Steroid card

[diana1998]

I've just received a message from my surgery asking me to download a steroid card to keep on me at all times. I guess this is common practice now. Does this mean no more blue cards?

[SnazzyD]

I didn’t just rely on a card in case it wasn’t about my person during an emergency. I wore a medic alert bracelet too. You could try asking a pharmacy for a card if you want a stiff card version rather than a thin paper cut-out.

Just a note, when I joined PMRGCAUK and with each renewal, I get a nice new one.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

The new [emergency] one is more for medical bods to be aware that you are on steroids should you be unable to tell them following an accident or incident… but as far as I am aware the charity are still sending out the blue cards when you renew your membership annually. So you can still have an up to date record of your doses.

In fact early days when doses were changing rapidly, I made my own with a postcard coloured blue] cut to same size so it fitted in purse… where there’s a will there’s a way! 😊

But as to your comment - is this common practice now? - do you mean downloading your own or keeping it on you at all times… if first, then yes, if second then it should always be so… or as said an identity bracelet or similar…

[Freshairfiend in reply to DorsetLady]

Brilliant idea to make my own blue card. Many thanks, you’re a wealth of ideas and information!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Freshairfiend]

Used to be a girl guide -and had a practical mother!😉…

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No - the two cards have different purposes: the blue card is a record of your dose over time and the new red card to download is information to be shown to healthcare professionals as a warning you may be at risk of adrenal insufficiency or even an adrenal crisis when ill or receiving treatments.

Is it common practice? Should be but it is becoming clear that the HCPs haven't all received the memo! It was introduced because it was realised that many HCPs were totally ignorant of the risks longterm corticosteroid management poses but there doesn't appear to have been an education campaign to go with it.

[Freshairfiend]

it’s nit common practice at my gp surgery…and no blue cards at pharmacy. I have downloaded the emergency card and put dosage on back. I’ve also git a Steroid alert silicone band from eBay and ordered an engraved bracelet from there with important info and directing to my purse for dosage. Dorset lady’s idea of making your own blue card may be the easiest way of getting one.

[PMR_sufferer1]

When I asked for one at the pharmacy they looked at me gone out when I thought it was an obvious question. I will ask again when I next speak to my doctor as I would prefer to carry one just in case.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMR_sufferer1]

Try this if you want one with space to write your doses-

imperialendo.co.uk/Steroid%...

Or this for new one -

endocrinology.org/media/387...

[Stills]

in 1979 when I was diagnosed with Adult Onset Stills Disease and prescribed steroids I was given a card to carry. As I was just 17 then my Mum also used to write it on my hand in indelible ink if I went out once I was 18 on my own 😆