A question, if you have a moment....

I really hate fear mongering..and for a long time I've heard this info about how important postop medic alert bracelets are. I've heard everything from fear of puncturing the pouch blind scoping while unconscious; fear of being given NSAIDs while unconscious; fear of etc., etc. The BIGGEST concern seems to be the first 2. I've been researching this to death; both on the phone to various medical professionals AND online in peer reviewed research, articles, etc. I can find NOTHING to corroborate a pouch EVER being punctured during an emergency procedure. I've found a couple of websites of doctor who suggest a patient wear a medic alert, but for the patient's ease of mind and not for any medical reason. I've found many doctor's websites that say it is fully unnecessary AND that by 6 weeks postop that the pouch is AS tough as the stomach - that once healed, it won't 'puncture' any easier than a stomach. I've read training manuals/articles that emphasize that medical personal NEVER should push an intubation tube or NG tube passed an obstruction - EVER. That if the soft tubing butts up against a solid, they are to back out and find out WHY, not shove on through. And that it is RARE that any person would need a tube placed into the stomach during an ER visit, anyway, but that even if that were the case, they don't blindly shove that sucker in there. Nearly all of the websites and comments, recommending a medic alert ID, are put up by either a person who sells said MA ID's OR is a patient who's got the idea they HAVE to have one. I can't find any instances where NSAIDS have been administered to an unconscious patient. These are generally given by mouth once the patient wakes up. Drugs given for pain to the unconscious patient are generally a morphine ****tail of sorts and not IBU Based because too many people have poor reactions to IBU, whereas most don't to Acetaminophen based products. Hence, hospitals tend to lean more heavily towards Tylenol (I'm also garnering that tylenol is cheaper than IBU for them to blanket administer). That said, even IF an NSAID were given in an emergency situation, unless you were severely allergic to it, it would not compromise your 'healthy' pouch with one or two ministrations. That said, I have found articles that stress if you are diabetic, have heart problems, are on certain medications, and other various and assorted health conditions - including life threatening allergies to medications - then YES, one should have a MA ID - as advised by their physician. So with all this, who wears one - why do you wear it - have you ever found any documentation to support the "need" to wear one, other than making yourself feel good? If you're doc has said you must wear one, did they give you any logical reason you'd need it besides the ones already listed as medically volatile? I appreciate your time and trouble if you choose to answer this. I'm NOT seeking to validate my believe, merely stating my research and opinion and seeking that of others. Thanks, Toots

livin' life on the edge eh? Yeah, I'd really like to see any documentation. With the thousands of postops out there, surely ONE would have had this happen and sued some dopy docs butt off lol. Ah well can't buy peace of mind, so whatever gives it! I just hate putting the fear there that this is a safety issue to begin with - ya know?

Dame T. I've never had one. Because I had read on the AMOS Boards Such a bracelet was a necessity, I asked my Dr. going into all of this. I was told it was not needed For the same reasons you mention. I do keep a card in my wallet Proclaiming and giving the "Make and Model Number" Of my Artificial Aortic Valve. And a little card that says that I'm on Coumadin! Don't cut me! I'm a Bleeder! Too explicit? I'm curious to see the explanations On the Medical Bracelet subject too. Best Wishes- Dx

Yeah...something ANYTHING concrete would be nice. Sigh....I'd post this to the main board, but I have a feeling some would think I'm picking on them. So I posted here, hoping the skins are er um thicker? LOL

Tooter, I don't wear one - and my surgeon sells them - however, he says that unless you feel more comfortable wearing one, there is no real reason to do so. As far as NASAIDS are concerned, while they are known to be very risky for us, sometimes it's necessary to take them. Right now, I'm on a limited dosage of Ibuprofen - and I do mean limited and with close supervision. I have experienced no problems with it at all. I had Celebrex at 8 days post-op because of a problem and tolerated it well. Having said that, I'm sure that most people could withstand a couple of doses without harm. It's not like they will cause bleeding and ulcers with one or two doses. My surgeon is very conservative - and he has several patients on supervised doses of NASAIDS because of health conditions that require anti-inflammatory medication. I take ibuprofen because it's cheaper than Celebrex and with all the bad press Celebrex has gotten, you can't get samples anymore. I take it for three days and then don't take it again for at least three days. I know you were asking for people who DO wear the bracelets, but I thought I'd offer by two bits on it. Thought of you tonight when I had a spoonful of the fig spread with my pork chop. Patty

oh gee, sorry I gave the impression I only wanted to hear from those who Do wear them. I'm very interested in those who don't wear them too. Psst...I also take limited Ibu - I don't tolerate Tylenol well lol Brat - I am still wanting figs. A very nice soul is mailing me some - I can't WAIT!

I bought mine right after I went to the ER (after surgery) and the Dr there had no idea how to treat me, and called my surgeons. I was worried that if for some reason I had not been concious they could have hurt me. I wore it for about a month, then decided it wasn't necessary anymore. A few months later I put it on, and it fell off. LOL It's too big for me now! Soooo I took the ID part off, and just wear the beads. Michele

You want a HUGE LAUGH? Ok, this made ME laugh. If you go to Lauren's Hope's website - under the faq it says you shouldn't wear the pretty medical bracelets in the shower or swimming pool because they are strung on jewelry wire. So tell me - if you have a pretty one, what good is it? I mean if you fall and hit your head in the shower or are a swimming pool drowning victim - you're screwed right? Ugh!

heh I never even thought of that!

Logic lol