Carrying Diabetes ID on you ?

I don't carry anything with me. I work in China for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. But I do make sure everyone know I am diabetic type 2.
I always think that I should carry something but what and who would read it.
Before I was diagnosed I collapsed in a bar in China and when the ambulance came to check me out they did not ask or look for any ID so it makes you wonder if it does any good.
By the way i was not drunk at this stage. It was because of this I had myself checked out when I got back to the UK. This is when I was diagnosed diabetic type 2 then 3 weeks later had a severe heart attack that should have killed me.
I have been on the mend since.
But I control mine now to a really good level. Stopped smoking and drinking exercise daily lost 35kgs. So this helps me not to worry to much about my diabetes when I am away. That's not to say it is not constantly on my mind I just make sure it is under control and test when eating new foods which is constant in China.
Bit yes I should make a small of card to carry in my back locket with my credit card.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

I'm a Type 2 and made myself a keyring that I keep in my handbag and a card that I keep in my purse. It lists all the meds I'm on, my allergies and intolerances and a contact number for my OH.

I have fainted a couple of times when I was out, but thankfully I was with a member of my family, I have the ID just in case I'm out on my own and it happens again.

yoda said:

Is it nesscesary to carry Diabetes ID info on you?
Even though you are controlling it with Diet only......... :think:

Type 2 , Diet only , HBA1C 6.4 Take Propranolol, Ramipril , and Simvastatin .

Click to expand...

Diet only - definitely don't need to
Metformin - probably don't need to, but there can be emergencies, like HONK and metabolic acidosis, that would make an ID card useful
Gliclazide / insulin - a very good idea (although if found unconscious, the paramedics will always check your blood sugar anyway, at which point it would become immediately obvious). But useful for members of the public, who might just think you're drunk.

If anything, I'd probably be more interested to know that you were on propranolol, than that you ate a healthy diet to control your blood sugar


Type 2 on Metformin, diagnosed Jan 2013, ultra low carber, Hba1C at diagnosis 8% (11mmol), now between 5 and 6 mmol. 13kg lost so far

hi yoda,
I AM TYPE 2 BUT AT PRESENT LOOKING INTO AN ID BRACELET HAS I AM ON A LOT OF MEDICATION .iTS PERSONAL CHOICE I THINK.
BY THE WAY LOVING YOUR AVATAR :wink:
debs

I have a friend who has been Type 2 for about 12 years, at first diet-controlled only.

She's had hypos ever since diagnosis, to the extent of needing paramedics because she has been know to collapse in the street. I have a feeling that she may have been misdiagnosed as a "standard" Type 2, but . . .! She doesn't test and thinks having hypos is normal. She won't listen to anything I say (as she eats banana loaf!); as I've only been diagnosed 3 years she must know more about it. :roll:

She is one who certainly should carry diabetic ID.

I have diabetic ID on me at all times, in case I'm run over, in a car crash or otherwise have an accident. It specifies that I'm Type 2 on Metformin only. If you're unconscious and in hospital, they need to know. And don't just say "Diabetic" - otherwise they'll assume you're Type 1 and put you on an insulin drip - that's the default position in some hospitals :shock:

Viv 8)

As a type 1 and a professional driver I wear a bracelet (or carry ID when not driving)
.
Before I was re-diagnosed and I was presumed to be type 2 on Metformin I still wore or carried ID as I was concerned that if I was involved in an accident or something and got taken into hospital they may put me on a glucose drip.....recipe for disaster if you are diabetic I would think!!

Anything that would help make diagnosis and treatment easier has to be a good thing in my opinion whether it's noticed or not, at least you have the satisfaction in your own mind that you have done everything you can to solve any problems that occur.

Regards
Angie

I'm T2 and quite recently bought a wrist band from Diabetes UK. Although my condition is fairly well under control I seem to have more peace of mind now due to a lot of medication I'm on - 14 pills a day but not all for diabetes. Medics can also access details of next of kin. I always worried that if I passed out the medics wouldn't know about all the pills I was taking and obvioulsy wouldn't know for some time who to contact if need be. I would therefore recommend the wrist band to anyone with diabetes. It's also a good way of raising awarness of the condition. Quite a number of people have asked a range of questions about diabetes upon seeing the band.