Does your child carry EpiPen at school?

DD, through high school, carried her own, and for a year or two, we left one in the office, as per school policy.

When she was first diagnosed as TNA, at age 8, the school wanted the epi's kept in the office. I guess I was a little naive, but even when DD was in a portable classroom, I didn't push the issue of office vs classroom, even though the kids eat in their classroom.

She has never needed the epi, so that's probably why.

Now that DD is PA as well, and still in high school, we haven't even told the school. She only takes two classes this semester, and has friends in each class who know she's allergic.

Maybe we're (she's) asking for trouble, but at her age, she needs to do this her way!

My PA/TNA son is in the first grade. He has been carrying his own epi-pen since the beginning of the year. I also have 2 kept in the nurse's office (unlocked). My theory here is not so much that he can use it on himself (though he does know how), but more so that the trained personnel do not have to go to the nurse's office or wait for the nurse to administer the epipen. I made him a small fanny-type pack that holds 2 epipens. I let him pick out the material...right now he has Red Sox. He wears it anytime we go out. The best part is he remembers to put it on without me telling him!

Unfortunately, it does not appear that Texas has state law giving children the * right * to carry epi: [url="http://www.aanma.org/cityhall/ch_childrights.htm#passedInhalers"]http://www.aanma.org/cityhall/ch_childrights.htm#passedInhalers[/url] But if there isn't a school board policy that [i]prohibits[/i] students carrying meidcation, your child still may be able to carry. Press them to show you the school board [i]policy[/i] that 'prohibits' your child carrying. If that doesn't exist, then I would think they'd be hard pressed to deny your request.

My daughter, age 6, carries her epipen at school. There are two backup epipens in the office.

There has been no problem with any of the kids messing with it.

Cathy

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Mom to 6 1/2 yr old PA/TNA daughter and 3 yr old son who is allergic to eggs.

My son has been carrying his epi-pen since jr. kindergarten (at age four). The school insisted. There is also a spare kept in the office.

His principal insists kids carry one epi with them because she once had a child go into anaphylactic shock in the school yard. She also insists all staff be trained to use it.

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lmw, I do think it's great that your daughters friends know about her allergy, but are you sure they will actually use the epi? And is there a possibility a staff member would try to stop them - not knowing why it was being used. You've been dealing with allergies for quite a while, and I'm not trying to tell you what to do - just wanted you to think about that possibility.

Are you in Austin Independent School District? If so, they have their policies online. Here is their policy on inhalers:

[url="http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/227901/pol.cfm?DisplayPage=FFAC(LEGAL).html"]http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/227901/pol.cfm?DisplayPage=FFAC(LEGAL).html[/url]

I don't see anything that specifically addresses epipen. I also don't see anything that says where medications must be kept.

You may be able to work with the School Board or Superintendent to get a similar provision for epipen.

Cathy

[This message has been edited by Momcat (edited April 07, 2006).]

AnnaMarie, yes, we've been dealing with this for years - but on a very small scale compared to many here. No reactions more than mild, until the macadamia nut incident recently, which was maybe a little-more-than-mild! DD can be a very private person, so this allergy can be hard for her.

I would let more people know - teachers etc., DD already thinks I'm paranoid, and I can't help but think that she needs to take on more of the resposibility herself.

DD rarely eats at school - usually junk food from the machines - which doesn't mean safety - I know.

After the mac. nut reaction, I thought she was going to be more careful. I mean, it was more than any other reaction, and had resulted in anouther Dr.'s appointment, and a 6 hour ER wait.

We were out the other night, stopped at Starbucks, DD ordered her coffee and a ginger cookie - which I watched the clerk pick up with tongs. Cookies were right next to the chocolate-macadamia ones! I did the mom thing, and DD just kind of shrugged. At this age - she - has to take it seriously.

I almost - almost, wish the more serious reactions had started at the beginning of her nut allergies, not this late. Then maybe precautions would have been more, at school etc.

Our daughter carries her 2 EpiPens, an inhaler and Benadryl fast melt tabs in her pouch around her waist. We've never had a problem with other children and DD knows under no circumstance to let another child touch it.

In the nurse's office, right across from DD's classroom, are two more of her EpiPens, another inhaler and more Benadryl.

The nurse has trained all the teachers and anyone coming in contact with our daughter. I'm truly thankful everyone is on board with the need for the medications.

Stay Safe!

In elementary, Shane attended a very small private Christian school. I was ok with the teachers knowing where it was and how to administer. In addition, I sent ALL of his food.

This year- public middle school, 7th grade. Waaayyy different story. Now he carries it with him everyday. Each child/situation is different. Shane is old enough to self-administer.

Gotta go, cookies are done!

Have a blessed day,
Bridget

We are fortunate Louisiana's law allows children to carry their epi-pen on them. But, this is the first year my girls carry it with them. My district's policy was always, "They are not allowed to carry it on them," and because I knew I wanted to wait until dd was in Middle School I never told them I knew better.

When we asked our Dr. to write a letter saying oldest dd (12)needed to carry her epi-pen, she insisted BOTH dds needed to carry them (youngest was 8). I told her what the district said, and she laughed! She said no one will want to fight those Dr.'s orders, because then they would be liable. So, even though my State's law supports us, you might get what you want through the support of your doctor.

Good Luck!
Rachel

My ds is 10 and in 4th grade and has carried his Epi Pen on his belt since Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten, hard to remember as I'm in brain fog right now. (Have a 76 page yearbook due tomorrow and need to move this week and haven't packed a single box [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img] )
Valerie
PS: He attends a small christian school

We are in Round Rock ISD in North Austing area. I am not sure where to start to push the issue. I would like her to start carrying hers on her to school starting this next school year. Not sure if I need to start with the nurse, teacher, principal or school board. Any thoughts where to start? Thanks!!

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Helen
Mom to Alyssa (PA, age 5)
Mom to Theodore (age 3)

Quote:Originally posted by TeddyAlly:
[b]We are in Round Rock ISD in North Austing area. I am not sure where to start to push the issue. I would like her to start carrying hers on her to school starting this next school year. Not sure if I need to start with the nurse, teacher, principal or school board. Any thoughts where to start? Thanks!!

[/b]

The Doctor! Documentation is the key - they are not going to risk the libility!!

Rachel

Ahh, thank you so much! You are so right! I am just not thinking right I guess. I will get the dr. on it right away. I really want dd carrying it. She does carry it on the weekend and when I leave the house while she is at school, I take it with me just incase I get a call while I am out. I need to pick up an EpiPen Pouch for it. Thanks so much!

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Helen
Mom to Alyssa (PA, age 5)
Mom to Theodore (age 3)

Quote:Originally posted by AnnaMarie:
[b]My son has been carrying his epi-pen since jr. kindergarten (at age four). The school insisted. There is also a spare kept in the office.

[/b]

Same as Anna Marie's son with my son. The school did NOT give me an option - I was TOLD that he had to wear his Epi-Pen at the age of 3-3/4 when he started JK. I was okay with that.

Maybe because we don't have nurses in the schools here in Ontario?

At any rate, that has been the policy I have encountered in three different school board districts in Ontario.

And, as with Anna Marie's child, we also have an emergency medical bag in the office with another Epi-Pen.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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"That was Polanski. Nicholson got his nose cut."

DS is in kindergarten, and does not carry his Epi on him. Alaska state law, as of last summer, allows students to carry life-saving meds on their persons if they are deemed by their physician to be old enough to self-administer. Our allergist believes that DS will be ready to do so by the time he's 8yo, though it will also be emphasized that he will not be expected to self-administer in case of a reaction, but that a trained adult will do so.

In lieu of DS carrying his Epi, we have a fanny pack that the teacher has with her when DS is with her, and which is passed to the specials teachers at appropriate times. The nurse was a bit resistant to this at first, but the principal insisted that it was doable. We're okay with this for now, but will have DS start wearing his Epi this summer when he is no longer in school so that he gets used to being responsible for it.

My son carries his own epi while in school. It is to be administered by an adult if he needs it. But if it is on him at all times - then no one needs to constantly try to remember to get the epi every time he goes to another room. He is in kindergarten.

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Sherlyn
Mom to 6 year old twins Ben & Mike - one PA & the other not.
Stay Informed And Peanut Free!

My ds will not be allowed to carry his epi in school next year (kindergarten) which really bugs me but PA law does not allow for it and leaves it up to the district. Any way we can fight this? I figure this way they would always know where it was regardless of who had to administer it! I know it's a long shot, but what if the nurse was called to another emergency or was unexpectedly called away? The delay figuring out what to do could cost ds his life!
TJsmom

I know this has been discussed before, but just wondering while on this subject -- what do you find is the best epi-pen carrier for a very skinny, active 8-year-old boy. And do most of your kids carry one or two? benadryl, too? At present, we have the fanny pack carried by teachers in and outside of school as well as extra med bag in nurses office and lunchroom.

Does anyone think this is a big burden on the children? I mean physically and emotionally?

Doesn't it get in the way during play time?
Currently dd is in 2nd grade and the recess monitor carries her fanny pack- this means she is supposed to know where dd is at all times and my dd gives it to her so she knows who it is that period!

I am grappling with what to do for next year-
the problem is that her fanny holds 2 Epis, albuterol, chamber and benadryl- Heavy for a kid to lug around their waist while jumping and running- isn't it?

Gwen, how necessary is it for your daughter to carry all of it all the time?

Maybe she could carry one epi, and have the second either in the office or with an aide. (After first injection they have 15 - 20 min. to get the pen.)

I don't know enough about asthma to say whether she would need to be carrying everything else - and I also don't know the specific instructions for your daughter. But, anything that isn't needed *instantly* could be not carried. (I hope that was clear.)

Our allergist said something a few years ago that has stuck with us...DH and I were struggling with whether or not DD should carry own epi at school. She was just starting school and we really were having a problem deciding what to do...

We asked the allergist his feeling on it and he said : " Kids with allergies have their WHOLE lives to HAVE to carry all of their meds...they are only kids ONCE. Let her be a kid and not be worried about her epi-if they are in her way while sitting at her desk, playing on the playground, eating lunch, etc." He said she should embrace being a KID and have fun...let the adults hold the meds until she is mature/older and ready to handle it. He also said, if the school is willing/able to provide an aide to carry all the meds where-ever your child goes, he advised to use it!!! One day our kids won't want someone "shadowing" them and carrying their meds, so use it while you have the opprotunity. His words have echoed in my head since then.

Now that my DD will be going into 3rd grade next year, we are trying to ease her into wearing them at school. She will most likely wear them while going to different specials at school (art, music, p.e. etc) but while in class she will not wear them. She also will not wear them on the playground, the aide will take them.

Just wanted to pass on my allergists words he gave us a few years ago. Thought I would share them with all of you. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

have a good day!
Shandra

Maddiesmom,
I think you have a valuable view point. However, I have the exact opposite point of view. My daughter has been wearing a medic alert bracelet since 18 months and wearing her own epi-pen for 2 years. She is 7 years old. She is in the habit of wearing both and doesn't even consider going somewhere without them. They are part of her and I am hoping that she will wear them without thinking for many years to come. Many times the teacher forgot it in kindergarten and when she went to special areas like art or computers. We don't have to worry about that now.
Also, many PA fatalities are teens or young adults that don't have their epi with them. I want this to be a part of her--a habit that she doesn't even think about. Just my opinion in what works for us.

Why isn't the prescription that the Dr writes for the Epi-Pen enough to allow a child with parent's approval to carry an Epi-Pen in school? Why does the school need Dr's permission?

Our school lets us carry epi-pens however I could understand why others do not. It does give me peace of mind knowing that I have my medicine with me at all times.