Hi everybody. We seem to have many newbies posting lately and I'll bet there are others lurking who we haven't met yet. I thought it might be a good time to revisit a question I had when I first started on these boards about medical ID bracelets, for the benefit of those newly DX people taking MTX. I had read that it's important to have an ID bracelet/necklace identifying that you are taking MTX because it can be a major problem if you are unconsious for any reason, need medical care, and the doctors don't know you're on MTX. It interacts badly with many drugs. Anyway, when I asked about this, I learned that many people were told to have some sort of ID by their RD, but some didn't. When I asked my RD about it, he said it's a good idea. Some here have a bracelet, necklace or medical ID card in their wallet and I decided to go that route, and others have information on-line that they can update anytime. I just wanted the new people to know about this and perhaps ask you doctor his/her opinion. I never even thought to get a bracelet! Thank you! Now I'm googling to see what all is available. It's a shame the ones that are semi-trendy looking are so expensive. I'll keep googling until I find something I like that won't hit the pocketbook too hard. Thanks, again!
I'm still interested in the bracelet, but why are most of the chains so big and bulky? Why can't they be sleek and simple? I may go into the medID business myself to provide people with affordable and stylish bracelets. Ones that don't shout to the world, "Look at me! Look at me!" but still provide the valueable medical info. I should google jumpstarting my own home business next.
I did find a site that had some cute stuff though and I wanted to share:
http://www.fiddledeeids.com/medical-id-bracelets.php
They're kinda pricey though. It'd be so easy to use the metal part and grab stuff from a bead store to create your own look. I breezed through a couple of websites that sell the charm/plate alone. (And the hamster is running so fast it's flipping circles in my head! I might just start my own business... Ankle bracelets are a great idea!!! They are so popular and can be something you definitely leave on and forget, which is exactly what you want with a medical id item.I have always been told that you should wear it on your left wrist as that
is where a pulse is often checked.
I had one on the past when taking a ton of pred (90mg) along with other
meds. It said---Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Meds, See card in wallet.
I was told cause of the pred. Once I weaned off it all-4 yrs. later, I
stopped wearing it.Hey, Innerglow, I didn't think to put my RD or pharmacy numbers on my card, but I have everything else. I think I need a bigger card!!
Yeah, Jesse, I figure by the time they get through reading my whole card/novel, I'll be dead.
Pam & Mel, if I may add some hamsters to the wheel, wouldn't it be so kewl if the bracelets had charms for each med, so you can add and remove them as needed? I think mine would weigh down my arm though...I currently have 13 prescriptions and 6 supplements.
Here's what I did...
I got an ID bracelet and took it in and had the back engraved to say check wallet for Med list. Then I went to the fabric store and got pretty beads, silver clips and stretchy string and made my own.
Very cool ideas owie and Innerglow. I will give it some thought.Yeah thanks guys, a great idea. Janie.
I know that MTX interacts with many meds, and we need to carry something. My pharmacy(walgreens) will do a card for the wallet for five dollars. I have not gotten mine done yet, cause meds have not stayed the same for a while.
My sick insurance company has a place to fill out an ID card to fill out, print, and put in your wallet. < =text/>_popupControl(); Since I am on so many meds and have too many conditions to list on a bracelet, necklace, or anything like that, I have typed out my own list of meds, conditions, doctor phone numbers, what the meds are used for, what dosage the meds are at, emergency numbers, and insurance info. One copy is kept in my bag where I keep my meds, one copy is in our car, one copy is folded up Danny's wallet, and one copy is saved in my computer.good idea liz, I never thought of giving one to Mark in case he has to be contacted. I'll do that. I have a list in my daily diary in my bag, so that goes with me everywhere
So many good ideas here. I'll give my husband a copy of the meds too and I LOVE the idea of a medical ID ankle bracelet. I feel like it's too youthful for me, but what a good idea for the younger women.
I also have a list typed out. I keep it in my day planner but theres a little card in my wallet that says "med Info see day planner."
there are so many meds, and conditions.. I have trouble remembering all the doeses etc
Here are some links if anyone is interested on both a "personal health record" and a way to maintain your medications via a free web based program. I use the medicine one, because if my purse was lost or stolen, a car wreck etc this can be accessed at a hospital (or anywhere with an internet) immediately. These are reputable sites from the American Health Information Management Association (They are the professional organization for anything to do with medical records). My real profession is teaching in Health Information technology and we discuss these issues all the time.
I had a bracelet from Lauren's Hope. They have a tone to choose from with a variety of prices.
This one is actually an arthritis awareness one with the id tag. Kinda pricey but cool....
http://www.laurenshope.com/product.aspx?id=677&cat_id=54
Rebecca, I love those. I already have tons of similar beads (lots of swarovski) and also tons of sterling silver. I do need to order myself the actual tag though. I will post a picture when I am done.