A Global Diabetes Community

Diabetes tattoo?

Travis' post about a Diabetes tattoo really got me thinking: (1) about getting a similar type of tattoo and (2) about wearing a medical alert bracelet

I've known I've had Diabetes for 5 months now (May, 2009). I'm mostly regulated now because of diet (mostly consistent), exercise (sometimes consistent), and pills (Metformin). I recently had my first taste of Diabetes friendly cold remedies thanks to the Fall cold & (swine) flu season in my area (Yay for sugar-free cough drops & syrup). I let others know when they offer sugary treats or congratulate my on my weight loss (what's your secret?...Diabetes.)...but I hadn't really thought of notifying medical professionals if I had to be rushed to a hospital.

I don't wear a lot of jewelry (only my wedding ring) and sure I could probably get a bracelet and wear it but the idea of a tattoo peaked my interest. I already have one from several years ago and have always thought that if I could think of something else that I would want with me forever, then I would get another. After reading some other posts on this issue (would paramedics, at this point, even consider checking for such a tattoo?), I found out that Draper Laboratories is developing a tattoo ink which could measure glucose levels. How cool is that?!

While I may not jump on getting a Diabetes tattoo today, thinking about this has prompted me to look into a medical alert bracelet just in case (or perhaps my tattoo can be of such a bracelet). (;