That's such a good point, Stimpy! Last night I thought I might end up in the ER, and my mom was searching for info to take to the hospital with us. Made me think about how I need a bracelet. Apparently Walgreens sells a good one that has a USB connector that you can plug directly into a computer. There's no service fees for it and you put the info in and update it yourself. It costs $20.00.

PB, yes I really believe it should at least be mandatory FOR YOU and EVERYBODY that uses the ER alot.

I wear one. I got mine from Lauren's Hope.com. The best thing about them is they are stylish, come in tons of different colors, and you can even design your own. They are affordable, and pretty, plus the tag on the bracelet always swings to the bottome so no one ever has to know that is what it is if you don't want them to. Plus if you ever break it you can send it back and they will fix it immediately and overnight it back to you. I have worn mine since I was 14 and I replace it about every 2 years.

I wear one! Got it right after my diagnosis at the insistance of my infectious disease specialist. It says my name, and then "Common Variable Immunodeficiency - Monthly IVIG".

I've never had one. Personally IO can't imagine an instance where I'd be taken to a hospital for found on a street with anything that would have to with my CVID. The only purpose with when you are unconscientious .

Although I can think of scenarios where my diabetes might render my unconscientious, I can't imagine one resulting from my CVID.

CVID may not render you unconscience but a car crash might. A few months ago, someone crashed near our house and they had obviously had some sort of medical procedure but the EMT's had no clue what it was so they could not do much for her until they figured out who she was and contacted someone. The braclet helps for anything that is unusual in an emergency.

Agreed. If you were in a car crash, etc., and couldn't speak for yourself ... your bracelet would speak for you. I would think it would be important for the ER staff to know that you are immunodeficient.

Oh, that reminds me ... whenever any of you are hospitalized, are you in a private room? I have always been in a room by myself, and I am suspecting this is because of my immunodeficient status. Can't be around too many hospital germs, i.e. other paitents. I'm not complaining about this (having a private room) one bit! If you have to be in the hospital, it's the best way!

I dunno mark, that's what my immunologist told me to do as soon as she diagnosed me. So I am assuming since she was the only one that diagnosed me after years of doctors she knows what she is talking about, and again I am just following orders, but yeah, I think diabetes you also need to wear one too. Pretty sure diabetes is mandatory also.

"Agreed. If you were in a car crash, etc., and couldn't speak for yourself ... your bracelet would speak for you. I would think it would be important for the ER staff to know that you are immunodeficient"

Personally I can;'t imagine how they would treat me any differently in the first hours after an auto accident because of my CVID. After the first hours I'm sure they would be able to find someone on my emergency list.

I do keep a laminated card in my wallet that that has all my important medical information. I think everyone should so that; healthy or not. NuFactor has a program and does them for free,

I never thought of this until you posted. I think it's a great idea that makes allot of sense. I am going to get one right away. I can see it being helpful in many situations, but mostly, and for me, I think that it might just give me a litle extra confidence if something were to come up.

Just this past summer I was out of state attending a wedding. I had come in 4 days ahead of time because I usually get sick when I travel. Not sure exactly why, but it is apparently just too stressful for me. Whatever, the second day I was there I was so sick I needed an ER visit. By the time I see the doctor in the ER I was feverish and crying... often times when I get very sick I tend to weep. I don't know why, but I suspect it is partially just my way of releasing stress. Also, by the time I am supposed to explain simply why I am there, I sometimes have a very hard time articulating. I usually leave doctors confused and unconvinced. So many of them are clueless when it comes to CVID and how systemicly it behaves. At any rate, I think that the bracelet will add credibility and might even make the doctor go to his computer and gather some information. Since there is no national health database sharing records, it's like you are starting all over again. It reminded me of what had happened so many, many times before my diagnosis. At that point I would think that the bracelet would lend more credibility to what you are trying to communicate while you are so ill and upset.

For me, that's is enough of a reason to wear one, particularly while travelling.

I think the main reason to have one is so they don't give you a transfusion in an emergency situation because that could be deadly

have any of your doctors told you about that??

I haven't heard that...what did your doc say?

transfusion can be fatal to us unless they remove the ig from it

thats probably why stimpys doc told her to get a bracelet

Okay, now I have never heard this. A doctor told you this?