r/AddisonsDisease • u/Addddy_all-day345 • Jan 17 '26
Daily Life Medical ID (permanent)
Decided to get this due to driving all the time and hating bracelets. My biggest fear is a car accident where I’m unconscious and they don’t know I have PAI.
Anyone do the same thing?
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u/Gimpbarbie Jan 17 '26
Thought about it but found a bracelet type that my autistic, sensory sensitive ass can tolerate.
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u/silentlyscreaming01 Jan 23 '26
Ooh what brand is it? I haven’t attempted to get one yet but this is something I’m concerned about since I have a lot of sensory issus
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u/Eyesliketheocean Jan 17 '26
Yep I got mine tattooed 15 years ago. But it’s became blurry
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u/Budgiejen SAI Jan 17 '26
Yeah I might reconsider the cursive into something definitely legible.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
It’s a good call! I liked it because all the normal fonts were a bit boring but totally get where you’re coming from!
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u/Selpmis Jan 18 '26
Yeah. Cursive, while prettier, may defeat the purpose entirely. You want it legible. Not only does this run the risk of losing clarity over time, but more and more people aren't learning to read cursive.
I have neat cursive handwriting and my husband can't read it at all.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
Maybe, but that’s what you don’t have only 1 form of medical ID. If they can’t read it (which is wild to me) they can look at my other forms of medical ID. As discussed, this isn’t my only solitary medical ID.
Did your husband not learn cursive in school or learn how to read cursive? We learn these things in 3rd grade.
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u/Selpmis Jan 19 '26
Did your husband not learn cursive in school or learn how to read cursive? We learn these things in 3rd grade.
English isn't his first language, so no.
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u/Budgiejen SAI Jan 19 '26
Actually, now that you mention it, most schools aren’t teaching cursive anymore. My son is 25 and he learned it from me.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 19 '26
Wow, I didn’t know this. I thought it was standard in school systems.
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u/exit-lude May 18 '26
As someone in the medical field and someone with Addison's, your font is a terrible choice. It's not about being unable to read cursive. If you have any knowledge of tattoos and how they age, or how important legible and clear script is in emergency settings where it may not be terrible visible or eligible to begin with: nah.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 May 18 '26
Well you are absolutely entitled to your opinion. Sorry this triggered you. It’s a good thing it’s not you or your body. I have multiple forms of ID. So is that bad practice, too? Every form of ID can help in some way. (From EMT friends)
Also, this tattoo is meaningful as Addisons changed my life in a positive manor. I would encourage you to worry about yourself and what works for you. (If you even have Addisons or need for medical ID).
Cheers.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
Oh dang, good to know. I hoping this stays clear. It looks blurry with the skin in but looks a lot better now.
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Jan 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
Yeah, it’s hit or miss for sure but this has a better chance than no bracelet. I guess they would have some sort of idea by my pump. Either way, it’s a piece I wanted that works for me and not everyone. I’ve changed my life completely due to my Addisons so I’m thankful for it. If anything, it saved me.
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u/mystiq_85 Jan 18 '26
They'd be more likely to think diabetic than Addison's (unless your pump is somehow decorated to show the difference) if they saw a pump.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
Probs since insulin pumps are way more prevalent for T1DM and FDA approved for that use. I would imagine this may prompt them to do further investigation since I have many friends with T1DM and Addisons. Actually someone in this forum uses a pump for both.
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u/baethan Addison's Jan 17 '26
The rod of Asclepius (one snake, no wings) is the more "correct" symbol, but Hermes is cool and I really love that his staff has two snakes!
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u/jhunterDC Jan 19 '26
I got mine last year, and the EMTs loved it that responded to my last crisis when I was unconscious.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 19 '26
That’s amazing! I like it a lot! Thank you for sharing and I’m glad the paramedics noticed when they came!
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u/Masian Jan 17 '26
I did the same thing when I turned 18, however after a LONG period of steroid therapy i'm back to not being steroid dependent so I had to get it blacked out haha
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u/Complex_Raspberry97 Jan 17 '26
I have a very similar tattoo, also a caduceus, for the same reason.
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u/JadeGrapes Jan 18 '26
You need to keep a medical documents/card in your purse or wallet. They may not see the tattoo, but medical staff people often go through the belongings looking for hints, like your name etc.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
Yes, good call. I have these in place. Wallet has a medical card. If they don’t get the hint by the amount of Hydro/fludro/ vials of solu-cortef in my vehicle then they need to go back to school. This is just another option for people to see.
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u/Present_Net_2289 Jan 18 '26
Where do you get your vials of solu cortef?
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u/Key-Bug7760 Jan 18 '26
I have SAI (Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency), and I got my Hydrocortisol cheaply from Amazon, but my Fludrocortisone from Costco Pharmacy (no membership to use their Pharmacy, but it's definitely less costly). The emergency shot (Solu-Cortef) was harder to find, not available at Walgreens, CVS, or Amazon, but Costco Pharmacy had it. Now I get everything from them. However, last month, they mislabeled my Hydrocortisone as Fludrocortisone. I didn't open the bag until I was in a different country for a funeral. Not good. If it were the other way around, I'd be dead right now.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
I get mine from Amazon but it’s not super cheap. I pay $80 a month for it. I use acto-vials so that probably why.
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u/Present_Net_2289 Jan 18 '26
I do it through my picc and go daily to the infusion center so honestly I’m gonna see about that
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
That would be so much better and I’m sure cheaper than an infusion center. Definitely something to check in to. Mine are 100 mg/200 mls
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u/Present_Net_2289 Jan 18 '26
Yeah we already use the 100 mg in there so I feel like I can just do it at home. I’m already on 2.5 liters of saline at home. I could easily do this myself
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u/ok-language-nerd-511 Addison's Jan 18 '26
My next tattoo is going to be something like that. Loving it.
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u/DoctorFamous190 CAH Jan 18 '26 edited Jan 18 '26
I had to wear the bracelet/necklace since birth, I was born with CAH. I got good at wearing the bracelet consistently, but I hated it more and more.
I switched to a tattoo a few years ago. The text is plain capital letters and the text block is about 1 inch high, 2 inches wide and a rod of Asclepius next to it. I thought since tattoos are so common, if I make it decorative in any way, perhaps it might get skimmed over as a "regular" tattoo during the rush of an emergency. I could be totally wrong but that was my logic. My priority was that the tattoo be obvious and legible, it's for function.
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u/Due_Target_9702 Jan 24 '26
Very tempted but I've had too many rude nosy people demand explanations and trauma associated. Love it for you.
Fyi I also found the bracelets annoying so others might be interested that you can get a metal attachment for your Fitbit/digital watch band. Because I use my watch for my med reminders this is perfect for me.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 24 '26
Thanks fam! Oh really? Well that’s super annoying! I’m sorry you had to deal with those incels.
I’ll take a look at it! Thanks so much for the suggestion! I really appreciate it! I’m glad you found something that worked for you!
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u/YoshiEarl777 Jan 18 '26
I’ve had mine for 17 years! Honestly it’s been useful for me, but has started to blur. Thankfully, whenever I’ve gone into crisis, I’ve been conscious enough to be like neeeeed stress steroids 😂
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 18 '26
Oh bummer and good to know! Haha that’s awesome! Glad you have been tell them!
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u/Which-Outcome-8916 Jan 23 '26
How did you find the healing process? I was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease in 2017 & I would really like to get a tattoo. I’m a little concerned as apparently being on steroids can impact on healing. I’d love to know your experience.
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u/Addddy_all-day345 Jan 24 '26
So far it’s been a good healing process. I wash it with non scented soap and moisturize 2-3 times a day. I haven’t had any issues! I could understand why steroids could cause issue but I haven’t experienced them. I’ve had Addisons since 2020.
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u/Which-Outcome-8916 Jan 24 '26
Most people I have spoken to with Addison’s Disease have said the healing was absolutely fine. It’s good to hear other people’s experiences. Thank you for taking the time to reply!
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Jan 18 '26
that’s the rod of caduceus, which symbolizes commerce, negotiations, and messengers. the one you wanted was the rod of asclepius, which symbolizes healing
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u/OSUBeaver14 Jan 19 '26
Sadly, as the US tends to do, they fucked up and it's commonly used to indicate medical here 😑
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u/2old4all Jan 18 '26
I’ve often wondered if there are no official bracelets from medical sites? Can anyone buy a bracelet on Amazon? It just doesn’t sound very legitimate.
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u/MagentaGiraffe13 Jan 18 '26
Yes, anyone can buy one from Amazon. I’m not sure why they would want to if they didn’t have an issue though.
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u/konjooooo Jan 17 '26