medic-alert ID

[Marguerite53]

I was just wondering how many of you, both pre-and post-op are wearing medical alert type ID. For sure, I would think all coumadin users would be wanting some kind of ID, perhaps more than a wallet card, but for those not yet having had OHS, how important is it? Thanks for any opinions.

Marguerite

 

[Ross]

It's important. If the meat wagon crew were to find you laying somewhere and no one to tell them what your on, it could affect how you are treated. I finally got one after proscrastinating for almost a year. It doesnt have to be medic alert, but should be any item of necklace or wrist jewelry that identifies the fact that you are taking anticoagulants.

 

[Karlynn]

I've had one since being diagnosed with MVP, so 23 years. Mine currently says "Mitral Valve Replaced, taking Coumadin"

 

[tommy]

I wear an ID necklace virtually all the time. Name. AVR. Coumadin. Phone number. It is really not necessary when my family is around, but I decided just to wear it all the time, then I don't have to think about it.

I also carry a "card" in my wallet. It has the same info as the ID plus a bunch more. Doctors phone numbers. Insurance Info. DOB. Blood type. Full address. My wife's cell number. I print it off the computer and laminiate it with clear tape.

I'm starting to swim more and will probably get a bracelet to wear in the water. I don't like anything around my neck when I'm in the water.

 

[catwoman]

Marguerite:

I have one from Medic Alert -- www.medicalert.org. It's a bracelet w/ watchband. Looks very nice, has been mistaken for a watch! Even I have tried to check the time on it, forgetting what it really is. There's a world of info packed away in it by someone calling (collect) the phone number on the back and giving my member #. Engraved on the back are "MITRAL VALVE REPLACED/TAKES WARFARIN/ALLERGIC TO ERYTHROMYCIN" Medic Alert has quite a few contact numbers for doctors, relatives, type of valve, serial # for the valve, date of surgery, where, my insurance carrier, etc., etc.

You can carry around the same info in your purse or wallet. However, we don't always have a purse or wallet w/ us at all times -- when jogging, taking a walk, swimming, etc. Also, in case of a traumatic accident, a wallet or purse may disappear/be destroyed. Let's pray that never happens to any of us -- but tragedies to happen and it's not always to the "other person."

 

[catwoman]

Oops!

Oops!

Didn't double-check my post before submitting!

<Let's pray that never happens to any of us -- but tragedies to happen and it's not always to the "other person.">

I'm sure everyone realized I meant DO, not TO, happen....

Arrrggghhh -- my copy editing skills failed me there...

 

[surfsparky]

Id

Id

My wife did the same as Tom's suggestion - typed all the info on card and then had it laminated. I really appreciated it because the wallet card they gave me in hospital was too big and was lookin' worse for wear after a while! Yolanda also printed it on bright orange card so that it stood out when you opened the wallet. (She's also put copies of it in my work diary, car etc - she likes to cover all bases!)

The main info on there is:
Name
Date of Birth
Medical History
Allergies
Current Medications
Wife's mobile phone number
Doctors' names (GP, cardio and surgeon) and contact numbers
Blood type

I don't wear a necklace or bracelet as I'm not on Warfarin (that's our term for Coumadin in Australia).

Hope this helps,
Chris

 

[Granbonny]

After my surgery, I picked up a pamphlet..at back of Eckard's (drug store) waiting to have my scripts filled. I ordered a light weigh bracelet..gold-filled..that says My name and I take coumadin and my home number.That was 2 years..2 months ago and NEVER been off my left arm...until a few days ago. Just dropped off sitting at computer. Just a link had broken but Hubby fixed it in a few minutes.I told him, I refuse to go out of house until he fixed it.... Just my security thing..in case of car accident. I think I paid maybe $50.00 for it..and like I said, NEVER off my arm. bonnie

 

[Gnusgal]

Ive had a medic alert bracelet just about my whole life. I've gone through several different ones (even had a necklace at one time). I didn't wear it much when I was younger because I didn't go anywhere without my parents, and didn't really understand it all. But when I talked to a fireman about my condition once (I was doing some sort of career interview for school) in middle school he told me it would be a good idea for me to wear the bracelet at all times because if they found me and my heart was stopped and they tried to use the defibrillator paddles on me, my pacemaker would explode and there would be no hope for me. Okay, he was probably just trying to scare me, but it worked. I've worn one every day since then. I never take it off (though I sometimes play with it, because my current one can slip over my hand if I try). In college my roommate made me switch it from my right wrist to my left wrist because mine also has "no left blood pressure" written on it (I had a shunt when I was 5, so that arm doesn't have an accurate blood pressure). She felt that it would be better on that arm, since it was the one we didn't want people taking my blood pressure from.

When I had my VR surgery I contacted Medic Alert, updated my files, and got a new bracelet (I have the cheapo stainless steal one) with "takes coumadin" added. I like that it has the phone number and ID that links them to more detailed info. There's no way you could fit all of my info on a bracelet. Currently mine says:
Pacemaker
Situs Inversus
No VP/BP Lt. Arm
Takes Coumadin
Drug Alergies

It's pretty full.

 

[Bob]

I carry a wallet card the cardio gave me. I was going to get the medic alert but haven't done it. A EMR guy told me they always do a check on the mans wallet because most men dont wear bracelets or neck chains. Since I am off coumadin and had a MV repair I feel secure.

 

[Gnusgal]

Just make sure you always have your wallet with you!

 

[Harpoon]

Once upon a time as I recalled there was a discussion about Medic Alert and the type of information that one might carry around with them at all times (or at least almost all) just in case the "undesirable" happened....

I was digging through some crap stuffed into one of my MANY sketchbooks when I came across my old sheet, a reminder to update it and print out a new sheet for my wallet...


This is what's on it (omitting of course personal information...):

IMPORTANT MEDICAL INFORMATION
for (my real, full name, including middle name which NO ONE ever hears from me)
TAKING ANTI-COAGULANTS
CONGENITAL HEART CONDITION:
Transposition of the Great Vessels, repaired with Mustard procedure.
ARTIFICIAL TRICUSPID VALVE IMPLANTED 3-14-03 (identification card in wallet)
DOB: 10/22/73 BLOOD TYPE: B negative
MEDICATIONS:
WARAFIN (coumadin): 7.5 mg once a day in evenings
Spironolactone: 2.5 mg twice a day
Furosemide (Lasix): 60 mg twice a day
Digoxin: 0.125 mg once a day in mornings
Lisinopril: 2.5 mg once a day in mornings
Prilosec OTC 20 mg once a day in morning
Amoxicillin: 2000 mg taken an hour before dental work

PHONE NUMBERS:
Cardiologists:
CALL FIRST FOR HEART RELATED EMERGENCIES
· Dr. Robert Gingell (716) XXX-XXXX xXX Buffalo, NY
· Dr. Roger Mee, Pediatric Heart Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic
· Dr. Lourdes Prieto, Pediatric Cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Clinic: 1-800-223-2273 (main switchboard)
Primary Physician:
Westfield Family Physicians
(716) XXX-XXXX
Westfield, NY

-my wife's name- (next of kin, wife)
(716) XXX-XXXX home
(716) XXX-XXXX ext XXX office
(716) XXX-XXXX cell phone
-my father's name- (next of kin, father)
(716) XXX-XXXX home
(716) XXX-XXXX office
(716) XXX-XXXX secretary

updated 08/18/04



I didn't cut out my doctor's names because one of them is known internationally and the other two aren't far behind. Cleveland Clinic Foundation's main switchboard number is available to anyone who goes to their website...


All of this (I know it's a lot, but it's hard to cut out informaiton that's "not" important) is split between two sides of a slightly larger than credit card sized card that's tucked into my wallet right behind the card that says I have an artificial heart valve which is plainly visible to anyone who opens up my wallet.

You have to look a little to find my driver's license, it's under a flap. =)


OK, show&tell is over boys and girls...

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks for refreshing this thread...the way my luck has been lately I best stop procrastinating and order one of these.

I guess I would put:

Ross Procedure with Homograft Pulmonary Valve
Blood Type
Allergic to Sulfa Drugs

The more detailed card for the wallet is a good idea too.

 

[KathyH]

I keep a card in my wallet with all my medical info, Dr's names & numbers and husbands #. Since I don't have my wallet on me when I ride my bike I'd been thinking of getting a braclet. I finally called Medi alert- they were very helpful in what to put on my bracelet. You can update your records with them any time as long as you pay the annual fee. I should be getting my braclet within a couple of days, they said it takes a week. It is a good idea even if you aren't on coumadin. If you needed emergency surgery you would need the antibiotics to protect your valve.
Kathy H

 

[tobagotwo]

Good heavens, Harpoon. Your card must say, "...continued in next wallet."

 

[catwoman]

Kathy:
I have a Medic-Alert bracelet, w/ a watchband.
Yesterday I was asked what time it was. Replied that I don't have a watch. Then I realized the person mistook my Medic-Alert for a watch!
Most people have told me they thought the emblem was some astrological or other design -- and said it's very attractive.

 

[KathyH]

Catwoman,
That is good to hear. The reason why I waited to get the medicalert was because I wanted something that wouldn't look clunky.
Katie,
Those italian charm braclets look cute.
Kathy H

 

[Marguerite53]

Great info!

Great info!

Thanks, all, for reviving this thread. I had looked online for some ideas, but these new sites are great! Never thought about an Italian charm bracelet! Thanks, Katie. Great idea.

Thanks for all the ideas. Sounds like a good idea to keep people informed in case of an emergency.

Marguerite

 

[Granbonny]

Cutesy doesn't hack it.. You need a light weight, gold filled bracelet that never comes off. 24/7..Mine has NEVER been off my wrist for over 2 years..If you have to take it off at night..easy to forget when you leave the next day. I lost my wedding ring..because I took it off after 30 years to take to be cleaned. Wrapped it in tissue..NEVER saw it again Thinking it was a bit of trash, threw it away.. .....Mine only says..takes Coumadin and home phone.Home phone is useless. because Hubby and I most go together everywhere.. ...This is not a time to be ...what looks good. Just need something the people who look at you..know what's wrong. Bonnie