Tips on Tuesday: Rescue Meds

Our local drugstore at the time was thankfully right across the street, so husband and Darling headed into our house and I ran over to the drugstore to fill our rescue medication script we had been given ... but they didn't have it in stock. 

Ok, settle the anxiety. Sure, you're sleep-deprived and on edge from everything the last few days have been, but settle, settle. 

Our local drugstore calls around to other stores nearby and the closest that has the medication is about a half-hour away. Ok, you just want to sleep and snuggle your little one, but this is important. This is one thing we can have on hand to feel like we're doing something productive if she seizes again. So, back out on the road. (Note from my journal for Darling: "I went out to fill your script and was so tired that I couldn't remember where I parked! Ugh!")

This drugstore has it, takes the prescription, and fills it. It's under a different code though, is that ok? I have no idea!! They call to get approval and all is well. Here's the medication and then they request a payment of $205. What?! 

Ok, sure. Yup. Here's the credit card. Take my money and give me the $205 worth of medication I hope I never, ever have to use.

So story time over and on to the tip: if your child has had more than one seizure, ask about a rescue medication! 

This sounds silly to have to suggest, but I've been surprised when browsing support groups and forums that sometimes they're not even offered or mentioned to parents/ caregivers. 

It's a rescue emergent medication you can administer to try to stop a seizure (lasting more than 5 minutes) while you wait for medical professionals to arrive & assist you. With the fairly routine rescue medication prescribed, it's also important to go to the hospital immediately afterward to follow up with doctors after giving it because although the med can help stop a seizure, it can also decrease respiration or oxygen intake. 

There are also multiple rescue medications you can try if the first one given to you doesn't seem to work. Rescue medications should stop a seizure within a matter of minutes, if not seconds, after being given. No one told us that, so there were several seizures we went through where we were like "Alright, it stopped at the 25-minute mark. Woo hoo!" ... not being aware that this was likely the seizure just naturally ending rather than the rescue medication taking effect. This was not a rescue medication that worked at all for us!