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Epipen And Celiac ( This Is Urgent)

Serversymptoms

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Serversymptoms Contributor
Serversymptoms
Posted

So I'm not sure if I'm celiac or not yet, though it's starting to seem as if I'am... and since birth.

Though I have a few cousins, and told me their doctor prescribed for them to get a Epipen once a year due to their allergies. I never knew you could get such a treatment for just once a year, and why would this be so? Also how effective would it be for someone who is celiac? I'm currently dissapointed in my doctor because she only have been on the conclusion that I have a anxiety/ depression issue while ignoring all my other symptoms. Next week I'm set for a appointment, and I will give notice to her that I think I'm allergic to things, and seh should check for... due to all my symptoms. I just don't see how any doctor could look over those symptoms and send me away without looking into more things. This is just horrible.

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happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

If you have Celiac (an autoimmune reaction to gluten), then you don't need an epipen.

If you break out in hives and go into anaphylactic shock when you eat gluten (life threatening), then you would need an epipen.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Though I have a few cousins, and told me their doctor prescribed for them to get a Epipen once a year due to their allergies. I never knew you could get such a treatment for just once a year, and why would this be so?

An EpiPen is used during an anaphylactic reaction. The reason why a doctor gives a prescription once a year is so that you always have a fresh one when needed. It's not a "treatment" per se, it's used in an emergency until the person can get to a hospital.

Celiac Disease is not an allergy, it's an autoimmune disease. If you feel you have allergies, it's best to see an allergist. A gastroenterologist or a GP can run the Celiac Panel blood test for you. It may take a visit to both to help you sort things out. :)

Mother of Jibril Enthusiast
Mother of Jibril
Posted
An EpiPen is used during an anaphylactic reaction. The reason why a doctor gives a prescription once a year is so that you always have a fresh one when needed. It's not a "treatment" per se, it's used in an emergency until the person can get to a hospital.

Celiac Disease is not an allergy, it's an autoimmune disease. If you feel you have allergies, it's best to see an allergist. A gastroenterologist or a GP can run the Celiac Panel blood test for you. It may take a visit to both to help you sort things out. :)

Just to add a quick note... if you do use an epipen, the ER gives you a prescription for a new one before you leave. It's not like you're expected to have exactly one attack per year ;)

Incidentally, the way epinephrine works is by very rapidly constricting all your blood vessels... it wouldn't help at all with the symptoms of celiac disease. Like jerseyangel said, an epipen is only for use during a severe allergic reaction.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Just to add a quick note... if you do use an epipen, the ER gives you a prescription for a new one before you leave. It's not like you're expected to have exactly one attack per year ;)

Right--what I meant was that in the event you don't use your EpiPen, you get a new script per year or so (obviously, if you need to use one it would be replaced immediately)--our doctor gives 2 per script. My husband carries one because of a life-threatening allergy to bee stings. Thank goodness he has not had to use a Pen in a while, so the old ones build up.

He actually has more than one at any given time--one for home, work, etc. :)

Serversymptoms Contributor
Serversymptoms
Posted
  • Author

Well then I have no clue why my cousins who have allergies were perscribed a epipen once a year, I guess there is more to epipens that we don't know about.

_____________________________

This website is helpful, though I'm now ( go to doctors june 1st) starting to think that I may not be Celiac. I have only experience different changes in things ( not much with the lump on left side of head) due to new introduction to things in my diet, and more likely healthier varieties of food.

elonwy Enthusiast
elonwy
Posted

Celiac disease is not an allergy, so doesn't require an EpiPen. I have allergies to pollen and dust among other things, and am getting allergy shots to try to lessen the severity of my reactions, so have to carry an EpiPen. You get a new one every year because the solution expires. You're not supposed to expose them to heat or light, but since we have to carry them around all the time, this obviously isn't possible, and the solution can go bad. I would not keep expired pens, because this is one medicine you really want to have the full strength on.

Serversymptoms, unless you've tested positive for a strong allergy, or have had an anaphylactic reaction to something, there is no reason for you to need a pen.

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samcarter Contributor
samcarter
Posted

Do you know what allergies your cousins have? As stated. celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. While allergies involve the immune system, a wheat allergy is very different compared to celiac.

I carry an epi pen due to a history of idiopathic anaphylaxis. I also have food allergies and environmental allergies. But an epi pen would do nothing if I was having a reaction to gluten.

And as pointed out, you need to renew your Epi-pen each year; the medication doesn't stay fresh or effective forever.

As for your issues with your doctor tell her that you want a celiac blood panel run. Do not stop eating gluten before you get the test, or it will be less accurate. If your panel comes back negative for celiac, you can stop eating gluten to see if your symptoms improve. Some of us (myself included) test negative for celiac disease but are gluten intolerant, and do better on a gluten free diet.

If your doctor refuses to do the tests, fire him or her. Find another doctor.

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