I searched, but didn't quite see this addressed.
Currently, ds carries 2 epis in a allergypack like this (if this works):
(http://www.allergypack.com/Images/product_pen_pal_2_SM.gif)
He carries his epis, inhaler and some benadryl capsules in there. It hooks onto his belt loop. This is all good because:
- It's visible
- it holds his inhaler and benadryl as well as his epi
- he won't accidentally put it through the wash (i.e. it's not in his pocket)
For those who use auvi-qs, do you (or your child) carry benadryl as well? What about an inhaler? How is it all carried (for boys)?
DS does not have a medic-alert bracelet. I think that would solve the first issue if he were willing to wear one. I'm not sure if he is.
He normally carries his wallet, epis, and phone in his backpack at school. When he goes out somewhere, he carries his wallet and phone in his pocket and hooks on the epis. If he has to also put 2 auvi-qs in his pocket, that seems like a lot.
I looked at the spibelt some people mentioned, but I don't think he'd want to wear that.
So what do your boys do?
I see there's an allerpack that's a more square version of his epi carrier. So he could use that, but it seems like the great thing about the auvi-q is that it fits in your pocket.
DS carries two Auvis in one front pocket and his cell in his other front pocket. You can't see them really. Sometimes I ask him to show me his Auvis because intent are not evident.
He carries his wallet in his back pocket (in NYC in his front pocket). It has some of the last remaining Benadryl strips on the face of the planet inside.
Oh--at school he also has his inhaler. He doesn't need it very often, so it's not something he normally carries everyday in his pants.
Thanks. Yes those benadryl strips were great, except you need scissors to open them. I wish they still made them and were easy to open. I have these liqui-gel things for ds now. I feel like they'll absorb faster since there's liquid inside, but I have no idea. Seemed to work ok when he felt sick after eating at noodles and co.
Does your son wear a medic-alert bracelet?
DS does normally have his inhaler with him, but usually only uses it when he has a cold and I think just morning and evening, but I'm not sure.
DS carries his Auvis in his pocket. He rarely carries his inhaler anymore. I wish he'd use a carrier; I like the idea of it being more visible.
My ds does the same as Macs ds and wears a bracelet.
We only carried one auvi q at school (nurse had epi pens available) and inhaler. Kept inhaler in his back pack and auvi in pocket.
If you do auvi, put a piece of tape over the ex date or it will wear off.
I've sent an Auvi-q through the washer once when I forgot to take it out of a pocket. Although I do carry them in my pockets if at all possible I would think the carrier your son has is superior in the sense that it's dedicated in a visual and muscle memory way. When I carry them in pockets I'm good on patting myself down. I'm not always best at removing them every time to a standard location after I change at the end of the day. Mine, that is. The kids have so many in different locations.
You could ask the pharmacist if he could chew the liqui-gels as well. My pharmacist has told me that I can chew the tablets if I needed to and that they would absorb faster that way. It is NOT pleasant, but it works.
Hadn't thought of that. Thanks Janelle.
I think I'm going to order a new carrier for him, so at least he has that option. Right now the epis are on a hook by the door--visual reminder as he walks out. Auvis could be with his wallet or phone, but frankly he doesn't always feel the need to take those with him. I have to pester him to bring his wallet if we're all going out to eat together. He doesn't need it, but he should just have it. Just take your wallet when you go out. That's what you do.
I may see if he's willing to wear a bracelet.
DS hasn't worn a bracelet for years, but we've talked about that resuming in college--for the reason that "passed out" on a college campus may lead to a different assumption.
DS hated wearing a carrier. Really hated it. The bit dies not forget his phone. Ever. :) and he doesn't forget his wallet. And the Benadryl strips work for him while he has them. Or family honestly doesn't understand why people thought they needed scissors. We've used a LOT of them between DS and me and we've never ever had a tough time tearing them open.
That said, our next step is chewable Benadryl tabs in his wallet--2.
This is a little big.
http://www.drugstore.com/urgentrx-allergy-attack-relief-to-go-powders-raspberry/qxp455343?catid=183018 (http://www.drugstore.com/urgentrx-allergy-attack-relief-to-go-powders-raspberry/qxp455343?catid=183018)
And DS covered his new AuviQs with contact paper. Because the paper wears off.
Ooh, that allergy powder looks good. I'm going to order some and see how big it is. Hard to tell from the picture and there's not a good description.
KozyEpi makes Allerject carriers, for two Allerjet plus inhaler:
http://www.kozyepi.com/category_s/142.htm (http://www.kozyepi.com/category_s/142.htm)
That may work, as it is similar in design to the one he already has, can be clipped or belted on, and is easily visible.
LOL Macabre, I had scissors in ds epi bag to open those benadryl strips! Couldn't open them for the life of me!
We did stop carrying benadryl quite awhile back. DS really changed in his "allergic" regard I think around age 12--13. When he was little, he practically lived on benadryl
Quote from: spacecanada on March 25, 2014, 10:10:35 AM
KozyEpi makes Allerject carriers, for two Allerjet plus inhaler:
http://www.kozyepi.com/category_s/142.htm (http://www.kozyepi.com/category_s/142.htm)
That may work, as it is similar in design to the one he already has, can be clipped or belted on, and is easily visible.
I am planning to order one of those so he has the option of carrying that way. I can't tell if they have a clip on hook on them. I emailed the company.
Oh, now I see that there's an option to order with a belt, carabiner or other things. The website I was looking at didn't have that--just belt size.
Quote from: BensMom on March 25, 2014, 09:29:01 AM
Ooh, that allergy powder looks good. I'm going to order some and see how big it is. Hard to tell from the picture and there's not a good description.
Let me know-- we're eventually going to have the same problem as Mac's family. Sadly, we've never really had a time when we felt comfortable leaving diphenhydramine out of the picture. It gives DD a way to choose something between "do nothing" and "call 911" anyway.
What about carrying fast melts? That's what DD carries and they don't take up much space.
I guess I quit looking for those when I couldn't find them a year ago. Are they back on the market now?
I've seen the packets at Staples. It's the dimensions of a sealed tea bag envelope but flatter. Strange, because the longer sachet tube format seems like it would work better.
I have fast melts from Walmart and Target, but I trucked them from out East. It should be available nationally though I would think.
My son is a college freshman. He wears a bracelet and carries the Auvi-Q in his front pocket.
Quote from: PurpleCat on March 25, 2014, 12:47:12 PM
What about carrying fast melts? That's what DD carries and they don't take up much space.
DS used to carry these, but I couldn't find them anymore and they get squashed and disintegrate into powder, which would get all over if you tried to open them.
Thanks Chase. I'm not sure if ds would be willing to wear a bracelet. And it occurs to me that if he were passed out in college, college kids wouldn't look for a bracelet, would assume drunk and wouldn't bother calling for help. So I'm not sure how helpful it would be. Can't hurt though.
Quote from: BensMom on March 25, 2014, 09:29:01 AM
Ooh, that allergy powder looks good. I'm going to order some and see how big it is. Hard to tell from the picture and there's not a good description.
Their website says credit card sized. Great find - a few should easily fit into a wallet!
Got the allergy stuff today. It is credit card size and quite flat. There's an extra tab on it (that makes it bigger than a credit card). It says to fold the tab over (it's perforated) and store in purse or wallet. I'm not sure if there's any reason not to just tear the tag off. There's also a little perforation lengthwise along the side with a notch in it--you fold that over and tear at the notch to open it. Looks good. I gave ds 4 to put in his wallet. I think I remember being told to basically double the dose of benadryl for an allergic reaction--so 100 mg (4 tablets, packets, pills) vs. 50mg (2 pills). I'm thinking 3 is probably good--4 might be a bit much. What do you guys do for dosage?
50 Mg for reaction. Even that made him tired a few weeks ago when he had a reaction. If he really needs more than that, he's getting the Epi.
And I need him conscious during a reaction, yk?
Thank you for posting about these packets I'll order some.
I'm pretty sure I saw those at CVS.
Yes, 50mg.
Also-- we like for this to be grab-and-go for day trips pretty much anywhere, so that DD (and I) don't even have to think about it-- that said, I always carry at least another 25mg (which is enough to deal with a persistent environmental or low-grade reaction over a period of hours-- or to not leave you completely without anything if you forget to replenish it).
Then again, DD is only a bit over 100lb, so she gets more mileage out of smaller doses. Realistically, I've only given her a full 50mg twice in the past 5 years. Mostly she gets ~35 since I give her three 'kid-sized' doses. Have to think about whether or not she should do a full 50 in the event of a reaction. Thinking probably not.
I fluctuate between 113-120. My docs say 50 mg max I've taken it but not quite all at once. It was definitely nap time. IMMV.