Medic Alert ID or not?

BabyNicole · 04-02-2008, 09:33 PM

I love this website (and this particular bracelet). Sterling Silver Medical ID Mariner Link Bracelet 7 inch It will be mine. hehehehe Oh wait, I have to get approved first!

jfran · 05-17-2008, 09:51 AM

I got mine at www.laurenshope.com. It is sterling silver and beaded. I never take it off. It is way too big now and almost fits my ankle. Eventually I will have to have it sized down or get a new one. People have actually noticed it before when I was sick and questioned me to make sure I was okay. It puts my mind at ease...in case of emergency. Plus it is a nice fashion accessory and goes with everything!

SpecialK · 05-17-2008, 01:23 PM

Same here got mine at Lauren's Hope and its black and silver with crystal beads so it goes with pretty much anything and I wear it all the time, shower with it on, etc. It is $6 to send it back to Lauren's Hope to get it resized so that would be cheaper than buying another one. I keep the decorative bracelet part on top of my wrist where it shows and I get alot of compliments on it and 99% of the peopel who see it have not seen the MedicID tag that is underneath on the inside of my wrist and I prefer it that way.

For the men-- they have simple leather braided ones and styles that aren't too decorative for you also.

thatDEgirl · 08-16-2008, 11:19 PM

I got mine from here...

I have leukemia too, so it serves double purpose.

Medical ID Alert Bracelets by Fiddledee IDs

seebs · 09-14-2008, 11:35 AM

FYI - I bought a purple bracelet like those that stretches like the Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelet. Very cheap and practical.

I wear it when I'm bike riding just for a little safety in case something happens to me.

My wording says "Adj. Gastric Band - Abdominal Port - No blind NG"
I stole that wording from this forum - thanks.

This band was cheap and very obvious if I was ever in an accident.

http://stores.ebay.com/medical-alert-bands

Susan
Seebs

Brinabrina77 · 09-15-2008, 03:08 AM

Hello everyone:

I am not here to tell anyone whether or not they think that they need a medic alert (or equivalent) type of ID. That is a personal decision.

If you don't feel as if you need one, then I hope that you are not being pressured into getting one or pressuring others into thinking that they don't need one. If you think that you do need one, I hope that you are not being pressured into not getting one or pressuring others into thinking that they need one. Again, your choice is your choice.

However, I think that there is a bit of confusion about this whole NG thing. I am not here to sound snooty or anything, but I hate it when people in the medical field just tell people to do or don't do things without explaining why.

I can say this because yes, I am a doctor...I just happen to treat patients that can't speak and tell me what's wrong. So I spend a *lot* of time explaining medicine/surgery to people.

A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is a tube that medical people insert in order to reach your stomach. It is inserted through your nose, goes down through your esophagus, and enters your stomach.

This is very different than an endotracheal tube (ET tube). An endotracheal tube is a tube that is inserted through the mouth, goes down the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs. In extreme emergency cases (when something prevents the medical person from being able to place the tube through the mouth..example...there is an obstruction in the oral cavity) an ET tube can also be inserted into the trachea through a cut in the trachea(windpipe) if needed.

I know that most people on here have seen/heard that in the event of an emergency in which they are unconscious and/or can not breathe that someone is bound to "put a tube down their throat". Maybe you will have to be "tubed". However, which tube used depends on what the emergency is, and whether the intent is to reach your stomach or your lungs.

If you are in a car accident and you can't breathe they normally would not be putting in a NG (nasogastric) tube. They put in an endotracheal tube. This ET tube goes into your mouth and into your lungs so that it can help you breath. It does not go into your stomach at all. It would not touch your band.

Please know that I am NOT saying that there won't ever be a situation in which you will have to get a NG tube put in your stomach. I hope that no one ever has to be in a situation in which an emergency NG tube has to be placed...becasue well.. that would mean that a fellow bander is really sick. I hope no one ever gets that ill.

It all comes down to what YOU want to do. I just wanted to let people know that if you are being "tubed" becasue you can't breathe then most likely the doctor will be placing an Endotracheal tube NOT a Nasogastric tube. They put in a endotracheal tube through your mouth and into your LUNGS.

PS: To all those wondering, I am a veterinarian. One of my greatest pet peeves (no pun intended) is for people to leave any medical office (whether it be human or animal medicine) not informed, confused, or having unanswered questions. So again, I hope that this post did not come off as me being a know-it-all or snooty.

JWRN · 09-15-2008, 06:13 AM

Brina,
I read somewhere (can't remember if it was a book, my surgeon's office, or here) that there needs to be special consideration when intubating the patient with a LAP-BAND^®. As with any patient, an incorrect placement of the tube into the esophagus can cause air to enter the stomach. Usually it is verified immediately by Xray anyway, or a CO2 detector.

I am considering getting a bracelet just in case I ever need to have an emergent NG tube placement. I don't want someone puncturing my stomach trying to get it past the band. As far as tube feedings, I would hope they would have gotten an abdominal xray for placement, or my family would have notified them of my LAP-BAND^® before starting them.

BTW, we love our Vet! One of my cocker spaniels has been up all night bugging me...must be a rabbit or deer outside (or a skunk!).

kiz · 09-15-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brinabrina77

...A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is a tube that medical people insert in order to reach your stomach. It is inserted through your nose, goes down through your esophagus, and enters your stomach.

This is very different than an endotracheal tube (ET tube). An endotracheal tube is a tube that is inserted through the mouth, goes down the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs. In extreme emergency cases (when something prevents the medical person from being able to place the tube through the mouth..example...there is an obstruction in the oral cavity) an ET tube can also be inserted into the trachea through a cut in the trachea(windpipe) if needed.

If you are in a car accident and you can't breathe they normally would not be putting in a NG (nasogastric) tube. They put in an endotracheal tube. This ET tube goes into your mouth and into your lungs so that it can help you breath. It does not go into your stomach at all. It would not touch your band.

Please know that I am NOT saying that there won't ever be a situation in which you will have to get a NG tube put in your stomach. I hope that no one ever has to be in a situation in which an emergency NG tube has to be placed...becasue well.. that would mean that a fellow bander is really sick. I hope no one ever gets that ill....

Thank you so much for that clarification, Brina. I had never stopped to think about the different type of tubes, and I had this big fear of being in a car wreck, or something similar, and someone trying to stick a tube through my band.

I can't think of an emergency situation (within reason), that a NG tube would be placed. Your post made me feel so much better.

Fairysaddle · 09-21-2008, 10:49 PM

I have this one: Medical ID Bracelets, stylish bracelets to alert the medics in an emergency, free engraving - Item# ACT20 - Petite Oval Link Medical ID Bracelet 2 lobster clasps (Detachable)
I make jewelry (at least, I did before kids, not exactly a small-child-friendly hobby

), so I can easily make new bands that have the two lobster clasp ends. I haven't, but I can. LOL!

I have a potentially deadly drug allergy as well. Although the chances of them treating me for a urinary tract infection at a crash site are slim, I feel better having it there. And, it gives me a valid reason to give nosy people who ask why I wear one.

Mine has my first name on the front, on the back it has:
HUSB: 555-555-5555
LAP-BAND^® 1/29/2008
NO NG TUBE/NSAIDS
NO MACRODANTIN/HCTZ

I like it, I think it looks nice. Not too "medical" looking. But obvious enough that they will find it in an emergency. I'm hoping to give chain maille a try soon so that I can make a nice looking band for it.

I also carry a PDA in my pocket that has an ICE listing with all my medications, allergy specifics, doctors, medical history, etc...