Medical ID

Who wears one?

[OmfgItsEllie]

I want to :}

[melbidd]

Me too, but I'm scared it's not severe enough.  That's why I'm asking, so I can make my decision about getting one or not lol :)

[somemonkey]

I wear one.

[melbidd]

Do you find it usefull?
Is your asthma severe?
I'm not sure if mine is severe enough for a medical ID, that's why I'm asking this.

[Judy246]

A medical ID is worn by someone who has a life threatening condition. If you are in an accident and are unconscience, it will help the doctors know what you are allergic to or condition and will know best how to treat you when you can't speak for yourself.

Example: Seniors, diabetics, people with allergies, heart condition, people who live alone and have a serious ailment.....etc.

[somemonkey]

I have severe asthma, plus other conditions. I wear a basic one on my wrist with my conditions. I wear a one that connects to a computer around my neck. That one names my meds. I like it.

[melbidd]

Would it be necessary for me to get one?  I have pretty severe asthma.  I get symptoms on a regular basis, sometimes I can't speak in full sentences due to shortness of breath.

[somemonkey]

Its never a bad idea. Better to be safe. Can't hurt. Especially if you have any allergies. You don't want to be treated with the wrong thing in an emergency.

[OmfgItsEllie]

Yeah, I'm abit worried that my Asthma isn't servere enough. AlsoI wouldn't have a clue on what my parents wouldsay about it though -.-'
They'd probably say no..

[melbidd]

I only have a known allergy to seafood and perfumes (gives me asthma attacks).  I really want one since anytime I do exercise I can't breath properly.

Yeah, me too.  I'm not sure my parents would agree with the need of one.  But I actually think my asthma is severe enough, not sure though ..

[melbidd]

Who else wears one?

[ChitChatNine]

My teen wears one and is asthmatic & anphylactic to latex, plums & nuts ... cannot hurt if asthmatic they will know 1-2-3 in an emergency if you cannot talk.

C~

[melbidd]

Oh really ?
Do you think it would be necessary for me to get one though?

[Judy246]

If you fear that you will experience a life threatening attack, it wouldn't hurt to wear one. That will give you peace of mind and if there is ever an emergency, the doctors will know how to treat you.

[kaylen123]

i wear one but thats cause my asthma is life-threatning if i have an attack

[ChitChatNine]

If you have serious attacks it can help differentiate an asthma attack vs. anaphylaxis if the med professionals see a bracelet.

C~

[melbidd]

I don't know how severe they are yet, since it has only been about 3 months since I was diagnosed.  I completely stopped breathing about 4-5 times from an attack (I get small flare ups every couple of days, but that's when I have a bigger one than usual).  I'll try to explain how it was.

My first attack was at work, I struggled to get a breath in, then all of a sudden it became a lot more difficult so I went out back, sat down and drank a bit of water (there was only about 15 minutes left of work, so I stayed).  When I got home, I took my dad's puffer, then about 10 minutes later, I completely stopped breathing so they brought me to the emergency room.  I could not talk, walk, couldn't even cough.  They said I had a severe asthma attack, and pneumonia.  So for the next 2 weeks, I had severe shortness of breath (I couldn't go to school for a few days).  Had my 2nd severe attack the week after.

That happend about 4-5 times since then (3 months ago).

I notice that when I'm sick, I have A LOT more difficulties breathing.

What category would that be placed in?  Mild, Moderate or Severe?

[Victoireh]

Even people with mild asthma can have severe attacks when they have a virus. I think what is more important that you have severe attacks to the point of not being able to talk. And when you can't speak for yourself, then nobody will know what is the matter with you, and it will take more guess work to figure out the best treatment at that point in time.  In a case like this I think it wouldn't hurt at all to wear a medical ID bracelet. At least if you are ever caught in that situation again, your problem will be quickly identified.

[melbidd]

Its quite scary, because no one knows whats going on and I can't tell them.  When I was in the ER, the nurse was asking me questions, like what happend and stuff, I couldn't tell her, and no one else knew, so she had no idea what to do.  They brought me in as soon as I got there though.  Everyone was looking at me cuz I was making weird noises when I was trying to breath lol

Everytime I have a severe attack, I can't speak, that's why I want one, but I'm not sure if my parents would buy it.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

Maybe a generic one from Walgreens would be good ... they state it on the bracelet ... then there's no fee like with a Medic Alert Bracelet which is $25 US dollars a year.

C~

[melbidd]

What is Walgreens?  Is it like Wal-Mart?

[ChitChatNine]

It is a chain pharmacy, but Wal-Mart Pharmacy area may have it too.  Let me look for some links and will post them for you.

C~

[ChitChatNine]

I found this one on our Drugstore.com link from Ask a Pharmacist.  But I've seen necklaces which are a bit more pretty elsewhere:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=191574&catid=59987

These are the latest that I've seen that are very inexpensive - they are the silicon bracelets that simply say "asthma" on them or "bee sting", etc.:

http://www.doggonecharming.com/product/MEDB003    This place is only $2.95 .. you can do a general search and I've seen them in purple and pink.

Let us know how you make out and good luck!

C~

[melbidd]

Thank you very much.

But my question is still, is my asthma bad enough?

[ChitChatNine]

If your asthma was bad enough that the last trip to the ER rendered you unable to speak and tell them what happened, it's my opinion as a mom to two asthmatic children that yes it is bad enough for a bracelet, but pls.keep in mind I am not a medical professional.

Better safe than sorry is my thought.

[melbidd]

Do your children wear one?

I think I'm going to ask my doctor when I get an appointment with her (specialist).
Or I could ask my Primary Care Physician (going tuesday).

[ChitChatNine]

You can certainly ask your primary doc and your specialist.  My one daughter wears one to differentiate between anaphylaxis and asthma but both are listed.  She wears it all the time - my other daughter is bee allergic and wears hers only when she's by herself or not in the presence of others who know her condition ... she has asthma, too.

They are 18 and 16 and I understand not wanting to be different and wearing a bracelet.  They make them out of sports bands now and also the med symbol on my oldest daughter is light pink.  They make them with beads too and crystals.  Or a necklace you wear inside your clothing if you want.

[melbidd]

Thank you so much !

I have a question that has nothing to do with this.

Does Post Nasal Drip trigger asthma?  I seem to have severe asthma symptoms at night (esp. severe shortness of breath).  I can feel the mucus going down my throat.

[ChitChatNine]

Yes, it can trigger what are known as Bronchiospasms I believe so a good anthistamine/decongestant is most helpful at night if ok with your Dr.  Your ? is a good one and is related to asthma.

C~

[melbidd]

Thank you very much for your response.

I will ask my doctor if she can give me something for it.

[melbidd]

Well I think my experience yesterday gave me my answer.

I got another bad asthma attack yesterday at work.  It came on so sudden.  One minute it was chest pains, next minute I was gasping for air.  Again, I couldn't talk, couldn't walk, or anything.  Some girl I work with had to call my mom so she could come get me.  I went to the clinic, turns out I have either a lung infection or pneumonia (again, had one 3 months ago).  I have a lot of mucus in my lungs, especially bottom right and my airways are very swollen.  Should I go to the hospital for a chest x-ray tonight?  My chest still hurts a lot !!

So I think it concludes that I should probably get one...

[ChitChatNine]

HI,

What did the clinic say about an xray?  Are you on antibiotics?

[melbidd]

Yes I am, I'm on something for the pain (caused by the swelling of my airways), something for the pneumonia, and I was on prednisone till tonight.  They doubled my puffers (2 puffs of Symbicort 4x a day for 2 weeks).  They did not say anything about an xray, but if I am not better I think I will go to the hospital tomorrow.  I am not feeling well at all.  Working today didn't help at all either.  So I think I will call in sick tomorrow and go to the ER, try to ask for an xray.  I really feel that something is not right.

[Victoireh]

For how many days did you get the prednisone for? My pulmonary specialist told me that for a true asthma exacerbation (the ones often caused by a serious lung infection), require 14-16 days of treatment with prednisone. Your puffer dosage of 8 puffs/day is what I am taking regularly. My family doc used to always try to give me a minimum of 3 to 5 days of prednisone thinking it was adequate, but my specialist completely disagreed and told me that people who recover within a few days would have recovered without the prednisone. Please make sure you are getting the proper treatment. And Rest!

[ChitChatNine]

I agree with above poster.  The General Docs are not as aggressive .. you should seek out a Pediatric Pulmonologist or Pulmonologist to treat you moving forward with your history and symptoms.

Let us know how you make out today.

[melbidd]

Yes, I just went to a walk in clinic, so chances are I was not treated properly.  I feel worse than I did, last night I had weird spasms that kept me awake (every 1-2 minutes, my airway would spasms and cut of my oxygene for a few seconds [very scary i must add]).  I called in sick today, I don't think I would have been able to work.

I'm going to my primary care physician in 2 weeks for a check up, and I'm going to ask if she can make me an appointment with a Pulmonologist instead of a Pediatrician.

[melbidd]

A little update :

It's been a week, I'm still not better.  I get exhausted very easily, along with short of breath.  I have congestion since 2 days ago (making my breathing worse).  I just feel the medications aren't working as well as they should.  I still have the spasms (sunday night I only slept about 4 hours because of it).  I don't know what I should do.

Any advice?

[ChitChatNine]

You may need at the very least a regular Primary Doc or a specialist who may send out the sputum to make sure you are on the right antibiotic.  I think you may need a followup visit someplace.

Keep us posted; sorry you aren't on the mend yet.

C~

[melbidd]

I'm going to my primary care next week, but I'm wondering if I should go to a walk in clinic or something, because the chest pains are still there after about 2 weeks (even with the naproxen).

[ChitChatNine]

Your primary cannot see you until next week?   What if you call them . is there a nurse who you an speak with or thru your insurance co? Sometimes they have nurses available.

C~

[melbidd]

No, my mom called and the earliest she can see me is the 26.  I don't know about a nurse though.  I will ask my mom tonight about it.

[Victoireh]

You know what I sometimes do...I tell the doctor's receptionist that I'm having bad asthma problems and that I really need to be seen TODAY. She will slip you in between patients, and you will have to wait awhile in the office before being seen. But it's better then waiting for another how many days. And if you look bad enough they will take you more seriously the next time you have to see the doctor that day.

[melbidd]

I think I should actually try to do that !

But, first, I have a weird question.
When I was about to go in grade 9 (it was summer), I accidentally inhaled a small piece of hotdog bun (average-small bite size).  It got stuck in my airway and I couldn't breath for probably about a minute or two.  It eventually just slid down and I started breathing again.  The problem is, I don't know down which pipe.  Could that be a cause of my problems?

The thing is, my symptoms started way back in like, grade 5 or 6 (got my first inhaler in grade 6)?  But do you think it could've made them worse?

[pkukid]

i wear a medical id- i don't think it really matters how severe your asthma is. if you have a chronic conditionlike asthma wear one...better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.