Medical alert bracelet

Just wanted to get some feedback from others who have ITP if you think that a medical alert bracelet would be benifical. I talked it over with my doctor and she just said that I could if I wanted to. Just was wondering if others have one and where would the best place to get one.

My Hema said it was a great idea. I feel better wearing it. I bought the engraved tag at www.stickyj.com and I made the bracelet myself. I'm not creative at all, I just youtubed how to make a bracelet lol. I spent maybe $5.00 on the beads at hobby lobby. Now that I know how to make them, I like that I can just change it out on different days.

Oh a great tip I found on these forums- my tag says :ITP-LOW PLATELETS. As it may not be immediately obvious what ITP is to some.

Lorna, why don't you post a picture of the bracelet you made?

I have one that I wear when my counts are low. It's one of those italian charm bracelets like you can get at malls, I got mine on ebay, you pick the different charms. I agree, low platelets is good to say.
Erica

I have other autoimmune conditions that would not do well with prednisone. One of my fears is a well meaning ER doc putting me on pred while I'm unconscious, so I have the one with the 800 number and so they can get my hemotologist contact information from my profile. I had a jewelry repair shop solder jump rings so I could switch out the bracelets from beads, chains, leather, etc as my mood and activities change. I like www.n-styleid.com for bracelets.

There are some links to medical alert jewelry options here on the site under the "Living with ITP" section: www.pdsa.org/about-itp/living-with-itp.html

Although putting ICE (in Case of Emergency) in your phone may be as effective as this article outlines: online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703418004575456103886552286.html

I'm registered right with Medic Alert here in Canada. I'd be lost with out my bracelet.

That's what I made up from the store on eBay Erica mentioned. I have the ITP charm
and also the Low Platelet charm - plus some allergies and other conditions. People really don't know what it is - they think it's a pretty bracelet. I've asked a former EMT if he would recognize it for what it is and he said yes.

stores.ebay.com/STEEL-BELLS-MEDICAL-ID-BRACELETS_W0QQssPageNameZl4QQtZkm
That's where I got it. Larry is nice, always responded to my emails promptly - also if there's a charm you need and he doesn't have it he probably can get it for you.

Unfortunately, I've had a lot of experience with hospitals in the last 5 years. I've had both hips and both knees replaced, rushed to the hospital once, and taken to the ER for what may have been a heart attack that turned out to be an anxiety attack. In each, I had several doctors and nurses ask if I had any special conditions. I've been in remission for 5 years. I found that the anesthesiologist was the one most concerned about my ITP. I was OK on platelett counts, but in all 4 surgeries, the anesthesiologist checked just to be sure. When I was taken to the hospital with a possible heart attack, the ambulance EMT wanted to give me aspirin as well as the nurses and doctors in the hospital. They backed off quickly once they learned I was in remission for ITP. I wear a medical necklace with ITP on it just for this reason. If wasn't able to tell them what my issue was, they would have given me aspirin for sure.

Jo:

I'm in ITP remission and do take aspirin everyday. It hasn't hurt anything as far as platelets. It only thins the blood which is fine if counts are okay. If you have a heart attack risk, it may be more important to treat that. A few people with ITP are on blood thinners of some sort.

My hematologist told me it was a great idea, and i ordered one from [what else] American Medical ID. Picking most of the cheapest options, mine came to about $35ish. Simple plate, both sides engraved, cheapest chain and clasp. And Google-there are so many places! And fun bands! American Medical ID has an automatic warranty too, yay for replacement! [Yikes, i sound like an advertisement-sorry!]
Also, one of my mother's friend's is a nurse. In a medical frame of mind, she knew what ITP was pretty quick. Recognizable issue, so why not wear one?

In my experience, I've found that giving my elderly mother her own medical alert necklace at least gave me peace of mind in the moments that I was not able to be there for her. That way, she could get emergency help if she needed, just by pushing a button and nothing else. Anyways, I find every little bit helps. Best of luck to everyone in their search.