HASSLE FREE RETURNS

Who is going to speak for you if you can't?

by ROAD iD Staff May 18, 2021

Moments are precious when your life is on the line!  From experience, I know that a Road ID is the best gift you will ever give yourself and your family members.  Not long ago, I was training with a running group.  We were doing a fairly easy 3-4 mile evening run.  Off the road, away from cars (the most feared opponent), we stayed together in small groups.

About one mile into the run, I started having a little trouble breathing and coughed a few times.  Another 1/2 mile later I had a metallic taste in my mouth. I knew I was in serious trouble when my face started to go numb from my neck up.  My tongue and lips started to swell and I could no longer breathe easily.  My inhaler was useless.

Fortunately, my running partner was able to call for help.  With the assistance of another team mate, I made it back to the starting area.  By this time my tongue was so swollen I was not able to talk clearly.  I was very scared as they rushed me off to the emergency room.  My face was numb and I could hardly breathe or talk.  Through tears, I tried to tell the triage nurse my name, DOB, emergency contact info...trying to decipher what I was saying slowed down the triage process and my admittance to the hospital.

I had an Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis (EIA), a severe allergic reaction while running.  After blood work, it was determined I was allergic to buckwheat...one of the ingredients in the cereal I had eaten earlier that day.

I will never go out again without wearing my Road ID.  Hopefully I will never need it.  But if I do, I want first responders to know that I carry EpiPen and an Inhaler and I want them to know how to contact my family immediately.

- Misti .P from Fair Oaks, CA