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Should I wear a medical ID?
Sun, 06/27/2010 - 21:29
Hello,
I know there have been past discussions about this, but I am curious to see everyone's feedback about whether or not/when to wear an ID bracelet. I am 23 years old and typically only have simple partial seizures that are not noticable to anyone but myself. I have only had 2 generalized seizures in the past 13 years, and I have some problems during sleep which I suspect may be partial seizures of some sort.
Lately, I've been looking into wearing a medical ID bracelet. The websites that sell them say that people with epilepsy should always have one on. Friends with epilepsy, though, have said that they don't wear one because they don't want anyone to think there is something wrong with them or that they don't really think it is necessary since they have infrequent or mild seizures. I have actually gone as far as ordering two - one that is pretty and subtle (and would medical personnel notice it?) and one for sports that is a blue nylon wristband. While I won't wear them to my current workplace in order to protect my privacy, I am in school for a job that will be in a hospital and I don't foresee running into any problems with people noticing the bracelet.
At any rate, I would really like to see where I land among people who wear them and don't wear them. If you do or don't have one, what are your reasons? Is there anyone who wears one but only at certain times (ie when traveling, exercising, etc). I've read that they save hospitals a lot of time and money, but I don't want to be wearing it if it is a silly or unecessary thing. Sometimes I can get really excited about an idea and won't realize when it really isn't something I need to be doing. My doctor has never suggested having one.
Thank you for your help (once again)!
Comments
Re: Should I wear a medical ID?
Submitted by tonialpha on Mon, 2010-06-28 - 22:44
Phylis,
You are great!
Medic alert is great. You can update medication info and health info it is really helpful for me when seizures and asthma kick in!
Phylis,
You are great!
Medic alert is great. You can update medication info and health info it is really helpful for me when seizures and asthma kick in!
Re: Should I wear a medical ID?
Submitted by rugby_tee on Mon, 2010-06-28 - 10:59
Hi WJANE,
I wear my Medical Alert ID bracelet every day. I am also a diabetic, but I never got my bracelet until I was dignosised with epilepsy. If I did have a medical emergency and I couldnt speak for myself then the bracelet could at least give the health professionals the information they needed.
I also wear it when I play sports and I usually get asked to take it off before a game (as you are not suppose to wear jewellery) but then I have to explain to the officials that it is a Medical Alert bracelet and at which point they always appolgize and it is allowed to stay on. Some people might be embarassed that it would draw attention that they are wearing one but you never know when it could just one day save your life.
Thankfully I have never had anyone use the information on the bracelet but I know it is there in case of an emergency.
I feel like I am the spokesperson for Medical Alert and trust me I am NOT but I seriously wear mine every day and done leave home without it. It is sort of my security blanket and feel that if anything ever happened it not only gives me the peace of mind for me but my family too because something is looking over me.
You made a good decision with your purchase of your bracelet your next step is to wear it!!
Hi WJANE,
I wear my Medical Alert ID bracelet every day. I am also a diabetic, but I never got my bracelet until I was dignosised with epilepsy. If I did have a medical emergency and I couldnt speak for myself then the bracelet could at least give the health professionals the information they needed.
I also wear it when I play sports and I usually get asked to take it off before a game (as you are not suppose to wear jewellery) but then I have to explain to the officials that it is a Medical Alert bracelet and at which point they always appolgize and it is allowed to stay on. Some people might be embarassed that it would draw attention that they are wearing one but you never know when it could just one day save your life.
Thankfully I have never had anyone use the information on the bracelet but I know it is there in case of an emergency.
I feel like I am the spokesperson for Medical Alert and trust me I am NOT but I seriously wear mine every day and done leave home without it. It is sort of my security blanket and feel that if anything ever happened it not only gives me the peace of mind for me but my family too because something is looking over me.
You made a good decision with your purchase of your bracelet your next step is to wear it!!
Re: Should I wear a medical ID?
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Mon, 2010-06-28 - 09:26
Here is information on wearing medical IDs from my website. (Sorry I can only post the link to my website, other links will be labeled "spam" and I won't be able to post this!)
Peace of Mind Jewelry -- where $10 of your purchase is donated to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Fiddledeeids -- you’ll find a whole array of beaded medical alert bracelets, charms here, you name it.
Lauren’s Hope -- has medical ID bracelets ranging from casual to elegant…you can even create your own custom bracelet.
Alert Medical Bracelets -- bracelets and anklets that are stylish, pretty, affordable…and interchangeable, which is a fun concept.
Sticky Jewelty -- has a large array of bracelets, medical ID charms, necklaces, medical ID wartches -- with both traditional mand trendy styles. Something for everyone!
Medic Alert -- carries all of your records to give to doctors and ER. Included are the names of your doctors, medicines, allergies to meds and your family.
And yes, I DO wear a bracelet! :-) Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
Here is information on wearing medical IDs from my website. (Sorry I can only post the link to my website, other links will be labeled "spam" and I won't be able to post this!)
Peace of Mind Jewelry -- where $10 of your purchase is donated to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Fiddledeeids -- you’ll find a whole array of beaded medical alert bracelets, charms here, you name it.
Lauren’s Hope -- has medical ID bracelets ranging from casual to elegant…you can even create your own custom bracelet.
Alert Medical Bracelets -- bracelets and anklets that are stylish, pretty, affordable…and interchangeable, which is a fun concept.
Sticky Jewelty -- has a large array of bracelets, medical ID charms, necklaces, medical ID wartches -- with both traditional mand trendy styles. Something for everyone!
Medic Alert -- carries all of your records to give to doctors and ER. Included are the names of your doctors, medicines, allergies to meds and your family.
And yes, I DO wear a bracelet! :-) Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com