Thank you

[Oboes22]

Thank you everyone for your advice re - medical alert bracelet - I have now bought one - I've had PMR for 5 years now and it was only when lovely husband was admitted to hospital recently that it made me think about the situation. There is so much helpful and excellent advice here I really appreciate that. thank you again

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What did you choose in the end - pretty or practical?

[Oboes22 in reply to PMRpro]

pretty and practical and able to add name, disease, medication.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Oboes22]

So did I… have now utilised the chains onto another bracelet… [no need for med info]

[Pixix in reply to Oboes22]

What did you buy, please, & where from, if that’s allowed. I looked at some yesterday, but I need one for 8 diseases (I have 12 but can ‘lose’ some) & strong Class 1 drugs as well as steroids…& iral steroids & regular injections!! Thanks for any input. Not at my best Googling right now, had a fall 48 hours ago & dislocated my knee, & can hardly walk, with very bad pain!

[Oboes22 in reply to Pixix]

Hello Pixix, Iso sorry to hear you have had a fall and are in pain. I bought from Universal Medical ID - some of them are quite expensive but as a friend said , not expensive if they save your life. I only had the standard three line engraving, but I think you can have more put on the reverse of some of them. I hope your pain eases soon. Kind regards.

[Pixix in reply to Oboes22]

Thanks, I will look it up. I don’t think it will hold sufficient info, but anything is better than nothing. A lady said she’d got one where you could change the info, and a QR code could be read…but I’m not sure I think a QR code reader is the first thing the medics have to hand! S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

They all have mobile phones and iPads for work these days. Your phone camera is a QR reader.

Judging by the reviews this would fit your needs - because it can include your GP phone no to access notes for the details, Or a single person who is always able to access your details on a sheet you have given them. You don't need to list all the disorders - medication is more important. And costs £5.99 to update.

medipal.org.uk/

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

That would be ideal, as, believe it or not, I know you will, our hospital 12miles away seems to be on a different system to our local surgery!! Thanks for your help, I really appreciate that. The lady yesterday said ‘my id’, but when you google ‘my id’ you get millions of things, totally unconnected! Take care, & have a lovely gelato for me…pompelmo Rosa & mela verde in the summer & coffee, fig, chocolate, caramel in winter, for me! S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

No gelato this week except out of the freezer. Marlu is on holiday and Himself will be indulging himself soon at the icecream trade fair ... But I did stock up on vanila, chocolate and lebkuechen ... But today I'd get blown over if I ventured out so I won't.

ID here is simple/not simple - ID card (photo and place of residence), driving licence, medical and tax no card and my residence permit. Covers everything with 4 credit card sized cards.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Hm…Lebkuchen, one I haven’t tried, a winter flavour for sure, I’d like that. Chocolate, oh, yes. Vanilla, oh, no…though I appreciate a good one is lovely! I think ID cards here would be a good idea, I’ve spent some time working in the USA & the ease of just producing it was something I liked! Would cost too much. Many of my friends are trying to get veterans ID cards, but there’s no great advantages…yet! Please stay in! Not good skiing atm, I guess! Often means lift closures, too. S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Plenty up there skiing - it seems to just have been on the peak that was worst so they head off the top and it improves. Lifts weren't closed. It will have een unpleasant in town - it is at the end of a north-facing valley and the wind just tunnels down it straight into the town!

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Good news for the skiers…not much fun when the chairlifts start swinging horizontal, & the snow whips up in front of your eyes!! Stay warm & cosy, S x

[Wildlifephotographer]

Hi  Oboes22 . I am considering getting one too. Did you buy an engravable one or a talisman style you can write on paper and update as needed? I also see there are some where the information is held centrally. Anyone have any views on which are most useful to a medical team?

[Oboes22 in reply to Wildlifephotographer]

Hi, I bought from Universal Medical ID and it was engraved. I didn't feel the need to state any dosage, just the disease and medication. I'm not sure about information held centrally - I would think that would just relate to the country you live in. Kind regards

[Wildlifephotographer in reply to Oboes22]

Thank you Oboes22

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wildlifephotographer]

It depends on who is selling the item - some have a phone number central call centre with staff who speak multiple languages and who have access to your account with your details to pass on. It is your responsibility to update it. Some are a one-off fee when you buy the item which is a lifetime payment, others have a monthly charge. UP to you to read the small print.

Or you can get one engraved with an emergency contact number - plus there is the ICE number to put on your phone or passport or as a visible card in your purse. Having that sort of thing as wallpaper on your phone is also an option - though don't ask me how to do it!!!

[Oboes22 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro - you are a mine of information as always.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Oboes22]

Things that have come up on the forum over the years - things may have changed in the digital age with phones and smartwatches and whatever,

[Wildlifephotographer in reply to PMRpro]

Oh having is a wallpaper on the phone is interesting. I never thought of that. Lots of options. It's good to have it in lots of different ways. I am not confident my other half would remember to tell a medic where to look or what they need to know.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Wildlifephotographer]

At home, write it out on a sheet of A4, put it in a plastic cover or some sort and tape it to a prominent place - on the fridge with a Red Cross magnet, a child's plus brick from the alphabet set would work too. If you want to be more obvious - you can get emergency boxes to put in the fridge or on the wall - metal too to be fireproof.

Out and about - in your handbag.

Or in the UK there is this

medipal.org.uk/

where you can buy everything from a card to carry to all the things I mentioned. Including one for OH to carry for you so no excuse!!! For under £20 you get all the options and you can update the info when required - there are 3 packages. and various bits can be bought separately. And obviously recognised by the NHS ...