Medical Alert Bracelets

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Artista928
Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
edited July 2016 in Lymphedema

If you have one, post a pic and where you got it from. It's so hard finding one that isn't so jewelry that paramedics overlook it and/or the print is so small that they don't bother or don't see it as they reach for the arm to do blood pressure on the arm they shouldn't. When paramedics come in the first concern is blood pressure. So while the others are talking to you it's easy not to notice one quickly grabbing the wrong arm as they walk through the door. Had this happen last month. It's not like other alerts/allergies that can wait a few minutes until after you get the person's vitals, like bp. That's the problem with this- you need a big sign basically otherwise unless you are tuned in where you can say no quick to the EMT to not use the affected arm, it's useless.

I'm not created enough to make my own but someone needs to make it simple, in LARGE print on the FRONT saying No BP / Needles / IV This Arm type language with a large red medical alert symbol. Haven't found a really good one like this yet. :/

I have 2 but the print is so small that I had to pull out stronger glasses to try and read it and even then it was tough. Medics don't have time and neither may you.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited June 2016

    Try StickyJ at https://www.stickyj.com/

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2016

    This company also has a large and varied selection:

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


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  • rvgirl2016
    rvgirl2016 Member Posts: 67
    edited June 2016

    Thank you for the link exbrnxgrl!  I just ordered one for myself :)

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited June 2016

    you can also try

    http://www.emergencyid.com.au/medical-alert-id-products/womens-medical-jewellery/womens-gold-plated-everyday-wear-medical-alert-id-bracelets

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  • sjeilers
    sjeilers Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2016

    http://medicalhistorybracelet.com/care-medical-history-bracelet-2-0/

    This is where I got mine. Its black with the red medical emblem. However, you can get different colors.

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  • Jacklin
    Jacklin Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2016

    For the Canadians here:

    http://canada.universalmedicalid.com/canada/?gclid...

    and, you can also try Costco online.

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  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 2,221
    edited June 2016

    Check www.laurenshope.com.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited June 2016

    I got my original one from n-styleid.com. I ordered it a bit too big for my wrist because I was afraid of constriction; then when I added an extender it was too big and kept falling off. The bracelet part was a twisted bicolor double curb chain with lobster claw clasps at either end, which hook on to the included plate. The plate was only big enough to mention the lymphedema part--had to get additional dangling hearts from MedicAlert for my antibiotic allergies. Because I kept seeing “Italian Charm Bracelet” listed on Amazon--which looked like skinny Twist-o-Flex watchbands with little block links bearing the various ailments, I figured I’d have some fun and look for an actual Pandora-style ID bracelet. Actually saw a Pandora-adaptable snake-chain Medical ID bracelet and plate offered on n-styleid.com. same dual lobster claws, but one screwed off to allow charms to be threaded on. The plate was large enough to include LE warnings and also my allergies, but the emblem was small and red. Wore it to my first LE doc appt., and he snorted that the little red emblem wouldn’t alert EMTs or ER personnel to my LE--“if they don’t see pink, they won’t think lymphedema.” He handed me an ugly pink plastic wristband that wasn’t much better looking than the pink disposable hospital-ID band I got at my BS’ nurse’s pre-op "patient teaching session.” So I decided I would find the biggest plate I could find, with a pink emblem on the front and enough room on the back for my info. I didn’t need the bracelet--already had that. Found the plate on laurenshope.com--and it has a big pink MedicAlert symbol on the front, with my name, lymphedema precautions, drug allergies and ICE numbers on the back. I loaded it up with fake Pandora charms that have personal meaning for me (pink ribbon, hobbies, faith, places I’ve lived and love to travel, professions, etc.). It rolls on and off my wrist without constricting or falling off. And last week I showed it to my LE doc, who approves!

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  • suems
    suems Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2016

    You should always buy a Medicalert bracelet from the original non-profit which created the system.They have a wide range of styles and sizes, but most importantly, they are linked to an international database containing your full emergency info and emergency contacts.

    They can be found at https://www.medicalert.org/ Mine has a lymphodema alert on the back, but it doesn't mention cancer. So my info is private, but accessible if necessary. Instead it has my membership number, which links me to the database.

    I used to wear mine on my right (at risk) arm, but then I got actual lymphodema, and had to switch to my other arm as it wouldn't fit. Now that I wear a compression sleeve its pretty obvious that they can't touch that arm.There is a big campaign on in New Zealand for emergency staff to check for a bracelet, after one woman died from an allergic reaction after ER staff failed to notice her Medicalert bracelet. Lookalike jewellery like those mentioned above don't have any info service behind them, and may not be taken seriously.

    Sorry if this sounds a bit grumpy, but it is a very important lifesaving device, and should be treated with due respect.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited June 2016

    I don't know if I have faith anymore that EMT will stop to look at a bracelet before grabbing your arm for bp. Like I said, that's the first thing they do when they come in, check blood pressure first. Mine was overlooked despite having the red medical symbol on it. The photos shown on these sites look like it'd be a big plaque and easy to read writing. It isn't. And worse are the ones with info on the back. Like the EMT is going to not grab your arm first to do bp and try to figure out what's on back on the bracelet. Unfortunately for us bp is the first thing checked. Things like diabetes, allergy can wait until the bp is taken. I think someone needs to create an actual large plaque where the fonts aren't so small. What they give you in the hospital is perfect size. The only thing that needs to be fixed is the ugly pink band it's on. The "plaque" portion is easy 3" long and over and inch wide. Very easy to read. I don't know why no one even offers something like this.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2016

    I have had good luck with StickyJ: https://www.stickyj.com/ . When a bracelet broke, they replaced it. After having two Etsy bracelets break, I just ordered several different bracelets from StickyJ--two wristwatch-style metal bracelets (one silver, one black) and a sports band.

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  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 340
    edited July 2016

    OK. So I am comparing a few of them from www.stickyj.com/ & http://www.n-styleid.com/

    From your collective wisdom, sounds like I am looking for 1) BIG, PINK emblem. 2) maybe a Charm, so it can be turned around easily.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2016

    You can get a free lymphadema alert band from Peninsula Bio Medical. I have one for each arm.

    http://www.lymphedema.com/alertband.htm

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited July 2016

    Here’s mine:

    image

    image

    image

    and the charms:

    image

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  • WenchLori
    WenchLori Member Posts: 1,558
    edited July 2016

    Sandy, I'm trying to decide which one to get also. I love how you have added charms to yours. Did you order it online?

    Healing hugs and lots of love to everyone

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  • ElizabethAM
    ElizabethAM Member Posts: 245
    edited July 2016

    Hi... I'm new and have a quick question... I had a sentinel removed, just one. How many do you have to have removed to be at risk of lymphodema or is one enough?

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2016

    Sadly, one is enough. Radiation also increases the risk.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2016
    image

    Casual, from StickyJ (had links removed at jeweler for a better fit).


    image

    More professional, from StickyJ, also with links removed. Flexible band.


    image

    Water-resistant sport band, from StickyJ, with Velcro closure.

    All include my MedicAlert number. No pink. I most need emergency personnel to know not to do BP/VP on the right arm, and that I have diabetes. No charms. I spend a lot of my day typing and both charms and chain-style bracelets clack infernally on the keyboard. The chains also leave acute dents in my wrist if they rest on a surface, and I'm trying to avoid that kind of pressure.

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2016

    I just got my bracelet from https://www.emergencyid.com.au/medical-alert-id-products/womens-medical-jewellery

    They accidentally sent me the stainless bracelet but ordered the hold plate- they were great with just sending me the bracelet I ordered with no hassle. Service is great!

    image

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  • dAd
    dAd Member Posts: 94
    edited July 2016

    Another really good source for medical alert bracelets, dog tags, etc. is Etsy. They have at least a hundred sources with every conceivable design. Mostly free engraving.

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  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited July 2016

    This is mine. Got it on etsy and just added the large medical alert charm to it so it stands out. I don't want to have medics not see and read before reaching for my affected arm. I wear it wording facing hand so easy read. If this doesn't make them pause before going for the arm then I don't know what will because my other standard bracelet failed. I get docs and nurses checking it out so it's an eye catcher! The writing is black and not faded like it looks in this pic.

    image

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