Do you wear a diabetes ID bracelet?

[desidiabulum]

Do you wear a diabetes ID bracelet? This is one for T2s, really. I understand totally the rationale of ID bracelets for T1s – recently, my sister would have died if she hadn’t had one.
For T2s they seem to be treated as more optional. But should those of us on meds that leave us prone to the odd hypo wear them? The sensible answer is yes, I know, but this is where attitudes to the condition come in. My diabetes is under control, I accept the very real and bothersome daily limitations it imposes on me, I realise the dangers of complications and try to act accordingly. I have primed my boss and 1st-aid people in my workplace, I have stashes of jelly babies everywhere, I have a mental map of where in my daily routine I can crash out if I need to. I even have an insulin kit to hand for when/if my pancreas gives out (as my consultant demanded). But while I live with the condition I am emphatically not prepared to let it define me (and that is precisely why I feel I can live with it). Wearing an ID is branding myself with the condition and I have an instinctive and elemental distaste for it. Of course I am a signed-up member of the ‘diabetic community’, and this forum is a wonderful support network, but getting an ID bracelet would feel like giving in, not so much accepting my condition as embracing it. I know this sounds stupid and irrational – but are there any more stupid and irrational people like me out there?

 

[Sarah69]

I'm type 2 on insulin i don't wear or carry any ID. Both my parent are type 2 they don't either.

Sorry to ask but what limitations do you have everyday?

 

[Anonymous]

I have an 'I am Diabetic' card in my wallet but I don't wear a bracelet - I'm a type 2 (possibly). You sound very prepared. I usually forget to plan properly.

 

[catherinecherub]

Hi desi,

I don't understand why the question you have posed is for Type 2's as your profile says that you are Type 1.5 I would have thought that anyone on hypo inducing meds or insulin needs to carry some sort of identification due to the problems that they could encounter if people are not aware of their status. It is optional of course and everyone has to do what they think is best for them.

 

[catza]

I wear a bracelet and have done so for years, my Immune System problems and blood group made wearing one a sensible option. I have had Diabetes added to it but I don't think I would have bought a bracelet especially. I would have carried a Diabetic card though.

 

[desidiabulum]

Thank you, wise people. I'm sure you're right that a discreet diabetes card in a wallet makes most sense - wil help me to think of diabetes more like a membership card/ credit card (or maybe a loyalty card -- there's a thought).
Catherinecherub -- you're right I'm sort of 1.5-they-don't-really-know, but I usually find it easier to say T2 rather than trying to explain. There's T1 in the family -- hence people prodding me to have proper ID.
Sarah -- everyday limitations I suppose relate to the job. Lots of stress, running round, long meetings, giving talks, and yet trying to make sure I exercise after lunch, and that I eat the right things -- enough to keep sugars down but not so little carb that I have hypo. It sounds pathetic but it's a daily balancing act, as stress makes sugar levels very difficult to predict, and can't afford pre-hypo vagueness or irritability if I'm lecturing or conducting a job interview. There have been some hilarious near-misses -- I will try to start an 'embarrassing hypos' thread some time (I actually had a borderline hypo when appearing on BBC1 recently -- would that have been a diabetic first?).

 

[Jax123]

Being a T2 on Insulin, I have ID in case... Not for me but for others who need to know more about you in case you have an accident. :wave:

 

[jopar]

Nope I don't wear a diabetic warning nor does my husband even though we're both T1's...

Somebody has to stopped and take a look if it's going to be any use in an emergency, and after 18 month's ago I'm not convinced anybody bothers.... Nobody stop for my husband, and we know at least one person went past him (found out the next day) who could have helped! And if it wasn't for the dogs, one staying with him, and the other one coming home to raise the alarm... It may have been too late before by the time we realised something was wrong, it was a pretty close call!

But I do have ICE on my mobile, as now a days it's quicker for the emergency services to go through numbers looking for mum/dad or home then a run through the name's...

 

[anna29]

Hi.
Yes I do wear a diabetic alert bracelet plus carry a diabetic card in handbag and purse with family/hubbys phone no's on.
My bracelet is from ebay italian diabetic charms they are very reasonable in price, as I found other sites so expensive with
alert bracelets. These will fit any wrist size as you can add or remove the links.
I do HAVE other medical conditions [had open heart surgery] besides being an insulin dependent type2.
My bracelet is fashionable so can wear with other jewellery too.
Paramedics are trained to look for these when attending patients in emergencies.
Medics HAVE said to me that they WISH 'more' people would wear these, as it saves their precious time with swifter correct diagnosis without having to pack people off for tests to work out what is the problem, if unconcious incoherrent etc...
Wearing medical alert identity can ensure quicker prompt teatment. It helps MORE than we realise... :thumbup:
Hope this helps?
Anna.

 

[Persian lady]

Hi all, it's me again, talking about wearing a Medic Alert bracelet as a diabetic. I noticed that some of you said that you carry an "I am diabetic card' in purse/wallet/handbag, which seems to be an alternative to a bracelet. The one big problem with that method is that if you were involved in a car accident, collapse on the street - or in a shop - but the problem is you can be seperated from you purse/wallet/handbag at the scene of the accident, etc.
If you were in a car accident, the last thing that the medical people would look for is a purse/wallet/handbag, they are there to get you out, treated, and on the way to hospital. As for a man carrying a wallet, depending how badly hurt you are, the medical people may have to cut your jacket off to get access to put in a line, see how badly hurt you are and to stop any bleeding. The same goes for a lady with her purse in her pocket.
The cost of a Medic Alert bracelet is £20.00 per year and, if you are, like my husband and I, on certain benefits allied to your health, it is provided free. Working out the monthly cost of the bracelet, it comes out at £1.66 recurring a month, not a lot to ensure that you will not be given something that might harm you or, equally, will get the correct treatment straight away.
As for a nurse not knowing what the bracelet was for, if it was a proper Medic Alert bracelet, maybe she had never been shown one by the nursing tutor.
I am not sure that the medical people would look at something that looks like an ordinary piece of jewellery, as Anna says that she has a bracelet from Italy. As for British medical people they DO know the Medic Alert bracelets and would notice it immediatly on taking you pulse.
In case there are people that don't know how the Medic Alert bracelet work, here it is - there is a bit of your medical problem - mine says "Dabetic, on insulin", then there are two more conditions as well. There is a patient ID number, plus a 'phone number for the medical people to ring which, with the ID number, will get them any and all medical problems, as well as a list of all other medications you are taking. My bracelet is quite discreet I think, as it is thinish chain attached to either side of an oval shaped 'disk' with the words "Medic Alert" in red on one side, together with the medical sign of the snake twining up a staff.
Sorry to go on about this ladies, it is just that, when I was nursing, there were times when we had a patient come in after an accident, or they had collpsed, but with no information concerning any health issues they had, a lot of time was wasted because they would have to do lots of testing before making a diagnosis, where a bracelet would give the information straight away.
Just in case any of you are wondering no, I don't get a cut from Medic Alert for telling people about them - wish I did, I would be quite wealthy now!!

 

[abs]

I wear a bracelet not the same type as yours as it's more of a fashion type however it still has that I'm diabetic on insulin, dob, contact number and what I'm allergic to. Have the card etc however that's no good when I'm out riding etc.

 

[chris lowe]

I'm type 2 but I still wear a bracelet just in case something happens - you never know whats around the corner. I don't always have a purse or bag with me so a card wouldn't work for me.

 

[Neicy0412]

I must confess, I had never considered being separated from my bag in an emergency, I do carry a card and also have my prescription exemption card in my bag and although I do actually have a couple medic alert necklaces I rarely wear them! I think I need to re- evaluate my necklace wearing position! Hmmm.....

 

[BioHaZarD]

Nope I don't wear a diabetic warning nor does my husband even though we're both T1's...

Somebody has to stopped and take a look if it's going to be any use in an emergency, and after 18 month's ago I'm not convinced anybody bothers.... Nobody stop for my husband, and we know at least one person went past him (found out the next day) who could have helped! And if it wasn't for the dogs, one staying with him, and the other one coming home to raise the alarm... It may have been too late before by the time we realised something was wrong, it was a pretty close call!

But I do have ICE on my mobile, as now a days it's quicker for the emergency services to go through numbers looking for mum/dad or home then a run through the name's...

iCE on your phone is useless if you have a PIN number to access your phone!

I don't have an id or card...

 

[HGafney]

yeah, my bracelet is from icegem. has the symbol on the front, details on the back, including that i have allergies and my ICE

 

[Defren]

As a T2 on Metformin and diet only, I don't see the point.

 

[glenmoray]

You should ware either a S0S talysman or a I'd bracelet. I've had a hypo while out walking the dog. People could not get any sense out of me while I was having the hypo. One of the people saw my SOS Talliesman round my neck and opened it. Walked into a shop close by and brought a Mars Bar for me.After this I will never go anywhere without my I'd round my neck.

 

[DogPsyche]

I've got no problem wearing one. Lots of people wear wristbands for different reasons now.

 

[louch1]

Yes I wear one. I am type 2. I run early in the morning and I feel happier for my family knowing that if I am taken ill they can get hold of me. Plus it's handy for work as I work in a school.