Question about medical alert bracelets...

[Willow7733]

Hi! Just wondering if any of you think it is a good idea to wear a medical ID bracelet for asthma? I was thinking of getting one, but not really sure of it. Any thoughts?

[Hidden]

I have one for penicillin and I am going to get one for my asthma after the lock down, everything seems to go back to normal and that way I am covered just in case I have a bad asthma attack and I can't breath

[Hidden]

Hi,

I wear one which has asthma and adrenal insufficiency on it. Was suggested by consultant and it does give me piece of mind, especially when traveling abroad as the official MedicAlert ones have a number which can be used worldwide. Think the subscription is like £30 per year!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I got one for adrenal insufficiency and put asthma on it too. Should probably have had one while I was steroid-dependent but not officially diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency - would have been the same thing that I needed steroids if injured etc.

I didn't get the medic alert subscription, just a bangle from Amazon - the company is called VNOX and they engrave for free. My endocrine nurse has seen and approved it. It's stainless steel and not had any problems with the metal.

EDIT: The bracelet also refers to my phone for more details - I have an app called Medical ID (Android) where I've added details about medications, conditions, emergency contacts, doctor names etc. This also includes the fact that I don't wheeze with asthma.

The bracelet itself has the following. This is just how I've done it, though the name, year of birth and AI bit is how it was suggested on the adrenal diseases group I joined on FB. Also, some bracelets have more space than others - I didn't want a massive one which would get in the way when I type etc.

Front:

Name, year of birth

Please see reverse

Refer to phone

Back:

Adrenal insufficiency

Steroid dependent

Severe asthma

[Singinglouder]

When I hit three conditions that could either make me unconscious or unable to speak, I thought I'd better invest - up til then, I always thought it seemed a bit over the top. When I filled in the form, I had too many medical conditions and too many meds (had to put them in the notes), so I'm guessing I waited too long, if I had more than a specialised charity expected...

I'm on a tight budget, but I've still gone with the MedicAlert. Apart from anything else, they have contact details for my family and my doctors (gp and hospital), and a complete list of my conditions and medications, which I can easily update online - saves a lot of hassle. I've got a sports bracelet that I can wear while swimming, also useful, and with no metal touching the skin.

[Willow7733]

Thank you for the replies! I ordered a bracelet, but not from medical alert. I had one made from the Etsy site. I am a little shy about wearing it, but I will see.

[shopman]

I have 2 dog tags which are both engraved with info + an ICE app on the phone.

[Angelgoth]

I have one with asthma, steroid dependant and food allergies on it, I'm a member of medic alert but my bracelet is from another website, medic alert bracelets are very expensive

[Wintersbite]

I just updated my dogtag for the medical information and mine has the following information on

* My name

* Epilepsy

*Spinal Damage

* Asthma

*Emergency contact number

This are my biggest health problems and I've been wearing a tag for as long as I can remember I even have either a wrist or neak one on in my wedding photos