I asked my gp about carrying a steroid card and she’d never issued one before. I’m going to the pharmacy to ask, but wondered if people have views on carrying a card ? And if so which one? The blue card enables me to write down the exact dosages as they change. The emergency card doesn’t.
Here is the link to both:
leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/....
many thanks for all your input and advice, I’ve fond it so helpful and reassuring as a newbie to PMR.
I had a medic alert bracelet with a piece of paper inside with doses and dates which I wore all the time. I had a card but didn’t always carry my wallet such as on a walk. I got it from the well known global supplier of all things with a quick delivery time.
Great idea thanks!
Your link doesn’t seem to work - but there is plenty of info in the FAQs -
The charity sends out the blue ones annually if you are a member - and last one I got in April still was…but they now have the new one on their website - so they may send that one in future
pmrgca.org.uk/steroid-emerg...
Probably would be sensible to have both - but many have medical alert jewellery.
The NHS is promoting the red emergency one - so that should probably be carried .
Your link doesn’t work either. I have been trying to find out about the cards as the one I was given by the pharmacy doesn’t seem adequate. My GP told me to ask the pharmacy as they don’t have them!
Does for me… but just shows red card.. which is best for medical staff… blue better for patients as shows change in doses ..
Also see this -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
And me…😀
Many thanks. Sorry link didn’t work, but it was the same download.
Okay…
I got a bracelet off the internet, as I felt that the card may not be noticed in all cases. The pharmacist did not issue a card they just had a pile of them on a dusty shelf and gave me one. You can print one off the internet if you want too.
I have both cards, but when out for a walk I only have the emergency card with me. Like others I have invested in a medical alert bracelet, purchased online to be sure it was noticed in the event of an emergency.
You actually really require both. The blue card is to record dosage history and the red card is to show HCPs so they know the patient is at risk of adrenal insufficiency and all that entails. Unfortunately, despite all the work done to issue the new one, there seems to be a decided lack of education where it is needed with the HCPs who need to know,
I carry a list of medications and hope that will do - I don't live in the UK so the blue card would be a "foreign" concept and the red card in English not a lot of use! There is no getting away from the fact that a medic alert bracelet is the best solution. But then you do need to WEAR it!
I carry both in my purse plus I wear a silicone bracelet which says
MEDICAL ALERT STEROID DEPENDENT
if you have an iPhone (other mobiles are available but I don’t know about them) you can set up a Medical Alert which is accessible even if your phone is locked. It does require paramedics to look but if you have a silicone bracelet as well they might at least try.
If they find the phone they do usually have a look these days. Trouble is, in an accident you may be separated from your phone.
Possibly not. It’s glued to me! Unlike the steroid card which I never have with me
Great, worth a go!
I wear a bracelet that I got off amazon, I put on it 'Predisolone steroid tablets', plus have the medical alert card in the two bags I use the most. plus have set it up om medical alert on iPhone. GP recommended this approach.
I have a bracelet that I tend to wear 24/7 plus red card which is always with me in my phone case. Mobile is also set up. (not IPhone).
Always carry one, it was given me by my rheumy. I think it's possible to lift one off online. I also always wear a steroid alert whenever l leave the house which is available from amazon.
Thanks for this info. I'll get one of those bracelets. I have a blue card in a sunflower case which I carry in a pocket when I'm out. I don't know how widespread the recognition of the sunflower as a sign of hidden disability is, though!
I have my phone in a clear gel case and I keep both cards in the case so that they can be easily seen.
I have the same but with a card that I had printed from this company
theidbandco.com/generic-med...
My phone is always with me, but not necessarily my bag or purse so this is the most logical thing for me.
That's interesting Sophiestree, I haven't heard of those before.
I’m with Lloyds pharmacy on line and every now and again they send a NHS Steroid card with my meds and they send a reminder when to reorder.
Good to hear they are on the ball… 😊
I came across this yesterday when I heard of someone who had been admitted for emergency surgery and was taken off her 10 pred without explanation. It was in the USA so there may be different rationales. This was issued in 2020 and all clinicians should be aware of it. If you click through on the links there is some good info and rules about issuing patient incident forms if the guidance isn’t followed. I have the cards from the charity but no one else has ever discussed it with me not even my rheumatologist england.nhs.uk/2020/08/ster...
I carry both the blue and red cards in my purse. Being credit card size they fit in quite easily. I make sure the red one is always visible when my purse is opened. I also wear an expanding medical alert bracelet when I leave the house. It’s engraved with ‘on steroids’ and my husbands mobile number in case of emergency.
I carry the blue card on me I get mine from my local pharmacy. I prefer the blue card as I can update it when my dosage changes Xx
I've got a bracelet.I have the cards but don't always have my purse on me.
I have been issued with the new crad a few months ago , I wasnt aware of the 'blue' card, should I have one?
Not necessarily - they are the older format - but useful for amending doses as you go along - but due to that they do need replacing more often - which is why the charity used to [may still do] send then out to members when they renew their membership.
Hi, thanks for reply, everyone on here also wears a bracelet too as an alert, should I be wearing one, my steroids are through using an asthma inhaler! X
Do you take regularly every day or on a ‘when needed’ basis? Think it might be sensible - there are a myriad to choose from depending on what you style you want and/or to spend..
I have 4 main puffseach day and more if needed x
They serve 2 different functions.. The blue card isn't really being replaced, it is supplemented, The Blue Card forms an ongoing record of steroid dose over time and the new card is an Emergency Card to advise HCPs that the carrier is a long term corticosteroid patient and therefore at risk of adrenal insufficiency/crisis issues. It has been developed because HCPs seem singularly unaware of such risks!
I have both in my handbag, which is always with me when I'm out. The charity have sent me a new blue card every year when I renew my membership.
Steroid card 
Steroid card
Steroid card 
Steroid card
steroid card
