Medical alert jewelry

There are many choices if you google medic alert. Some are so beautiful I'm not sure they would get noticed as medic alerts!

check the wording on lymphedema.net (or lymph.net --i forget which it is.) They have the best wording, you can add more info too.

Take care,
--Hattie

I know many in the lymphedema discussion group recommend that you do not put lymphedema as the message - as many medical professionals do not know what lymphedema is.
They Suggest something like "No BP, No IM, No Sticks - left arm"

at the top of the lymphema discussion group there's a sticky thread re: this topic with some links to places where some have purchased an alert bracelet.

Doreen

See, if only I could get a tatoo on that arm....

I wonder about the bracelet being ignored, the chart being ignored...

I could marker it up every day I guess.

Take care,
--Hattie

Julie--Nobody pays any attention to it....AMEN!!! Too true!! I've posted my experience some time back but will repeat. I have a neon pink med alert bracelet. A year ago I had elective surgery and asked could I wear the bracelet to the hospital. I was told "no" I was told "yes" I was told "wear it, but you might have to take it off".......and, I was told not to worry, that it would be noted in my chart!!!! I wore it, and nobody said a thing--AND NOBODY EVER LOOKED AT IT!!!! I had some twerp try to take blood and do BP in that arm! Thank God I was still lucid and pitched a fit. Then a surgical nurse explained a few things to me: in a true emergency room situation--say life or death, NOBODY is going to stop and take the time to read that med alert bracelet to see what they should or shouldn't do! And, another problem--all these colored rubber bracelets that people wear to support different causes.......well, in this particular hospital, a red wristband meant DO NOT RESUSCITATE!!! She said, it would only be later that someone took time to see that I was saving whales!!!! That conversation really scared me. I think it is worthwhile to wear a med alert, but I wouldn't depend on it 100 percent. Think it would be invaluable as long as you were alert enough to point it out to medical personnel. Have decided that if I ever need elective surgery again, I will write on the arm with magic marker!!!!! And, have decided that if it was a life or death emergency room situation--they can do whatever they need to that arm to save my life and I'll worry about lymphedema later!!! Always something, isn't it!

hugggssssss

Jorf - yes, it was from EBAY and cost about $12. The seller was very happy to put whatever wording I wanted on the back and I got it within about 3 days!

PS - prayers for a smooth port placement...

I had surgery a couple weeks back and the nurse put in perm ink on my arm...even though it was on the medical allert band from the hospital. I never had a problem with it when it was written on my whole upper arm!

Tina

Junie---

I have had the same experience that you have had. I have had and worn a MedicAlert bracelet for 10 years because I am diabetic, an insulin user, and have 3 drug allergies. I have never been allowed to keep it on in the hospital when I am having surgery,(5 surgeries in one year) and the nurses and attendants constantly ask me again and again what drug allergies I have, am I on insulin, etc. I am already nervous enough and they are also asking me over and over in the pre-op room, which breast is going to be removed (don't they know?? They always tell me it is to make sure I am coherent). Makes me have no confidence in them at all, and I am always too nervous to explain everything to them over and over again.

Too bad we can't have one of those talking car alarms ("Step back from the car!!) that explains it to them when they touch you or get too close.

Peace and Hugs,
celia

for free lymphadema alert bracelets, neon pink plastic reusable bracelets:

 www.lymphadema.com

1-800-29-EDEMA

I usually put 2 or 3 on my affected arm and have never been asked to remove them.   Metal can be "unsanitary" and if it looks like jewelry, the risk of losing it is high.  

BTW, by the way, I asked for a dozen or more to pass out to others and they sent a couple dozen.   For other ailments, such as allergies (I have quite a few), I make stickers using return address (blank) labels and paste them on my chest and arm and take several to stick on my chart.  

Recent cataract surgery and they were very impressed - had never seen lymphedema alert before - and allergy stickers.