[Streeto73]

#1060556

Hello all,

I’m fairly new to this, going on five months next week. My levels are finally starting to normalize, including my TSH. I purchased a medical alert bracelet today in case I’m in an accident and can not tell the paramedics that I have this disease. I’ve read conflicting things online, some say it’s important to have and some say not at all. I purchased it because I know certain things can trigger the heart to race and/or should not be administered to us. So I’m reaching out to see if anyone here wears one and if not, why not.

Thank you kindly,
Mary

[Kimberly]

#1183303

Hello and welcome! For Graves’, the biggest risks would be thyroid storm (which would be rare for someone who was being treated) or the possibility of being hospitalized for some unrelated injury/issue where medical personnel did not know that you need to take anti-thyroid meds.

It will be interesting to see how others respond. I don’t wear one regularly, but I purchased an ID bracelet that I try to remember to bring with me if I am travelling solo or if I am out exercising without my regular ID.

Take care!

[Streeto73]

#1183304

Hi Kimberly,

Okay, that makes a lot of sense. I just wasn’t sure what would happen if I need some type of emergency care and could not inform paramedics or hospital personal of my current condition so thought it best to wear some type of identification at least for now while I am still “hyper”.

Thank you for responding so quickly,
Mary

[barbra]

#1183306

Hi Mary,

I bought a medic alert bracelet about a year ago from C.A.R.E Memoryband. It’s not made of metal of any kind, it’s more rubber with the medical insignia on top. What I like about it is that when you remove it, and only when you take it off, it shows a USB plug which can be plugged in at the hospital or into the ambulance crew’s laptop and presto: here is all your medical info. From ailments right down to insurance info and people to notify. You can also change, add or delete information, such as new blood work results.
It doesn’t look clunky and it’s waterproof. When I wear it people usually think it’s some kind of watch. It comes in different sizes and even colors. Two of my grandchildren wear them in blue, mine is black.
It cost me under $30.00, so if anything happens to it it’s no big deal.

I looked at the many other kinds of bracelets, most of them very pretty, but since I have had a couple of other medical issues I opted for a band which lets me change the info.

I hope your levels stay in the normal range and you feel good.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[snelsen]

#1183307

I think it is a great idea. I wear a Medic Alert bracelet all the time. It is critical that providers are are aware of Graves’, in my opinion.

Kimberly, I think it is critical to wear one all the time. If you are in the hospital without your ATD for a few days, it will make a difference. Does your regular ID have all your medical information on it? And would someone look for it?

Having worked in a hospital, and duly recorded what patients told me the meds they were taking, it is a big leap to get the docs to write the orders for what you (and the patient) know what they are taking, and the difference it would make if it took a few days to get the bureaucracy of it all….resolved.

But…I am very cautious, and I know too much!! (:
shirley

[Kimberly]

#1183305

Hi Shirley – I’m actually off all meds at the moment (due for a lab check next week). But I figured that if something happened locally, my family would know to tell the docs about my Graves’ disease. My biggest concerns were something happening out of town or when I wasn’t carrying any other ID (like for a workout). Of course, there’s certainly no harm in wearing a bracelet 24/7 – and it could come in handy!

[snelsen]

#1183308

Kimberly!

THAT is exciting news! Wow. Look forward to another report sometime.

I also have other medical issues, and my family is scattered, not always in the area. So that also makes a difference. I think the thing I worry most about, is taping the eye (the one that does not close)…. closed at night. One night of an open eye, would result in a corneal abrasion, lots of pain, or worse.

While on this subject, I would like to recommend the only tape to use for this, over eyelids and eyelashes, is:
Mepitape. I think that is the way it is spelled. Wonderful product.
Shirley

[Streeto73]

#1183309

Hi Shirley and Barbra,

Thank you both so much for your replies.

Shirley, your medical alert bracelet sounds really great. I wish I had known about it before I spent over $70 buying and engraving this one. My bracelet does open up so I can put some of my medical information on the inside. Plus, I live in Massachusetts and most (but not all yet) of the hospitals here are connected via computer systems so if something happens there they should be able to access all of my information.

In fact, I recently signed something at my doctors office that will start here in MA, but hopefully become nationwide someday that will allow all hospitals and emergency providers to see your medical history. I know this can be open for debate, but in my opinion, I think that ultimately it will be good for anyone in case they are in any kind of accident. It saves the doctors time trying to figure out if there is a medical condition and/or providing a medication that could be harmful, (i.e. penicillin allergy) and will lead them to the right course of treatment sooner.

For now however and while I travel I will keep my medical bracelet on. It’s better to be safe than sorry and it’s “kinda” fashionable…I guess..lol.

Have a great day and thank you,
Mary

[flora]

#1183310

Thanks for the heads up, Ladies – I hadn’t ever thought of wearing a medical ID bracelet, but just found a “kinda fashionable” one,too – on Amazon, with free shipping, even! It IS a little extra peace of mind.
And @ Kimberly – WooHoo for You! And all the best from here!

– flora

[Author]

Posts