Medic Alert

[jancb]

I was wondering if any of you are members of medic alert? I was thinking that since my family members are out of state, that it might be prudent to have a medic alert bracelet in case of the unforeseen. I was in a car accident in September and was thinking that had I been hurt, it would have been difficult for law enforcement or hospital workers to locate family, etc.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this topic.

 

[Marcia]

med alert

med alert

I ordered a med alert necklace right after I had surgery. It says that I had a valve replacememt and that I take a blood thinner. I always wear this on the road trips. Always afraid if I was in an accident that I would bleed to death very quickly.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Medic Alert

" Never Leave Home Without It"

Appologies to whoever owns that slogan...

 

[medtronic of borg]

I have one(necklace) that reads Medical Information in walet....Then in my walet I have a card I made up on my computer. It gives all my information including my file number, my drs numbers, my DX in red, the word Coumadin undermeds in red allthough I list all of them, my Hx ,my wifes numbers, I then shrunk it down from 10pt to 6pt so it was the same size as a creadit card, saved it so I can update it every time things changed. Lastly I laminated it. After having my wife proof it.

Med

 

[Karlynn]

I was told that I absolutely needed to wear some sort of medic ID. I've had Medic Alert for years. You can get them in many styles.

 

[MarkU]

I got a Medic Alert bracelet right after my surgery - I wear it all the time and keep the ID card in my wallet. I think it provides some pretty inexpensive peace of mind in the event something unexpected would happen.
I think I've mentioned this before, but my cardiologist also gave me a copy of my EKG printout to keep with me when I travel on business. He made notations on it explaining that the inverted T wave is my "normal" pattern due to my mechanical valve. Had it laminated and keep it in my briefcase all the time.

Mark

 

[catwoman]

I have a Medic Alert bracelet -- looks like a snazzy watchband. I haven't worn a watch is 3-4 years, but for some reason, I keep trying to read time on the emblem.

Last summer I went to Wal-Mart and bought a medical alert necklace (about $6), paid almost $30 to have it very nicely engraved (MECH MITRAL VALVE and COMADIN).

Then I saw my cousin's Medic Alert bracelet and checked into it. Decided to spend the $35 for new membership and upgraded to what I have for another $15. Next year it'll only be $20, I was told.

I wear the bracelet always. My niece (a paramedic now in RN school) and her husband, a firefighter/paramedic (captain in his dept.), both encouraged me to get the bracelet. Said that emergency/rescue folks take more efforts to stop bleeding in Coumadin patients. Said the hospital ER folks would be calling Medic Alert to retrieve needed info.

I even have my insurance carrier & group # stored with Medic Alert. Have never been given my blood type (have gotten the brush-off when I've asked at a hospital); will get it in March when I have my next physical.

 

[jancb]

Medic Alert replies

Medic Alert replies

Thank you to all who replied to my query. I thought maybe since I haven't had surgery, etc. that maybe I was being paranoid. But I think with the state of my family (practically none) and all being out of state in which I live, I will invest. I, too, made a "card" with pertinent info, but didn't think of laminating it. Will wait until my next appointment in case info changes. Then will make a new one and laminate it.

I wonder why physicians and hospitals are so reluctant to give info about blood type. I have never been told either. Isn't it one of the first tests they run, when they do blood tests? My dad knew his, from the army. My mom and I have never known ours and mom was almost 85 when she passed.

Thanks again. Really appreciate your advice.

 

[Rush20]

I just subscribed to the service so I concur that it does provide a peace of mind. I'm not into jewelry, especially bracelets, so I ordered the necklace medal. When I received it, I laughed because it reminded me of the tags we used to get for our dogs..."If found, please return to..."

Seriously, I carry the Medic Alert and St. Jude Valve ID in my wallet as well. I went to a jewelry store and had a larger/stronger clasp added to the medic alert tag and then added it to my existing gold necklage that carries my cross and ditched the long thin necklace the alert tag came with. My wife said the cross/pendant look good together as they rest right at the top of the surgery incision. I just think I'm ready for the disco...where's my satin shirt?!

 

[joy]

I got my medic alert penant...not the classic one, the one I got is silver plated, and I have a really nice chain that it goes on. They look nice and really help medics and give a sound peace of mind. You can also log on to medicalert.org and update your info 24/7. I NEVER take mine off. Most of my family is 2000 miles away or more as well, but my husband is here, and my friends and neighbors all know about my heart, so if anything were to happen, I can call them and they have all said that they would be there for my family and I.

 

[DuchessBear]

If you are a traveler, especially out of the country, here's something else to consider when choosing a medical ID.

You should have some kind of evacuation/assistance coverage in addition to regular medical insurance. Evacuation policies can be quite expensive on a per trip basis, but if you have the Medic-Alert brand of ID, you can add a travel assistance package to your membership for $99/year. It's not really insurance, but will provide evacuation and other emergency travel assistance any time you are more than 50 miles from home. You can get more information from the Medic-Alert site medicalert.com.

The Medic-Aleert program is administered by Traveler's Emergency Network (TEN) and you can buy the same package directly from them (tenweb.com), although at a higher price. I bought from TEN for several years before my surgery (afer which I got Medic-Alert).

 

[jancb]

Medic Alert

Thank you for your replies. I have decided to go ahead and obtain the MA bracelet and know that I will feel a good deal less anxious.

I'm so happy I found this site. All of you are wonderful!

 

[SHerrin Hutt]

Medic alert

Medic alert

Welcome
We will not find any better friends than are on this web sight. Everyone is always willing to help in anyway they can. Good luck.

Sherrin Hutt
Valve repair 5/99
Valveplacement 3/02

 

[weekycat]

How about a keychain?

How about a keychain?

I didn't think I necessarily needed a Medic Alert bracelet, since I had a repair, and am no longer on Coumadin. But I did want some way to let people know that the scar on my chest is from a valve repair, in case I was ever in an accident, or the repair would happen to fail some day....

I found a keychain at the drug store, that has the medic alert symbol on it, and on the back, just says: See Wallet Card

I did get a card in the mail after my surgery with all the pertinent info on it. I keep that in the plastic window on the outside of my wallet, so as long as my purse is with me, there shouldn't be any questions. I know this won't work for everyone, but for those of us with repairs, it might be a good alternative.

The only problem with this might be, as my husband pointed out, what if he borrows my keys and has an accident? They'd be looking all through his wallet for a "wallet card".

 

[jancb]

Re: How about a keychain?

Re: How about a keychain?

I didn't think I necessarily needed a Medic Alert bracelet, since I had a repair, and am no longer on Coumadin. But I did want some way to let people know that the scar on my chest is from a valve repair, in case I was ever in an accident, or the repair would happen to fail some day....

A keychain is a good idea. The only problem I had with the "card" I made for my wallet was that I sometimes go out without my wallet...ie. a walk or to a friend's house. Also, if I was in an accident the chances of my wallet being close to me is astronomical. In addition, those rendering aide may not look inside a purse or wallet right away.

I figured if I had the medic alert bracelet or pendant there was little chance of being without it and it would be noticeable to a paramedic or others. Thanks for your input.

Hopefully, neither of us will ever need the medic alert id.

 

[KathyH]

Janco,
You mentioned that you wanted to know your blood type. The only time the Dr will have it, is if you are having a serious operation and the need to do a type and crossmatch to have blood on hand for you. I know that the only way I know my blood type is from donating blood in the past.
I never really thought much about a med alert, but it soundss like a good idea.
Kathy H.

 

[jancb]

Medic Alert/Blood type

Medic Alert/Blood type

Janco,
You mentioned that you wanted to know your blood type. The only time the Dr will have it, is if you are having a serious operation and the need to do a type and crossmatch to have blood on hand for you.

That's interesting. I guess that's why I don't know my blood type...never had any serious surgery. I guess I really hope never to know then.<G>

I received my Medic Alert bracelet and have a feeling of calm, knowing that the information is available to medical personel.

Take care.

 

[terry40]

You bet I have one

You bet I have one

Just like one of the other threads, people always say to me you don't look like you have heart problems.
And even though the scar is a dead give away, the Medical alert bracelet, has the details, especially "coumadin"

 

[Marge]

Kathy H writes:

<<You mentioned that you wanted to know your blood type. The only time the Dr will have it, is if you are having a serious operation and the need to do a type and crossmatch to have blood on hand for you.>>

Speaking of which -- I just got my paperwork to take to the lab with me for the pre-op stuff on Feb. 10. One of the orders is a requisition for transfusion service: "Type and crossmatch," with a note requesting "4 red blood cells." This has suddenly brought home what has seemed rather abstract up to now, I dunno why. I feel kind of creepy.