Medical Alert Band

[seashell55]

I was told by a friend that I would/should start carrying or wearing a medical alert for the Hepatitis C.  She said if anything should every happen and I needed medical attention and were unable to speak, that this would be helpful.  She also pointed out that having Hep C was no different than having HIV. They both are dangerous.

Is she wacked or should I consider it as a curtsey to my fellow human friends/encounters.

[TIGERMAN743]

Early on and up to 6 years ago I got tested for hypoglycimia/diabetes A1c and other related blood sugar issues. Negative
I spent about 7 years in clinical trials (combo peg and ribavarin) at NIH and they kept a good eye on me and this part of my symptoms.
Thanks for the feedback

[paen53]

I agree with FlGuy, sounds more like a blood sugar issue. I also had similar episodes before tx and it was scary, to say the least. Talk to your Dr. about it and have your glucose, hemoglobin A1c tested to rule it out. Sometimes more evenly balanced, healthy meals/snacks help with it along with exercise and weight management. If these episodes continue and you have a Diabetes II dx, a wrist band stating that will be more effective in getting the attention you need when you're down for the count.

Pam

[FlGuy]

Sounds more like low blood sugar than HCV.  Next time, try a glass of OJ and a Ho-Ho.

[TIGERMAN743]

Safety over ignorance for me.
As a hepper most people do not know how to respond to the symptoms of my disease when I have an episode of rubber legs, face turns ash color and I sweat buckets and appear normal 30 minutes later. All this happens within 5 seconds. I have to lay down until I get enough strength to drink 2 Ensures and eat the likes of a peanut butter/jell sandwich. An hour to 4 hours later I'm fine. In the past 20 years people want to call ambulances and I have to explain my symptoms from my body and what I need.
A hep c braclet helps educate both strangers and the people around your life. Lance

[konyha]

It seems all who have posted about this topic so far agree and simply express it in different ways.

The initial question related to the Medic Alert Post is 6 years old, but it is a legitimate issue and one I wondered about when I discovered (and accepted) I had HCV and way before I stumbled upon this forum.

Even back then, I had no intention of wearing such a bracelet  - but I did wonder what my responsibility and obligation to health care providers was. In short, I knew nothing about HCV beyond a bare understanding of the implications and I had a lot of misconceptions.
K

[R Glass]

I agree 100% with Copyman and wantalivlong.
Rather it is First Responders. Fire and Rescue, Paramedics, or Doctors. They are all trained to protect themselves from all body fluids.
So, how would the band be of any use other than “Branding” our selves for the world to see?
If we were in an accident and a Good Samaritan stopped to help, he probably would not know what the band was for anyway. If he did know what the band meant, He would probably already knows to protect himself.
Even though I am through with tx. I’ve been through enough. Why would I want to add to my problems?

[wantalivlong]

Truth of the matter is that more people have HCV as well as other diseases that they are unaware of themselves.  Medical professionals are, rightly so, prepared and cautious.  I don't see the need in ID bracelets.

.......perhaps we should have chips inserted under the skin with our personal data.... ;-)

[copyman]

I disagree about wearing an ID bracelet as a good idea. I  don't think anyone should have to advertise their chronic illness, especially with a stigma attached like HCV. Any medical emergecy team will / should have a protocol in place to prevent themselves from exposure to diseases. Yes I'm one who has not told my family(except wife), friends or even dentist. I have seen to many people treated like they have the plague after telling. It is a shame and there was many times I wanted to tell friends & loved ones but until society looks at this different I will elect to keep it to myself.

[konyha]

I'm with Fretboard and couldn't have said it better.
The "bling" comment cracked me up :)

I figured everything these days is computerized, but not quite to the extent it actually is:
(cut and paste from WIKI):

A new type of medic identification alert is the USB medical alert tag. This is essentially a USB flash drive that contains an individual's emergency information. Because of the memory on the flash drive these USB medical alert tags are capable of carrying much more information than the conventional medical ID bracelet. Information such as medications, existing conditions, doctors and emergency contacts can all be stored on the USB tags. Emergency personnel can instantly access the information with any available computer.

[fretboard]

Ooops!!  Oh well, had my say on the subject.lol  

[Marcia2202]

seashell posted this more than 6 years ago....

But I agree, where ever she is now... her friend IS whacko

[fretboard]

I think it would be a better idea, if they gave those medic alerts away for free, the nice ones cost as much as a nice piece of jewlery.lol  Maybe Pegasys or one of those money making pharmaceutical conglomerates could give the cheaper ones away.  If you want to wear one, go ahead.  Everything nowadays is computerized, so any information needed is merely a click or a couple of taps away.  That's all I need is more bling on so some nosey person at work could ask me what it says, then once again I would have to think of something clever to get them to back off .lol  With the stigma HepC carries with it, that's all we would need is for a person like your friend to try to pass some legislation. She seems to be part of the problem.  no thanks.

"She also pointed out that having Hep C was no different than having HIV. They both are dangerous".

I think she's whacked and I don't know that I would consider her a friend, just my 2 cents.

[amster803]

That is a good idea.