MedicAlert bracelet/ID tag - do you actually wear it?

[Aidyn]

I'm wondering how many of you actually wear a MedicAlert tag. I don't, though I know it's logically a good idea, since a bad low could be mistaken for public drunkenness and not get treated in time, among other potentially unfortunate circumstances.

Some falsely invincible part of me thinks, "Yeah, I know, but I won't ever get that low! I always have sugar on me!" and, "That won't happen to ME! That only happens to BRITTLE diabetics! ;)" but I know it could happen to anyone...

My problem is that I do not want to draw attention to my disease and I'm afraid that everyone will automatically look at my ID tag and stare at it. :o I don't want that; I don't want my diabetes to be common knowledge - I'm not entirely private about it, but I want to have the option of telling who *I* want to tell.

What about you? Do you wear an ID tag? What are your feelings on it? Just curious. :)

[Gaia]

I first got Joey the bracelet which is what he chose. Then he came home and told me he was hot in class all day because he didnt want to take off his sweatshirt because 'then everyone would know'. So I had MedicAlert overnight a necklace and he seems more comfortable with that. We really couldnt afford it finacially to order a 2nd one. But I figured Joey comes first, Ill deal w/ the money issues later.

Its really important to have some ID on you at all times. Id rather someone think my kid was drunk and call me then ignore it , not know he's diabetic and have him end up in a coma or worse. Is this making sense? Sorry, only on 1st cup of coffee, hubby & Joey still home sick and I am ohhhhhhhhhh so tired!!

I guess my point is......a necklace can be tucked into a shirt and they have dogtags now which I hear are popular for anyone. If anyone sees it, they may not automatically realize its medicalert. I think telling your friends is important because you need the support. Joey told his 4 closest and nothings changed. Take it 1 day or 1 person at a time & good luck to you!!:cwds:

[Brensdad]

I absolutely wear mine all the time.

[hypercarmona]

I absolutely wear mine all the time.

Same here. I've got a bracelet that I wear casually, and I also have a really pretty necklace that I wear if I'm going out somewhere nice. I've had several people comment on mine, and suprisingly, most of them have assumed that I wear it for an allergy.

[clb1968]

I were mine everyday. I make sure that everyone I am around knows about my daibetes also.
I have had diabetes 17 years and no one really ever asks about my medical ID, I wear a necklace sometimes too. Not many questions.

[TripleThreat]

i never take mine off

[funnygrl]

I have one on my ankle. Probably not the best spot, but better than nothing.

[pumpgirl]

I am now 24 and have had diabetes since I was 7. When I was younger, I wore a necklace medic-alert... and for quite a few years. When I hit puberty, my attitude hit as well and I took the medic-alert off and it "disappeared." I've never really had a want or need to wear one until recently. About 4 or 5 months ago, I went to pick my son up from after school daycare. I ALWAYS carry glucose tablets in my purse, which I had at the time. However, my bloodsugar hit so low so fast that by the time I realized I was having a low, I couldn't coordinate my motor skills to reach over in the passenger seat of my car to grab the glucose tablets. I tend to get combative with myself when I have lows, which is exactly what happened to me. I fought with myself in my car for about 30 minutes before I was finally able to manage getting the door to my car open and get into the daycare. I was sooo low by this time, I was unable to even communicate to anyone what was going on. I had the owner of the daycare ask me if I was okay and all I could do was cry and repeatedly say, "Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no!" She called my mom before she found out what the problem was. By the time the paramedics got there, my bloodsugar was down to 24 and I was fighting with myself and them and they had to SIT on me to get an IV in me.

If I had been wearing a medic alert, the owner would've immediately have known what was wrong with me. Instead, she had to search for emergency numbers, call my mom and tell her she thought I was drunk. My mom had to explain to her several times that was NOT the case and to call 911. I now have a medic alert bracelet, however, I have yet to get it adjusted to be small enough to fit my wrist. I really think it's advisable to wear one. My diabetes is in very good control, however there are those times they you may over-dose for your meal (which was my problem) or you may get extreme exercise in and have your bloodsugar drop. I can usually tell when I'm having a low, but if it's dropping very fast, it can get too low before you're able to treat yourself. I highly, highly recommend it. Try getting a bracelet that has a small medic symbol on it... that shouldn't draw too much attn to yourself. It's better than getting arrested for drunk driving when you're really just having a low!

[rickst29]

and there's spares EVERYWHERE. ;)

[lilituc]

I have a necklace from here:
http://www.americanmedical-id.com/products/1096057925?usersession=U1YGQ47B

I think bracelets are better, but there's no way I can wear a bracelet.

[Aidyn]

I think I am going to order one from http://www.laurenshope.com - they have several nice looking bands for the ID tag.

I used to wear one sometimes (and for a little while, I never took it off), though because it didn't fit my wrist properly (too big for my wrist), it fell off and I haven't bothered to replace it.

Pumpgirl - what an awful story! :( I am so glad they finally found out what you needed, though reading stuff like that makes me think, "Ut oh, one day I might not be so lucky..." and makes me realize that there is a really good reason to wear the MedicAlert. I had a sort of crappy experience myself once: I thought I was going to eat dinner, so I bolused for that. Then, I realized I had to drop something off with one of my friends. She worked at a music store and was almost done with her shift, so I figured I'd go there, hang around until she came out, then we'd have lunch together.

The problem was, she got held up with something in the back and didn't come out when I thought she would. I felt my blood sugar rapidly dropping and I realized I didn't have anything sugary on me. I decided to go up to the counter and say, "Hey I'm Aidyn, I'm waiting for my friend, she isn't out yet (insert long-winded, not completely coherant story here), and I'm diabetic and I NEED SUGAR NOW!!" Both people at the counter exchanged glances and said, "WHAT? I only caught maybe half of that..." One of them assumed I was drunk, and since my blood sugar was dropping and causing me to have difficulty forming sentences I just said, "Sugar! I'm...diabetic...SUGAR... ok...sugar...SUGAR!" until I was given a regular Coke.

It was really, really embarrassing, though after my blood sugar came up, I explained the story in a more comprehensible fashion.

funnygrl - I work with a bunch of paramedics who told me that they rarely even check ankles for MedicAlert stuff (I was thinking about wearing mine as an ankle bracelet and asked)... just wrists and necks, where it is more visible. :(

[Mommacasey]

If you haven't ordered one yet, you might want to also check out CuteMedicalBracelets.com (http://cutemedicalbracelets.com)
They're just as cute and way less expensive.

[deafmack]

I wear a medic alert bracelet and carry a card in my wallet my meter case that says if I am acting strange or whatever to me something with sugar in it and to call 911. No one asks me about it and I have not felt different about wearing it. I know some are self conscious about wearing something that says they have a condition like diabetes, but even a card in a wallet will help.

[Armyemily]

never take it off

[Bob @ Joy of Diabetes]

In my 44 years of D I know of at least 2 times that my Medic Alert saved me
yes, I wear my bracelet

[whistler]

I haven't for a good 6 years. I never took it off my first 5, but after having 6 different ones and them always braking or falling off I got sick of buying new ones.

I see very well how they help and I have no problem wearing one, I just haven't gone to get one. It's stupid, but luckily I've never been hospitalized or not been able to treat myself. I'm going to check out those 2 websites posted.

[Ali]

I have never worn one in 37 years. Was never suggested to me to wear one and now that I use a pump (five years) I figure it will be self evident if needed. But...I recognize I should probably wear one anyway.:p Ali

[moco89]

I wear this bracelet. It's very pretty, and it's recognizable for EMS. http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry/search/product/B-268L/Physician_E.M.T.-Alert-on-Giotto-Bracelet/

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk72/moco89/MEdicalert.jpg

[Knoxs_dad]

I have been wearing a medic-alert for 37 years. It has been replaced several times, movedfrom the neck/chest to the wrist but it has always been a mainstay somewhere on my body. Highly recommended!

Peter

[diabeticmonkey]

im thinking about getting one of these. maybe in the interactive version. I also been thinking if I do get the Interactive do Paramedics Actually call the number to get more info?

[xstaybeautiful]

I used to when I was younger and newly diagnosed but the novelty soon wore off.
The problem is I have always found it hard to find something that didn't exactly SCREM medic alert. For something I have to wear everyday I want it to be something functional and pretty (being a teen girl).
so after scouring the internet and all of the companies I know for medical jewlery, I finally gave up and went about creating my own. I bought a regular charm bracelet I liked and a plain stainless steel tag to attach as a charm. There are a lot of places where you can have a tag engraved for a nominal fee (most of these places can also engrave the medic alert symbol without the red enamel paint). That way you can have a unique piece of jewlery and still be safe.

[moco89]

im thinking about getting one of these. maybe in the interactive version. I also been thinking if I do get the Interactive do Paramedics Actually call the number to get more info?

They never call the number. They only use the medical information on the bracelet. They only use it in order to find the problem, and then treat it. The paramedics and the hospital do not have the time to go around calling phone numbers.

[sofaraway]

yes i wear mine all the time, only ever comes off occasioanlly during football matchs

[Kent T]

Hi,

I wear mine always except for when working on electronic equipment, changing records or changing open reel tapes. I also carry a card in my pocket as added insurance.

[karpoozi123]

Aidyn, it is funny that you are asking about this because I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I feel dumb that I don't wear one, but I just don't WANNA. :(

WHy does this bother me so much more than needles and stuff?? :confused:

[diamondback688]

I wear a medic alert necklace. The pendant is just a stainless steel disc that has the universal medical sign(Caduseus?) at the bottom. It has my name, SS #, and Type 1 Diabetes. I forget what site I bought it from. I think I might need to get a new one because the red paint has washed off over the past couple of years and you have to look at it really good to read the information from it. I also have a standard military issue stainless steel dogtag that has my name, SS # and blood type. I used to be into everything military and I bought a set of dogtags because I thought they looked cool. When I was diagnosed with T1D, I ordered that medical tag. I didn't like having two different necklaces, so I took the medic alert tag off of the chain, took a dogtag off of the chain, and noew I wear one dogtag and the medic alert tag on a stainless steel ball chain. The only time I ever take my necklace off is when I am sleeping, and even then it is right next to me on my bedside table.

[smile101]

I do not have a bracelet. Wear can I get a cute one? I haven't liked the ones I have seen.

[diamondback688]

I do not have a bracelet. Wear can I get a cute one? I haven't liked the ones I have seen.

This site (http://www.creativemedicalid.com/shop_) has some cute ones. I just put 'cute medic alert bracelets' in Yahoo and that link was the third or fourth one.

[silversheen]

I know this is kinda late for posting but for those who live in the UK this site has a great variety of medical ID bracelet/necklaces.

Oh, I always wear mine. It has my name, that I have diabetes, asthma and my allergies listed and to look for my wallet card.

I can wear it with anything too. It's flat black beads w/ clear round beads and silver disks w/ clasps that hook onto the medical ID. I can buy the bracelets/necklaces or ID parts separate and change them as I like. Very Cool!

They have a separate line for men, women and children/teens.

Ice Gems

http://www.icegems.co.uk/index.asp

Smiles, Silversheen

[Scribe]

i'm probably in the minority, but I've been D1 for 50 years and never worn a bracelet. i use a pump, have a card in my wallet. but i approach my condition differently than most - no one at work knows i'm diabetic. none of my friends or neighbors know. they only people who know are my wife, my kids, my doctor and mother. i've had this along time and have zero complications so it works. i've gone to iraq, to new orleans after katrina and covered every presidential election since 1988. everyone is different, but for me, i firmly believe the less attention i draw to myself the better off i am.

[maha]

I never wore one.
I had a card in my wallet, not allways.

But even when I was low, I was allways able to deal with it, find sugars...

[SPICYSMOM]

I buy the $5-8 ones from the pharmacy. Take off the silver chain, and get beads from walmart and make matching bracelets and earrings. Sometimes I have taken long necklaces and broken them up for a shorter necklace, bracelet and earrings. I have a bunch for all type of outfits.

[GLevy]

I wear this pendant when I go running by myself or I feel funny
http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/stickyj_2055_11537708
This is a picture from their website (I use gray rubber cord as the necklace) and I had my name and some info engraved on the back. I don't like to wear jewelry so unless there's some risk it stays in my pocket.

[Connie(BC)Type 1]

I'm always with someone who knows about my diabetes, I have no reason to hide it. I never wear a I D bracelette because I have a human one with me all the time! :)

[ediabeat]

I've been type 1 for over 20 years...i've never worn identification or even carried a card...i've never worn jewlery because all metal gives me hives and i don't carry a purse (too active/busy) so a card would have to be credit card type to not ruin with wear and tear of pockets...luckily nothing serious has ever come about, however i'm getting later in my years and spending more time alone and am about to get a medic alert tattoo on my left wrist...(yes i know the concerns for infection and if they EVER find a cure then i will wear it as a badge of survival)...i've thought looong about the 'openess' of people asking me about i'm like you never been real open about it but would never turn down a question about it...but over the years i've come to a comprimise with the disease and all its baggage..i would much rather explain to the inquisitive about my medical vulnerabilities so if anything ever did come about i would have people on my side, i've even come to appreciate educating people about the difference between types 1 & 2 (we don't/never have had the option to fend off daily doses..we are a small few)...i guess the point...to share my thoughts...is find something that keeps you safe because at the end of the day being embarrased about it is not worth dying because of it...there are lots of options, permanent or not but accept its not going anywhere and part of the baggage is counting on those around you to not assume you could be "publicly drunk"

[sarahspins]

I wear a Vital ID (http://vitalid.ca/store/Scripts/prodView_medical.asp?idProduct=16) "most" of the time. Mine is purple and has flowers on it, and apart from the medical ID tag and "vital ID inside" on it, it doesn't stand out... yet it's still obviously an ID if you're up close to it.

My concern is not that I could have a low or something and not take care of myself... but what if I was in a car accident or something and wasn't able to speak for myself.. or if whoever I was with wasn't able to speak for me either. Sure it's a small risk, but it's still a risk.

[GLevy]

...i've never worn jewlery because all metal gives me hive ... am about to get a medic alert tattoo on my left wrist...

Just to give another option: there are some nice silicone Diabetes bracelets (like the Lance Armstrong yellow Live Strong bracelets). They look nice, they're comfortable, and they can be removed easily!

[Davido]

Hi everyone, Ive been tagged type1 for now 40years. I tried to wear a bracelet ; but, it used to irritate my wrist. Tried the neck ones with the same result. I found also if I had these tags on me they would get ripped off by myself during the low blood sugar reactions. If I have a watch or rings on I have to remove them as the watches stop the rings make my fingers feel like they are about to be cut off. With the quartz watches after 3 or 4 hours it feels like their is a spike through my wrist. After lossing many of these tags, many were well meaning gifts. I finally put a card in my wallet. As many know that is where most of the ambulance attendants check for id anyway. I was going to get a tatto on the wrist; but, I thought there would be a cure sooner then later. It is easier to remove a braclet then a tatoo; but, having it in my wallet seems to do the trick.