Medic Alert Bracelets

[penguin]

Does anyone, or their kids wear a medic alert bracelet stating they have Celiac disease or an intolerance to gluten?

I've seen some ads for them and I wonder if there is any reason for a Celiac to wear one. They're a lot prettier nowadays than the ones my sister had to wear for athsma.

[Firegirl43]

Thats a good question. I have never thought of that. I asked my parents they think it wouldnt be a bad idea because some of the medications that are out there could contain some things that we cant have

[jerseyangel]

There has been talk of this before here. I was also wondering but I agree with the notion that if I was ever injured or ill to the point where I could not speak for myself, I would not be worried about gluten as much as saving my life. So, at this point, I would say no. However, I am allergic to many antibiotics and am not sure if that would be a reason to wear one. Perhaps, if I wore one for that reason, I would add Celiac to it.

[Firegirl43]

very true, good point

[psawyer]

I have worn one for twenty years due to diabetes. When I was diagnosed with celiac I had that added to the engraved information. If you are unconcious, the only medication you will get is by IV or injection, and those never contain gluten.

[mouse]

I just ordered a custom one, but I am also allergic to a drug that I do not want administered in any amounts. I put Celiac and the drug on it. The drug makes me want to swallow my tongue.

Pete, Oliver looks like a wonderful statesman and a diplomat. He has such intelligence in his eyes.

[jthomas88]

I've ordered one for my teen-aged daughter, who's recently been diagnosed as gluten intolerant. The main reason I ordered it is so that her school (teachers and admin) will take her condition more seriously.

[kyle's mom]

this is my first blog entry ever, but as an RN in the Emergency Dept, i can tell you any medical information is helpful, however irrelevant you may feel it is, we appreciate knowing. My son was diagnosed with celiac after having his appendix removed and almost undergoing a colonoscopy for suspected chron's disease. I changed pediatricians and we had blood work done, and his lifelong stomach aches were finally named! I could write chapters on this topic but I 'll save it for another time. Providing the information that you have celiac disease is a thoughtful thing to do, and I agree, the kids' teachers and other school officials do not understand this illness and are quite insensitive, could use more education for sure!

I've ordered one for my teen-aged daughter, who's recently been diagnosed as gluten intolerant. The main reason I ordered it is so that her school (teachers and admin) will take her condition more seriously.

[plantime]

I put celiac on my medicalert tags. I have a whole slew of other allergies, though, so I just added it for "just in case." My mom was, and my sister is, a nurse, and they always told me that every bit of info is relevant in an emergency.

[jerseyangel]

this is my first blog entry ever, but as an RN in the Emergency Dept, i can tell you any medical information is helpful, however irrelevant you may feel it is, we appreciate knowing. My son was diagnosed with celiac after having his appendix removed and almost undergoing a colonoscopy for suspected chron's disease. I changed pediatricians and we had blood work done, and his lifelong stomach aches were finally named! I could write chapters on this topic but I 'll save it for another time. Providing the information that you have celiac disease is a thoughtful thing to do, and I agree, the kids' teachers and other school officials do not understand this illness and are quite insensitive, could use more education for sure!

Thank you for your insight! I have changed my mind after reading through this thread this AM. I am going to order one--I will list my drug allergies and the Celiac. Again, thank you, and welcome in

[tarnalberry]

I wouldn't get a medicalert bracelet for celiac, but I would consider adding the celiac concern if I already had one. Thing is, most people don't know what it means anyway - even in a hospital, based on all the evidence we've had from people here, so I don't know that it'd do any good, and could just slow people down responding to you worrying that it could be an immediately life-threatening thing.

[kyle's mom]

I wouldn't get a medicalert bracelet for celiac, but I would consider adding the celiac concern if I already had one. Thing is, most people don't know what it means anyway - even in a hospital, based on all the evidence we've had from people here, so I don't know that it'd do any good, and could just slow people down responding to you worrying that it could be an immediately life-threatening thing.

No disrespect meant here, and certainly we don't want to get off the topic, but.......... Nobody in the emergency setting will withhold life saving measures while trying to comprehend what celiac is. We all learned about it in school, it's not such a rare thing that we don't know WHAT is is, we as medical professionals may not be entirely versed on the minutae of Celiac, but we know about it and have access to information when there are questions. There are other rare conditions with names I can't spell that we can also look up. The basics of intervening in a life threatening situation will not be delayed while we all stand around and scratch our heads. If you feel that putting your diagnosis of Celiac on a medic alert tag, I see no harm in it. Additionally, this may be a conversation starter and you could be in a position to educate people who ask "What is Celiac?"

[tarnalberry]

We all learned about it in school, it's not such a rare thing that we don't know WHAT is is, we as medical professionals may not be entirely versed on the minutae of Celiac, but we know about it and have access to information when there are questions. There are other rare conditions with names I can't spell that we can also look up. The basics of intervening in a life threatening situation will not be delayed while we all stand around and scratch our heads.

The stories from members on this board suggest that many medical professionals do NOT learn about it, or learned about it so briefly that they don't REMEMBER anything about it, such that it's the same as if they hadn't learned about it at all. Of course, I hope that this is changing, and it's being better taught these days than a decade ago.

In the case of a life threatening emergency, the risk of getting gluten at all is so incredibly miniscule, I wouldn't even want to bother taking the time it would take to check a medic alert bracelet. Of course, if you already have one, then you're not adding additional time.

It's a personal call, and I don't mean to discredit medical professionals at all. I simply don't see that there's any need for one in and of itself.

[Ursa Major]

I agree that it's a good idea to add celiac if you have a bracelet already. I used to have one, for asthma and a severe intolerance to a common asthma drug (Theo Dur, which might be given in an emergency) and morphine (one dose will make me vomit for three days). But it was ugly, and I stopped wearing it. But I think I should get a new one, now that I know of the salicylate intolerance, as Aspirin could potentially put me into anaphylactic shock. And if I'd ever have a heart attack, they would likely give it to me (yikes, that hadn't occured to me until just now)!

[penguin]

I was of the opinion that it was a little overboard to get a medic alert bracelet just for Celiac, especially when I'm not a kid in school. I saw it advertised on a gluten-free site somewhere and wondered if anyone bought them just for celiac.

If I ever have another need to get a bracelet, I'd probably add celiac to it for good measure.

Thanks for all the replies!

[julie5914]

Yeah, I don't think I would get one. I didn't really think about it until I mentioned something about getting my purse on the way to an office lunch. I said - it has my celiac card in it - meaning the one that explains to the waiter what I can't eat. Someone said, you think you'll be in accident just walking a few blocks?

I totally didn't even get what they were talking about until later because I was thinking about accidents in terms of gluten accidents. I was thinking, heck yeah, it is practically likely I'll have an accident - you are making me eat out!

[nikaku]

I agree that the bracelet is not a necessity for adults, but I don't think it's a bad idea for kids. I am a celiac, and so is my two-year-old daughter. I don't wear a bracelet but I ordered one for her. When she can speak for herself and say "No thanks, I can't eat that" or "I have to check with my mom" I will feel more comfortable! In the meantime the bracelet is just an extra way to cover the bases in making sure people don't feed her gluten. It's a constant battle with a toddler/pre-schooler, as I'm sure others can confirm. People seem to have an irresistible drive to offer kids food all the time.

[kbtoyssni]

I don't have a bracelet, but I do keep a note in my wallet in the same pouch as my drivers license saying "Celiac Disease (intolerant to wheat, barely, rye, oats), Peanut Intolerant". So if I'm unconscious and someone goes digging for my identity they should find it, and I've got it defined if they don't know what it is. And I'm guessing that most people will correctly assume that IVs don't have gluten and just give it to me. I use the wording "peanut intolerance" to hopefully get across the point that I'm not anaphylactic. I guess I could leave that off since the likelyhood of me being given peanut butter is extremely low.

I want to give medics info, but I certainly don't want that info to delay treatment. I have no idea. Maybe I should ask a medic.

[ravenwoodglass]

I recently got a celiac tag for my key ring off ebay. On the back I taped a list of what I need to avoid and I also carry a tag for my pennicyln allergy. Having been made very ill from reactions to even routine testing preperations prescribed by my doctor and also having DH with an allergy to iodine I think it is important if I am unconsious or with my neuro issues unable to speak clearly that they don't give me something that will make me sicker or in the instance of the iodine injected into a vein for tests, perhaps even kill me. I put NO WHEAT, RYE, BARLEY, OATS OR ANY OF THEIR CHEMICAL DERIVITIVES on the back.

[KimmyJ]

I agree that the bracelet is not a necessity for adults, but I don't think it's a bad idea for kids. I am a celiac, and so is my two-year-old daughter. I don't wear a bracelet but I ordered one for her. When she can speak for herself and say "No thanks, I can't eat that" or "I have to check with my mom" I will feel more comfortable! In the meantime the bracelet is just an extra way to cover the bases in making sure people don't feed her gluten. It's a constant battle with a toddler/pre-schooler, as I'm sure others can confirm. People seem to have an irresistible drive to offer kids food all the time.

A good point about children, but maybe I'm missing the point of medic-alert bracelets - aren't they worn in case you become unable to communicate your medical problems to someone? I don't have one myself, and I actually don't know anyone who wears one, but in that sense, it seems like a good idea to me, even as an adult, just in case I ever got into an accident or something of the sort where I was unconscious and unable to communicate my medical needs, and no family member could be reached right away. Is there a better way to cover this base?

[2kids4me]

Both my kids have it listed on their medic alert bracelets in addition to their other health issues. I initailly wasnt going to worry about adding it, until I had a conversation with a paramedic. They are the first responders and when dealing with a patient - child or unconcious adult or even an adult who has been in an accident but is concious - the mind is under stress and often patients cannot correctly relay important health information.

In cases of trauma a product called hetastarch is used as a volume expander to treat shock before blood typing is done or to treat cases that need volume but not blood . The "starch" that is in it - I believe originates from corn. The paramedic said that there are few drugs that would be avoided in a celiac. ...so first responders (at least the one I talked to) are advised about celiac.

Medic alert bracelets also have contact information for family members in addition to name/age etc of the patient. This information can speed up health care, contact of family members etc. The information is available to health care providers - all they have to do is call Medic alert - give them the number on the medallion.

For us - it gives us peace of mind, knowing that they have information at the scene and no time is wasted trying to track the family down or track health info prior to treatment.

For those who have food intolerances - hmmm that would make it applicable to everyone on this board!

source: Open Original Shared Link

Before using Hetastarch in Sodium Chloride :

Some medical conditions may interact with Hetastarch in Sodium Chloride . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (especially to corn) if you have heart disease, kidney problems, or a history of liver disease

if you have high blood sodium levels or blood volume levels

if you have risk factors for congestive heart failure or fluid in the lungs

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hetastarch in Sodium Chloride . However, no specific interactions with Hetastarch in Sodium Chloride are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hetastarch in Sodium Chloride may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

[AndrewNYC]

You could write 'I have celiac disease' on your insurance card. The hospital is sure to unearth that item from your pocket if you are inconscious.

[MDRB]

I probably would not bother getting a medic alert bracelet for celiac disease because although it is very uncomfortable, in my case at least it is not life threatening (in the short term).

However, if I had children with celiac disease I would definitely get medic alert bracelets for them. I am an adult who is fully informed and able to judge for myself what I can and can't eat, children can't be expected to do the same. Also in my experience people in general are fairly ignorant about celiac disease and I hate to think that any children I had would be given gluten containing food by these ignorant people.

[C6H0 KKG]

I would not get one for celiac alone, unless you have ever had an incident that you think could result in it injuring you. I'm allergic to wheat, and sometimes flour in the air gives me asthma, so I had it added just in case and leave it on my purse handle rather than wear it.

Might not be a bad idea for a child, though. I wish I had had one when I was younger to fend off parents who thought I was picky.