MedicAlert

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ChemGal

ChemGal

One with keen eye
Pronouns
She/Her/Her
Why is this a private service?
The jewellery I get, the service provided - it should be available through the provincial health system. I can also understand the usefulness of this being private for travel.

Frustrated with getting someone set up that shouldn't have been necessary in the first place. Not many options out there and MedicAlert isn't perfect, I can't even have my condition listed correctly, but at least I should get proper treatment if someone follows what is posted.

As for the jewellery I couldn't believe how few options there were once allergies are factored in. The safest metal, titanium is quite new. There surgical stainless steel isn't Ni free, I thought all surgical stainless steel was. I would have preferred some of the daintier options, but silver is a no-go and that's what most of the nice stuff is.
 
I looked at the site. Can you wear the leather or nylon straps? Do you really have to pay $5 a month after buying jewelry to keep current?
 
Tabitha said:
I looked at the site. Can you wear the leather or nylon straps? Do you really have to pay $5 a month after buying jewelry to keep current?
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Yes, you have to pay for the service. You can't even get any jewellery without paying for the service, I think the minimum was 6 months.

The leather and nylon for the most part aren't my style. For the leather that is, the metal is silver, non nickel-free so can't wear it (and it also tarnishes fast).
 
It actually adds up fast.
Registration fee - $24
Shipping - I was quoted $8 I think, HAE Canada gave a free credit
Monthly fee, but need to buy a certain min. $5 x however many months - I did 3 years worth at at a bit of a discount
The jewellery isn't cheap, I had a $39 credit from HAE Canada so the option I choose, the only classic, safe option cost me $20
 
I recall looking into this for a patient many years ago and being really surprised at the cost. Even the least expensive version was a bit expensive for those on limited income. I agree with you - it seems a subsidized service would be useful.
 
Carolla said:
I recall looking into this for a patient many years ago and being really surprised at the cost. Even the least expensive version was a bit expensive for those on limited income. I agree with you - it seems a subsidized service would be useful.
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They do have a subsidized service for those who need it. I'm uncertain of those details though.
 
There are medical-themed bracelets that you can pick up that don't require a subscription fee. You just buy the bracelet and you're done. They don't carry the same kind of coverage as MedicAlert does, of course, but they will also serve to notify emergency medical workers who check that something is medically different about you.
 
Pr. Jae said:
There are medical-themed bracelets that you can pick up that don't require a subscription fee. You just buy the bracelet and you're done. They don't carry the same kind of coverage as MedicAlert does, of course, but they will also serve to notify emergency medical workers who check that something is medically different about you.
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I only found 1 in Canada. It's pretty pointless for me without the service until the province cleans up their act IMO. Otherwise HAE will likely be treated like an allergy. MedicAlert recommends getting the allergies engraved and I decided not to. If things are so bad I can't communicate chances are likely a) it's not anaphylaxis and b) I will be given epinephrine anyway
 
ChemGal said:
I only found 1 in Canada. It's pretty pointless for me without the service until the province cleans up their act IMO. Otherwise HAE will likely be treated like an allergy. MedicAlert recommends getting the allergies engraved and I decided not to. If things are so bad I can't communicate chances are likely a) it's not anaphylaxis and b) I will be given epinephrine anyway
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Hm, okay, so I guess it all depends on what kind of condition one has. I mean, I can just pick up a bracelet at the drug store that says that I'm an Epileptic.
 
ChemGal said:
How does that work? Do you then take them to a place like Things Engraved?
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The ones I've seen are very simple ChemGal. They just have the names of certain conditions on them, like, "Epilepsy" or "Diabetes" - I guess if you wanted anything more on them you'd have to take it to an engraving place, yes.
 
Pr. Jae said:
The ones I've seen are very simple ChemGal. They just have the names of certain conditions on them, like, "Epilepsy" or "Diabetes" - I guess if you wanted anything more on them you'd have to take it to an engraving place, yes.
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Oh, I often see multiple lines for multiple conditions. I also included Rx Berinert based on what some others have done.
 
Although I seem to have been aware of MedicAlert for many years, I too thought it just meant wearing a bracelet or necklace with your health condition on it (diabetes, epilepsy etc). I googled it just now and saw there is a commercial variety that charges for the service. On reading it I found myself thinking - getting those services you pay for is dependant on the ER staff phoning the contact number. Around here that wouldn't seem likely to happen. They say that they can provide completely up to date medical information on you. I wonder how they do that? What if you had some sort of health problem yesterday - would that it be in their system already?
 
KayTheCurler said:
Although I seem to have been aware of MedicAlert for many years, I too thought it just meant wearing a bracelet or necklace with your health condition on it (diabetes, epilepsy etc). I googled it just now and saw there is a commercial variety that charges for the service. On reading it I found myself thinking - getting those services you pay for is dependant on the ER staff phoning the contact number. Around here that wouldn't seem likely to happen. They say that they can provide completely up to date medical information on you. I wonder how they do that? What if you had some sort of health problem yesterday - would that it be in their system already?
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If you put it in yourself. They have an app and a website where you can do it. It works well, after phoning in (would have used the website but due to complications I was told to call) I had a medication listed as 'avoid' due to it triggering my HAE. I changed it to severe adverse reaction myself, I feel good about that as anaphylaxis is also an option.
For those not comfortable doing it that way, they can phone in or set up people who may phone in for them.

As for being contacted I searched around the net. Paramedics are specifically tested to see if they check for jewellery. I don't know about the phoning thing. That's why I wanted HAE (actually done as C1-INH deficiency on my bracelet) on there. I read around a bit, interestingly people recommended NOT having hereditary angioedema as too many people are complacent, figure they know what angioedema is and then treat for the histamine kind.
 
well Jae given your history of fairly frequent seizures-for the sake of yourself and your family I'd suggest getting one, and wearing it. It might save your life if you ever have a seizure on the subway or somewhere without kinfolk nearby.
 
I got my bracelet. The clasp doesn't look like the rest of it. I was highly suspicious it's not titanium, even though the website specifically mentions what the clasps are made out of and the model I chose should have been all titanium. It felt a bit heavier/denser too.

Didn't think about it until now - check with a magnet. We have some strong ones, nada, but some really strong ones, and yep, they stick. I'm pretty mad about this as there is a) the allergy issue and b) safety issues with big strong magnets such as in MRIs. I was around those on a fairly regular basis.
 
I am not impressed, I have to wait until tomorrow to speak to someone.
No one can even tell me for now what metals I did get.
 
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