I Went Into Anaphelectic Shock Yesterday...

[shai76]

I got my allergy shot and felt okay at first, a bit warm was all. When I got home I broke out in hives on my back and legs, then my chest and throat started tightening up, and my reflux went out of control. I got really cold too. My husband called the doctors office and they told him to give me a double dose of the Benadryl and to take me to the emergency room. Luckily I started to feel better, but I was knocked out all day. It was scary. Not the first time it has happened either. I've been in anaphelectic shock before from food alelrgies and it gets scarier every time. I keep wondering, "Is this the time that will kill me??" My husband was having panic attacks because of it, and I just feel like I'm so helpless. I want to continue immunotherapy, but I'm afraid. They think it happened because mold is high right now, and I missed my shot last week because of memorial day, and because I challeged corn unsucessfully last week. I dont' know. I'm tired of living in fear of food and other allergens. I don't know what to do.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

That sounds horrible! What are you getting shots for? Is it for food allergies or for mold or for something else?

[marciab]

Hi there ... I can really empathize with you on this ... My daughter started doing this about 3 years ago.

Do you have an epipen ? You won't always need it, as you just figured out from your last experience, but it is good to have on hand just in case you do.

My daugter used a couple of epipens when she first started doing this, but since has grown to rely on benadryl and her inhalers. But she carries an epipen just in case.

It's still scarey no matter what you have on hand, but we have found it has gotten less traumatic over the years. We know the drill now.

Marcia

[jerseyangel]

Hi--I can only imagine how scary that was for you! Several years ago, a similar thing happened to my husband while undergoing immunotherapy for bee stings. He had 5 years of the shots, and only once did he have a serious reaction. Glad you're doing better now

[shai76]

I know I need an epipen, I'm jsut scared to use it, but now I'm starting to realize the consequences of not having one is even scarier.

I get shots for mold, dust, dogs, weed, tree, cockroach, and orris root (perfume base). They mentioned something about some day doing sublingual drops for food allergies, but I'm really hesitant on that one. It's weird because I didn't have a local reaction at the injeection site. It started as hives on my back,a nd then moved all over my head and legs. Thank goodness for Benadryl.

Why do so many of us with gluten intolerance suffer so many allergies? We deserve a break!

[Guest nini]

I got an epi pen after I had an anaphylactic reaction to an artificial fragrance on a baby doll I had bought for my daughter. I felt really bad cos I had to throw out the doll... It was a powder scent and I went to the ER and got shots in the butt...oh that wasn't fun at all. I know it's so freakin scary, I panic everytime I smell powder now...

[mouse]

The Epi-Pen is really easy to use. They even give you a tester to experiment with that is just a fake. It helps you become comfortable with it, before you need it. I carry an Epi-Pen whenever we go out to eat at a restaurant or friend's. I could not give myself my vit. B shot and my husband had to do that for me, when I was on them. But, the Epi-Pen I can do. Mainly because you press the thing against your thight and press a button. The pen does it all. You can also shoot it thru your clothes if need be. Just do not take the pen away from your thigh for several seconds. The tester will help you be comfortable with it. I get 4 at one time and watch the expiration dates. Sometimes I am lucky and never use one before they expire. I get a new RX before that date. Yes, I agree that it is really scary when you are suffocating. Glad that you are doing better now.

[shai76]

Thanks armetta, I also hope I am able to continue with the immunotherapy. I think you were the one that told me you were unable to do the shots, right? Was it because you could go into anaphelectic shock easily?

It really does make me feel better, as weird as that sounds, which is why I want to continue, but I don't want it to kill me in the process. I'm going to be very nervous next week. They will probably make me stay longer.

[mouse]

Yes, I was the one who said I cannot take the shots. In two years of taking weekly shots, they could never get beyond the first dose. When they would try to up it, my arm would blow up like a balloon. The skin would be stretched so tight that it was painful. After 2 years they said that I was in the 5% catagory that can not take them. Several years later I tried an allergist that did the under the tongue thing. Again, we could go no further then the first dose. Most times I have gone into anaphelectic shock were of unknown origin. For instance drinking a glass of wine that I had drank before. Once at a long table filled with about 24 people (convention) and then I quietly gave myself the shot thru my clothes. I did not want anybody to know. It has happened offen enough that I certainly know what is going on. The worst thing you can do is panic. You have to stay calm to get that epi-pen into you as fast as you can. Now, afterwards, if someone looked at me, they would notice a difference as I am literally shaking when it is all over. I remember years ago that they recalled the epi-pens for some defect. My drug store was going to reissue the new pens in alphabetical order and I am a Z. They put me at the top of the list with the peanut allergy people. It gave me comfort just to know that I had one in my purse.

[gfp]

I know I need an epipen, I'm jsut scared to use it, but now I'm starting to realize the consequences of not having one is even scarier.

I get shots for mold, dust, dogs, weed, tree, cockroach, and orris root (perfume base). They mentioned something about some day doing sublingual drops for food allergies, but I'm really hesitant on that one. It's weird because I didn't have a local reaction at the injeection site. It started as hives on my back,a nd then moved all over my head and legs. Thank goodness for Benadryl.

Obviously the problem is exasperated by panic and having the epipen as a backup would ease that, even if you never use it just having it there is going to let you know you have a fallback.

Why do so many of us with gluten intolerance suffer so many allergies? We deserve a break!

My experience, and it seems that of others is other allergies are directly related to gluten etc.

I have allergic reactions to something in perfumes ... lavender (of all things) and hay-fever but all of these diminish to small annoyances when I am 100% gluten-free... I used to react with a burn to lavander, in 10 minutes I would have a huge blister if I touched it or anything with lavendar oil in, walking through a perfumery section (why do they fill the bottom of dept stores with perfumery?) would have me literally unable to see for streaming, burning eyes and a headache 5 mins later.

gluten-free I get a mild irritation to these, my hay-fever is a slight annoyance .... and my casein intolerance something I can put up with.

With me this is gluten that triggers everything else but its like a vicious circle, the more you react the more angry your immune system gets so that IgE reactions happen ....

I would strongly advise checking your diet for common allergens, you mentioned corn already and I know you are sceptical about soya but its worth a shot (pun intended).

[lindalee]

I got my allergy shot and felt okay at first, a bit warm was all. When I got home I broke out in hives on my back and legs, then my chest and throat started tightening up, and my reflux went out of control. I got really cold too. My husband called the doctors office and they told him to give me a double dose of the Benadryl and to take me to the emergency room. Luckily I started to feel better, but I was knocked out all day. It was scary. Not the first time it has happened either. I've been in anaphelectic shock before from food alelrgies and it gets scarier every time. I keep wondering, "Is this the time that will kill me??" My husband was having panic attacks because of it, and I just feel like I'm so helpless. I want to continue immunotherapy, but I'm afraid. They think it happened because mold is high right now, and I missed my shot last week because of memorial day, and because I challeged corn unsucessfully last week. I dont' know. I'm tired of living in fear of food and other allergens. I don't know what to do.

I am so glad you are ok. Have you tried going on a healing diet? I'm doing that now. I ate some steamed crabs last week and went into a coughing & phelm attack only to find out later(it scared everyone there) they had put 1 can of beer into the steamer. In the past I used to go into that asmatic state after eating a chocolate bar. I love chocolate and used to get those little blisters around my rings that itched like crazy and my fingers would swell -had to go to the jeweler and get my good ring cut off. Never put any of this together thought I had outgrown celiac. I went and got tested for allergies(mold, dust, mites-think everyone is allergic to them) and others. I chose not to go on shots just cleaned more and eliminated things. Now I know if it's cheese don't cut the mold off IT IS STILL IN THERE. LindaLee

[mmaccartney]

I know I need an epipen, I'm jsut scared to use it, but now I'm starting to realize the consequences of not having one is even scarier.

My son is anaphylactic to Peanuts and Tree nuts. We have an Epipen Jr, but have not yet used it. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE YOUR EPIPEN!!! We used to be very afraid to use it, would it hurt him, what would happen afterwards, how long in the hospital, etc. One time he got some milk (which he is also allergic to) while eating. His throat started closing up. My wife got him to drink some Benadryl while he could still swallow and it got to him just in time. When we told his allergist about it, he was very shocked that we didn't use the epipen. He said not to be afraid, and whenever there was a reaction that like that to just give it to him.

The epipen is your friend, use it if you need to.

BTW: I am celiac, but I have no known allergies! But I'll trade my arthritis and fibro for some mild ones LOL!

[Guest nini]

when I was at the Dr. to re up my prescription for the epi pen, a lady walked through the office with a really strong perfume and the Dr.s office got to watch me have a reaction right there... They didn't hesitate to re up my epi pen after that;... (I haven't had to use mine but it's not one with a button, you have to swing it full force into your thigh and the force of the swing is supposed to trigger the spring mechanism for the needle with the med...)

[jerseyangel]

I agree, the Epi Pen is a must! My husband always has two current ones--one he leaves at work, and the other he keeps here, and takes it with him if he feels it's necessary. At his yearly physical, he gets a new prescription for them. Just knowing you have it with you can make you feel less anxiety about a reaction.

[mmaccartney]

(I haven't had to use mine but it's not one with a button, you have to swing it full force into your thigh and the force of the swing is supposed to trigger the spring mechanism for the needle with the med...)

We've got the same kind. Again, we haven't used one on a person, but when they expire we "test" them on oranges and other items. That way we (and others) get a feeling for the amount of force you need to use to administer the medicine. It is surprising to note that not much force needed to be used!

I always pictured myself giving my son a huge bruise on his leg becuase I paniced and rammed the epipen into his leg at full force, just to make sure. It was nice to know that it didn't require that much force.

[shai76]

Thanks for the helpful advice everyone.

For those who have used the epipen, how does it make you feel? Does it make you barf, or really hyper? Does it hurt or feel really bad? How long does it take to wear off?

They say you should still go to the emergency room in case of a second reaction hours later, how long do they keep you there?

They wanted me to get one years ago when I started having anaphelectic reactions to milk products, but I was scared then too. I just kept using the Benadryl and my inhaler, and going to the emergency room for breathing treatments when necessary. Now I'm scared that the next time might be IT...you know what I mean.