Steroid card

[Mstiles]

Hello all,

This might seem a silly question, but I’m in the US and it seems doctors or pharmacies here have never heard of a blue steroid card, something that’s easily visible and universally recognized in an emergency?

I know you can buy medic alert bracelets and such, or make a card yourself. I made a card for my wallet but seems like it would get lost in a crisis. What do you in the US use?

I ask because I recently forgot a dose at 11 mg and had some symptoms the next day and then a PMR flare. I’m in a fire danger zone and thinking of accidents, confusion, etc.

[MrsNails]

Hi Mstiles, try a Google Search put in Steroid Emergency Card - if l do that here it only brings up the UK Options. You may find one through an Endocrinology Site….I have a Red Steroid Dependant Silicone Bracelet which l bough when Covid first started incase l needed it (Amazon)

Let me know if you have any luck.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Mstiles in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks Mrs Nails. Red would get attention that’s for sure.

[fmkkm]

I have a health app on my phone that lists medical information and an emergency contact. I also do not have a password on my phone, I don’t keep secure information on it.If you live in a fire danger zone I’m sure you keep an emergency bag packed with extra steroids, right?

Stay well,

fm

[Amkoffee]

There is no such thing here in the US. Just like handicapped bathrooms can be used by anyone in the US, but in the UK you have to have a card. In my opinion the US is so far behind in some things it's frustrating. In fact in my own opinion the UK knows so much more about PMR then the US doctors. I'm not trying to completely knock the US medical system. It has its good points. For example, we don't usually have to wait 6 months or longer for a test like an MRI, but we do have to pay hundreds of $$ for it. I don't know which is worse. But I like to get my PMR info from this site.

[Noosat in reply to Amkoffee]

This is the reason I am on this site rather than one in the U.S. I do go to Mayo Clinic sight for other heealth information

[Mstiles in reply to Amkoffee]

I know. Seems like here in the US we have to jump through so many unnecessary hoops. Thank god got this site. It truly is a lifesaver.

[Evercurious]

Same situation in Canada. I bought a medical alert bracelet. My information is kept, updated when need be and accessible. The bracelet has pertinent info printed on it.

[AyJayBass]

This is what the UK one looks like. You could download this and fill it in. I guess it would still be useful in USA. I have an app on my cell phone (Android but also available on iPhone) called "ICE - In Case of Emergency" which displays a message on the lock screen. It has fields for name, dob, emergency contact and any other text - mine says "Prednisolone daily steroid therapy and Dabigatran Anticoagulant" also "Full medication list in wallet with Steroid Emergency Card". Apparently paramedics look for your mobile phone first to see if you have such a message displayed. I printed out the Steroid card and managed to print a list of meds onto the back in a small font.

Steroid Emergency Card

[Mstiles in reply to AyJayBass]

Wow that would be so reassuring to have in an emergency. Thank you for posting that.

[Amkoffee in reply to AyJayBass]

I've been told by several police and medical people that they never look at a person's cell phone. At least not where I live. (Kansas, US)

[Hidden]

Since I think they’ll always look for insurance cards, I’ve tucked a notice between them. My best, 🤗

[HeronNS]

They don't do cards in North America. I bought a bracelet from Universal Medical ID which, for no further charge, gives me lifetime access to an account where I can store and update pertinent info - contact, medications, etc, available to first responders through a PIN on my bracelet, which also has prednisone engraved on it.