Helpful information for Doctors and Dentists seeing a person with RADS
I would like to share my personal experience when going to see my Doctor or Dentist and I hope this information will assist people with RADS and professionals when trying to accommodate someone with RADS.
While I appreciate every person is different and their RADS maybe more or less severe than mine and I understand every situation is different, there still maybe information I share below that could prove helpful.
While I appreciate every person is different and their RADS maybe more or less severe than mine and I understand every situation is different, there still maybe information I share below that could prove helpful.
DOCTOR / HOSPITAL
MASK: I generally wear my mask when entering a building and/or office to help filter out fumes etc.
WHERE TO WAIT:- When visiting my Doctor I wait OUTSIDE in my car and either he comes and waves me in, or the receptionist will call me on my phone to come in. This has been extremely helpful due to the amount of people in the waiting room as I only need one person to be wearing a strong perfume or aftershave to give me a trigger.
TIME:- I have found if I am the first patient of the day then this limits the amount of residual smells in the building.
NEWSPAPERS:- in the waiting room or in the Doctors office can be a trigger. I find it's the ink.
LATEX:- or latex gloves can be a trigger.
AIR FRESHENERS:- can be a very bad trigger, in the waiting room or in the bathroom.
RENOVATIONS:- if the waiting room or surgery has recently been renovated (ie new paint, carpet etc) then best to let the patient know ahead of time and maybe reschedule until all fumes etc have dissipated.
HAND SANITIZERS - Some can cause a trigger, so my Doctor will open a product on the other side of the room away from me, just to test and see if I have any reaction.
SURGERY:- Some people with RADS have been able to go into hospital and have surgery with no issues, while others, like me, require precautions. Sadly I have to be awake to assess the air quality and to ensure my airways do not react to anything both in surgery and in post op etc. Therefore I am having an epidural to enable me to be awake during a procedure.
HOSPITALS: Generally I have found that I am best if I stay away from them. However if I have to go in, I am best placed in an isolation room away from people or in the heart recovery unit where there has been access to Medical Air, which has always worked in helping settle any trigger I have had. Sadly some hospital staff wear fragrances that can cause me bad triggers, so I am best away from everyone. Also some hospital cleaning (bleach) products are very bad triggers for me.
WHERE TO WAIT:- When visiting my Doctor I wait OUTSIDE in my car and either he comes and waves me in, or the receptionist will call me on my phone to come in. This has been extremely helpful due to the amount of people in the waiting room as I only need one person to be wearing a strong perfume or aftershave to give me a trigger.
TIME:- I have found if I am the first patient of the day then this limits the amount of residual smells in the building.
NEWSPAPERS:- in the waiting room or in the Doctors office can be a trigger. I find it's the ink.
LATEX:- or latex gloves can be a trigger.
AIR FRESHENERS:- can be a very bad trigger, in the waiting room or in the bathroom.
RENOVATIONS:- if the waiting room or surgery has recently been renovated (ie new paint, carpet etc) then best to let the patient know ahead of time and maybe reschedule until all fumes etc have dissipated.
HAND SANITIZERS - Some can cause a trigger, so my Doctor will open a product on the other side of the room away from me, just to test and see if I have any reaction.
SURGERY:- Some people with RADS have been able to go into hospital and have surgery with no issues, while others, like me, require precautions. Sadly I have to be awake to assess the air quality and to ensure my airways do not react to anything both in surgery and in post op etc. Therefore I am having an epidural to enable me to be awake during a procedure.
HOSPITALS: Generally I have found that I am best if I stay away from them. However if I have to go in, I am best placed in an isolation room away from people or in the heart recovery unit where there has been access to Medical Air, which has always worked in helping settle any trigger I have had. Sadly some hospital staff wear fragrances that can cause me bad triggers, so I am best away from everyone. Also some hospital cleaning (bleach) products are very bad triggers for me.
DENTISTS
MASK: I generally wear my mask when entering a building and/or office to help filter out fumes etc.
WHERE TO WAIT:- When visiting my Dentist I wait OUTSIDE in my car and the receptionist will call me on my phone to come in. This has been extremely helpful due to the amount of people in the waiting room as I only need one person to be wearing a strong perfume or aftershave to give me a trigger.
TIME:- I have found if I am the first patient of the day then this limits the amount of residual smells in room.
NEWSPAPERS:- in the waiting room can be a trigger. I find it's the ink.
LATEX:- or latex gloves can be a trigger.
AIR FRESHENERS:- can be a very bad trigger, in the waiting room or in the bathroom.
RENOVATIONS:- if the waiting room or surgery has recently been renovated (ie new paint, carpet etc) then best to let the patient know ahead of time and maybe reschedule until all fumes etc have dissipated.
HAND SANITIZERS - Some can cause a trigger, so my Dentist will open a product on the other side of the room away from me, just to test and see if I have any reaction.
CLOSENESS:- Due to the fact my Dentist has to lean over me, she very kindly wears a shower cap over her hair to cover any potential smell from her hair product. Other dentists I have had have wrapped their hair in a towel to smother the smell of their conditioner.
PRECAUTION:- My Dentist and Assistant know the day before when I am coming and they kindly DO NOT wear any perfume, fragrant deodorant or use any scented products prior to me arriving. I REALLY appreciate this!
BOND:- In my particular case I am HIGHLY Reactive to Bond and this can not be used anywhere near me.
NUMBING:- My Dentist uses low adrenaline when numbing my mouth.
WHERE TO WAIT:- When visiting my Dentist I wait OUTSIDE in my car and the receptionist will call me on my phone to come in. This has been extremely helpful due to the amount of people in the waiting room as I only need one person to be wearing a strong perfume or aftershave to give me a trigger.
TIME:- I have found if I am the first patient of the day then this limits the amount of residual smells in room.
NEWSPAPERS:- in the waiting room can be a trigger. I find it's the ink.
LATEX:- or latex gloves can be a trigger.
AIR FRESHENERS:- can be a very bad trigger, in the waiting room or in the bathroom.
RENOVATIONS:- if the waiting room or surgery has recently been renovated (ie new paint, carpet etc) then best to let the patient know ahead of time and maybe reschedule until all fumes etc have dissipated.
HAND SANITIZERS - Some can cause a trigger, so my Dentist will open a product on the other side of the room away from me, just to test and see if I have any reaction.
CLOSENESS:- Due to the fact my Dentist has to lean over me, she very kindly wears a shower cap over her hair to cover any potential smell from her hair product. Other dentists I have had have wrapped their hair in a towel to smother the smell of their conditioner.
PRECAUTION:- My Dentist and Assistant know the day before when I am coming and they kindly DO NOT wear any perfume, fragrant deodorant or use any scented products prior to me arriving. I REALLY appreciate this!
BOND:- In my particular case I am HIGHLY Reactive to Bond and this can not be used anywhere near me.
NUMBING:- My Dentist uses low adrenaline when numbing my mouth.
DENTURE