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Keeping medications handy when away from home?

post #1 of 9
Thread Starter 
I was wondering what everyone uses to keep medications handy while out and about?

My 6yo DD was recently diagnosed with asthma. A lot of her clothing has no pockets. We want her to have her rescue inhaler on her at all times. We also have a few other medications/items that we would like to have handy, depending on where we are going, and who she is with.

I'm wondering what you use to organize your child's medications when you are out, and where you bought it. Recommendations?

We were thinking a fanny/waist pack would probably be our best solution when she needs to carry more than her rescue inhaler. Where do you find child sized waist/fanny packs?

Any suggestions for the times when she JUST needs her inhaler?
post #2 of 9
For just the inhaler, I wonder if it would fit in a cell phone case that clips to a belt or waistband? Or does she use a spacer with it?

The fanny pack would be the best idea otherwise.
post #3 of 9
https://www.skidaddlebags.com/

I just googled "medical backpacks for kids" or something like that, and I found this. It's designed for diabetes, but could probably hold anything.

I'm glad you posted this, my son is sick right now, and has lots of respiratory issues, so I have to carry his inhaler around with us. Last night I had pants that had no pocket (he uses a spacer anyway, so it woudln't fit in my pocket), and I didn't want to take the whole diaper bag in with us where we were going, so I was thinking about this too.
post #4 of 9
post #5 of 9
Crashing in here, as a person who has had asthma since she was 6, and has always had to carry a rescue inhaler.

It's a pain in the butt.

But I don't really remember being away from my parents that long when I was really little, unless I was at school or a friend's house, in which case I always had some sort of backpack with me anyhow. If I was with my mom she just kept one in her purse (and she has asthma, so she had to do that anyhow). If your DD is in school and they are going on a field trip or anything, you could talk to the teacher about it... they probably have some sort of bag with them. I guess at some schools kids can't keep their inhalers with them anyhow.

I imagine it's a bit easier for a girl than for a boy, because I could also just carry a purse (though then you do have the issue of losing it).

Obviously there were no cell phone cases back then, but something like that might be good. When I was going to the gym a while back I put my inhaler in an ipod case and attached it to my arm/belt/whatever.
post #6 of 9
Thread Starter 
2boyzmama- Sorry to hear you are dealing with respiratory issues as well.

Those Skidaddle bags are really nice, but expensive.
The puffer pack on www.allergypack.com looks great! I think I will definitely get one of those, for when she just needs the inhaler.

This seller has a couple of cute fanny packs/ waist bags:

I found this on Amazon, so you might want to google "belt wallet" too.:
Amazon also has these children's fanny packs. My only hesitation is that they got mixed reviews elsewhere on the web.:
"Hip Purse" would be another phrase to look for:
So phrases to search for: fanny pack/bag, waist pack/bag, utility pack/bag, lumbar pack/bag, belt wallet, hip purse, hip pack/bag Any other ideas?

rhiOrion- Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to go to the store and see if an iPod or cell phone case will fit what I am looking for. We actually homeschool, and it is not uncommon for my daughter to be off with someone else (another adult, a group of kids, or her 17 yo sibling). I want her inhaler actually ON her at all times. I know if it isn't she risks forgetting it somewhere, and not having it in an emergency (as my now grown sister used to do all of the time with her epi pen ). Plus, there are plenty of places, such as an amusement park, or when waiting in a long line, where a larger bag simply won't work (not allowed for whatever reason, or too bulky).

Please keep the ideas and links coming!
I also need a travel bag for the nebulizer, and a solution for a stethoscope and an oxygen saturation monitor.
post #7 of 9
Thread Starter 
Adding to my own thread. Looks like insulin pump pouches would work too:
Found one that goes on a keychain, for driving teens, and adults:
AND, found this waterproof option for the summertime.
Also came across this article, with a few more options:
post #8 of 9
We don't have an asthma issue here, so far but we do carry an epi and antihistamine. We found an adorable Gap backpack, it is covered with bugs, Finn's favorite and he carries that wherever we go, we are trying to help him learn to always know where his pack-pack is so that when he is older he will be able to manage his allergies himself. I found a neoprene zipper pencil case at Staples a few months ago (they do still have them as I just bought a few for backups) and his epi jr set fits in it perfectly. We also have that packed in a super cool pencil/marker case that sports skulls and other Finn approved decorations, in this we keep his bandages, arnica, apis and a medicine bottle with 4 pre-filled syringes of antihistamine. I ended up discovering awhile ago that when we use the medium syringes filled with antihistamine (or any other liquid med) we can cap them and 4 will fit in a tall lock-top medicine bottle. We have a pile of them in a rubbermaid bucket to rotate so that there is a fresh one.

I will say that when all of his meds and his toys are in the bag he can barely stay upright, he insists that it is his pack-pack and he will carry it..... sometimes I really think that he is one of the pluckiest 4 yo's that I know..... most of the time he is just thrilled to be sloggin like the rest of us, even if he tips over and has to get up 10 times before we can get out the door
I am thinking that if we do have to add any more meds we will be getting a wheelie backpack, he was coveting one near the holidays at Target

I know that it was very hard to find a bag that we could keep temperature stable when he was on a compounded med last year and we were lugging a small cooler around everywhere. i did look online for different bags/storage options but I had wanted to be able to see one in person before buying as we had already bought a bunch and none had really fit the bill. I think we will have to start with compounded meds again soon so I will be on the lookout for something that will work.

Thanks for all of the info... it helps to know that others are in the same boat, I was getting a bit tired of all of the weird looks when I trudged from store to store and no-one could understand what I was looking for!
~laura
post #9 of 9
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by purplepaisleymama View Post
Thanks for all of the info... it helps to know that others are in the same boat, I was getting a bit tired of all of the weird looks when I trudged from store to store and no-one could understand what I was looking for!
Just wanted to send you a hug purplepaisleymama. It sounds like your son is really dealing with his illness well. You're doing an amazing job.

I understand the falling under the weight of what needs to be carried. We are trying to strike a balance. I want to get an inhaler only carrier for when she simply can't have anything else. I want that on her at all times. Then I want some kind of small pack for carrying a few other items that I have been told are helpful during an asthma attack (oxygen monitor, vitamin c, caffeine, etc.). And then a larger bag for the nebulizer, the stethoscope, the extra inhaler, the medicine for the inhaler... That way, we can adjust exactly what she is carrying to suit where she is. It doesn't make sense to me to have her carry it all. As long as she can get a puff of the rescue inhaler, and that gives her enough time to get to the other stuff, I think we should be good. Many people we have spoken to keep recommending a shoulder bag, but I want her to have as normal a life as possible, and still be able to be safe. You simply can't run and jump and climb and hang upside down with a shoulder bag. In a few years, it won't matter, but right now, it does.

Have you considered checking a camping store to see if they might have something that would work for you?

For example, this small, soft cooler might be perfect for keeping the one medicine cool:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___64159

Good luck!
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