I have an id from American Medical ID. I have engraved on it: Diabetes on Insulin Pump, my meds including the name of the brand, Novolog and my birthday and religion and my allergy to aspirin. I know it’s alot of information but it should answer most of the questions and if I am having a heart attack I don’t want an EMT pushing an aspirin down my throat.
what could happen if you DON’T?
What could happen if you don’t WHAT? Don’t wear a bracelet? You could be having a severe low, and be mistaken for being drunk and thrown into the drunk tank by the police and die. You could be having a hyperglycemic coma, and be unconscious, and they’re busy testing you for drunkenness, dementia, or drug overdose (wrong 3 D’s!), when what you really need is to get your BG down (happened to me). You could be in a car accident and be unconscious for days, and they’re trying to treat you, with no idea that you’re diabetic, or hypothyroid or need heart medication. They do test, and find out eventually, but minutes and hours count when you’re on the edge of death.
I learned my lesson the hard way – don’t want others to do the same.
Medical jewellery usually has either one of the international medical symbols on one side, so are easily identified by any of the emergency services. My sister put the snake and sword (at least I think that is what it is!) one one side of the dog tag that she made for me, and then on the other side, major information and the membership number of the organisation Next of Kin which is recognised throughout the world and is contactable 24/7 to give further information.
In addition to all the very good suggestions already typed, I would add: Save a line for the word “awesome.” Sometimes we need that reminder about our strength in living with diabetes.
Trained to do does not always mean does. I was talking to an EMT the other day who said wearing an ID wouldn’t make much difference to him (for DM anyways). He said if someone is unresponsive he first checks vitals and the next thing he does is check a blood glucose. I AM NOT saying don’t wear one (I do) but obviously different EMT’s have different things they do despite or because of their training. I know it will be helpful at the hospital if sent but around my neck of the woods regardless of if you are T1 or T2 on insulin or not you would just be put on a sliding scale anyway even if you put BASAL INSULIN REQUIRED on the ID. Sad state of affairs.
My black sport band is cut so it’s close to my wrist, unlike the metal bracelet klunkers. I wear it all the time. My personal paramedic says left arm by the watch is great. The metal ID swings around if I don’t want anyone asking about my medical condition.
My wording is:
insulin using
Diabetes Type 1
contact
first name of my daughter & her cellphone
It cost 4.98 about 10 years ago and no monthly or annual costs. It launders in the daily shower.
I have often thought of saying on it : gel in purse! But I don’t want someone to think I’m too cavalier about it. Besides, all the medical people in my family would probably print up a new one if they found out I was joking around on it.
Thanks!
Thanks everyone for all of the great feedback, suggestions and encouragement! I wear my bracelet daily and feel safer with it on. You all rock and I find a certain strength in knowing their are others out there rockin and rollin through life with their Diabetes in check!
I know Medic Alert is supposed to be nonprofit but I find their products to be very expensive. Unless you want the ugly metal basic bracelet.
If you call Medic Alert, they have recommended things to write on your bracelet. In 1984 when I got my first one, for diabetics, they recommended DIABETES TAKES INSULIN. About 5 years later they recommended DIABETES INSULIN DEPENDENT. They change based on feedback, I think.
Put anything that might kill you, like if you are allergic to penicillin or bee stings. Some people put their religion. If you are Jehovahs Witness, you won't want blood tranfusions. If you are LDS, you might want clergy to be notified for a blessing, etc.
If I am unable to respond, I would want the docs to have access to my next of kin and my docs numbers, but that is just me.
I just got a black leather bracelet, sort of like a watch strap, with a small emblem. I don't think it's ugly at all. But I did pay more than the metal bracelet. The reason I like Medicalert is that they have all your emergency information on file and will give it out to medical responders. Doc's numbers, family numbers, conditions that are not immediately life-threatening, but need attention if you are out for more than 12 hours, medications and dosages, etc. For example, it might not be immediately obvious that I am hypothyroid, but if I were in a coma, they would need to give me thyroid medication. So that added support is worth it to me. If you are a member, you can also change your medical information at any time. This is especially important to older folks who tend to have more health problems.
I also really like having all my medical info available. I have the immediate essentials on my Medicalert, but as Natalie said if I'm 'out' they need to have my other info too. I got the one with the ugly bracelet, took off the tag and put it on a really pretty silver chain. I wear another silver chain on the same arm. The weight of the tag keeps it down, always, so all that's really visible are the bracelets.
I tattooed a very nice looking, but clear med alert symbol with "Diabetes" and "Type 1" on my wrist. I'm terrible with bracelets. Every doctor/nurse/EMT (especially my Endo) loves it. I also consider it my badge of courage. ;)
All you need to do is put DIABETIC and any other medical conditions you might have on the bracelet. You don't need to specify type 1 or type 2, EMTs are trained responders and will handle it just fine.
The ID in your wallet or purse should have the doctor info.
Well, not exactly. When I went into a coma last year, I didn't have a bracelet on, and all they knew was that I was diabetic, so they considered my age, and decided to put me on Type 2 protocols, which didn't work. Therefore it took a lot longer to recover than it should have. So if you don't LOOK the part, or if you're older, and are Type 1, I would definitely put that on the bracelet.
I would also say 'insulin dependant'