Dog Community

Medical IDs?

Posted : 7/16/2008 11:06:35 AM

DH just got back from his annual appt with the neurologist. They are going to switch his medication because the current one will supposedly give him osteoperosis if he takes it for too long. The neuro gave him a special packet with pre-dosed pills for each day and he's supposed to take these to wean himself onto the new drug and then go back in two weeks to make sure he's not getting a bad rash. Luckily the new drug will have a generic coming. Right now his current medication is $1.20 per pill but thankfully my insurance covers all but $40.

I was looking up this drug on my insurance site to make sure this new drug is covered and reading about the drug. I noticed that it says the patient should wear ID indicating he takes this drug. Maybe it interacts with other drugs, I'm no doctor, but considering this is an anticonvulsant, if anything DID happen to DH it would be a seizure and he would not be able to tell someone what drugs he is on because when he had seizures he passed out cold.

What is the best form of medical ID? Dog tag? Bracelet? ID card in the wallet? Any EMTs here that could say what they check for? Also, any ideas where to order something? DH loses everything (he lost his second wedding ring and we haven't been married 2 years) so I was hoping there is some kind of bracelet he can wear all the time, and then I could also make him a laminated card for his wallet.

iluvjamison

Posted : 7/16/2008 11:15:43 AM

Liesje:

Do you live near a Walgreens?? The Walgreens by me makes the medical bracelets so you can order one through them. Also I just learned this at the parent's orientation for my daughter's college a couple of weeks ago --- apparently paramedics, police, emergency responders, etc., are asking all people to "ICE" their cell phones, blackberrys, etc. You're supposed set up a contact in your address book or contacts list called "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) on your phone with name and number of who to call in case of an emergency and you"re found unresponsive or something. This is the first thing they will look for on a cell phone or blackberry - so you could put your number in there and you could pass along the medical information in case your husband has a seizure or anything.

Deb W.

cakana

Posted : 7/16/2008 11:29:52 AM

DH is an EMT/firefighter so I'll ask him what they look for most often. I'd think that either a bracelet or dog tag would be best since not everyone has their wallet on them at all times. I've heard about the "ICE" suggestion too and it's a great idea and something we should all do.

yanke

Posted : 7/16/2008 11:53:58 AM

I'll be interested to see what people say. Go to "Medicalert" and see what they offer - both in terms of providing information to an emergency technician and in terms of bracelets, necklaces etc. I am supposed to wear one too, but i haven't ordered anything (over the last last two years) because of my indecisiveness as to whether i should get a bracelet or necklace - and whether it should be gold or silver and.....

VanMorrison

Posted : 7/16/2008 12:48:42 PM

We've been having this discussion on another forum, medical alert bracelets have come a long way since I was a kid. Some of the ones they have for kids now actually look fun!

http://www.n-styleid.com/men.html

http://www.medicalert.org/home/HomeCatalog.aspx?Catalog=Sports

http://www.americanmedical-id.com/marketplace/details.php?prodid=1050384479

These are just some of the places that provide jewelry, tags, etc.

BCMixs

Posted : 7/16/2008 5:11:24 PM

Hmm, I wonder if my son would wear any of these. He's hella allergic to penicillin. I got him the necklace and he put the tag on his keychain. Then he went to CA and left his car keys here, so fat lotta good that's doing hanging in my kitchen! I wonder if you can program it into the main screen of your cell phone. My phone has a line for my name and another for my phone number, but I put my home # on that line in case it's lost or I'm found incapacitated, they hopefully will call that number. I also have 2 ICE contacts programmed in.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 7/17/2008 12:00:07 AM

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a month ago--and very bad hypothyroidism at the same time. would you believe I was sleeping 16 hours a day and now am going with about 12 hours of sleep,but still do not have much energy.

I ordered a medical alert bracelet with my name on the front and my condition and 3 phone numbers on the back. And because of my stiff arthritic fingers I got it with a toggle clasp that doesn't require much hassel to get it on and off. I have a card in my purse with all kinds of information on it also. but if hubby is home and i won't be driving, i rarely take my purse.