[callisto]

Although she had prescriptions for an assortment of drugs to prevent and treat asthma attacks, she was reported to only use them when she was having breathing difficulty. On the evening of her death, she had no inhaler with her. "

Anyone with a comparable history of asthma would not
a) conciously place themselves in an environment that may potentially trigger an asthma attack,
b) leave home without an albuterol inhaler in case of any emergency attack,
c) NOT use preventative medications, especially since they are so prevalent nowasdays

And, yes, I feel qualified to make these statements as I have a history of asthma/asthmatic bronchitis. I haven't had an attack for more than one year, but everyday I carry on emergency inhaler with me.

[Scotswife]

my hubby has asthma.
He has two medicines...one he is supposed to puff on once a day as a maintenance sort of thing.
The other he uses when his chest feels tight.

The first medicine is supposed to reduce his reliance on the second.

It sounds like she was relying on the second type, and then only when it was too late.

There could also be a financial issue here too.

We recently changed pharmacies, and in the process there was one day where our insurance info had not made the switch.
I payed for my husband’s medicine out of pocket...one month’s worth was about $200.

I could see if you were struggling and had no insurance why you might be careful not to go through the inhalers too quickly.

Of course, working where there is smoke would increase your need for the inhaler.

[mylife]

You forget that she was 19 working in a bar, what kind of health insurance did she have? Probably none.

I bet it will come out that she couldn’t afford meds.

The libs will give us a twofer...A smoking ban AND nationalized health care.

[Darnright]

>Anyone with a comparable history of asthma would not
a) conciously place themselves in an environment that may potentially trigger an asthma attack,
b) leave home without an albuterol inhaler in case of any emergency attack,
c) NOT use preventative medications, especially since they are so prevalent nowasdays

And, yes, I feel qualified to make these statements as I have a history of asthma/asthmatic bronchitis. I haven’t had an attack for more than one year, but everyday I carry on emergency inhaler with me.<

She was 19, the age where people feel invincible. Heck, I got nailed with an attack out in the high, very cold wind yesterday, when I was walking very fast, trying to get to a political rally. If I hadn’t had access to meds, I could have been in a world of hurt.

This is a tragic situation where a kid took a risk, and lost.