Charry,
In my experience, sometimes the bracelet/necklace has been a lifesaver. When someone is unconscious or unable to communicate it can be the only way to tell medical personnel info that truly can make a difference between life and death. Knowing about allergies, medications and conditions sure can make things easier. That would be cool if they could be prescribed by a doctor and paid for by insurance companies like medications.
Jay

has some special situations (ie Allegies, being Diabetic, Having a Pacemaker or Morphine implant, etc) would be very important to the health care professionals who work on these folks in an emergency situation.
Once those valuable teams get a patient stabilized and into the hospitals, those bracelets or necklaces have done their job.
I am all for what some medical institutions are looking into.
A implanted chip for the individual. With some provided equipment, a scan of these chips could provide the hospital or others with all the necessary details regarding that patient.
That to me is some really forward progressive thinking and I believe it will be very common in the not so distant future.

Think about it, the EZPASS's today essentially provide the same , but the subject is the car, not the patient.

I know of a person who was sent a ticket in the mail, because with the EZPASS tracking, going from Exit X to Exit Y is XXX miles and traveling at YY mph you would arrive at the exit Y in zzz:timeframe. If you come in under that timeframe, essentially you are speeding.

hi charry, it would be good if the insurance would pay for a med alert tag, but i think it is the best insurance we spineys can have to purchase our own med alert tags. before i was released from the hospital in aug. 07 (wow 2 yrs ago), my ns told me to get one, because it took 2 1/2 hours to get an airway started on me for my surgery. this is what i had printed in simple terms on my necklace tag:

my name
my d.o.b.
"titanium plate implanted in frontof neck c3-c7, difficult airway due to restricted neck movement"

i hope if my tag is ever used in an emergency, its one of those ems guardian angels reading it.
God Bless All, kc

I agree, everyone that needs one should have access to a medical alert tag, for any reason. Years ago when my husband traveled a lot I also had a card made at the engraving store for his wallet that says he is allergic to penicillin and other med info in case he lost the tag. That card is 30+ yrs. and still like new! But you made me think, I guess I should have a tag now too...thanks! On my list to do ASAP! Thanks Charry!

Kathy

i have some medical allergies and you have really made me think i need to get a tag or bracelet for them... thanks for the heads up!! Jenny

http://www.greywinds.com/specialtyitems.html

I have a medical bracelet as I'm allergic to penicillin and I was wondering whether I should have it updated to mention the hardware I will be getting in my fusion. Does anyone know if this is necessary?

Unless the hardware is going to present a problem for you if you were unable to speak for yourself (for example interfere with deffibrillation, intubation or MRI) then it really isn't necessary. Ask your surgeon his/her opinion and use that as a guide.

"C"

I guess I'd better get one since I'm allergic to Morphine, huh? This is a great reminder for all of us since we have so much going on in our lives. As far as infusion pump or stim, Medtronic gives you an ID card with all the important info but I would also like to have like a keychain or bracelet.

I am glad I came across this post-I have been wondering about wearing something-thank you

After getting my neck fused, I decided that it was time to finally get one (as my Dr. had mentioned it before b/c of my lung/asthma issues). With some searching, I found all sorts of styles of bracelets and necklaces that don't look old and clunky (the way the old ones have always looked to me, as my Grandparents wore them, and thats who I always associated them with). I ended up with extra space on my medical charm, so I added about my fusion - but it wasn't necessary. I alsao asked some friends who are EMT's and they said that they look at all necklaces, bracelets and watches to medical info. - if a person is not alert. Another good thing to do is to have an "In case of emergency" (ICE) listing in your cell phone contacts, or even in the glove compartment of your car.

Hmmm why not create a pretty line of medical bracelets? If EMTs look for anything why does it have to be plain or downright yucky?

I was shocked a few weeks ago when my brother mentioned that my unequal pupils would be interpreted as a stoke if I couldn't talk. He suggested putting something in my wallet. I ignored him but was surprised when the policeman at the teen driving lecture mentioned that unequal pupils would indicated a brain injury. Hmmmm need to get moving on this one.

There are some nice bracelets & necklaces now and even watches, shoe tags and dog tags for less than $10. So lots of options available now that look nice. I like the watch personally and have used citizen at work and it's water resistant and has a second hand.

I guess it's time I looked into getting one of these. I've gone into anaphylactic shock more than once due to antibiotics and valium, and I'm already sensitive to most inhaled sedation and antibiotics. I've had (mostly minor) reactions to most other antibiotics and some sedation drugs(makes surgery not so much fun Not to mention makes me choose carefully what to actually have done!)

I've always been the one that has the medical records for my family members... this makes me realize that maybe it's time that someone be able to find out mine if I can't tell them.

geez...and I forgot the Afib which became mine after the valium reaction... yeah, I guess it's time.

Without a doubt this is necessary for me. I had an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting last month.

I am have SCS trial scheduled for 10/19/2010. I am a positive thinking person, and hope I will have SCS implanted.

I do like MedicAlert as well. I feel more comfortable knowing that more of my medical data is available than what can be engraved on a bracelet.Thanks ladies for posting that there are different styles as well!

I will be ordering this weekend...

Jackie

Mine was made to say I have an Anapylaxis Alert and I got it from a company online called EDITED and they start from $3.95 and they are the stretchy ones that seem to be in fashion these days..

Take the time to have a look at the site as it offers 100's of different options.

Shelly.x

Edited URL - Dave, Spine Health Administrator

Ive been debating on getting one for meself. The usual pennicillin allergy, but what I was curious of is two things,
Can I stick the injurys to my back on there? I been handled pretty roughly due to my large frame and worry bout inadvertant, accidental agravation of any injurys due to wee paramedics(Bless them all!)
and two..
what about a Thumbdrive with your history on it?
git all the records about yourself on a chain round my neck , so doc can do a quick see on me.
I realize the responder/hospital may not allow foreign devices plugged in, but...
Thank you guys!

I have been wearing my bracelet and have been able to update any changes online with great ease.
I have a wallet card, a stickier on my car, a refrigerator magnet all alerting anyone who does not know me that I am have medic alert.
This service is reasonably priced and has given me peace of mind.
Jackie