Respiratory Disorders Meds Disaster

Stocking emergency medsfor those with breathing difficulties.

[caregiver222]

For those with chronic respiratory disorders it is important to stockpile emergency medications.This is easier said than done, because many physicians will not prescribe "stockpile" doses. And many pharmacies will only"renew" after a certain period of days have gone by. If you suffer from these disorders you know the medications you need. For asthmatics, Albuterol Sulfate emergency inhalers, Prednisone,  Ipratropium Bromide, an expectorant, and optimally an electrically operated albuterol sulfate inhaler. You will be surprised to find that there are 12 volt air compressers available for automobiles and fish tanks that can provide the compressed air supply. Adding a filter (but NOT fibreglass!) would help. If you are unsure of the filtering material use none. Many fishtank compressers use fibreglass.  In the case of the World Trade Center incident hundreds of blocks were covered in dust and pharmacies routinely refused requests for albuterol sulfate. "We need a prescription!" Goid luck lady. I am reminded of that poem: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theis and blaming it on you." If you are a parent, it is especially important to stockpile meds for your children. If you have respiratory issues and in an emergency must use prednisone,you should be aware there is a high liklihood of a secondary bacterial lung infection 5-10 days after going on the prednisone. Obviously, in a disaster you are not going to have access to antibiotics, but a ten day supply of Cipro wouldn't hurt to keep around. You'll know you develop the infection by the yellow pus in your lung. This is common after treatment with prednisone used to "break the cycle" of inflammation. I would advise against Levoxin because it is a muscularly punishing drug and you require all your energy and resources in a disaster. Ut will work, however. Check with your doctor. Most are VERY gun shy these days about "prescribing for just in case". This is a litiginous society, I suppose. You can obntain these dryson the internet, but store them according to instructions and replace them when the expiration date occurs. Most anti-biotics are excreted in the urine  in therapeutic quantities and in a true wilderness emergency you can drink your urine containing the anti-biotics (yuch). This was taught to me in Jungle School, but what do they know? Taking anti-biotics on an empty stomach with grapefruit juice will also increase the effectiveness. The little cans work very well.