Disabled people are often the canary in the coal mine. Things that will ultimately impact everyone - hit us hardest and first.
I’ve spoken about this before with respect to climate change - and how issues like power outages, floods and heat waves are exceedingly dangerous for people like me.
Medication issues are another one. Over the last few years I’ve noticed an alarming increase in medication errors both in AND out of the hospital.
This is a reminder to check and double check ALL your medications - and if you’re unsure you can put a photo of the pill into google and it will tell you what it is.
Shortages are a whole other issue. They’ve also increased in the last few years. Disabled people are often on MORE meds - and may or may not be on ones that are less common or have fewer alternatives.
If you also have MCAS? Shortages are a nightmare. Is there even an alternative? Is it safe? Will it cause a reaction? Are all the excipients the same? It’s exhausting. Many patients end up faced with having to ration medication in order to last until a med comes back in stock.
I don’t have easy answers. I wish I did. I mainly just want to raise awareness. Just because it’s not impacting you YET doesn’t mean it won’t.
It’s always a good idea to know if your medication has an alternative - and if you have MCAS make sure you know the ingredients in ALL of your meds so you can cross check new ones for reactivity.
Never be afraid to ask for help. Having a good relationship with a pharmacist could literally save your life.
And please - wear a mask. Clean the air. Stay home when you’re sick. Try and break chains of transmission. These issues have been steadily worsening since the beginning of the pandemic - and we will all end up in a heap of trouble if we don’t start calling it out and addressing it. It’s not too late to change course - but it needs to happen NOW.
For more on MCAS you can read part 1 of my three part series on this beast of an illness: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/when-youre-allergic-to-everything
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