Medical Aware Bracelet

[notnice]

Hi. I know everyone will have a blue steroid card but has anyone got a Medical Aware Bracelet or every thought of having one?

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I have come across a few PMR/GCA patients who wear the Medicare bracelets, but mostly people who have a few other serious illnesses. I think the steroid card suffices - my wonderful rheumy doesn't even think those are necessary......always carried mine though.

[notnice in reply to Celtic]

Hi Celtic

Thanks for replying, my daughter has Addison's and wears a medic awear necklace as she must not stop taking steroids, I asked her about me getting one and she suggested waiting to see if I will be on steroids long term.

I just wondered if anyone here had one and what they thought of them.

Sue

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi. Yes I have medical bracelet as well as blue card. Fortunately never needed to use either one in anger! But as I am now a widow and go lots of places on my own think it is sensible. The bracelet has led to questions so I have been able to tell people about GCA.

Also fan of jewellery, and there are some nice ones out there, so fulfills two purposes! DL

[notnice in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi, can I ask what in on your bracelet and how it all works?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to notnice]

Hi there,

You can get one through MedicAlert (think that's what is called, but see Internet) which is an organisation that holds all your details, but does charge a yearly fee to do so. I think you just put your name and ref no, and then the medical team can contact them direct.

However, I have one which has a stainless steel oblong shaped disc (for want of a different word) which has the universally recognised medical alert symbol on one side, and my details on other side. Those include words AM ON STEROIDS, MUST NOT BE STOPPED SUDDENLY, my name, DOB, post code, hospital no. and NOK tele no. I can attach a number of different bracelets to the disc.

There are lots of companies on web which do these bracelets, it's just a matter of sorting out the good from the bad, unfortunately the one I used, which was very good appears to have gone into receivership which is a shame otherwise I would have recommended them! DL

[notnice in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi, thanks for that very informative

[Judigardener in reply to DorsetLady]

I have a Medic Alert bracelet which I wear all the time and it has my PMR and the fact that I am on steroids on it as well as the other issues I have.

[piglette]

Yes I wear one all the time as I do not necessarily carry my blue card everywhere.

[notnice in reply to piglette]

Good idea, thanks for that I keep my blue card in my purse.

[notnice in reply to piglette]

Hi can I ask what is in your bracelet and how your one works?

[piglette in reply to notnice]

I have just got a Medi Tag bracelet with On Steroids engraved. You can have other info engraved too such as a phone number for example.

[notnice]

Hi yes being on your own it is worth having one, have fun on your travels.

Sue

[Rjw2014]

I haven't got a blue card, and have not ever been offered one. I did however buy myself a medicalert pendant. Mind you when I was hospitalised before Christmas I had taken it off for an X-ray and forgotten to put it back on! Very useful!

[Runrig01]

Hi, yes I have a Medalert bracelet as mentioned by Dorsetlady. I pay a yearly fee, and they will pass all my details on to those who need them. My bracelet says I have asthma and PMR and that I take steroids and immunosuppressants. Other that just has my membership number and the number to phone for full details. Part of the reason I have it is like Dorsetlady I am often out on my own. You can interchange the bracelets as the emblem detaches. I think it's £25 per year I pay, the cost of the bracelets is extra. Gives me peace of mind. 😀

Also the northeast PMR group do a wonderful steroid booklet, which I seem to recall was £1. It is larger than the blue steroid cards and you can log more information on it. They also sell pansy pins to promote the pmrgca charity, although it doesn't have any wording on the pin.

[notnice in reply to Runrig01]

Hi, thanks for that I am now seriously considering getting a disc for round the neck as I am not really a jewellery person.

After that it seems people are on steroids for life or you can just not wear the disc if you do happen to go into remission.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to notnice]

Just a warning there - if you are unconscious and a paramedic arrives they will immediately check your wrist pulse and find a bracelet. If a pendant is long they may not find it at the time - they don't have vast amounts of time to search your entire body in a public place!

[notnice in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that

[pmrdec112014]

I wear a medic alert "bracelet" It looks like a watch. I have asthma and hypothyroidism so it is helpful for all aspects. I have a blue steroid card in my purse but in the event of an accident collapse etc the first place a first responder will look for I D etc is on the person. It cost about £40.

[notnice in reply to pmrdec112014]

Ok thanks for that, after what everyone has said I will now think seriously about getting one.

[susanspurs]

Hi everyone this is my first post. Where do you get the blue cards? Is it through the GP? I've never been offered one.

[piglette in reply to susanspurs]

Just ask your chemist or GP. I was not offered one but asked my chemist. They had to route around a bit and the card was a bit dusty!

[notnice in reply to susanspurs]

Hi I was given a blue card by the chemist that give me my steroids so I would ask the chemist.

Sue

[susanspurs]

Apologies - I'm just finding my way around the site and have just seen the thread on Steroid Warning Cards

[Runrig01 in reply to susanspurs]

You should be given one by the chemist dispensing your medication. Although my experience is they can be difficult to get a hold of. Some surgeries might keep a stock of them. I personally find the larger one that the North East forum sell better.

[susanspurs]

Many thank for the replies. I'll start with the chemist.

[nuigini]

One of the first things I bought . I live in Canada, but travel a lot. It's a quick and easy way for emergency responders, or anyone really, to reach out to your medical care provider and contact family.

[Wells77]

I had one when first diagnosed 2yrs ago. When it became tatty no one had any in stock -not even large branch of Boots. I ended up printing several by PC on bright blue card,I put them in my most used purses, bags,mobile case. I also wear a bracelet