Medical Alert Bracelet

[Roy46]

I had a tag attached to my keys which said that I take steroids. The tag broke, so now I'm thinking about a wrist bracelet to tell medical staff etc that I'm on steroids. Does anyone have one and could you recommend a certain make?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Roy,

This is where I got mine - plenty of choices - in styles and prices.

universalmedicalid.co.uk/ca...

Some companies have a scheme where your details are kept on a central computer so can be accessed by medical staff if needed, but you have to pay an annual fee. I didn’t feel that was necessary, but if you do, just have a look online.,

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

At least in Canada Universal medicalID has that service, but it comes with purchase of the bracelet, no annual fee. I couldn't believe there was no annual fee (medicalert has a recurring fee) so I emailed them before I bought mine and they assured me there would be online info I could keep updated about all my medical conditions and medication plus next of kin contact as long as I lived. This can be accessed by first reponders or medical personnel through a PIN on the bracelet.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks for that.

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

Is it the same in UK?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

I think ours vary from the basic - which holds info for nominal fee - to all singing all dancing version which gives lots of other options.

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

I didn't see any different options when I bought mine. I guess we simply get the whole shebang and that's it, unless they've introduced more options since I bought mine in '15.

[HeronNS in reply to HeronNS]

Just looked again and there is a new service for extra $$$ "One Call Alert". That isn't what comes with the bracelets, etc. It's an actual monitoring system.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Similar to the all singing all dancing one in UK probably.

Obviously necessary for some illnesses but a bit OTT for ours I would have thought. But then some have a lot more going on than just GCA or PMR.

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

The aged or disabled, especially those who live alone, are here recommended to have one of these monitoring devices. My mother in law fell and broke her arm, and this actually alerted the monitoring station (it was run through a local organisation, not a medic alert bracelet company) and they checked up on her right away. Otherwise she might have lain undiscovered for some time. She didn''t live near any family members but I think friends would have looked for her relatively soon, but it might have taken a day or so. She was unable to get up because she couldn't use her arm.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Yes we have those as well, but as you say not the same organisation. They are are run by local companies/social services - have a device which is worn;and can be used to raise alarm and specially adapted telephone.

[Hidden]

Would have recommended same as DL. I got a stainless steel bracelet almost 20 years ago which is still going strong. I saw an older post the other day where someone had a photo of their steroid card as their mobile lock screen. If my fave dog picture wasn't my lock screen I would do too in addition.

[Roy46 in reply to Hidden]

Excellent idea. I might just follow your thought. Need a new card as mine is soo tatty

[Arflane97G]

I have a rather fetching blue bracelet from amazon although I tend to only wear if I am out and about on my own

[Roy46]

I've seen that one. Seems fine, though I'm not a great Amazon fan.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Roy46]

Actually Amazon is not all bad..,a fair number of their suppliers are the little guys - who have their own sites selling direct as well as via the mighty A.

When you type in what you want to purchase in a search engine - Amazon is always on the first page - very often at the top - but they pay for privilege- the little guys maybe can’t afford that so they come on following pages - people don't very often scroll down very far!

It’s probably a better business choice to “go in” with Amazon and get a bigger profile.

[piglette]

I have a bracelet as I felt that if anything happened to me it would be attached rather than in a handbag, on a ohone or a key ring, so it might be noticed more.

[Janstr]

I live in New Zealand & asked my GP about getting a medical alert bracelet for the prednisone. She said that there is no need as here, the drugs one is on are on a centralised computer system that hospitals can check.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janstr]

Which - as I pointed out to a doctor who informed me I didn't need a hard copy relating to the details of my pacemaker as it was on the hospital computer - doesn't really help you after an RTC on an isolated road with poor 5G reception! Even if most paramedics now have a smart phone they haven't access to that computer and they need to know they need to look it up! And once you leave the country - whole new ballgame ...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Lucky to get 4G!

[mollymandy]

I have had a couple from this company and always found them good to deal with.

theidbandco.com/

[Jackoh]

I agree, I thought a bracelet would be easy to find rather than a necklace or look through your bag, wallet etc for blue card. So I do have a bracelet I really like (from Etsy site) and wear it all the time. I also carry my steroid card in my container I take extra pred and Amitriptyline ( in case I get caught out) which I keep in my handbag. I also now always take my water bottle in the car when I go out. On a few occasions I have been out later than I thought and needed to take my Amitriptyline. It’s been good to have water on hand, just in case.

[maria40]

I have 3 silicone bracelets for 3 allergies/alerts which I got from wristband.co.uk. I'm going to get them amalgamated onto one (though my grandson deems my present arrangement 'cool' looks as though I've been to a festival he says. Watch out for the sizes - small is very small.

[LCHRISTOP10]

I wear a medic alert bracelet stating steroid dependent. Some men prefer medic pendants on a chain. I also have emergency medical information on my phone in the US including medical conditions, medications, emergency contacts, which can be accessed without a password.

[Stravaman]

Hi, I use wrist band and dogtags (belt and braces approach!) from RoadID roadid.com. They've been supplying bands to athletes and cyclists for years and are tough, light and very well made. You can personalise the message and select from a variety of styles, colours and finishes. If I sound enthusiastic it's 'cos I first used them for bike racing and mountaineering before my DX.