Does anyone wear one?
Most everyone I know is aware that I am fine if I fall asleep suddenly. However, being out in public alone is a different story. I am worried that I'll have a sleep attack and wake up to paramedics! Then you have to factor in all the meds and what other meds they may effect.
Medical IDs
Started by
gurlzylla
, Nov 27 2007 12:16 PM
2 replies to this topic
#2
Lvan
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Posted 28 November 2007 - 12:17 AM
I have a medical bracelet that I keep in my purse - maybe not the best place for it - but it does say that I have narcolepsy and what medications I am taking. I do not have cateplexy, so their is less of a concern of me waking up to paramedics.
#3
judycasper
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Posted 29 November 2007 - 02:55 AM
Hello everyone, this is my first post! It is interesting that I read the messages about medical bracelets tonight because I have been thinking about them for most of the day.
This afternoon I witnessed a man in the midst of a medical emergency -- he appeared to be having a seizure and my first thoughts were to wonder if he had epilespy and if he was wearing a medical bracelet which would let people know about it. The man was on the sidewalk and was bleeding from the mouth (from falling?) Several people seemed to be doing a good job trying to assist him and a crowd was starting to form, so after making sure that someone had called 911 (someone had) I continued on to a short meeting. As I left the meeting I could see paramedics giving the man chest compressions and oxygen as they put him in an ambulance, so the situation ended up being quite serious and probably had nothing to do with epilepsy. The only good news is that all of this took place just two blocks from a major hospital - George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. (where President Reagan was taken after being shot by John Hinckley, Jr.) - so the paramedics should have been able to get the man to the emergency room in no time at all.
I don't have cataplexy and I don't wear a narcolepsy bracelet, but after what happened today I decided to get one to keep in my purse. I do have a list of my medications in my wallet along with the names and contact information for all of my doctors.
(I'm sorry that this post is so long but I've been thinking about all of this for most of the night.)
What I hope people take from the situation I described is a need to at least think about having a narcolepsy bracelet with you (even if you're not wearing it). Also think about carrying a list of your medications; I believe this is particularly important if you are taking any narcotics. And finally, if you are spending time with family and friends with medical conditions over the holidays, suggest that they do the same thing, especially if their conditions could be life-threatening.
Okay, that is the end of my public service announcement!!
This afternoon I witnessed a man in the midst of a medical emergency -- he appeared to be having a seizure and my first thoughts were to wonder if he had epilespy and if he was wearing a medical bracelet which would let people know about it. The man was on the sidewalk and was bleeding from the mouth (from falling?) Several people seemed to be doing a good job trying to assist him and a crowd was starting to form, so after making sure that someone had called 911 (someone had) I continued on to a short meeting. As I left the meeting I could see paramedics giving the man chest compressions and oxygen as they put him in an ambulance, so the situation ended up being quite serious and probably had nothing to do with epilepsy. The only good news is that all of this took place just two blocks from a major hospital - George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. (where President Reagan was taken after being shot by John Hinckley, Jr.) - so the paramedics should have been able to get the man to the emergency room in no time at all.
I don't have cataplexy and I don't wear a narcolepsy bracelet, but after what happened today I decided to get one to keep in my purse. I do have a list of my medications in my wallet along with the names and contact information for all of my doctors.
(I'm sorry that this post is so long but I've been thinking about all of this for most of the night.)
What I hope people take from the situation I described is a need to at least think about having a narcolepsy bracelet with you (even if you're not wearing it). Also think about carrying a list of your medications; I believe this is particularly important if you are taking any narcotics. And finally, if you are spending time with family and friends with medical conditions over the holidays, suggest that they do the same thing, especially if their conditions could be life-threatening.
Okay, that is the end of my public service announcement!!
