Medical ID

[Lucyr]

I wondered if people wear a medical ID? I’ve had diabetes for 13 years and never worn one, except for a red silicone one that says “insulin dependent diabetic” in white writing that I wear for swimming only.

I’ve always thought that if I’m unconscious then one of the first things paramedics check anyway is blood sugar so they would see I’m low, and if I’m not unconscious then I can just say I’m low, so couldn’t see the point. During my bad swimming hypo on Tuesday I was too low to be able to chew solid carbs, couldn’t use the vending machine to get some lucozade, couldn’t coordinate the thoughts/words to find someone to explain I was having a low blood sugar and needed some sugary drink, but I was wearing the red bracelet as I always do when swimming.

For the first time I saw the value in wearing one, as I think it meant people worked out the problem in time to fix it whilst I could drink. I sat on the floor propped against a wall as I was going to fall if I didn’t sit, and thought someone would notice me by doing that as I must have looked ill. The lifeguard came up to me and instantly said “are you okay, are your sugar levels low? I’m going to get someone to help”. When the manager came he again just knew I was diabetic, asked if my sugars were low and if I could manage to drink some lucozade. Neither of these needed any explaining from me!

I didn’t know them so I think the bracelet must have helped here (it was very visible as I wasn’t wearing anything on my arms!) and am going to get one to wear all the time. I’ve found a reversible silicone one that I like so far, with just the logo on one side and insulin dependent diabetic on the other side. I wondered if other people wear them, or not?

 

[Ljc]

I have used those ones but I prefer the medic alert
Bracelet or necklace depending on what I am wearing . just the basic stainless steel ones.
As I have more than a few medical problems.

 

[Leadinglights]

When I was a first aider at work that was one of the things we were told to look out for was a medic alert bracelet or necklace.
I know we had a few mystery incidents which are hard to deal with. I often felt that somethings were outside our level of expertise or training.
We were not only dealing with the people we worked with but the student population at the Uni.

 

[Inka]

@Lucyr Another vote for MedicAlert from me. I’ve worn the stainless steel bracelet since diagnosis. I wouldn’t wear anything else. I’ve found them excellent when I contacted them for advice.

Mine’s engraved with my basic info (Type 1, pump) and another medical allergy plus the crucial phone number. MedicAlert hold more detailed info and my contacts, GP and hospital contacts too. They also give you a card. I keep mine in my purse. That has a bit more info on than my bracelet.

As an aside, when I used to go swimming by myself, I took a laminated credit card size thing saying that I had Type 1 and what to do in the event of hypoglycaemia. I used to tell the lifeguard when I went in (there was always one at a kind of desk in sight of the pool), show him my stuff (the info card and a packet of Dextro tablets) and just say a basic sentence repeating the crux of the info on my hypo card. Not only did I feel safer, the lifeguards appreciated it too.

 

[Lucyr]

I saw the medic alert ones and seem useful in the paramedic looking for a medical alert situation but I wasn’t sure if it was obvious to someone who wasn’t looking for it, or whether it would flap about whilst swimming? Maybe I need two, an attractive one and a waterproof one!

 

[DaveB]

Hi. I wear a silicone ring round my wrist whilst in the gym. It says 'Insulin dependent Diabetic' (specifically not T1 nor T2). I'm hopeful it would help if I went hypo.

 

[Ljc]

The bracelets are made to suit your wrist size. And the emblem is well known , the bracelet can’t slip off
The revers contains your registration details the most important medical conditions /medications , plus the contact number for medic alert.
More details are kept on their records .
Their is a yearly registration fee . Sorry I’ve forgotten how much it costs

 

[Inka]

I saw the medic alert ones and seem useful in the paramedic looking for a medical alert situation but I wasn’t sure if it was obvious to someone who wasn’t looking for it, or whether it would flap about whilst swimming? Maybe I need two, an attractive one and a waterproof one!

That’s why I chose the stainless steel one. I don’t take it off. I wear it all the time - swimming, in the shower, all day, all night, etc etc. It’s very durable. It doesn’t flap. It’s close-fitting and is on the same wrist as my watch. It’s discreet but noticeable.

 

[Lucyr]

Hi. I wear a silicone ring round my wrist whilst in the gym. It says 'Insulin dependent Diabetic' (specifically not T1 nor T2). I'm hopeful it would help if I went hypo.

I prefer one that says insulin dependent too, it seems clearer especially as a type 2 on mdi

 

[Lucyr]

I’ve ordered this one which was quite cheap on eBay to start with, will take a look at the ones mentioned for a more discreet / personalised option too, as I do also have a heart condition

 

[Inka]

I prefer one that says insulin dependent too, it seems clearer especially as a type 2 on mdi

Mine says “Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin via Pump”. I was told not to have “Insulin dependent” on it in case some ‘helpful’ member of the public decided to ‘save me’ with the insulin pen I often carry round! You’d be surprised how many people think that a hypo needs insulin.

Yes - terrifying.

 

[Stuvart]

Mine says “Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin via Pump”. I was told not to have “Insulin dependent” on it in case some ‘helpful’ member of the public decided to ‘save me’ with the insulin pen I often carry round! You’d be surprised how many people think that a hypo needs insulin.

Yes - terrifying.

Mines the opposite of this im t2 (1 ago month diagnosed) but my bgs are really high (habc1 at 143 a month ago) and the first aiders at work assume if I "go down (dizzy pass out etc)" they give me sugars eek!! Instead I've shown them how my meter works and to see whats needed if high a&e if low ( fat chance at the moment) sugars. There's so many assumptions people have with diabetes its scary.

 

[Peely66]

A few years after diagnosis my parents bought me an SOS talisman necklace but I came out in a rash around my neck. Had a few exchanges of letters with the company who turned out to be pretty unhelpful. I was told that diabetics can have allergies to the base metal they used but this was always made clear in the documentation. I told them there was no warning on the documentation provided with my necklace. I don't think I heard back from them and I never wore it again. I keep thinking I should have something but in 30 years I've never got around to it. I don't wear any jewellery or even a watch. The other day I thought maybe I should have a tattoo.

 

[Lucyr]

Mines the opposite of this im t2 (1 ago month diagnosed) but my bgs are really high (habc1 at 143 a month ago) and the first aiders at work assume if I "go down (dizzy pass out etc)" they give me sugars eek!! Instead I've shown them how my meter works and to see whats needed if high a&e if low ( fat chance at the moment) sugars. There's so many assumptions people have with diabetes its scary.

I think this is what people are trained to do. If a diabetic collapses and their blood sugar is low, and they’re able to safely swallow some sugary drink, then it can quickly save their life as low blood sugar can be serious really quickly. If their blood sugar is high, an extra 10-15g carbs won’t cause them any immediate issues. Their blood sugar may go up a little but assuming they aren’t collapsing and having this extra sugar every day it won’t cause any problems.

 

[Inka]

Exactly right @Lucyr and it’s important to emphasise that in general to your work colleagues @Stuvart Anyone with diabetes found dizzy, confused, sweating, etc, should be given glucose or sugar immediately. Any helpers do not need to faff around with glucose meters. They need to get that sugar/glucose to the person if they’re conscious and capable of swallowing.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

A few years after diagnosis my parents bought me an SOS talisman necklace but I came out in a rash around my neck. Had a few exchanges of letters with the company who turned out to be pretty unhelpful. I was told that diabetics can have allergies to the base metal they used but this was always made clear in the documentation. I told them there was no warning on the documentation provided with my necklace. I don't think I heard back from them and I never wore it again. I keep thinking I should have something but in 30 years I've never got around to it. I don't wear any jewellery or even a watch. The other day I thought maybe I should have a tattoo.

I had an SOS talisman too! (we were Dx about the same time). The chain broke and since then I’ve had it on my keyring. I’ve also set up the emergency contact thing on my phone.

That was all I had (apart from a card in my wallet) that I had for years... but since going on an insulin pump I’ve been wearing a series of wristbands. My current one is a sort of plaited leather number



I do know people who‘ve gone for a full forearm tattoo though! 😱

 

[Hepato-pancreato]

I also have silicone bracelets and a posh heavy bracelet.

 

[LittleSunflower]

I had an SOS talisman too! (we were Dx about the same time). The chain broke and since then I’ve had it on my keyring. I’ve also set up the emergency contact thing on my phone.

That was all I had (apart from a card in my wallet) that I had for years... but since going on an insulin pump I’ve been wearing a series of wristbands. My current one is a sort of plaited leather number

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I do know people who‘ve gone for a full forearm tattoo though! 😱

I like that wristband!
I’ve just started looking for a bracelet to wear myself but is I know you can get things engraved on the inside of them. What exactly do I need to have on there? Are there any examples or do you just have the Type 1 on the front? Tia! 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I like that wristband!
I’ve just started looking for a bracelet to wear myself but is I know you can get things engraved on the inside of them. What exactly do I need to have on there? Are there any examples or do you just have the Type 1 on the front? Tia! 🙂

Many sites have examples and suggestions. mine has TYPE 1 DIABETES on the inside

i assume any paramedic will know that means i need insulin etc, and my pump would be on me so they will know that too

Some offer a service where extensive details can be stored and accessed via a code number (I think that might be ’medic alert’), but I just wanted the basics 🙂

I can’t quite remember where i got this one from, but there are loads of companies offering all sorts of styles 🙂

 

[Oxfordsloth]

I wear this one. Figured if I needed to wear medical ID for the rest of my life it might as well be something I really like!