Medical Alert Bracelet
 

Hi all! Do any of you wear a medic alert bracelet for RSD? It seems to me like this might be a good idea since many of us take such high dosages of pain meds. If so, where do you find these and have any of the docs recommended this? Thanks, Lisa

I think it is a great idea to have one on all the time if possible. Here is a great website for incredible braclets. They are not the standard ones at all. Cant tell they are medical bracelets except for the medical sign on it. They also have a lot of other stuff for medical information. hope it helps.
www.laurenshope.com

I do were a medical braclette. I have a SCS implant and also asthma with the RSD. I was afraid that if at any time something were to happen and noone was with me to tell the docs, then they could see what my problems were and then locate my med card in my purse. I got mine at Walgreens for a little over 10 dollars and it is engraved for me personally. Hope this helps.
Angela

Yes i wear one as also have SCS implant. I wear it 24/7 never take it off-Carol

Great idea!
 

I think this is brilliant, as I cannot get ER's and hospitals to stop taking blood and inserting IV's into my elbows and on the hard underside of my arms. They just will not listen. Last time, I had to threaten to take it out myself because my arm was turning cold and purple. They don't get it. My only hesitation is that so few medical people know anything about RSD, I'm not sure how the bracelet will help. Dr.'s inserted an IV on the hard underside of my arm when I was unconscious, even though it is all over my chart, and there was even a note above my bed, saying NOT to do this. When I woke up and saw it, I said, you guys aren't supposed to do that. Response? "Yeah, we had a really hard time getting it in there, and it infiltrated right away, so we couldn't use it." I want to kill these morons sometimes.

I wear a bracelet also..all of the time! Actually two..one is a pretty gold bracelet which I had engraved with "RSD/CRPS" SCS IMPLANT..the other on the same wrist is an orange RSD awareness bracelet which I ordered from the RSD web.. If ever we are unconcious or not able to speak it is important we do not receive heart paddles and such...

Hugz, kathy:grouphug:

as a nurse and a RSD pt with a SCS I SHOULD wear an ID but have never found any I like but this site has some that I think I would wear like I need to.
Thanks:D

Pooh ac..Love that one!!

I used a bracelet that is a regular bracelet from my jewelry box..It has a pretty gold band and a flat side in which I had engraved at our jeweler..then I had the jeweler clip the medic alert pendent on the band.. of course, along with the RSD orange alert bracelet..

Have a slendid night...

Kathy:grouphug:

Yes, I wear a MedicAlert braclet, 24/7. I'm a puter dummy and don't know how to post a link, but I guess if this doesn't get edited, you could find their web site.

I like this company because they have all my info on file, I can update or change anything as I need to. Even my blood type, living will, emergency phone #s. All my meds, insulin pump, (not all medical people are familiar with this one) ailments, just everything about me.

good ideas! there are some that include usb for digital readout of all your conditions, drs, allergies. here are a few of the options.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...#ProductDetail

here are other sizes, colors and one that's very adjustable
http://www.nextag.com/USB-Medical-Br...36C38FA11AF6E5

I was thinking of getting one myself only thing is i can't have anything touching my arms or wrist. I wonder if they make one as a necklace?

Yes they do, check smile's link. Lisa

I have worn a medical alert braclet for over three years since getting RSD in my left arm. A neurosurgeon suggested I get it. It says - needle sticks, right arm only. Can I even tell you how many times a tech has started to prepare my arm for a blood draw without ever even looking at what the braclet says. I swear - it shocks me. I just don't want them to ever put a needle or a blood pressure cuff on or in that arm. The world can be a scary place when you have RSD.

YAY!!!!

I just got mine and I LOVE it!

Thanks for the "link"! HaHa!

Kim

yes and key chains
 

here are 2 sites. there are others too.
http://www.americanmedical-id.com/ma...scrollerpage=1

there are gold colored, black and other options toward the bottom of this page.
http://e-commerceunlimited.ecrater.c...php?cid=691250


good luck!

I wear a medical alert bracelet, because I'm on high doses of narcotic pain medication. It takes 2 Duragesic patches to get to my current dose and I always worry that if a problem came up with those, the paramedics might not notice both of them.

*edit* Mine is just about an inch wide, like a cuff, and is made from little tiny beads that are woven together. It's got a blue and white checkerboard background with the word "Hope." It sounds kind of mushy, but it's an alert bracelet for everyone else, but for me, it's a tangible reminder never to lose hope, even when I find myself getting bogged down because of my pain. It's completely unique and I've never seen anything like it anywhere else.

I wear a medical/alert necklace as my wrists cant handle bracelets. Mine states I have full body RSD, that I have an SCS and a medical port and also lists all my allergies as I have several allergies to different pain meds that are normally given.
It actually really helps with the ER cause I dont have to sit and explain everything when all they have to do is read my tag.

Niki

In the book Positive Options for RSD the author suggests the Medical Alert company (medicalalert.org). Like aussiemom said, they offer a lot of services other than the 'jewelry'. They notify your family after they've given emergency responders your info, you can update your info online so they have the latest info, plus you get a wallet card (!). Besides the regular bracelet, dog tag, and necklace they also offer a shoe tag.

Regarding the wallet card...

I was taking a medicine where the instructions said to carry/wear something that says you take this medicine. I spoke with a local firefighter about this and they said they never go through anyone's wallet so wear the info. Could be just my area.

I took my stupid pill this morning
 

Now why haven't I in the world gotten one? Maybe it's the clicking on the piano or probably just because my stupid medication kicked in and I took dosages instead of one?

With people like us who have additional hardware such as pumps, media-ports, taking huge dosages of blood thinners plus that clot busters inside that main vein leading into the lungs is more than enough good reasons to get one so I guess I'd better add that to my list. I'm so glad you guys have your brains on straight because I'm clearly out of alignment. Bob.

I dont have a medical alert bracelet. But, I do have a calendar notebook that I keep in my purse. I added some little pockets that I put my medical info in the front of the book. My friend that is a nurse helped me organize it. Page 1 says *ALERT* RIGHT SIDE OF BODY is extremely sensitive to touch!! DO NOT USE FOR: BP's, pulse ox, axillary temps, sticks (IV's or blood draws, etc.) Page 2 has all my diagnosis & blood type. Page 3 has my demographic info & medication list. Page 4 has my doctors contact info & emergency contacts. The book has lots of space for me to write down what time I take each med. It's small enough to fit in my purse so if I take a medd while not home I can write it down. I told my close friends & family that when I have to go to the ER or a doc appt. to make sure I have the book. I had a book like this last year that I got slack about & quit using. But, when I used to go to the ER....nurses & docs were very appreciative that I had it I think I would receive better care.