Shall I get a medical bracelet/necklace?

[Pink Rose]

Wondering your opinion about wearing a medical necklace or bracelet showing that one has type 1 diabetes?
On one hand, I would feel more reassured that were something to happen to me (i.e. severe hypoglycemia) when I'm out without someone who knows my condition, people will see. Or do paramedics do glucose test anyway? The disadvantage is that I'm currently not telling everyone about my condition (except for family and a few close friends) and a necklace/bracelet would reveal...
Do you wear one? What's your opinion?

 

[Mandydg]

Hi Pink Rose is there a reason you are only informing select people you are T1D? I
have always worn - well since turning 18, a medic alert necklace and most of my colleagues know about my diabetes, along with keeping a stock of jelly babies and mini cans of coke in various offices around the rather large school I work in. I'm wondering what the disadvantage about people being aware is? I am based with teenagers and the students will ask about my necklace and then T1D and I happily share as much info and answer their questions.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

It can be helpful. It’s definitely worth putting emergency contacts and medical info on your phone as paramedics and police should check that. On iPhones it’s in Health and can then be accessed via the Lock Screen without anyone needing to unlock the phone.

 

[Leadinglights]

Wondering your opinion about wearing a medical necklace or bracelet showing that one has type 1 diabetes?
On one hand, I would feel more reassured that were something to happen to me (i.e. severe hypoglycemia) when I'm out without someone who knows my condition, people will see. Or do paramedics do glucose test anyway? The disadvantage is that I'm currently not telling everyone about my condition (except for family and a few close friends) and a necklace/bracelet would reveal...
Do you wear one? What's your opinion?

As a first aider when I was at work that was one of the tings we were taught to look out for as it helped in knowing what the problem might be and if it was then necessary to call for paramedics you could alert them to the problem, as a first aider we would not be equipped or allowed to do glucose test. So yes, a very good idea.

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Pink Rose, if I was T1 I would certainly wear a medical alert item.

 

[Lisa66]

Hi. To answer your question, yes I do wear a bracelet. I used to hate wearing one when I was younger as there wasn’t much choice and most of the medic alert type jewellery wasn’t the most attractive for a teenage girls liking. However now there are lots of different styles to choose from on lots of websites. You could have something with just type 1 on it, or use one of the sites where you register lots of information.

Funnily enough I have just received a new bracelet this morning as my old one was a bit worn. Mine is a slim grey leather bracelet with a metal tag that says type 1 and on the reverse it’s engraved with ICE telephone numbers for my husband and daughter...although I guess the type 1 bit is really all that’s needed.

I don’t wear lots of jewellery, but am very happy to wear something like this.

 

[Inka]

Yes, I got a MedicAlert bracelet very soon after diagnosis. I would never not have one. Other close family have them too (for other conditions). It’s not just the immediate info on the bracelet, it’s the fact MedicAlert hold emergency contacts and medical information too. They’re also international and I like having that ID when abroad.

If you don’t mind me asking, why haven’t you told people? Most people are interested and supportive. It’s also a good opportunity to spread a bit of Type 1 diabetes education.

 

[freesia]

I don't wear anything but all of my friends and colleages know i'm T1 and i have all of the info needed on the emergency bit of my phone. I put that i'm T1, the insulins and other meds i take and emergency contact numbers. Why do you not want people to know? Please don't feel ashamed or embarrassed. The more people who know, the more they can help if you need it or the more they can understand.

 

[helli]

Like @freesia I don't wear anything ... apart from an insulin pump. Mostly because I am too vain and because I see little reason.
I think it is important for those closest to me (friends, family and close colleagues) to know I have diabetes and what to do if I have a problem (find my GlucoTabs and call an ambulance if I am unresponsive)

 

[Lucyr]

I wear a silicone one that is very discreet. On one side it is not very obvious but has the medic alert symbol. On the other it has clearly insulin dependent diabetic. Recently I had a bad hypo after swimming and was unable to speak or chew glucose tablets or move to go and buy some lucozade. The lifeguard saw my bracelet and from this immediately knew i needed sugar and called the manager who brought lucozade and helped me out. I was only wearing it because I was swimming I didn’t use to wear it all the time, but since then I do wear it all the time.

 

[Ljc]

I now wear medic alert I have a bracelet and a necklace just the basic stainless steel ones so I have a choice . I have also had the silicone ones , which you might prefer as many people wear ones for charities that the donate to.
Medic alert also do watches, personally I don't like them .

You can get key rings with T1 or insulin dependent on , which you could attach to a handbag etc

Have a good look around till you find something suitable

I believe it’s important for those of us in medication that can cause hypo’s to have such id .
We can appear to be drunk when hypo and if we are not able to take care of it ourselves, then we may not get the right help in time.

Hard though it is, Start by telling one person you trust , so that you can explain what to do if you need help .
I am recovering from a minor hypo , went down to 3.0 (I’ve had lots worse than that) and fir the first time ever I couldn’t talk for a while I was also very shaky.

 

[pm133]

I'm a free-spirit and don't wear anything either. Nor would I be interested.
If something happens to me I have a card right inside my wallet which is highly visible when you open the flap.

To be honest, I'm pretty relaxed about something happening to me.

 

[nonethewiser]

Don't wear one, have card in wallet & emergency info on screen of phone saying type 1, phone doesn't have to be unlocked to see message.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I’ve had a sort of start-stop relationship with medical ID.

When I was first diagnosed I opted for an ‘SOS talisman’. A stainless steel necklace with a little pendant that unscrews containing a folded piece of paper with medical ID, contact numbers etc. I also had a wallet card.

When the chain broke (I think it was the clasp actually) I put the Talisman on my keyfob, and there it remains, but I didn’t wear anything else for probably 15 years.

Then when I started on an insulin pump, and also going to a gym it felt wise to wear something so I went for a kinda surfy wristband and have been wearing various different versions of that sort of thing for the past 10 years. Along with setting up phone ICE stuff.

It’s a bit like insurance really. The vast majority of people will never need to wear it. But as @Lucyr‘s experience shows, sometimes it can really help speed up treatment and can prevent something minor escalating into a much more significant and serious situation.

 

[Lucyr]

I’ve had a sort of start-stop relationship with medical ID.

When I was first diagnosed I opted for an ‘SOS talisman’. A stainless steel necklace with a little pendant that unscrews containing a folded piece of paper with medical ID, contact numbers etc. I also had a wallet card.

When the chain broke (I think it was the clasp actually) I put the Talisman on my keyfob, and there it remains, but I didn’t wear anything else for probably 15 years.

Then when I started on an insulin pump, and also going to a gym it felt wise to wear something so I went for a kinda surfy wristband and have been wearing various different versions of that sort of thing for the past 10 years. Along with setting up phone ICE stuff.

It’s a bit like insurance really. The vast majority of people will never need to wear it. But as @Lucyr‘s experience shows, sometimes it can really help speed up treatment and can prevent something minor escalating into a much more significant and serious situation.

Here’s the reversible one I wear, i just flip it over for exercise / scary hypos. I didn’t wear one as i used to think “what’s the point, paramedics would test your blood sugar anyway”, but that one incident of being able to quickly get help that prevented it actually getting to that point has me sold.

 

[Annette&Bert]

As well as being Type 2 not on meds that might cause a hypo, I am also epileptic but don’t wear a bracelet or necklace, maybe I should.

 

[Pink Rose]

Thank you to all of you for sharing your perspective. After reading all of your responses, especially what happened to @Lucyr, as well as to @Ljc, I'm leaning towards getting one... Will have to find a pretty one. Perhaps anyone has any suggestions of where to get a pretty one, that resembles regular jewellery? Also what information is most important to add?
Regarding the question some of you asked, why I do not share with people about my T1D, I'm not really sure why, it makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps because it's still so new and I'm not yet comfortable with it myself? Perhaps I need to give it time... time to come to terms with it myself... time to grieve the loss of my healthy self? (does that make sense?...) I'm still trying to come to terms with it....

 

[Ljc]

Have a look on Etsy.
Found these on there

Diabetes bracelet - Etsy UK

Check out our diabetes bracelet selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops.

www.etsy.com

I quite like some if them myself

 

[Annette&Bert]

Have a look on Etsy.
Found these on there

Diabetes bracelet - Etsy UK

Check out our diabetes bracelet selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops.

www.etsy.com

I quite like some if them myself

I have ordered a lovely stainless steel one which will look nice with my watch excellent price, thanks.

 

[Ljc]

I have ordered a lovely stainless steel one which will look nice with my watch excellent price, thanks.

You’re welcome 🙂.
It is a refreshing change to see nice medical id at a price that doesn’t break the bank .