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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Diabetes / August 2007Medic Alert has pissed me off
I joined recently and ordered an emblem. The whole point of this is for the emblem to speak for you when you can't speak for yourself. Well, what I say when I'm conscious is to not give me IV glucose, but give me saline instead. That is what I wanted Medic Alert for. First problem, which you can't see until you've joined is, you can only choose items for your medical history from a drop-down box. Everything I wanted to choose wasn't on there, so my "medical history" they'd be providing in case of emergency is incomplete. Similarly, you can't add medications unless it's in their database, so if you're on something not in their database as I am, you're screwed. Again, what they'd be providing in case of emergency would be incomplete data. Finally, there is no way to enter freeform data either. So I couldn't complete my medical history or drug list, nor give the IV instructions in my membership info. But I figured that was OK as I'd have the IV instructions on my emblem, right? That will accomplish what I need after all. When you order an emblem, you can either tell them to engrave it as they want based on your medical history or to email you to work it out. Course, I told them to email me. When they did, they suggested info including my bypass (which any paramedic or doctor treating me would be able to SEE, I have a HUGE freaking scar, for crying out loud!) I declined their suggested engraving, and asked how many lines and how many letters I could have in each line. And they replied and told me, so I sent what I wanted engraved: DIABETIC No IV glucose unless hypo, saline only. On b-blocker. Well, they won't do that. It doesn't meet their standards. They have a database of messages for each disease and my message isn't in their database. They suggested I could add "check bg" to my emblem. That's the only message I'm "allowed" for diabetes. So there is no way whatsoever to use this damned service to do what it purports to do, to speak for me when I can't speak for myself. Which is fine, in and of itself, if that's how they want to run their business. The bit that pisses me off is there's no way to know that until *after* you've signed up and paid for it. So... I requested a refund as I don't see what use this thing is. Providing an incomplete medical history and medication list is the only thing they'd be able to do for me, and that seems dangerous to me. Maybe I'll get a tattoo.  Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ Jackie, I ran into the same thing. Lack of presenting illnesses, and meds. I have not updated mine from the initial, basic bracelet. Still looking for a company that can represent me as I need. Billie "Striving for a world without Myasthenia Gravis" Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America http://www.myasthenia.org Muscular Dystrophy Association http://www.mda.org/disease/mg.html http://www.mda.org/publications/fa-mg-treatment.html Myasthenia Gravis Association UK http://www.mga.superbuilder.net/mgaforum.html : Well, they won't do that. It doesn't meet their standards. They have a : database of messages for each disease and my message isn't in their [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] : So there is no way whatsoever to use this damned service to do what it : purports to do, to speak for me when I can't speak for myself. >I joined recently and ordered an emblem. The whole point of this is for >the emblem to speak for you when you can't speak for yourself. Well, what [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] > > Maybe I'll get a tattoo. You could just order it with the word Diabetic on it, and then take it to a jewelry shop to get the rest engraved on it. KC >I joined recently and ordered an emblem. The whole point of this is for >the emblem to speak for you when you can't speak for yourself. Well, what >I say when I'm conscious is to not give me IV glucose, but give me saline >instead. That is what I wanted Medic Alert for. I like this one best http://www.medictag.com/ John I found this place: http://americanmedical-id.com I knew there were alternatives; I had just tried Medic Alert first cause they're the oldest organization. Hopefully, they will give me my money back as their service is useless to me. This new place lets you choose what you want engraved right on the web site, and you can preview it on your charm. I ordered the cheapest one and there's room for more info cause they engrave both sides. This left me room to include more instructions and to have phone numbers too (I used cell phones so as not to have the work/home issue). They also have medical info you can update on the website, free with the purchase of an emblem, and no recurring annual fee like MedicAlert. And while most of it is check-boxed based, there's an "other" category letting you add stuff. You can also buy a USB loaded with the info you've entered into their web site! It saves your info as a PDF so you can update the USB as desired. I typed up a more complete medical history, medications list and instructions for hospitalization to keep in my purse too. Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ It is alleged that johnniemccoy@ claimed: > I like this one best http://www.medictag.com/ What's the difference between buying one of those and just using a standard USB flash stick and using a Sharpie to write "Medic Alert Info" on it? SignatureJeffrey Kaplan www.gordol.org The from userid is killfiled Send personal mail to gordol "I've been having the kind of nightmares that would make your hair stand on end." "Well, that would explain the Centauri." (Capt. Sheridan and Amb. Delenn, B5 "And The Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place") > I joined recently and ordered an emblem. The whole point of this is for > the emblem to speak for you when you can't speak for yourself. Well, > what I say when I'm conscious is to not give me IV glucose, but give me > saline instead. That is what I wanted Medic Alert for. I've been wearing medic-alert ID's for 25 years, and I always counted on the EMT's or ER to figure out what to give me in an IV based on what was on the tag and my condition at the time. I'm not an EMT and I'm not a doctor and I'm not going to start making up rules about what's best for me in some unforseen (and maybe horribly complicated) medical situation. Yes, I've been in ER's a couple times, and had an ambulance ride once. No, I never agree with everything they do to me. But if I'm unconscious, I'm not going to lose much sleep over whether they give me IV saline or IV glucose as long as they're stopping me from dying. Of course, at least once in an ER they gave me IV glucose to stop me from dying, so of course I'd never put that exact request in! Tim. > I've been wearing medic-alert ID's for 25 years, and I always counted > on the EMT's or ER to figure out what to give me in an IV based on > what was on the tag and my condition at the time. My sister has worn one for over 3 decades as she was born with the severe salt-wasting form of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. The first time I ever saw the emblem was laced through her white baby shoes. I can't personally think of very many people who would even know what that was. At the time she was born, people sure didn't as she was one of the second person who survivived with her disease. Her Medic Alert ALWAYS said to give salt. Cause if she's in crisis, she almost certainly is gonna die without immediate sodium. Doesn't matter if it's an EMT, or a babysitter, or a teacher... she still needs to be given salt NOW. You can't assume in an emergency that the first person to her would be an endocrinologist who would know what to do. > I'm not an EMT and > I'm not a doctor and I'm not going to start making up rules about > what's best for me in some unforseen (and maybe horribly complicated) > medical situation. If it were a matter of me *needing* glucose, I have no problem with it. But it's usually not... nearly all IVs are automatically glucose regardless. It's not that they take into consideration that you're diabetic, it's that they don't think of it at all. Glucose is routinely given when they set up an IV. I don't want it EXCEPT when necessary. If you do, more power to you. I have personally dealt with quite a number of doctors whom were not as knowledgeable about diabetes as I am so I would not assume an EMT would be so. I can't comment on your level of knowledge though, just my own. That someone is an EMT certainly does NOT mean he knows more than me about diabetes. Unless they're gonna send out endos to drive the ambulances, I'm not trusting they know what to do for *me.* And if you're kewl with Medic Alert giving only the info they choose to give, ignoring any medical conditions you may have or meds you're on that are not in their database, that's kewl too. I have no objection to any of that. Just that wasn't what I was buying. And I objected to them NOT TELLING ME THAT before they took my money. I'm also starting to object to them not replying to my emails since I asked for a refund. Myself, I've damned well made rules in the hospital - during two hospitalizations in the past few years. First one was for pancreasitis... and I repeatedly refused, and argued with people, over putting glucose in my IV. Second time was much more complicated in that it was a myocardial infarction, emergency angioplasty and followup CABG - and I still argued with them about what I ate and eventually quit arguing and just had my husband bring me a fridge full of food. > Yes, I've been in ER's a couple times, and had an ambulance ride once. > No, I never agree with everything they do to me. But if I'm > unconscious, I'm not going to lose much sleep over whether they give > me IV saline or IV glucose as long as they're stopping me from dying. I've literally lost sleep over it. When I was hospitalized for pancreasitis, I had to keep an eye on each bag change. Try staying awake to guard your IV bag while you're on narcotics some time. My bg was over 300 and they kept trying to put glucose in the bag! You may choose to trust them, but I don't. I had a nurse during my last hospitalization tell me that apple juice has no sugar in it. I dunno how she became a nurse, as she'd have flunked nursing chemistry when I was teaching it. I don't assume competence in people until they demonstrate some. > Of course, at least once in an ER they gave me IV glucose to stop me > from dying, so of course I'd never put that exact request in! Obviously, glucose for hypoglycemia is fine. In fact, that's what the bracelet I wound up ordering says, "No IV glucose unless hypoglycemic". There's other cases too... during my last hospitalization, they had to give me heparin, and the only form heparin comes in is in a glucose solution. I'm not gonna let myself die over not letting them put glucose in me, but it did require some changes to my basal insulin dosing when they began me on that, and reductions in the insulin when it stopped. No one at the hospital except the endo and me had any clue about that, that dripping glucose in my vein all day would effect my diabetes. And ya know something? I don't expect them to. My heart surgeon is extremely good, well-known, etc. I trust her *completly* to do heart surgery. But not to mess with my insulin dosing, cause that's not what she does. So yeah, it's not the WORST THING possible if they put glucose in me by IV, but I want them to have a REASON for it, not like with the pancreasitis where I just needed IV fluids because I couldn't eat or drink. There's no reason to put sugar in my blood when my bg is running over 300 and I'm not getting any meds IV. If they wanna overrule me, they're gonna hafta make some damned sense about why. I need a reason better than just cause all IVs are by default glucose. I trust an EMT to drive me to the hospital and to jumpstart me on the way if necessary. But until ambulance companies start hiring endos to drive for them, no I do NOT trust them to treat my diabetes, why would I? Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ >> I've been wearing medic-alert ID's for 25 years, and I always counted >> on the EMT's or ER to figure out what to give me in an IV based on [quoted text clipped - 100 lines] > if necessary. But until ambulance companies start hiring endos to drive > for them, no I do NOT trust them to treat my diabetes, why would I? I am a diabetic and have a heart problem that requires me to consume very little or no sodium. I was in the hospital a few months ago and they put an IV in to help keep me hydrated and to infuse any medicines I might need by IV. They did not use either glucose or saline, they used only distilled water. I asked what they were using and they explained to me that due to my medical problems they had to avoid using glucose or saline solutions and were using only distilled water. Don > I am a diabetic and have a heart problem that requires me to consume very > little or no sodium. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > problems they had to avoid using glucose or saline solutions and were using > only distilled water. Errr... what is the consequence of diluting your blood like that? Seems to me that could cause a heart attack itself. I'd think that would only work if you were getting VERY low volume of fluids. Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ >> I am a diabetic and have a heart problem that requires me to consume very >> little or no sodium. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > I'd think that would only work if you were getting VERY low volume of > fluids. It was a very low volume intended as I said to keep me hydrated and as a carrier as necessary for any medicines that I might need given to me by IV. >I don't assume competence in people until they demonstrate some. Very, very wise. Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter. -- http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/ latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/ latest: Self-Testing and Type 2 Management > On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:00:25 -0500, Jackie Patti > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforesthttp://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/ > latest: Self-Testing and Type 2 Management That was very nice. >> I've been wearing medic-alert ID's for 25 years, and I always counted >> on the EMT's or ER to figure out what to give me in an IV based on [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > knowledgeable about diabetes as I am so I would not assume an EMT would be > so. I can't comment on your level of knowledge though, just my own. Jacki, do you take insulin? If so, it may not be wise to have something saying no glucose because if a diabetic is in a coma, and they don't know the blood glucose of the diabetic for some reason, the correct procedure is to give glucose. Because if the diabetic were in a coma from a hypo it could kill them to get more insulin, but more glucose is unlikely to kill someone in DKA, so when they don't know it's safer to give glucose. I have always allowed them to give me glucose in the hospital if they wanted to, but balanced with insulin of course. There were times that they've said I needed it for energy since I wasn't allowed to eat. I figure it's a little bleep in my life, and I am there where they can treat and save me if anything goes wrong. You can have what you want on your tag of course, but just adding that info. KC > Jacki, do you take insulin? If so, it may not be wise to have something > saying no glucose because if a diabetic is in a coma, and they don't know > the blood glucose of the diabetic for some reason, the correct procedure is > to give glucose. Because if the diabetic were in a coma from a hypo it > could kill them to get more insulin, but more glucose is unlikely to kill > someone in DKA, so when they don't know it's safer to give glucose. Yes, I do take insulin. The front of my bracelet is more aimed at bystanders... it says to give me sugar if I'm conscious and to call 911 if I'm not. The back says not to give IV glucose *unless* I'm hypoglycemic (and has my husband and dauughter's cell phone numbers). The basic idea is... if I were to have another heart attack (which I did a few months ago), I don't need a glucose drip just to give me morphine. > I have always allowed them to give me glucose in the hospital if they wanted > to, but balanced with insulin of course. There were times that they've said > I needed it for energy since I wasn't allowed to eat. I figure it's a > little bleep in my life, and I am there where they can treat and save me if > anything goes wrong. The pancreasitis attack was before I was on insulin. Indeed, it may be *why* I'm on insulin as I lost my ability to control my bg afterwards. That was when a doctor argued with me that I needed a glucose drip, and energy requirements were the exact argument used. You only see my words, not my body, but I assure you, the doctor could not have concluded I was short on calories after meeting me. ;) My bg was over 300 when the doctor wanted to give me glucose and I was not on insulin, just narcotics for the pain. I think that they get focused on solving the one problem before them, and don't necessarily take into account everything else. The typical treatment for pancreasitis is nothing by mouth until the pain subsides, so fluids for hydration, glucose for calories and pain meds as needed in the meantime. And that is appropriate for most people most of the time, but it just doesn't apply to a T2 with a bg running high and a body built to withstand many days of famine. To give MedicAlert credit... I did finally get a response from them and they assure me they will issue a credit to my card. They said the reason they have such strict guidelines is because when they didn't, people put in wrong information and typos and other random stupidness. Well, they didn't put it *quite* that way, they said it politer than actually calling their customers stupid, but that was the gist of it. I still find it annoying that they don't make it clear that you're limited before you order though. I couldn't even add all my prescription meds cause they weren't in the provided list. Being on a Fentanyl patch is not trivial! Someone needs to take that off me before shooting me up with morphine, or at least account for it. Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ > > Jacki, do you take insulin? If so, it may not be wise to have something > > saying no glucose because if a diabetic is in a coma, and they don't know [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > The back says not to give IV glucose *unless* I'm hypoglycemic (and has > my husband and dauughter's cell phone numbers). Wow. If you can fit all the rules for bg control on the front and back of a little bracelet, I'm impressed! Tim. > Wow. If you can fit all the rules for bg control on the front and back > of a little bracelet, I'm impressed! HA! You'd have to read the thing with a microscope if I could! ;) Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ > TimShoppawrote: > > Wow. If you can fit all the rules for bg control on the front and back > > of a little bracelet, I'm impressed! > > HA! You'd have to read the thing with a microscope if I could! ;) Well, see, that's the reason I'm not trying to encode all the rules - and exceptions to the rules - on a little bracelet. "Insulin Dependent Diabetes" is all I've got about my diabetes. ("Insulin Dependent" was added after I got to be middle aged - maybe they'd think I was a non- insulin dependent without it. That evidently wasn't a worry when I was a kid. There is a certain unrealistic expectation that everyone who has juvenile-onset diabetes remains a juvenile!) I also believe that Dr. Seuss's _Green Eggs and Ham_ - which only used 50 different words, and only ONE word with more than one syllable - is the greatest literary achievement of all time. Tim. > The pancreasitis attack was before I was on insulin. Indeed, it may be > *why* I'm on insulin as I lost my ability to control my bg afterwards. I am pretty sure by the symptoms that I had a pancreatitis attack a week before I got raging diabetes, and have needed insulin ever since. KC > I am pretty sure by the symptoms that I had a pancreatitis attack a week > before I got raging diabetes, and have needed insulin ever since. That is interesting. Apparently, it is usually caused by alcohol indulgence or gall bladder problems, neither of which applied to my case. I kept asking if it could have anything to do with diabetes, but they said no. I never saw a reading under 300 subsequent to that attack until I was on insulin, so I think they were wrong. I can't see anything else that would've caused my fbg to go from 140 to over 300 - that is not a gradual decline in control, but a pretty steep one. Signaturehttp://www.ornery-geeks.org/consulting/ |
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