medical alert cards

Medic alert

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-25 22:12:12

I'm not so hot on the cards, at least without the jewelery.  Some don't like the latter <shrug>.  I know that they sure used mine last October when I had a seizure.  I was incapacitated but, at least by the time the paramedics got there, I could hear and understand what they were saying/doing.  One looked at my dog tag and told the other that I had a PM, so it was understood.  The rest they weren't so concerned with.  They didn't go through my wallet to look for a card. No time.

On the other hand, once in the hospital a card is probably a good idea.  They'll have more time to go through your wallet and get less critical information, like most drugs (Eliquis is on my dog tag and bracelet). It also helps me remember all the drugs I'm on (it gets harder all the time). One of the jewelery companies (can't remember which) has a red aluminum card that they etch with your information.  I think it was on sale for $2, with another purchase. 

One of these companies is a supporter of the Pacemaker Club.  They're also one of the cheaper companies.  Take a look.

medical alert cards

by Phonic - 2020-03-25 22:23:31

my only issue is im fromt he U.K. would they ship to here ?????

ID CARDS

by jfbuffy - 2020-03-26 00:10:10

My understanding, if I understood right, was that after your pacemaker or ICD implant the maker of your unit would mail you one ...something much more permanent and professional looking.

Pacemaker card

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-26 00:49:46

Yes, they mail a device card but the only information on it is device information - model and S/N of pacemaker and leads.  I've found this of dubious value.  No one will believe the information on it, so it's not useful for medical purposes.  It does work at the airport if you feel like getting groped.

If you want your medical history known to medical professionals if you can't speak for yourself, you'll need some form of medic alert hardware where it's hard to miss.  I wear both a dog tag and bracelet whenever I leave the house.  As noted above, it has paid off.  The same medical people treated my device card as less useful than they would my driver's license.  At least it has my name and address on it.

Card.

by Graham M - 2020-03-26 04:12:02

You should have been issued with a European Pacemaker Patient ID card. If not, you should contact your hospital.

If you want ID tags or a bracelet, there are various companies that sell them in UK. I've been meaning to get one myself, but haven't done it yet.

Perhaps you could try the British Heart Foundation. They are very helpful and have a forum similar to this one, but for all heart patients, not just those with pacemakers.

Best wishes

Graham.

medical alert cards

by Phonic - 2020-03-26 05:40:48

thanks graham yes i was not issued with a card as such just a folded piece of paper with stickers on it and the detials of the devices an wires were on the stickers. its too big for a wallet and is in a plastic pouch and its bigger than a passport. and yes it is to prevent the groping and the dangers of going through a metal detector at the airports

Phonic

by IAN MC - 2020-03-26 11:38:04

I am in the UK  and got a credit-card type ID for my pacemaker by  telephoning the UK head office of the manufacturer ( Medtronic in my case )

I see that your PM  is a St Jude . I believe their UK head office is in Stratford-on-Avon.   I suggest you ring them. They will have details of your implant on file.

Best of luck

Ian

Groping

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-26 11:56:57

You have it backwards.  If you go through the metal detectors without telling them you have a PM you don't get groped.  If you show them the card, you'll be taken aside and Bubba will have his fun.  The new "millimeter wave" detectors are absolutely no problem.  If they want to wand you after (or wherever they use a wand) tell them to keep it below the waist.  The older style magnetic detectors can be a problem too but few of them are used anymore, generally only when the newer models are down or there is a huge traveler overload of the security system.

Pacemaker card Details

by WazzA - 2020-03-26 16:54:03

I've had a St.Jude (Abott) PM for 6 months. The Hospital supplied a printed A4 sheet with all my device details to keep on my person, my understanding is that St.Jude do NOT issue a more permanent wallet sized cards with details on at all!! 

Seems the UK are somewhat lagging behind!!

medical alert cards

by Phonic - 2020-03-26 17:38:29

one other question please slightly off topic. At what point after surgery did you all get the site wet I.e. shower or bathing. Just been 4 days now since surgery and I'm sick of flannel washing around the area

Showering

by WazzA - 2020-03-26 18:47:50

Your wound needs to have healed over fully to prevent infection, then I would say it's safe to shower normally. They normally give a post op care procedure!

All wet

by AgentX86 - 2020-03-26 18:49:43

I was allowed to shower after two days but not to get the site wet until the wound check, at least.  I could cover it or just be careful.  The steri-strips were to remain until they fell off by themselves or, as in my case, the nurse took them off at the begining of the wound check.

Your EP/cardiologist should have given you directions.  Follow those, not what people say here.

reply

by Phonic - 2020-03-26 18:58:33

in the light of all this corona virus crap they just wanted me home safe and sound as the hospital i had my surgery was a emergency hospital, and there was patients their with the virus away from the ward i was on so my after care was a bit laxidasical. no disrepect to the staff or nurse or the surgeon but thier heads were else where at the time. our NHS is being tested and pushed to its limits atm. and also to be fair im surprised i even got my surgery but they said its a life saving procedure that outweighed anything else. im just grateful i got it when i did 

Aftercare

by Bigdan - 2020-03-27 05:07:08

Hi phonic, bet you're glad you got outta there. I'm 4week post implant. I was sent home with a big clear dressing over the wound and was allowed to shower but not to soak the site like in a bath. 

pleased

by Phonic - 2020-03-27 05:41:20

yeah very pleased to be home and away from the possibilities of picking up the virus. but still a bit nervous as to not be able to have my follow up appointments. as they have agreed no more face to face appointments till this all dies down 

dont know about the UK

by dwelch - 2020-03-27 12:49:24

in the us over the years I get a new medicalert card in the mail when I renew.  and if you buy the jewelry/etc that comes when it comes, you order it they stamp/engrave it and ship it.

the device card from the pacemaker manufacturer is a completely separate thing, you get paper first if anything then a plastic one comes in the mail later with your implant dates for each item (pacer and each lead).  you can also request a replacement.  I have had medtronics, st jude and boston scientific, for each new item I get a new card in the mail.

medicalert or other similar are optional, your choice, you basically are paying for that service.  the device card the pacer company should provide.

Add information to phone

by islandgirl - 2020-03-29 16:57:22

Here in the US, on Iphones you can add health data--health history, meds, etc.  It's the app, which comes preloaded on your phone, that displays with a red heart.  Rescue and police know to access this information, without a password.  I am so glad I had it in my phone when I had a SCA and also when I had a severe allergic reaction.