Rachel, a member of our forums asked a fantastic question, “I wondered if anyone wears a medical id bracelet for bipolar disorder or anxiety disorders and to also indicate that they are on medication. Is this a good idea? Would it be too ‘revealing’ to have it sorta hanging out there... having your wrist state ‘Hi, I'm Bipolar on Meds.’"
Other members responded with their thoughts and suggestions:
- I wear one and have a card in my purse with a list of all the meds I'm on. Medical personnel need to have an idea of what meds we're on when they treat us. And, if we're unconscious the bracelet will alert them that there is information that they need to know about you. Lovelyswan
- I have it on a chain and engraved as to what meds I am on. Plus the meds are written down and kept in my purse and hubby's wallet. Snowy
- I take Lamictal and the package insert recommends that you wear a medical alert bracelet. I also wear one just in case I have a bad manic attack and hopefully the police will take me to the hospital instead of jail. Pelliott86
- Maybe you can carry empty med bottles or the printouts from the pharmacy. You can carry the printouts with you and if the meds changes, change the printout. Maybe put the printouts in a ziplock bag. Lakeaz
- I don't wear one, but I have a list of meds, my diagnosis, my docs, and my emergency info in my wallet. I even have on it that I have a living will and an advance psych directive. Amy
- I don't wear the medical ID bracelet, but I do carry a current print-out (that I revise every time my meds/dosages are changed) in my wallet next to my medical insurance card (1st thing they look for, and medical information card). I've also listed on the printout the name of my MD and psychiatrist, so if they feel the need, they can get the info from them if I'm not conscious, but at least they know what meds I'm on. Swingy
- I have a split opinion on the medical id bracelet (MIB). I don’t think that wearing an MIB would be a good thing for some and yet for others I think it would help them. If someone had a bad reaction to a medication that would impair them physically and, or, mentally then yes the MIB is good. Also mixing of certain meds can be harmful, which in some cases could be life threatening. Dolfinkisses
- I wear a MedicAlert bracelet that states that I am bipolar. I think it's important because so many of the emergency meds can aggravate our conditions. I don't feel ashamed about it; it's not obvious unless you actually look at the bracelet. I've had it for five years and have only had to use it once, thank God. It helped because they stopped to ask what meds I was on. Katy
