Using other people's prescribed medication

[KateMoss]

Hello!

There have been a couple of posts here from people stating that they have used another person's medication such as a nebuliser when their asthma has not responded to their reliever inhaler.

Can I reiterate what people have said in reply to this and add to it.

If you have not been prescribed a nebuliser and the medication for home us, you must not use anyone else's, however desperate you are not to attend A&E.

People who have home nebs are given them under strict medical supervision. A nebuliser is up to 20 times as strong as your reliever and will have more side effects. Yes, It may work wonders but that wonder will wear off after a few hours.

Using someone else's neb may delay you getting medical help if you deteriorate further and you may end up in a worse state than if you went straight to A&E. It can give you a false sense of security.

(I know to my cost of overusing my home nebuliser and not getting help soon enough and I am prescribed one! I stick to my protocol now)

No body likes going to A&E but no one would like ending up in hospital for a lot longer than if they got medical help straight away. I understand that some of you have had bad experiences either yourself personally or a child. Staff change so it may have been a one off bad experience.

By calling an ambulance or in A&E, they can give you a nebuliser in a safe environment, monitor your vital signs such as pulse and oxygen levels. Yes, one neb may be all that you need but better to be safe than sorry.

At university, a fellow student asked if she could use my neb, I said no and told her to go to A&E. It is hard to see someone else struggling but you must not give them or take medication that is stronger than you are prescribed.

So, Please don't use another persons neb if you are not prescribed nebs, please!

Kate

[Hidden]

Well said, Kate.

Can remember a pregnant colleague with headache and her friend offering own painkillers. Fortunately I overheard the conversation and called Stop! while I quickly looked up the tablets. They had a warning - not to be used in pregnancy.

Suggested she make appointment to see GP that day, then I drove her home.

Back in the office, read the riot act on sharing medicines, even OTCs.

[Hidden]

have to say I agree with the post, only exception would be ventolin or equiv. if you left yours somewhere, or ran out and were having an attack.

while watching House yesterday some psycho forced all the meds to be tested first on someone else, and to start with it gave the impression of very little effect, but later some had very severe consequences, so certainly shouldn't be done, also it looks like to your GP that you've taken more than prescribed for yourself.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I hold my hands up and apologize. I shouldn't have posted the comment about using someone elses meds and should have known that there's people new to asthma here.

I knew what I was doing and I was the recieving end and it was my own responsibility nevertheless would I personally never give anyone my meds.

So yes I agree on the comments made about this!

Love Lydia x

[yaf_user681_23350]

Hi,

yep, hands up and slapped wrists, and a very serious point you have made. Same comments as Lydia

Love Kate x