I used to have everything in my bag. Even my high school librarian used to marvel about the number of things I carried around with me.

Nowadays, I travel in a few different ways: minimalist or just about half my life in my backpack. Let’s set the record straight though, because “minimalist” is a tad different when you live with asthma. My friends with asthma, they all roll a bit differently too.

Here is what’s in my bag… and theirs!

What’s in my bag: Minimalist edition

For quick trips out of the house, I rock a hipster belt pack. This is also my favorite bag for air travel to keep my boarding pass, passport, and other small items like my inhaler, earphones, and candy more findable.

Items for the less minimalist trip: earphones, phone, inhaler, keys, small card wallet also containing a little cash. Random things I found in there: mints, CA$2.25 and a USD quarter (why?), and a guitar pick despite not knowing when I last played my guitar.

What’s in my bag: Full throttle

Here is the reason why I don’t carry my backpack all the time. This is the bag that comes with me for longer days out (specifically if I decide to work away from home).

I asked a few of my friends with asthma to share photos of what’s in their bag. Graciously, many offered a glimpse into their bags — and lives.

What’s in Nick’s bag?

Nick texted a picture to me in an impressive 17 minutes. The founder of asthma tech startup Strados Labs in Philadelphia and I have some common threads in our belongings… but I definitely don’t have a prototype of a wearable for asthma in my bag! And his is clearly more streamlined.

What’s in Stephen’s bag?

When I messaged Stephen in the San Francisco Bay Area asking what was in his bag, his replied, “Minimalist at this very moment.”

Hey, I roll that way!

What’s in Jess’s bag?

Jess is a snowboarder and grad student in Southern California. How she wound up there is beyond me, as she literally lives for mountains and snow — her heart is really in the mountains of Vancouver, British Columbia. Jess has asthma, is a massive fan of the Vancouver Canucks, and is also deaf.

When she sent her pic, Jess pointed out the many neck/face warmers she uses to cover her mouth and nose in order to warm the air before it gets to her lungs when she’s out on the slopes.

What’s in Dia’s bag?

Dia is a sport developer from Toronto, Ontario. She works in the nonprofit sphere in an organization that supports programming for young people with disabilities. She’s also a blogger (even if she won’t yet call herself one!) and advocate for better design practices in healthcare both in- and outside of asthma.

Pictured: keys, gloves, Moleskine notebook, earphones, a pen, lip balm, mints, two inhalers, and tissues.

What’s in Bill’s bag?

Bill is a health economist from Nova Scotia, Canada, a father of two (including a daughter with asthma), and the creator of the Faces of Pharmacare campaign. Like me, Bill presently spends a good chunk of time working from home.

Bill sent two pictures.

His comment was: “Typical daily [vs.] typical travel… can you spot the difference?”

The difference? The second picture has a lot more medicine in it! (Also seeing all this in Bill’s trademark courier bag makes my shoulder hurt!)

What’s in Jessica’s bag?

Jessica is a United Church Minister from Toronto and has had asthma and allergies for most of her life. She’s a rescuer of feral cats (and other wildlife), writer, and an avid reader. This is what’s in her bag.

What’s in John’s bag?

John is a respiratory therapist from Michigan who has had asthma his whole life — you may have read his writing on his site, Respiratory Therapy Cave. Here’s what’s in his bag.

The takeaway

Even though we all lead different lives (and carry aspects of those different lives around with us wherever we go), the common thread between me and my other friends living with asthma: No one leaves home without their medications. Living with asthma doesn’t mean you can’t do the things you love — you just have to be a little more prepared!

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content in and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen. 

NPS-US-NP-00331 JUNE 2018