medical alert bracelet

[BlueTosca]

I had a pacemaker fitted three months ago.

I don’t know whether to buy a medical alert bracelet or not.

Would appreciate other peoples opinions.

Are useful or a waste of money

[Taviterry]

They can't do any harm. I carry word-processed notes in my money wallet, cards wallet and inside my mobile phone case stating my recent health history, medication and next of kin. And one can fix up something similar on one's mobile; I did this a couple of years back, but admit to not knowing how to access it. A bracelet is more visible and the information more readily accessible. I did buy a pendant with the caduceus (medical) symbol on it, but one had to roll a small piece of paper bearing a limited amount of information into a tiny roll and insert it into a cylinder that was too small. And the chain appeared very flimsy.

[BlueTosca in reply to Taviterry]

Hi Taviterry,

Thank you for your reply - that's very helpful. I hadn't thought about other ways of informing people, but I'm going to follow what you have done.

Best wishes

Pam

[Pyowacket]

I use an SOS talisman. I have a necklace & bracelet so wear what feels best each day. It means (in an emergency) the medics understand my heart condition.

[BlueTosca in reply to Pyowacket]

Thank you Pyowacket,

I really appreciate your advice, which I’m going to follow.

[fantasyfanuk]

I have a medicalert bracelet which I got soon after my first pacemaker, which had been fitted as an emergency. I was at the time quite anxious and very concerned that something would happen while I was out on my own. I found that it gave me peace of mind knowing the information about my conditions and the pacemaker were on the bracelet which was on me at all times and 6 years on I still wear it every day.

[BlueTosca in reply to fantasyfanuk]

Hi Fantasyfanuk,

Thank you for getting back to me.

due to waiting list, I had my angiogram about two months after the pacemaker was fitted.

I had assumed that the radiographer knew I had a pacemaker, he didn’t! My records hadn’t caught up with him. It’s left me scared so I’m definitely going to get a bracelet.

thank you very much for your help.

[Survivor1952]

if it gives you peace of mind do it.

I’ve set up my medicines on my phone, apparently it is one of the first things looked for in an emergency.

[BlueTosca in reply to Survivor1952]

Hi survivor,

Thank you , I’m going to look at setting up meds on my iPhone. Not sure how to do it, but will find out. Thank you. X

[Survivor1952 in reply to BlueTosca]

Settings, Health, Medical ID and then set everything up in there. In an emergency these details can be accessed even with the screen locked.

[Taviterry in reply to Survivor1952]

This can vary from phone to phone. There's nothing like that in my Settings. I "asked" my phone, which gave me a different sequence to follow, starting with "Safety & Emergency" option. Only there isn't one!

[Survivor1952 in reply to Taviterry]

BlueTosca specifically said iPhone which is why I related where it is on my iPhone albeit a UK market one ...

[BlueTosca in reply to Survivor1952]

Survivor 1952 , I have an I phone, so I found it easily and have set it up. Thank you.

[BlueTosca in reply to Taviterry]

Hi Taviterry,

I inherited my son’s I phone, so I was able to find it. Sorry you haven’t got it S it’s a good idea.

[yellowren]

My husband permanently wears the rubber band type of bracelets which you can buy via the internet. The prices vary quite a lot so it’s worth searching various sites. He has worn a warfarin alert bracelet since his aortic valve replacement 15 years ago and has now added an ICD alert bracelet after surviving a cardiac arrest last March and being fitted with an ICD. It gives him reassurance as it can be easily seen. Medical staff notice it as soon as they need to take his pulse, or take blood.

Medical alert bands on wearer’s wrist

[BlueTosca in reply to yellowren]

Hi Yellowren,

I did look at this type and then I saw a lovey silver bracelet, but it’s not nearly so noticeable, which is the point.

Food for thought.

Thank you

[goldsb]

Had PM 14 years. Pretty obvious to the medics that there is one. I do have an anticoagulation card in my wallet. I do have my medical details on my phone's SOS. Your international pacemaker card is valuable to carry ( especially if travelling) as details of make of PM are all there and hospital can always be phoned).

[BlueTosca in reply to goldsb]

Hi Goldsb,

Thanks for info. I thought it would be obvious to medics that I had a PM, but had the angiogram 8 weeks after pm fitted (6 month waiting list for angiogram now), but the radiographer didn’t know I had a PM and it’s scared me. I think because of this, I’m going to take what precautions I can.

I didn’t know my phone had an sos.

Xx