Medic-Alert bracelets or necklace

[dankap]

Just curious how many people have them for their Diabetes? is it important?

[dbc]

I have one - signed up a few months after diagnosis. It's a bit like insurance - you hope you'll never be in a situation where you need it . . . .

[Real4]

Just curious how many people have them for their Diabetes? is it important?

If you use insulin and therefore may be subject to a hypo-caused blackout, such a bracelet could be important (although I don't have one myself, I don't like jewelry of any form).

If you only use pills, or diet and exercise, it's probably not too important, In the worse case, you'll be given a glucose drip while you are unconscious and if you're unconscious, you've got bigger worries than running high for a few hours.

P.S. Maybe think that only Type 1s use insulin, not so. The majority of Type 2s eventually go on insulin. If a Type 2 can't get control without insulin, then insulin is called for.

[xMenace]

I wear the bracelet I got 32 years ago. They're timeless! I'm not registered though. I also wear a DF rubber bracelet.

I've never actually needed it. All my 911's were at home with family around.

[davef]

I have DF bracelet that I wear if I'm going somewhere on my own or where nobody will know I have diabetes, it's more in case of being involved in an accident rather than fear of going low.

I also printed a couple of business cards which say that I have T2 diabetes, what meds I take and on the back are contact details for my wife. Now that I've done it I'll never need it ;)

[princesslinda]

I don't have a medic alert bracelet, but I do have a card in my wallet with my driver's license stating I am T2 diabetic and my meds...and my husband has one in his wallet for me as well, in case we're together and I couldn't speak for myself.

We're planning a cruise this year, so i'll definitely make sure I have a medic alert bracelet before leaving the country.

[RLK]

Absolutely! I'm T1, so the risk of a serious hypo is real. I'm very active, both at work and at home, and I'm not taking any chances that something could happen and no one would know who to call or that I'm diabetic.

On a related note, my hubby (who has absolutely no health concerns) also wears an ID bracelet w/ name, phone numbers, etc. when he's working in the field or riding his bike. It's good peace of mind for both of us to know that, if something happened, responders could get in touch with me or his mom.

[Olidus]

I wear the bracelet.

http://www.medicalert.org/emblems/A482.jpg

[kgm0612]

I have a dainty 14-k gold bracelet that says I'm diabetic, but to be honest, i'm not sure an EMT or other medical professional would actually think it was a medic alert bracelet.
I really need to replace it with something better.

Karen

[Keezheekoni]

I wear a MedicAlert bracelet. My husband (a T2) wears one too. Our daughter, who has Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis, wears one also.

I pay for the three year membership and get renewal reminders starting about 3 months before our memberships expire.

DO NOT use a DF bracelet to let people know that you have diabetes. That WILL NOT work! Those bracelets are far and wide known as *advocacy* bracelets, so EMTs will ignore them. Some people, like me, wear about 8 different ones at any given time, for various causes.

[art]

I had a RED ( and I mean RED) dog tag made up.
Shows I'm T2 and my docs phone number and name.
When I travel I wear it.
At home it's in my wallet next to my medical insurance card.

Art

[gettingby]

I wore a necklace up until about 4 months after getting my pump.

[Coppernob]

I have been wearing some type of medic alert ID for 33 years. I wear one on a stretch band - for years, I wore one of the chain bracelets but many times when rushing about I would get it caught on a door handle - the abrupt check to my progress really HURT my wrist! The current one includes the fact that I have an insulin pump.
Incidentally, I lost my medic alert bracelet in the library when I was at university - they were able to track me down by calling the number on the bracelet!

[Scrabblechick]

I have a Medic-Alert bracelet and dogtag necklace. I also carry the card in my purse. Needless to say, I don't wear either of them to work (see employment thread for the reason), but I do have a Medic-Alert sticker on my windshield.

It's $25 a year, which is pretty inexpensive--just a little over $2 a month. Not too bad, considering the coverage you receive. I'd say it's very important. If you're in a car crash, for instance, even if you're Type 2, if the EMTs know it in advance, they can tell the ER staff, and they can be prepared when you get there. They'll already know what meds you're taking and the dosage. You can also register the name of your primary physician and family contact numbers with Medic-Alert, and one phone call can alert your doc and your family, in case you can't communicate.

I've been considering getting one of the Medic-Alert Citizen watches with the eco-drive. More discreet and something I can wear every day. Maybe when my tax rebate check gets here. :)

[dex123]

definately especially in situations such as large parties or fesivals etc where people think you might be drunk or mucking about when really you are fitting, also essential in situations such as extreme sports, if you have an accident and get knocked out or hurt (could cause disruption to levels) paramedics will need 2 know! in case a sudden blackout etc is actually caused by diabetes not concussion etc :D, saying that mine broke and i havent worn it for a few months :( oopps

[Handybear]

I never go anywhere without my bracelet. It just makes good sense to make sure that if anything did happen to you that proper care would be given.

[solox316]

I agree it is important, but I am lazy acting on it... I wore one as a kid 100% of the time... I don't wear one now, but have been saying I am going to get one for a Loooonnngggg while now... Seems like the pump is a good visible sign though...

[genie86333]

I wear a medic-alert bracelet that opens up & has a tiny packet with important info like meds & contact #s.

I'm a former EMT & know just how helpful something like that information is, so I got it the day after I was Dx'd.

[calmali]

I wear a cute little heart shaped medic alert necklace that has my name and that I'm T2 engraved on the back.

[RLK]

Seems like the pump is a good visible sign though...

I've talked to a few EMTs and firefighters, and the knowledge about pumps seemed widely vary. Some knew that it was an insulin pump, others thought that it checked my BG (no CGMS for me yet), while others thought that it was my pager. :confused:

I'll continue to wear my bracelet- I'm not taking any chances.

[RobiJo]

I've ALWAYS wore a MedicAlert bracelet. I lost a lot of them as a kid... we have a cottage on a lake and there are probably 4-5 of them at the bottom. Currently I have a necklace one. It says "Diabetes. My name. Insulin Pump." on the back. When I was younger it had my birthday instead of insulin pump.

[notme]

I wore this one reliegiously for years. Lately, I have been very bad about wearing it. I think I need a new one so I can change things up a bit. I would like one small and with beads I think.

[kstreeter513]

I wear one always when running as this seems to be the only time I am not close to food or someone who can help, but my risk of going low is quite high. Is that an oxymoron?

I know I should wear one ALL the time but I hate wearing jewelry of any kind.

[pokie]

I wear my bracelet 24-7; I used to have a sterling one but I started having an allergic reaction, so I got a 316 stainless model and no more reaction.

[Tazmara]

Greetings to all!! (smiles and waves) I have a bracelet and wear it 24/7. The doctor, pharmacist, and DE recommended it. I would like to get a second one so that I can have variety. I like wearing jewlery, so to add the bracelet to my collection was okay with me. :) More so, I wear it in case of accident when I cannot speak for myself. I travel a lot with work, and often am traveling alone. I also have a card in my wallet that is with my driver's license stating I am T2, my doctor's contact info, and a list of meds. :)