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Original poster

Carrying medicines around at senior school

66 replies

Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 12:39

Hello

Am I right in thinking that my dd will have to carry her own medicines around at senior school with her? She will be starting in September and I think she needs something separate from her school bag as she won’t always have that with her.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice based on what your children do and also any recommendations for the sort of bag she should use.

I’m thinking a discreet cross body bag in black but am clueless about such things so any suggestions on this would also be appreciated.

It would need to hold a small bottle of Piriton,
Two Jext pens, asthma inhaler and spacer.

Plus I guess space for a phone and pack of tissues for weekend use.

We have a yellowcross medical bumbag that we currently use when we are out and about but she isn’t keen to carry that herself as it’s bulky and not very discrete at all.

Thank you.

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mumofthree321 · 14/06/2019 05:28

My son has to carry just one of his Epipens around in his blazer pocket all the time at school. There is another one kept with the school nurse, then the school has a care plan where there are emergency Epipens in designated places around the school should someone go into anaphylactic shock. If DS goes on a school trip he carries 2 and has them in an epipen holder so they're kept together. There are lots online. Harder to lose one if they're not lose at the bottom of a sports bag!

Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 20:15

It seems that my overthinking this time has actually been for a valid reason and that I was on a reasonable track for a change. I feel I have a clearer idea about how I can help dd manage the various options whether her schoolbag will be with her or whether she needs another smaller bag that she always keeps with her.

I really am very grateful for all your replies. Flowers

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Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 20:14

Thanks ASauvignon. Hopefully similarly sensible plans will be in place but if not I know what to ask for.

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Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 20:13

CraftyGin, Yes she has needed it and inhaler atvthe moment is daily as hayfever makes her wheezing worse. Thank you for your help too.
I am very grateful for all your replies.

And MrsChook.. I seem to be permanently anxious about allergies so your comment of feeling anxious makes me feel like I’m not the only one. Thank you

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ASauvignonADay · 19/05/2019 20:09

Re PE: ours who have medical bags tend to keep them stuffed in their school bag but take them out to wherever they're doing PE. Shouldn't be an issue at all 😊

Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 20:06

Emotionalafffair... thank you. Will look into that.

Shatteredandstressed.. that looks like a good option. Will try And find a decathalon and pop along there. Thank you.

MrsChook, someone else also suggested blazer pockets so will see what dd thinks. And will also need to pop to the uniform store to have a look at whether that might work.. although pe lessons will be an issue or not... thankyou for sharing what works for you.

  • I had thought of PE but good to know I need to remember to ask about it. I often overthink things so it’s good to know it’s not just me worrying in that never ending way but that I do need to ask about that. Thank you.
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TeenTimesTwo · 19/05/2019 18:37

One thing to check / think about is PE.
At almost all other times their bag is with them (though for assembly DD's school leave them in the lobby outside the hall). But for PE they would normally be left locked in the PE changing rooms.

MsChookandtheelvesofFahFah · 19/05/2019 17:31

My dd carried everything in her blazer but had spares in her school bag and medical room. So inside pocket held two pens, outside pocket held inhaler and breast pocket held 2 sachets of Piriton. You will be quite anxious to start with but they soon get used to managing themselves. The school was aware of what she had on her and so were her friends.

shatteredandstressed · 19/05/2019 17:10

My son has gone on to develop asthma ( never endingConfused) but even before he was diagnosed asthmatic, the inhaler & spacer were to be carried around all the time with the pens & oral anti- histamine, as an adjunct.

CraftyGin · 19/05/2019 17:00

I’ve seen satchels or bum bags for diabetic students.

Asthmatics and epipens have duplicates in the school office, so usually fine just to have them in the school bag.

Has your child ever had to use the epipen? How often does she need to use her inhaler?

shatteredandstressed · 19/05/2019 16:54

Looks huge in that pic but it isn't -very discrete.

shatteredandstressed · 19/05/2019 16:53

My son has this from Decathlon. It goes on his belt ( can be cross-body too) and all of the medical kit you mention, plus the
aero chamber spacer fits inside it.

Carrying medicines around at senior school
emotionalaffair · 19/05/2019 15:58

The collapsible a2a able spacer takes up much less room than that non collapsible able one linked as we have both types.

Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 15:30

Thank you Maladicta. Will look into that spacer.

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Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 15:29

Oh and thank you

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Maladicta · 19/05/2019 15:28

This spacer can store the inhaler inside.

Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 15:28

Hi knackeredmumoftwo
Love your name Smile
Dd started her period this weekend and the bag would definitely be useful for that.

It is a minefield so it’s lovely to have so many understanding replies.
I overthink things so it’s good also to know I wasn't for a change and that I’m on the right track.
I was also worried about school bags, if they carry them around all day, that in an emergency would they find dd’s black bag in the pile of all the black bags.
Good to know she won’t be the only one carrying an extra bag.
And thank for your the offer of messaging you. I may take you up on that once I’ve spoken to the school and have an idea of what’s what.

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Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 15:20

Gah! Typos. I meant thank you Dermymc

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knackeredmumoftwo · 19/05/2019 15:14

Oh and to add - I would imagine a number of girls are carrying extra little bags if they've started their periods so she won't be the only one at all.

knackeredmumoftwo · 19/05/2019 15:08

Just to add my son is the same, but no spacer - he's now 14 and has a new ventolin style inhaler that doesn't need one.
He has a big pencil case that he takes everywhere but you can get nice small make up bags from Primark / HEMA which your daughter can use.

We have four epipens - 2 at school and 2 on Rhys, we have to manage the use by dates so it's a phone calendar reminder - and the GP is supportive.

He carries tablets rather than a liquid antihistamine and his allergy protocol in a plastic bag,

It's hard to get your head around it all, so please me if thats any use.

You will also need to think about sanitary towels etc as well so she will need a decent sized bag and to get used to carrying her own medication when she is out and about with her friends. Maybe look at cute mini rucksacks for that? Again new look etc are good places to hunt.

School bags, obviously a rucksack is best but they all have black shopper style ones.

The hardest bit I think is teaching your child to teach their friends / boy/ girl friends - another mine field /) good luck

Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 15:05

Yah I you Dermymc.. a single dose in the bottle is a great idea.

The junior school are proposing having a stick of her medicines with them and for her to carry her supply with her so a small decanted bottle of Piriton. The single dose is a fab idea... although our little bottle has leaked before so but sure if we should get a new better one.

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Original poster
Ninanarnar · 19/05/2019 15:03

That’s what we were told too, to always have two together. Important in large sites but also just in case one fails or help doesn’t arrive quickly as they buy you time in that situation. Our care plan is to give the first one and if no improvement in 5-10 minutes give the second. It’s too scary to think about only one failing or not being enough so am going to insist she carries both on her always.

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Dermymc · 19/05/2019 15:00

I'd say have the piriton on her and some in the office. This would mean if she needs it quickly then it doesn't have to be found/unlocked etc. With the best will in the world, secondaries are usually big places which take time to walk around.

Could you give her a single dose so it would be obvious if she'd taken it in case of needing to contact emergency services?

We have diabetic students who carry a pouch within their bag (we don't have lockers) and that works well for them.

TheFirstOHN · 19/05/2019 15:00

LoafofSellotape
That's what I thought, to avoid any delay in accessing the second auto-injector. Especially if it's a large site.

LoafofSellotape · 19/05/2019 14:53

You should carry two with you not split them up.

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