Medic Alert bracelets?

[Barb D]

A friend of mine who recently had the same surgery I just had suggested that I get a medic alert bracelet. I now have electrodes in my head, wires going all the way down my back, and a battery pack in my butt. I can never have an MRI again.

Question for medical people: is this the kind of thing I should have a medic alert bracelet for? Would an MRI ever be done on someone who can't verify that they don't have metal in their body anyway? Is there any other reason I would need one?

Question for anyone with experience with these: is there any reason I need to go through the Medic Alert company to get it? I found some off-brand ones that are cheaper, but you don't get the call-in service (which I don't think I would need) or the official logo. The logo is a bit different, but still looks medical.

Here's one from Medic Alert:

Here's one from another company:

 

[BCV513]

I'm no expert, but I think it would be a good idea. I imagine if God forbid you were ever in a car accident or something and were unconscious, an ER doctor might give you an MRI without waiting for notification.

I have a medic alert bracelet because I have anaphylaxis to nuts and bee stings. I really like that second one you posted. It's girly and less obviously medical.

 

[tigercat]

The second one looks like a bracelet. I have mine through medical alert and have been very happy with it. I like the thought that there is a number just in case it is needed. I have had my latest one for about 4 yrs now. Sometimes it is better to be safer than sorry just because of a few dollars that after several years don't add up to a lot. Just my thoughts.
tigercat

 

[intheworks]

An MRI is not an emergent procedure. You would never have one ordered and done straight from an emergency room, especially without checking for metal. That is just not done. In an emergency a CT is ordered and metal does not factor into those. I never really understood the need for those medical bracelets, the stuff they are supposed to alert about is stuff that is always checked anyway
Tracy

 

[MissMinnie]

I never really understood the need for those medical bracelets, the stuff they are supposed to alert about is stuff that is always checked anyway
Tracy

Hi. I have to disagree with this statement. I have congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. I take a number of meds including coumadin to prevent blood clots. If I am in an accident and am alone and cannot speak, I cannot notify the medical personnel of what I take. This could be a fatal problem for me. I wear a Medic Alert bracelet whenever I leave my house or am alone. The cost of the bracelets can be small depending on the style and the service only costs $25.00 a year. EMTs and other medical people are trained to look for them. It is worth it. Some of the brands do not offer a call in service that will offer a complete medication history and medical info.

OP, I would suggest that if you do decide to get a bracelet from Medic Alert that you consider a different style. I had one like the one in the picture, and the clasp cannot be undone without someone's help. It drove me crazy wearing that thing all the time knowing I could never remove it. I like to take mine off for cleaning the house and showering, etc. I now have one with a clasp that opens and closes easier. If you call them, they will tell you which one can be taken on and off with ease.

 

[jsmith]

umm Tracy-not always-my sister in law has a rare autoimmune disease-but the medication she takes-and immunosuppression are not a part of routine emergency triage. Anyway for the OP-she got hers from a site where the are made to look like jewelry-its on a very pretty beaded bracelet-not sure whre but i will try and find out.

 

[BCV513]

I never really understood the need for those medical bracelets, the stuff they are supposed to alert about is stuff that is always checked anyway
Tracy

I have to disagree too. If I get stung by a bee, my throat will close within 30 seconds. Depending on how far I am from my pocketbook, I may not have time to get to and administer my Epi-Pen. And I definitely may not be able to tell the people I'm with that I have one with me.

 

[phorsenuf]

I need to get one too because of the meds I'm on, one being a blood thinner. I just can't find one I like. I mean if I need to wear one, I want it to be fashionable.

 

[bntlyclg89]

The beaded bracelet probably came from here: http://www.laurenshope.com/