CLL Medical Alert Tags: Hi Everybody. First... - CLL Support

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CLL Medical Alert Tags

Ernest2 profile image
9 Replies

Hi Everybody.

First thanks for all your great posts, and apologies I've been "lurking" too much recently and not posting.

One minor issue just come up for me, I'd be interested what people's views are:

The very large, and now global company I work for requires you to use a pass card to get in and out the buildings etc. these days.

There is now a new facility whereby on the card you can have medical alerts added. This is to cover for the case of e.g. company first aiders e.g. if they delivered you unconscious to hospital, and you were unable to explain yourselves (Apologies for extreme example - no intention to cause alarm). One good example the company gave was for those with heart issues etc. on blood thinning Warfarin.

I think those on FCR wear bracelets with warnings of no-live vaccines etc.

In my case I'm still (just) on "Watch and Wait" / "Active Management and Care" (however best that is put), so I'm not sure what if anything I'd put on the card, except perhaps "CLL". I think "no-live vaccines" still applies. If not familiar, read the section on vaccinations in:

cllsupport.org.uk/selfhelp.htm

. . . also google HU for articles on shingles e.g.

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo....

. . . and if you do get shingles:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Now to get back to considering the alert tags, I'm not on any regular prescription medication yet - except for reading all your posts on HU which is by far the best medicine of all.

Answers for different stages of CLL and treatments on what best to put on the tag would all be good.

Many thanks,

Ernie

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Ernest2
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stunned profile image
stunned

i wear a medical alert bracelet 24/7 and i am on watch and wait. Dx jan 2013.

My bracelet states

" Beware i have CLL" on the front and

"Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia" on the reverse.

I injured my eye and went to A&E, they washed my eye out and put a cream into it. Only, a few hours later when i could see again did i read the leaflet to discover that the cream should not be used on anyone with a blood disorder or suppressed immune system.

After a frantic call to my hematologist i was told not to continue with the cream and the one dose would not affect me.

He suggested wearing a bracelet to alert medical staff to check before they treat.

Never go anywhere without it.

I also made myself a credit card size information card for my purse which states my conditions, CLL, Spondolytis, high blood pressure (+medication) and depression (+medication) and the phone number of my hematology department.

I am a virgo so very organised, ha ha.

x

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero

There is a very important case in CLL that should be mentioned in regard to medical alerts. If you have ever been treated with FLUDARABINE (FCR, FR, PCR) you should carry a 'Irradiated Blood ONLY Card...

It is explained on this link..

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo....

SycamoreN profile image
SycamoreN in reply toCllcanada

OMG!!! This is such a useful post! I didn't know about this. I finished FCR about 2 years ago and I was about to destroy my 'Irradiated Blood ONLY Card thinking it was no longer necessary.... Thank you, Cllcanada

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero

As a general rule...NO CLL patient should have LIVE vaccines... it has nothing to do with treatment although the risks are certainly elevated more...

We are immunocompromised by virtue of our diagnosis... many general practitioners are unaware of this fact...

There is a good vaccine list in this link... note ...add Dengue Fever vaccine it is live, as mentioned to me by Brian Koffman.

bmb.oxfordjournals.org/cont...

teakbank12 profile image
teakbank12

I've often thought about these bracelets, i have both CLL & IBD (Crohn's) along with taking a range of medicines, i wonder about making people aware of my conditions.

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero in reply toteakbank12

The Medic Alert type tag or braclet is probably the best... certainly for first responders...

I carry a USB micro flash drive in my wallet with my doctor's names and contact numbers and a brief medical history, and I noticed recently that a company was a 'Dog Tag' with a drive imbedded...

I have been told however, that some hospitals are advised not to read USB drives on hospital computers due to security concerns... so I don't know if carrying electronic information is of any benefit really...

So it is probably best to carry written information and perhaps electronically, I also have an unlocked phone with all my contact numbers... primarily for emergencies.

Dog Tag with USB drive

verbatim.com/prod/usb-drive...

~chris

Oleboyredw-uk profile image
Oleboyredw-uk

I wear a medic alert wrist band. I thought that was best, looked at other options, watch or necklace, decided medics more likely to look at my wrist than neck. My wife's idea - no more vacations until you wear one! Soon got my attention.

Rob

Mijoed profile image
Mijoed

For the ID tag, why not. Is it physically on the iD tag or is it just written on the chip?

Considering the 8 hrs you spend a day at work wearing the ID vs the 16 hrs you spend at not wearing the ID, If you are concerned about it I would suggest wearing a separate ID tag.

I've found a couple of unsupported "statistics" on line about whether medical staff look for medical ID and where on the body. Generally, the highest percentage look for ID on the wrist, lower on the neck and lowest in your wallet.

As for what to put....i have

....name.

....CLL

....other condition

On the back...

....name of who to contact

....phone number

....mobile number

Mike

yaris profile image
yaris

Have any of you seen these medical alert bracelets. They can be engraved on the front only and can carry all the info you need. It comes with one engravable link and others can be added as and when

Neat and stylish I think

ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Conditio...

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