Question about alert jewelry.

[GeishaGirl]

The first medic alert bracelet I got was when I was misdiagnosed as a type 2. When I was rediagnosed, I went from MDI to pump so quickly (just about 2.5 months) that I forgot to get a new set of tags.

As much as I HATE the idea of wearing a medic alert, I promised my husband I'd get one before our trip to CA in August. He gets upset enough that I drive through several counties a day, and bike and rollerblade on trails, without any kind of ID at all -- he's terrified of me going superhypo in Disneyland, or something, and having no one know how to help me.

I've decided on a necklace this time, since bracelets just make me angry (I have issues) and while I'm researching styles I'd deign to wear (I wear 2-3 pieces of jewelry a day -- my wedding ring, my Tree of Life necklace, and occasionally, a pair of earrings) I thought I'd ask a question.

What should I put on the tag?

Obviously it'll come with a medic alert symbol -- that's a must. And it should have my husband's name and cell number. But, and I know this is nitpicky, should it read "Type 1 Diabetic" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetic" or something else entirely? Help please :)

[foxl]

Well ... would it hurt to put LOCATE PUMP on it, if you are pretty sure pumping is a longterm thing? I would think it would be helpful since you would want someone turning off before adding meds ... (I know professionals should do that automaticall these days!).

The first medic alert bracelet I got was when I was misdiagnosed as a type 2. When I was rediagnosed, I went from MDI to pump so quickly (just about 2.5 months) that I forgot to get a new set of tags.

As much as I HATE the idea of wearing a medic alert, I promised my husband I'd get one before our trip to CA in August. He gets upset enough that I drive through several counties a day, and bike and rollerblade on trails, without any kind of ID at all -- he's terrified of me going superhypo in Disneyland, or something, and having no one know how to help me.

I've decided on a necklace this time, since bracelets just make me angry (I have issues) and while I'm researching styles I'd deign to wear (I wear 2-3 pieces of jewelry a day -- my wedding ring, my Tree of Life necklace, and occasionally, a pair of earrings) I thought I'd ask a question.

What should I put on the tag?

Obviously it'll come with a medic alert symbol -- that's a must. And it should have my husband's name and cell number. But, and I know this is nitpicky, should it read "Type 1 Diabetic" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetic" or something else entirely? Help please :)

[Subby]

Contact number/name and condition seems sufficient. Why not simply make it clear as humanly possible with "Type 1 Diabetes - Insulin Dependent"? :)

Not sure on the pump thing, it makes some sense on the surface Linda, but... if you are unconscious and away fom medical help for some time, you probably wouldn't want the pump removed. Maybe mentioning it brings attention to it and some well meaning person thinks its "pumping you full of dangerous insulin" and tears it off, removing basal insulin you might really, really need over the next few hours to stay out of trouble. I guess I'm thinking it could be a little risky. As for adding meds, well if by some case medics or hospital they don't find the pump, they should be going by BG test and also assuming basal insulin anyway... same thing as the pump... and then the pump should time out when not touched (is this feature set correctly on your pump, Geisha?)

[SuzySushi]

How about "Type 1 Diabetes - Insulin Dependent on Pump"? That should cover it!

[networkguy]

You could do what Im considering and get a tat on your wrist ;)

Otherwise, like others have said, "Type 1 diabetic" is sufficient.

[misha09]

I just have Type 1 Diabetic. I keep emergency phone numbers on my cell and in my purse and hopefully when I come to I can tell them who to call. All they need to know is that I'm diabetic so they can check my BG and treat.

[Mindstorm]

I have a few emergency things I do for my medic alert stuff.

I have on my phone a few "in case of emergency" numbers that have my parents' home phone, dad's work phone, and my brother's cell phone (so SOMEBODY will know if I am sent to the hospital). I also got a customized dogtag from fiddledeeIDs.com which has room for a ton of information. It's basically like this:

Front:
************** AVERY XXXX
************** TYPE ONE
* Medical Symbol * DIABETES
************** INSULIN
************** PUMP USER

Back:
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
XXX-XXX-XXXX
XXX-XXX-XXXX
PLEASE CALL 911 IF
I AM NONRESPONSIVE


I made sure that the front basically covered the basics of what they need to know (I'm a diabetic that has a pump that can take care of me, so look out for the pump before you do anything to me), and the back just has a couple of the most important phone numbers and some simple instructions for people to get help instead of trying to diagnose and fix me themselves. That last part is key, as I have a tendency to go high or low right now and don't want somebody injecting me with glucagon when I'm already high, or with insulin when I'm already low!

I realized that was a safer course of action after speaking with the first-aid & CPR trained person at a martial arts class I was taking, as training somebody who is not a medical professional on figuring out what the best course of action is to treat me is generally not advisable. I thought I would have lows when doing the martial arts class and instead I had the highest blood sugars I had ever experienced in my life.

So yeah, I think my ID may be the most rational way to go unless you're limited to only highs or lows (depending on your control). I also have a necklace and would highly recommend it. The metal dog tag with a silencer (the rubber "casing") is pretty comfortable and rarely gets in my way/gets annoying/pulls hairs out of my chest/jingles. It's the best solution I've found yet besides basic stainless steel necklaces and bracelets.

[GeishaGirl]

I finally went with a basic bracelet with a red symbol on the front, and the following on the back:

DIABTIC (Insulin)
Locate Pump
Jay: XXX-XXX-XXXX

That's the most important stuff -- I'm a diabetic on insulin, that thing attached to me is a pump, and please call my husband.