To ask how you manage your epipen at work

[Purpleartichoke]

If you are an adult in the workplace and carry an epipen, Do you keep it in your desk or locker? Do you carry it on you?

Especially interested in answers from women who often don’t have sufficient pockets for carrying the pen.

If you worked in a very large building, would you tote it around to meetings or keep it in your desk? Travel time between locations typically about 5-10 minutes.

I keep it in my handbag. If I am eating, I'll take my bag. If I'm just going to a meeting, it stays at my desk. I am only allergic to foods, not environmental allergens, so that makes it easier.

Thinking about it though, I don't know how many people/managers know about my allergy or the epi pen. Something to think about... I wonder if I should let the first aid rep know?

Used to keep it in a slim pencil case with a couple of pens that I took everywhere in the building, but I'm now aware of exactly what my allergies are (took a while as more than one and they developed later in life) , and haven't had a reaction for nearly five years, so it stays in my handbag at my desk. My colleagues are aware.

Realistically if you have an allergy that you can't avoid (bee, environmental, contact with someone who has allergen on them) then having an epipen 5-10mins away (that's 10-20 for someone to run and get it for you) is too far to be of any use.

Once you feel the reaction happening, you won't be able to run yourself to get it, and directing someone else to is going to either be too late, or fraught if they go to wrong locker/handbag etc.

Unless you are sure you won't need it (ie. only ingested foods, and you can opt not to eat without access to epipen), you will need either to carry pencilcase or handbag (maybe bum bag depending on job and clothing), and let colleagues know you might need it (they could come across you and you aren;t able to tell them).

Do you have a first aid officer at work who can talk you through what might work?

I work in a large secondary school and have found the best solution to this issue is having more than one on me at a time. I keep one in my desk, one in my jacket pocket (largish duffle type coat) and then have one in my very small handbag. I have carried a similar, very small leather handbag since diagnosed at aged 12. Took it everywhere, even into exam etc. Just folded the long strap around in a tucked it neatly on the desk. After a while you stop noticing it. I keep my epi pen, asthma inhaler, emergency card and other oral medication I need to take during the day. I find if the bag is small and discreet in colouring no one would even notice. My wee handbag has saved my life numerous times when at work and away from desk. 5-10 is too long to be away from your life saving meds.

I work in an office, only have food allergies and make all my own food anyway. It's in my bag and I've told my nearest colleagues where it is and how to use it. I've emphasised dialling 999. Touch wood, not needed it yet.

Please make sure you tell your manager and any one else you don't mind knowing.
If no one knows it could be really bad if you have a reaction and nobody knows what it is. . Also first aiders have a nasty habit of being on leave when it's important so don't think telling them is enough.
We had one who decided he was "in charge" of the defibrillator and then was on holiday when it was actually needed took ages to find it. My boss went absolutely mental about that and the defibrillator was moved to a prominent location.
What I'm getting at is that one person you have told could be off. Tell as many people as you are comfortable with so there's a chance someone who knows is in work.

if it is something you could get exposed to anywhere i think i would have it on a slim pouch attached to a lanyard , you can slip it under your shirt if need be, or behind your work ID if you have to wear an ID tag, you could also have the instructions and allergens printed and glued to the back of the ID tag or clipped to it, so if you go down , even in a bit of a panic ( providing anyone with you knows that you need it) they can work out quickly what to do

I keep mine in my handbag and all the first aiders know where they are, I don’t carry them around the building with me, but I’ve got a food allergy so I don’t really need to. My friends husband is allergic to almost everything so he carries his in a little green first aid pouch attached to his belt loop.

ChickenCrimpy
Of course you should let people know especially first raiders if they don't know you have one they won't look for it.

OP
It really depends what your allergies are, but they aren't that big so if you're likely to need it then have it handy, lack of pockets seems a lame excuse when you're dead

As I first aided may I please ask that you keep it on you and not just one but two. Never keep one at home and one for the office. Epi pens are there to reduce symptoms but will not overcome the original cause. Each one will give you 10-15minutes of reduced symptoms (from what I’ve been told), ambulances can sometimes take longer.

Carry it with you, I take my bag to meetings. Better to be safe than sorry

My allergens include airborne. I’ve gotten good at avoiding physical contact, but I can’t do anything substantial about airborne contact.

I’m lucky in that I telecommute most of the time.

I like the idea of a pencil case, discrete but practical. A big one could hold my pens, epipen, benedryl, and the hand wipes I have to tote around since I am allergic to almost all soap.

I guess I am going to have to tell a few coworkers. I honestly hate that idea because am don’t like drawing attention to myself, but I guess I have to get over that.

I carry mine in case that attaches to my belt, if I have my bad it's in there. I always have it with me.

bag, not bad

Cross body handbags are my go to. Means you can carry it all the time without really noticing, also room for other medicines

Someone needs to know you have it as you might not be able to tell them in an emergency.

My epi pen worthy allergies aren’t airborne (food related) so I don’t worry about taking it with me round the building unless there is food involved. but I’m never very far away from it - I always take it with me when I leave the building though. I carry it in a clear pouch in my handbag, that also has my other allergy medications in. The first aiders know where to look for it.

I work for myself so it's easier for me, but when I'm out and about - even if I'm just walking the dog locally and super-unlikely to come into contact with my allergens - I carry an epipen in a small bumbag or lightweight cross-body bag. I literally don't go anywhere without it. When I'm at work, I'm never more than a ten-second stumble away from my handbag where the epipen lives. If I'm going to the loo, the handbag comes with me. Every single time.

Anyone who carries an epipen with any expectation to need to use it should tell their manager, HR, 'elf'n'safety, any medical staff you might have, and frankly anyone who sits nearby Just In Case. Potentially fatal, not doing so.

Being wheeled away dead in an ambulance draws an awful lot of attention, OP. Don't risk your life due to mild embarrassment.

I missed the bit about being reluctant to tell people - you must. I get being embarrassed (I had to ask my aunt not to bring peanuts into my house and I felt like I was making a fuss.) does your work have a designated first aider?

What about an alert pendant or bracelet to let anyone know if they find you collapsed.

My colleague has a few severe allergies. She carries an Epi pen in a small pencil case or make up bag type thing and there is a spare in my drawer and a spare in an accessible box in our filing cabinet. We all know what to do becuase she explained it all to us. Don’t be embarrassed to tell your colleagues, I’d rather know than he panicked if something happened. We also have a type one diabetic who can go low quite suddenly so we are prepared for that as well.