Steroid alert

[Oboes22]

Maybe a silly question but does anyone have a medical alert bracelet indicating they take the steroid prednisolone and that it should not be stopped. I always carry my NHS Steroid Emergency Card in my purse, but if I was in an accident would anyone look for something like that? I also have a 'green emergency sticker' on the wall by my front door and then on the fridge where I have a small container with my steroid information. However recently I called an ambulance for my husband and the paramedics didn't notice the sticker when they came in. Am I being over cautious?

[SnazzyD]

For exactly that reason, I always wore a medic alert bracelet. I assumed someone would be going for my arm at some point in an emergency. Also, your wallet may not be accessible at the time of need, or a first responder might not have time to rootle in your bag on the off chance if they are trying to save your skin. They are easy to buy online.

[piglette]

You can get a bracelet that says ‘taking steroids’. Also you can get a metal one and get it engraved if you prefer. Here is one for sale.

theidbandco.com/taking-ster...

[AyJayBass in reply to piglette]

I have one of these and wear it all the time.

[Excelsior80]

A nurse friend recommended I get the wristband, she said theyd eventually find your steroid card in an accident or emergency but might have done something inappropriate first. At the time I was worrying about boat accident and wasnt even sure they would find it, or that people in the changing room would know which bag was mine.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can easily get separated from your bag or phone - a bracelet does make sense. It is preferable to a pendant - they are more likely to look at your wrist says my paramedic daughter. These days they do look at phones - so use the emergency app on a smartphone.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I always wore one -and continued for a few months after coming off Pred.. we recommend it.

Not over cautious-sensible.. 😊

[Bluey-1]

I wear one with a decent amount of space to add all my meds. It’s actually out of date as I’d added adrenal insufficiency on advice of endo nurse but had to up pred later. I should get to that low dose in the next 6 months all being well. I don’t feel like splashing out again. Think carefully how you word things. I think I overthought it!

[Blearyeyed]

Yes, I always wore my alert bracelet whilst on steroids. I now have both a medical alert bracelet for my current conditions and my EDS and Dysautonomia medical alert cards in a lanyard which I wear whenever I go out of the house.

[Angelsmummy]

Daughter got me one just before Xmas ( and OH) seems sensible plus what if we got separated from our purse etc?From Amazon says Medical Alert Taking Steroids,Steroid dependent.….choice of colours ,about a fiver. Also wear one as I am allergic to penicillin.Xx💐😜

[AnnaColuthon]

I wear one. It says I take steroids(prednisolone) and has my wife's phone number. I also tape to it a small piece of paper with my current dose.

[Paulagcl]

I asked my dr the same thing! He thinks it's a good idea. Are you an oboist? My husband was principal oboist of the Cleveland Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony.

[Oboes22 in reply to Paulagcl]

Thank you and yes I am a very amateur oboist in a local concert band. . I’m awe of your husband. Does he play at all now?

[Paulagcl in reply to Oboes22]

He died in 2000 but he was a legendary musician. If you are interested, you can hear him on youtube --- just type in Marc Lifschey

[Ceturtle in reply to Paulagcl]

I have one that is silicon and slides on to my watch band. It’s called My ID. It has a QR code on it so if in I am in an accident anyone can use their phone to open it. You can add diagnoses and meds along with emergency contacts. It can be updated anytime. I travel for my job and feel it would help in an emergency. Also, as I’ve been tapering Prednisone I’ve updated it each time. It’s super easy to update.

[Pixix in reply to Ceturtle]

This sounds good, I haave12 diseases, many many pills, pain patches (not always obvious if on your back), allergy to penicillin…oh & oral steroids & regular injections. None of the others I’ve seen can encompass this. Where did you get it from, please? Thanks!

[Birder21]

I have one it's engraved with my name and that I am on steroids for PMR I also carry a card in my phone case, glasses case and purse as usually have one of them with me. I would rather be safe especially when travelling. I got mine on Amazon and wear it all the time.

[pog165g]

if you go on to the addisions uk site you can purchase one from there

[Miacaro45]

I wear a bracelet for steroid use, one for blood thinners and a regular metal bracelet with my allergies and stating the fact that my left eye is permanently dilated. Sadly, not one medical professional has ever looked at my wrists and commented .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Miacaro45]

But actually - they only need to look if you are unconscious and unable to tell them yourself so you wouldn't necessarily know!!!!!

[Miacaro45 in reply to PMRpro]

That is true but a couple of times I was so ill that I could hardly speak.

[random901]

Hi Oboes22! I have a wrist bracelet to say steroid dependant + GCAPMR + blood group + my full name + daughter's contact number. Neat & comfy - bright red plastic. Bought online.

[Stills]

but off topic but in 1979 I was 17 and prescribed steroids for Stills Disease, I had the warning card but Mum didn’t trust me so when my friends came to take me out to the pub the following year during my recovery ( still in wheelchair then) my Mum would write STEROIDS in indelible pen on the back of my hands as an added precaution.

[Oboes22 in reply to Stills]

What a lovely caring mum you had. X

[Stills in reply to Oboes22]

She nursed me and worked at the same time when I was bedridden and instinctively knew when the pain was too much even in the middle of the night. I’m 62 now and she’s 87, recently widowed and recovering from a broken femur so I’m able to return the care x

[Nextoneplease in reply to Stills]

What a lovely post Stills❤️All the very best to you both xx

[Stills in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thank you very much indeed , made me smile

[Miserere]

I bought a medic alert bracelet from Am....n - that well-known online retailer as I felt they may not look in a purse and I don't always carry one. My GP said initially that I did not need an emergency card or anything but that was soon contradicted by others in the practice.

[Skier321]

I wear a medic alert necklace that lists all my medications and have for a few years

[Broseley]

Yes I wear one. I also take blood thinners.

They also give you a plastic card (credit card size) with your NHS number on, and all the drug details. This was really useful in A&E. Much better than giving your name, d.o.b. etc, as they recorded this incorrectly!

[Bluemoonbrummie]

having seen that it’s advised on here I found a pretty solid silver one on Etsy with the med alert symbol on one side and they engraved on the other side regular prednisolone user with my ICE contact mobile. My emergency contact lives with me so always knows how much steroid I’m taking.

It’s comfy and I don’t take it off - I sleep, shower swim etc with it on.

[Oboes22 in reply to Bluemoonbrummie]

Thank you. I’ve now found several on Etsy and at reasonable prices.

[Darkchocolate1]

I am 78 live in the US. My endocrinologist told me to get a bracelet and wear it whenever I leave home. Mine is for Adrenal Insufficiency and PMR. I never thought to put taking steroids. I fell away from home on cement and when the ambulance came my husband said the first thing they did was read my bracelet. The attendant said I wish everyone wore one of these. It could save your life.

[Lookingforideas]

I had the NHS card as the screensaver on my phone but I also got an engraved bracelet on a ‘rubber’ type band - which was very cheap on line (probably from China), and I wore that constantly even while I was reducing on a very very low dose and for about 9 months after I stopped the Pred completely. It’s still in a drawer just in case - I’m a bit superstitious about throwing it out though, in case it comes back 🤦‍♀️😊

[Tiggy70]

I wear an expanding silver bracelet engraved with my name and the words “on steroids”. It has a hidden compartment where you can write on a folded piece of paper all the drugs you are taking, phone numbers, NHS no . etc. and slot it inside. I’ve had it for well over 2 years. I think it came from Am***n.