Medical Alert Data

[bvdr]

Hey Bonnie.............they might look at the picture on your driver license.

I don't curtail any of my activities because of the coumadin/heart disease issues. I just try to be a little more prudent on how I conduct some activities.
Yesterday, my grandson (3 1/2 yrs) and I went on a hike in the woods. We wore backpacks and had walking sticks and I had my cell phone. Also my husband knew where we were going and what trail we were taking. If I was by myself I might have just gone walking on a whim but when it concerns my grandson...........well, I have to always think of him first.

 

[perimeno]

question re England?

question re England?

When visiting my brother who recently underwent OHS (AVR) I asked him about having a medic alert bracelet and he said there was no such thing in England. Just wondering if he just hadn't asked the right people maybe. Seems to me that having this information handy is a pretty important thing? Does anyone know what the equivalent is over in England?
Thank
Peri

 

[Granbonny]

Betty

Betty

Kameron (My Grandson know, if I hurt myself) run to the nearest HUMAN being. He knows, at age 11 all that is wrong with me. While we were Bass fishing on our lake today.. I was spotting Bass for him under the boat dock. I tripped and caught myself on a d--m whatever it keeps the boats docked. But..did not fall. He knows the guard at the gate..1 minute away..KNOWS him..and Knows..Who to call. I love living in my gated community.Bonnie

 

[bvdr]

I would think England would have a medic alert system or something like it. It wouldn't do much good to wear a bracelet or necklace to alert people of a potential problem though if no one in your area knew what the symbol meant.

If you find out, let us know, OK?

 

[Les]

Medic-Alert Foundation International is worldwide.

 

[Raverlaw]

I'll just echo what Sue said. I looked into wallet cards, etc. and have both the Coumadin card and the St. Jude Medical card. but I subscribe to MedicAlert and wear the bracelet 24/7. It has the basic info and a number to call. In their file they have all the info plus numbers for my surgeon, cardio, PCP and my wife's home, work and cell numbers. They also know my current meds, including dosages. I can update the information anytime, on-line or by phone, at no charge. I think it is THE way to go.

The only thing is that the bracelet really bugs me - I'm not used to wearing one. I'm switching to a dog tag as soon as my incision area gets a little less itchy -

 

[ccrawford]

This thread started out sorta slow and I was affraid I'd started a dud, but it picked up and we're getting a lot of very good information for our members to learn from. I knew you guys would come through - this may save a life someday.

 

[Lulabelle1]

Hi.
I carry a laminated card in my back pocket AND in my purse. It tells all meds & doses....coumadin user (in red). Mechanical heart valve (in red) all medical problems .
CAD, SVT, MVR, HBP, CABGX4, St Judes Mechanical Mitral valve 2001
name, age , and hospital desired. (scar on chest is an alert in itself)
Everyone at work knows to check my pockets for the med list, in case of emergency....so does hubby & close friends.
Hope they NEVER get used !
Lulabelle1

 

[csutherland]

Jerry just goes about his business as if he trusts his heart and the St Jude's valve completely. It is rarely mentioned; however, he does faithfully take his warfarin and have the INR checks as needed. His billford contains at least 2 cards that have the info concerning the valve and warfarin therapy. But as for the necklace I got him shortly after the surgery--I doubt he knows where it is. He says he's way too active and gets too sweaty, etc. to mess with a necklace.

I do believe the artwork on his chest would be a clue to alert a paramedic.

 

[Simon Gee]

Medic Alert in the UK

Medic Alert in the UK

Hi Peri,

as Les posted, Medic Alert is a worldwide organisation. I got a bracelet from the UK office straight after my AVR in 2000 and I'm now on my second (I'm a bit careless with them!). Their UK website is at www.medicalert.org.uk

For information, mine is engraved with "Aortic Valve Replacement. On anticoagulant. Call for vital details". This is supported by a laminated card in my wallet with more information. The card is updated annually when you resubscribe, which costs £15 (I think, although they welcome higher contributions).

Simon

 

[catwoman]

Medic Alert brings 2 VR patients together!

Medic Alert brings 2 VR patients together!

I was in Colorado Springs CO this weekend for a cat show. It was the last weekend of our show season. I'm a shorthair breeder (Abyssinians, American Shorthairs, others) but have been showing a Persian this year. I sat down to watch the shorthairs being judged in one ring. Exhibitor sitting next to me noticed my Medic Alert bracelet and asked where I had gotten it. Told her about www.medicalert.org. She said she needed one because she's on Coumadin. I asked why on Coumadin. She had AVR 3 months ago, has a mechanical valve now. WOW!!!
She was soooo glad to meet another person w/ a mechanical valve (we compared how high up our incisions go!). Told her about vr.com, urged her to visit us sometime and told her about the reunion in October. She had some questions. Hope she does drop in.

 

[Marge]

Wondering ... I don't have a valve replacement (had valve repair) and won't be on coumadin after the 17th of next month. And (as far as I know) don't have other medical problems .... Do I need to have my medical info where medical personnel could access it ?

If I do, I think signing up with Medic-Alert would be best. I don't think just a wallet card with my medical information would be as good -- I can think of all kinds of emergency scenarios that could separate me from my wallet. In which case, the MedicAlert bracelet or medallion would be a very good idea, they would be alerted, & all they would have to do is call MedicAlert to get the information.

 

[Abbanabba]

This was something I'd never really thought about, but I recently found out that I can't get accurate BP readings in my right arm because of a BT-shunt I had as a kid. When I was chatting to some friends the other day, who have done extensive 1st aid training, they mentioned that if I was unconcious and they took my BP in the wrong arm (..if they could find it..) it could lead to all sorts of complications from not understanding the BP is "wrong".

I've since been considering a bracelet with a couple of dog-tags (..like "charms"..) so I can include all the info I need to... dodgy BP, ToF, heart murmer, etc.... Now I just have to look around for something aesthetically pleasing! Maybe I could just get a tattoo saying "CHECK OTHER ARM" across my pulse point..!!

A : )

 

[catwoman]

Marge:

If you were unconscious, paramedics/EMTs/ER folks would figure out you'd had some type of surgery from your incision scars. Having a necklace or bracelet would help them get info about your background. I have several friends w/ tissue valves, other heart conditions who wear a Medic Alert tag or bracelet.

I first wore an inexpensive dog-tag type necklace I bought at Walmart for about $60. Spent $25-30 having MECH MITRAL VALVE/WARFARIN engraved on the back. The necklace -- which had a medical symbol -- stood out like a sore thumb! If I wore it under my shirt, it irritated the incision.

I like the bracelet. I chose a watchband for mounting. Medic Alert took care of it all. I did have to go to a jewelry repair place at a mall to get a couple of links taken out; I overmeasured my wrist size.

My bracelet is often mistaken for a watch. While I was waiting for my shuttle ride at the Colorado Springs airport, a hearing-impaired traveler touched me and pointed to her wrist, inquiring about the time. I checked the time on my cell phone and gave her the time.

 

[catwoman]

Kaitlyn:

My niece and nephew-in-law are paramedics. They say having a Medic Alert tag on a pulse point (necklace, bracelet or anklet) w/ some type of indication as to medical problem (such as Coumadin patient) alerts them as to a potential bleeding problem. Kristi & Jake said they would be providing info found on the emblem to the hospital they would transport to, and Drs/ER personnel there would call Medic Alert for info. Paramedics in the field don't have time to contact Medic Alert.

Heaven help a paramedic if I ever need emergency help -- my tiny purse is so messy I'd hate for someone to try to locate info needed. I do keep my St. Jude ID card, health insurance card, etc., all together. My husband has a hard time understanding my "filing" system!!!!!!!!!

 

[SJJ]

Between you and Tobagotwo, I may never need to do independent research again. You two are the best at gathering data, giving it a rather cynical (read analytic) critique and after a thorough rumination, spitting out a position...a girl could get lazy.
Sue

 

[SJJ]

P.S. My last post was addressed to Quetlin
Sue

 

[Harpoon]

Here's a novel idea, have all your medical information, including the coumadin info, tattooed to your chest....


Oh wait, yeah, right, tattooing, coumadin, bad combination....

 

[Abbanabba]

Here's a novel idea, have all your medical information, including the coumadin info, tattooed to your chest....

Oh wait, yeah, right, tattooing, coumadin, bad combination....

You could always use a "magic marker"!! Only trouble being you would have to keep going over it every couple of days

A : )

 

[Mark Wagner]

Anna, I include the fact that I am alergic to demerol, and a warning too the nurse taking care of me .... If she looks like your picture, I certainly cannot be responsible for my actions!!

Mark