent and staff.

The reason: warfarin

 

[Traveler]

So to provide a bit of a summary. Some people wear med alert bracelets, primarily because of anti coagulants (which seems like a real good idea). In the case of tissue valves not much concern about med alert tags. Do I have this right?

But building on the post about sycope - what about if I pass out on a regular basis. This was one of the reasons everyone thought I should have a bracelet to start out with. "What if you pass out and no one knows about your aneurysm and you can't tell them - they might take emergency actions that would harm/kill you." I have passed out on and off (every couple of months) since I was in junior high. The causes vary - but if I have a blood draw, stick, or get cut there is a better than 90% chance I'll pass out. Also if I am in an enclosed space, crowd etc I may pass out. Because of this those around me know not to call 911 when I pass out but I always worry about passing out when I am traveling.

So is there anything bad that can happen if people don't know I have an artificial aortic valve and a dacron ascending aorta? and hence will I need a bracelet?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Lynlw]

Mr P et al,

I hope nobody took my previous post as a tissue vs. mech issue. I was just thinking practically that there usually aren't special handling issues related just to a tissue valve but that coumadin use could be very important for an emergency medical professional to know since the assumption is that you can't speak for yourself in this situation so the injury is probably severe.

I hadn't thought about any info related to previous heart surgery in general or aging tissue valves specifically. I still bet that very few non-coumadin users wear med alert bracelets.

It would be interesting to see the % of coumadin users who do wear a med alert bracelet. I bet it is lower that you would think.

that would be a good poll to see who wears one and what tissue

I understood what you meant. Justin didn't wear one until he got a pcermaker then never took it off (necklace)even IF he had to argue w/ different refs about not bein able to wear jewelry, IF they weren't reasonable then he always won when he said ok, I'll take it off BUt if something happens to me and I get hurt and he ambulance don't know I have a pacermaker, you will be liable (and yes he was 10-16)
BUt since he got his pacer out, he doesn't wear it all the time just when going snowboarding ect

 

[Karlynn]

Medical to alert others of coumadin usage makes sense for mechanical valvers. Bracelets for tissue valvers make sense to eliminate guessing by medical personnel if one is injured and can't speak....mainly to avoid confusion over previous OHS. Also braclets may prove useful after the tissue valve is older than say 10 years or so when calcified. Does this seem reasonable?

I also have a little typed statement I taped on the back of my driver's license.

It says "Takes Coumadin - mechanical heart valve"

If you aren't keen on wearing a medica alert, I would recommend doing something like I mentioned. I figure if I'm in a car accident and not able to speak, the first thing they'll look for is my identification.

 

[terryj]

My husband wears a medic alert bracelet. He puts it on when he puts his watch on every morning. He is on coumadin. I wear one for my diabetes.

 

[catwoman]

I wear a Medic-Alert bracelet that looks like a wristwatch. My dad's cousin showed me hers and I liked it better than the alert necklace I was wearing at the time. It's more discreet than some jewelry, often mistaken for a watch.

My dad's cousin wears one for non-cardiac reasons. However, her husband had AVR -- porcine -- in November 2003 and wears some type of necklace or bracelet to alert EMTs and ER folks -- just in case.

I seldom wear other jewelry -- usually only one ring (wedding), my bracelet and pierced earrings. I have left off the Medic-Alert bracelet when I go to a formal event at a hotel and I'm a guest at the hotel. I take it & my wedding ring off when I shower or go boating/swimming/etc.

 

[Lynlw]

wear a Medic-Alert bracelet that looks like a wristwatch. My dad's cousin showed me hers and I liked it better than the alert necklace I was wearing at the time. It's more discreet than some jewelry, often

Funny you mention that, someone sent me a link the other day for a new medic alert (yes the medic alert w/ the membership) watch it's expensve but thought it was a pretty good idea
http://www.medicalert.org/Watch/

 

[afraidofsurgery]

I want a transponder

I want a transponder

I wish I could get a microchip imbedded like they put in my cat instead, I hate wearing jewelry. I have my necklace in my purse, but I know it's much smarter to wear the darn thing around my neck.

I saw one ad for a keychain that would project detailed medical information against a flat surface, maybe that'll come next as something that just gets put in my arm.

Entrepeneurs, get to it!

Patty

 

[Lynlw]

I wish I could get a microchip imbedded like they put in my cat instead, I hate wearing jewelry. I have my necklace in my purse, but I know it's much smarter to wear the darn thing around my neck.

I saw one ad for a keychain that would project detailed medical information against a flat surface, maybe that'll come next as something that just gets put in my arm.

Entrepeneurs, get to it!

Patty

it's funny you mentione microchips, i always thought since they can use them for lost/stolen pets they'd suggest doing the same for kids

 

[afraidofsurgery]

chips for kids

chips for kids

I think they're just starting to be used for kids, I'm sure approval and marketing is a little more complicated for humans. I want one for my daughter that has a GPS on it too!
Patty

 

[MrP]

davidfortune, I understood what you meant also....there are probably good reasons for all valve replacement recipients to wear a medical alert bracelet, and especially those on coumadin. And I agree that most don't wear one, including myself although I should...for a variety of reasons. I think it is not unlike my son who refuses to wear a helmet when snowboarding....at least until he had a bad concussion as a result.
For those who are looking for a medical bracelet with style and one you'll want to wear, check out this website;

http://www.n-styleid.com/