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Interstim and Medic Alert Bracelets

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  • #1

    Interstim and Medic Alert Bracelets

    Hey there.

    I was wondering of all the ladies who have the interstim, who uses an alert bracelet, or other piece of jewlery to alert medical personel of the device during an emergency. Do you think it is nessacary? Any opinions are welcome!

    Erika
    IC diagnosed officially via cysto/urodynamics 1/26/07

    Grade II Endometriosis diagnosed via lap 12/11/07

    "Fall down seven times, Stand up eight."

    "Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think."

    Current Treatments:
    Interstim Since 5/25/07!
    Birth Control
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Hi Erika;

    I have one and it is great thing to have incase of an accident and also I have other medications I am allergic to.


    Debbie
    Thinking positive has got me through to another day!!

    Comment

    • #3
      I don't have one, but it is a very good idea to get ones..
      'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

      Comment

      • #4
        I don't have one. I just have the card that Medtronic provides. However, I want a bracelet -- but when I mentioned it Hubby the Cheapskate said it was a waste of money. He thinks he's impervious to all danger, though -- so he doesn't understand that emergency personnel could theoretically make my injuries worse if they did not know about the implant.

        I am going to get one anyway
        ****
        Jen

        *Diagnosed with severe IC in 2004
        *Also diagnosed with PFD, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, IBS, migraines, allergies/asthma, dermatographism
        *Kept trying a million different treatments for all these things until I found what works, and I am doing okay these days with the help of a cocktail of medications and the InterStim, which was first placed in 2007. [I have had 2 revisions - one in 2010 when my battery died and had to be replaced, and one complete replacement (lead and generator) in 2012 after a fall on my stairs caused my lead to move.]
        *Current meds include Atarax (50mg at night), Lyrica (150mg twice a day), Xanax (0.5mg at night and as needed), Zanaflex (4mg at night), hydrocodone (10/325, every 6 hours as needed), Advair, Nasonex, Singulair (10mg at night), oral contraceptives, home instills containing Elmiron and Marcaine (as often as I need to do them).

        **I am not a medical authority nor do I offer definitive medical advice. I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.

        Comment

        • #5
          Besides Diathermy and MRI, what else can't we have/ do?

          Erika
          IC diagnosed officially via cysto/urodynamics 1/26/07

          Grade II Endometriosis diagnosed via lap 12/11/07

          "Fall down seven times, Stand up eight."

          "Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think."

          Current Treatments:
          Interstim Since 5/25/07!
          Birth Control

          Comment

          • #6
            Electrocautery has to be done with care -- that's where they use an electric current to cauterize (burn closed) an area that is bleeding. It's used in surgery and in the ER -- even for bloody noses that won't stop sometimes. Since that may need to be done if you're in a serious car accident, it's wise to have something around warning them about your InterStim.

            Plus, they should just know that you've got a chunk of metal in your butt -- if you were in an accident, they'd know to check it to see if it broke to make sure pieces weren't floating around or it wasn't doing nerve damage.
            ****
            Jen

            *Diagnosed with severe IC in 2004
            *Also diagnosed with PFD, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, IBS, migraines, allergies/asthma, dermatographism
            *Kept trying a million different treatments for all these things until I found what works, and I am doing okay these days with the help of a cocktail of medications and the InterStim, which was first placed in 2007. [I have had 2 revisions - one in 2010 when my battery died and had to be replaced, and one complete replacement (lead and generator) in 2012 after a fall on my stairs caused my lead to move.]
            *Current meds include Atarax (50mg at night), Lyrica (150mg twice a day), Xanax (0.5mg at night and as needed), Zanaflex (4mg at night), hydrocodone (10/325, every 6 hours as needed), Advair, Nasonex, Singulair (10mg at night), oral contraceptives, home instills containing Elmiron and Marcaine (as often as I need to do them).

            **I am not a medical authority nor do I offer definitive medical advice. I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.

            Comment

            • #7
              Hi Erika...I have two...they are WONDERFUL for may reasons...Of course the obvious, if you can't speak for yourself, its there.
              The bracelet wasn't expensive, it was the engraving that cost a lot. And I got it while I waited (both times).

              But I found its quite convenient:
              When you go thru airport security.

              When you really need to pee. No one has EVER said no when I quietly ask for a bathroom....and flash em my jewelry!

              I'm going to Laconia's Bike Week (again! ) and I've gotten access to my own private bathroom in the club we frequent the past 2 years. God Bless the owner, he's a sweetheart. So, no waiting in Loooooong lines...

              I have the card too...but who the hell knows where I put it. I put my bracelet on everyday and its as much a part of my routine as brushing my teeth...I would never forget either.
              Somewhere there's a reason /Why things go like they do /Somewhere there's a reason /Why some things just fall through /We don't always see them /For what they really are /But I know there's a reason /Just can't see it from this far /Maybe I don't like it, /But I have no choice /I know that somewhere, /Someone hears my voice / I thought I knew it all /I thought I had it made /How could it end this way? /I thought I knew Somewhere there's a reason /Why things don't go my way /Somewhere there's a reason /That I cannot explain /Just like the change of season, /Just may not be my turn /But I know there's a reason, /The lesson's mine to learn

              Comment

              • #8
                My interstim was placed permanently on April 25, this year. I have a temporary card and am expecting an "official" one. How long does it take to receive this card as I am on a trip in July, going thru the airport lines. So far the interstim is doing an excellent job. I think I could forget it was even there. Where do the bracelet come from, Medtronic? I learn more about what I can't have done, everytime I check this site. It's a good thing, appreciate the info. sue Photo taken at Ghost Ranch, NM. Elderhostel program on arts and crafts.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Jewelers carry the blank Medic Id bracelets....you can get them online....I've seen Medic Alert pamphlets with order forms at the hospital or doctor's office.
                  I thought they were a bit expensive

                  I got mine at a kiosk at the mall ...."Jeweler's Workbench" I think was the store's name...the bracelet just blank was $16.95 and then the engraving cost another $55-65...but I got both sides engraved with teeny, teeny letters to fit it all. I have on one side"
                  INTERSTIAL CYSTITIS: NEEDS IMMEDIATE & FREQ ACCESS TO RESTROOM

                  the flip-side:
                  INTERSTIM: NO MRI, DIATHERMY OR ELECTROMAGNETIC

                  hope that helps some
                  Somewhere there's a reason /Why things go like they do /Somewhere there's a reason /Why some things just fall through /We don't always see them /For what they really are /But I know there's a reason /Just can't see it from this far /Maybe I don't like it, /But I have no choice /I know that somewhere, /Someone hears my voice / I thought I knew it all /I thought I had it made /How could it end this way? /I thought I knew Somewhere there's a reason /Why things don't go my way /Somewhere there's a reason /That I cannot explain /Just like the change of season, /Just may not be my turn /But I know there's a reason, /The lesson's mine to learn

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I just bought two online -- http://www.americanmedical-id.com/home/

                    I guess it was like $17 for the first one, and then $9.95 if you wanted a second one. Engraving was free.

                    I put my name, and then ASTHMA, INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS, CAUTION -- HAS NEUROSTIMULATOR on the front, and my uro, pain doc, and husband's names and #'s on the back.
                    ****
                    Jen

                    *Diagnosed with severe IC in 2004
                    *Also diagnosed with PFD, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, IBS, migraines, allergies/asthma, dermatographism
                    *Kept trying a million different treatments for all these things until I found what works, and I am doing okay these days with the help of a cocktail of medications and the InterStim, which was first placed in 2007. [I have had 2 revisions - one in 2010 when my battery died and had to be replaced, and one complete replacement (lead and generator) in 2012 after a fall on my stairs caused my lead to move.]
                    *Current meds include Atarax (50mg at night), Lyrica (150mg twice a day), Xanax (0.5mg at night and as needed), Zanaflex (4mg at night), hydrocodone (10/325, every 6 hours as needed), Advair, Nasonex, Singulair (10mg at night), oral contraceptives, home instills containing Elmiron and Marcaine (as often as I need to do them).

                    **I am not a medical authority nor do I offer definitive medical advice. I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      A real Medic Alert emblem is better, in my opinion, because they give you an id number, a phone number for emergency personnel to call collect, and you can update your information as many times a year as you like. That way, you don't have to get something re-engraved with every change (my information changes a lot). For a small annual fee, they keep track of your medications, your allergies, your doctors, your emergency contacts, etc.

                      My doctor was adament that I get engraving that read: Implant. No MRI. No diathermy. He said that if I were in an accident & unconscious, they might put me into an MRI before I woke up...and that would not be good!
                      IC & fibromyalgia since ~'77. Osteoarthritis since ~'88. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (autoimmune blood disease) since '96. IBS for who knows how long. Interstim implant 2/04, revised 6/06, replaced 11/12 & again in 9/17. Antibodies to thyroid since at least '92 (finally diagnosed & treated 1/06). Asthma & vocal cord dysfunction 12/06. Hypoglycemia '07. Perimenopausal at 37, menopause at 45. Pituitary & adrenal failure. Osteopenia. Grade 3 sacral fracture by S3-S4 at age 12, healed 14mm out of place.

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