Self-carry MDI ideas?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

My son is newly diagnosed with asthma as a middle schooler. The pulmonologist and I agreed that even with his limitations in other areas he's competent to self-carry & administer his albuterol MDI.

I know he can get permission to carry a backpack from OT or the school nurse (for safety generally students are limited to the flimsy drawstring bags in the halls that can barely hold a notebook, folder and a small pencil pouch. The school nurse and/OT can override just like the school nurse can override the "no water bottle" rule if necessary) but sometimes having his backpack is not feasible (field trips, some away meets, can't necessarily carry the backpack out to the track for when they run a mile)

Girls can use a purse, but what can a middle school boy use as they switch classes 7-8 periods a day?

He needs to have the holding chamber as its ineffective for him to use just the MDI and I'd rather not go the nebular route and have to go to the nurses office before PE & athletics if he's coordinated enough for an MDI & holding chamber.

I have a nifty case with a belt clip for an Epipen 2 pack

So nurses, what creative suggestions do you have?

[FlyingScot, RN]

What spacer is he using? I have a really small one that stores the MDI inside it

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Respironics optichamber. Even if it fit inside its bulky unless he wears cargo shorts

[Eleven011]

Amazon.com: Shoe Bag - Stretchable Shoe Sleeves by goBags - Set of 2: Clothing

Would something like this work? Its small and maybe he could use a carabiner to hook it to his jeans?

[FlyingScot, RN]

This is what I use. It fits in the back pocket of my jeans and stores the MDI inside. It's only 5 inches long. I got them without a prescription on Amazon

It's an Optihaler

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

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This is what I use. It fits in the back pocket of my jeans and stores the MDI inside. It's only 5 inches long. I got them without a prescription on Amazon

It's an Optihaler

I had one of those. I will look into it. But he needs the dose counter

[blackribbon]

Why not just go the cargo shorts/cargo pants route while at school? The come in multiple styles and colors....just make those part of his normal school clothes? It would also solve the problems like when he hangs out with his friends or goes places...he won't have an excuse for leaving it behind.

[Windchaser22]

I'd go with the cargo shorts. There is also a website ezkeeper that sells covers that includes spacers. Looks like they would be attached to belt loops.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I have one student that carries her large chamber and inhaler. The kids aren't allowed to carry back packs but they are allowed to carry pencil pouches. She found one big enough (though honestly hers may have been a plain looking cosmetic bag) to fit both then carried that around for a while until she (like a kid) left it behind somewhere. We promptly put her name on everything with a Sharpie and went one step further and put a caribiner clip through one of the grommets so she could physically clip it to herself or her binder. Hasn't lost it since :)

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Hmmm, I second the pencil case idea - it also blends in with school stuff, which I know is helpful in the MS scene .

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Some things my son doesn't care (he has a fidget collection and when he's too anxious he knows he needs them). I'm going to look for pencil cases with grommets this morning as rumor has it school supplies are out. I have the carabiner clip. He's off to scout camp next week and is mandated to carry it with him everywhere. So it will be a good trial.

Off to order extra pharmacy labels as school & camp require a label on the inhaler