I hate to make this a BIG issue, but it's getting to be one all on it's own. Do you wear a medical alert ID? Why/why not? I have had one since I was diagnosed 13 years ago,. This year my bracelet broke, and I went looking for a new one...searched all the sites, including ebay etc. I can't believe how much they want for a simple, (be it ugly) bracelet.If I give up paying for testing strips one month, I may be able to squeek one out of my very tight budget, The information on my old bracelet is inaccurate after so many years, so I need to replace the whole thing.But I can see that's going to be very tough. Does anyone know of a place you can order or buy one from for less than $20? Please let me know...I feel perfectly vulnerable with out it,
This is the one I have:
http://www.mediband.com/Diabetes-Bracelets/c45/p569/DIABETIC-Insulin-Dependent-Reversible-design-2/product_info.html?osCsid=cff36ae9eec1b0b8a4bcc890d3fe7fb7
Cheap and can wear it during exercise, work, going out, etc..
I like to have one because if anything would ever happen when I'm away from home, this would be the only way others would know I have diabetes.
I've lost mine before and what I did in the interim was make a dog tag at the local pet store that had my information on it. I don't know if they have machines near you that will do that, but it worked really well for me. So well, that I didn't replace it until that was stolen when I was traveling.
I had it on a nice chain and tucked under my shirt, so it looked like a fashion tag, not something for a pet. Perhaps it is a possibility, because I have never seen a good medical bracelet for under $30.
Mm, we were responding at the same time! I had one of those when I ran cross country in high school since the officials said that my metal one was jewelry!
Absolutely. I think its a great idea for anyone who has medical circumstances that emergency responders need to be aware of in the event of a serious issue. I've been wearing one since I was diagnosed. It's a cheap little Medic Alert silver-link bracelet that I'll occasionally get complements on, which cracks me up. Frankly, I'd rather wear dog-tags, but I think a bracelet will be seen first.
If you are struggling financially to get yours replaced, send me a personal message and I'll happily buy you one.
I always wear one. If I can't tell people, my bracelet will.
I like these. They are cheap and cute.
I wear two. Dog tag around neck I wear all the time. And also when cycling a wrist band also with all the details on it.
Cost wise, for a while I used to use cheap ebay stamped dog tags, cost £6 here ($9) but am guessing someone on ebay US side could probably do them cheaper still. Nothing fancy though, just stamped on Name, Diabetic, Insulin, Address.
I guess I am kind of paranoid about this. I only wear the dog tag and it is very specific: name, Type 1, insulin and pump type, plus "SEE WALLET CARD." I carry a card with my full name, how to contact my spouse, all my scrips, insulin type, pump and sensor info.
I just looked to replace mine, as the insulin type has changed and agree--they have gotten expensive.
I wear one, and 2 out of the 4 conditions listed are wrong. I've put off getting a new one because I don't want to replace the new one when I get the two diagnoses I've been waiting for, but it still makes me nervous. The most important (that I'm severely allergic to nuts) is on there, so that counts for something, though.
Mine's a MedicAlert chain-link bracelet. It can not be destroyed and I never take it off.
I've never gotten one but that one certainly does inspire me. Thanks!
It's not cheap, but I just ordered a MedicAlert watch, which says Diabetes, Insulin Dependent, Celiac Disease. You have to join the MedicAlert foundation to buy this watch, but medics here and all over the world can call them for details on my conditions and medications, including the insulin types I use. I haven't needed such a call in the past, hopefully I won't need one in the future, but you don't get to plan your emergencies.
I used to wear one, but since I have become Insulin dependent, I went and got a diabetes ribbon tattoo and it says diabetic, insulin dependent. This way if I can not speak, they can see the tattoo.
I have a 2 tone medic alert stainless steel bracelet which I love & wear whenever I go out. It stretches on and off easily and I don't even notice it's on. It's a gorgeous piece of jewelry too, I get compliments on it. It was about $35,(they have numerous styles) you also need to pay for a membership I think though. An ID # on the bracelet and phone number gives emergency personnel information about your conditions and they will also alert your family and doctors if you're hospitalized, they can give specific info on how to treat you. This isn't cheap but its worth it. There are so many errors made in hospitals so I think something like this is absolutely necessary. They're having a sale now, my stretch band is on sale for $20
http://www.medicalert.org/promo/spring-2013
This one will last me forever hopefully. Many of the bracelets in sterling silver can be re-engraved or resized if needed. I recommend these because they have different sizes and will help you pick one that fits you properly. This one is much more comfortable, lighter weight and better quality than the ones that I first bought in drug stores. And it fits my small wrists, no chance of falling off or getting in the way of doing things.
This site has stretcy bracelets for $14.95 and up.
http://www.wristbandconnection.com/medical-alert.php
Free Diabetes Necklace
The diabetes identification necklace reads “I Have Diabetes, Please Test My Blood Before Treating Me.”
http://www.diabeteswellness.net/WellnessNetwork/FREEDiabetesIDNecklace.aspx
I wear a medi bracelet but all it says on the inside is: SEE ICE (IN CASE OF EMERGENCY) CARD IN WALLET. On the card I have all of my particulars listed, medications, contacts, phone numbers, etc.
Here is a link to a pinterest board of medic alert bracelets. They vary in price, but there are some more affordable options. http://pinterest.com/hmmmmholly/medic-alert/pins/
I got one of these: Lauren's Hope Guitar Pick, a few years ago, when I decided to try running farther. I replaced the "bubble" chain in the pic with a nice, solid, linked chain (no clasp) shortly after I got it.
It was sort of funny as I got the "improved" (for all of $2.99...) chain around xmas and went to the jewelry store to get the pick mounted and they were like "oh sure, but we're really busy, it'll be a couple of days..." When she saw what it was she went "oh, it's medical, an emergency...we'll do it right now! It'll be ready in an hour"
Road ID bracelets are targeted towards athletes, but they have an interactive style that has an engraved plate that states your info and a phone number and website to contact where you store all your medical and emergency info. You can get a bracelet, dog tag, shoe tag, etc. I think I spent under 25.00 but it is so comprehensive, and the best thing is you can edit your profile at any time, so you never have to change the info on your bracelet. Website is roadid.com
My daughter wears the one from RoadID, it's the best one we've found. The clasp on the larger sized one is excellent, quite flat and easy to operate and you can have any message at all engraved, so ours has her name, type one diabetic, and two phone numbers, and a little message! Multiple colors of bands.