Medical jewelry

Is it a good idea to have some kind of medical jewelry that says I have ITP?.... Maybe something to wear on days I know my count is low?
And/or should I have something in my wallet?

Kate

I may be over zealous but I've had lots of Medic Alert jewelry. One that says ITP, one for ITP Promacta when I was on that medicine and now one that says No Spleen. Of course I don't wear them all...just the most recent.

I wouldn't assume that all medical personnel know what "ITP" is. They don't.

That's an amazingly good point.

I have 1, and it lists: ITP; Splenectomy; TMJ disorder; Hypothyroidism and "on prednisone". Fran, why would you have more than one when one bracelet(or whatever)can have everything listed? Just curious. And I do wear mine all the time when I go out. And Sandi is right, not all emergency personnel know what ITP is. I once asked a Paramedic Supervisor if he knew what it was, man was I surprised when he said he didn't! But I still feel safer wearing my bracelet. I want to get the Medic Alert watch, so I don't have to wear both.

I've gotten enough blank stares from medical folks, including emergency room nurses, that my teen's bracelet says "Low platelets (ITP); bleeding risk; no aspirin." Laurens Hope is an online store that has some pretty ones. I ordered my daughter's bracelet from there, but she went with a no-nonsense nylon one that won't be ruined if it gets wet. She rarely wears it now, but it made me feel better that she wore it when she was low.
Norma

I have a neclace called "a very special heart" it is stylish to wear and when you open it it's a thumb drive. It will work on any computer windows or mac and it contains all your medical information, name, address,contacts just about anything you want for proper medical treetment. I love it you can purchase it by going to averyspecialheart.com it can be worn as a neclace or put on a key chain.

@ Sherrie
I took a look at averyspecialheart.com it looks great! It's a great design as well..
My only concern with it is: Will paramedics know they have to open it? And in case of a real emergency will they have the time to look on it on a computer.. It seems to be a bit to much work for the information wich is very fast needed..

I'm currently looking for a medical ID bracelet or something since I had a splenectomy and my doctor adviced me to purchase one..

I just wonder if paramedics pay attention to it.. There are so many different designs.. as my mom pointed out how will they now it's a medical ID.. So I guess I'll go for one where it's pretty obvious..

Xx

My first necklace was simply ITP. Then when I started Promacta I added that to the ITP. Now I have a new one that just says No Spleen. If my platelets ever drop then I'll where the ITP one again too I guess. Thinking of just tattooing no spleen on my belly and being done with it! Ha!

I used to wear one that said, "thrombocytopenia". Most doctors know what that is, but I have been to docs (usually pcp) who have no clue what ITP is.

Joya, paramedics here are trained to look for medical bracelets/necklaces. With Medi Alert, there is a toll free number that can be called and will give the caller all my information. They( the bracelets/necklaces) have a medical symbol on them; at least, mine does.

If yo are in Candada try www.medicalert.ca they keep your records and are available to medical personell all over the world. You can make changes if necessary over the internet. C :) :) :)

Thanks for the information!

I think I'll just talk to my doctor next week on how things are arranged in Holland.. I'm not sure what is the best solution so I'll just ask him.. Am pretty sure he'll know what paramedics look for!

Xx

I've just ordered a bracelet from www.icegems.co.uk/ so should hopefully receive it this week - my mum is pleased that I've finally done it. £40, but you can't put a price on your wellbeing, especially if you have ITP!

I work in central London and am often out the office by myself - due to the marvellous way in which the NHS works, record of my ITP exists at my local hospital in Surrey and my GP's surgery - so I could be unconscious in Finchley and no one would be any the wiser to my ITP.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but paramedics and first aiders are taught to keep an eye out for medical jewellery with the blue/red 6-point star either on the wrist or around the neck - if you're checking airways and circulation (which is the first thing you do), if it's there, you will find it.

Mine is engraved "ITP - low platelets" which should hopefully be self explanatory; the world of medicine must have thousands of abbreviations and acronyms with some duplicates, so the info on your jewellery should be helpful and clear, not a quiz. Hopefully I will never need my bracelet to speak for me, but hey, better safe than sorry

I've got a bracelet thing somewhere.. probably in the back of a drawer. I don't like jewellery much so I got what they call a sports band. I'm not very good at wearing it.

I'm going to be living in central London soon.. people say I'm mad but I can't wait!

My doctor told me I'd be nuts not to have one. Mine has my name, 'ITP Low Platelets', 'Blood Type B+', and 'ICE: *husbands cell phone*'. (ICE stands for 'In Case of Emergency'. I never heard of it before, so I had to ask!)

I figure that way they know right away I have a platelet problem, can give me my type of blood right off the bat, look up the definition of ITP, and call my husband so that he can fill in the details and contact my doctors.

I got mine from www.laurenshope.com/ . They have some really nice ones that aren't totaly ugly!

Just read the Wall Street Journal for today and in the 'Personal Journal' section they have a full page spread about medical ID bracelets, why you should wear them, and pictures of different styles. Really good article PLUS they quote someone in the article who's husband 'has a rare blood disorder that doesn't allow his body to produce the platelets needed to stop bleeding.'

The article is availible online as well at online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703418004575456103886552286.html

I had a medic alert bracelet up till about a couple of months ago, which i only stopped wearing it because it fell off my wrist, but ironically my platelets went up loads from 2 too 200 which is amazing for me because i have been stuck at around 5 for the last 2 years.
This is where i got mine from www.universalmedicalid.co.uk/ i beleive it does USA as well.

If/ when my platelets go back down i will proberly get another one.

but mine read my name, ITP (low platelets)

take care