First anaphylactic shock

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Physical recovery was honestly fine. I was surprised by how quickly I felt back to normal. Mentally I was a little out of sorts because I had no idea what caused the reaction. I was eating and drinking foods I'd had before and nothing was that odd about the ingredients. So knowing I was allergic to something and not knowing what was a little jarring.

I had two more episodes before we were able to narrow it down. Even now (a decade later) we still don't know the exact thing that causes it but have narrowed it down enough so that I can avoid drinks that would have it in it and haven't had an anaphylactic reaction in years.
Last year I did drink something that I didn't think would cause a reaction, but after a couple sips I noticed I was reacting. Benadryl took care of it without needing to use my epi pen.

No doctor recommendation. Didn't live in the area when this all started.

"Benadryl took care of it without needing to use my epi pen."

Can you do that? I thought you always needed an epi pen AND benadryl not just one without the other.

Depends on the person I'm sure. If I accidentally ingest a small amount, Benadryl takes care of the reaction. In this particular case, I felt myself flushing after a couple sips and that's part of my reaction. So stopped drinking it and took the Benadryl and all was ok. That definitely wouldn't have worked if I'd gotten to the point I'd been at when it all first started and felt my throat closing, difficulty breathing, and feeling completely disoriented and spacy.

[Anonymous]

Benadryl plus Pepcid plus Zyrtec calmed me enough to get to er last incident. EpiPen would have been smarter and probably less stressful for my driver.

Don’t mess with anaphylaxis. Use the EpiPen

[Anonymous]

I have a condition that makes anaphylaxis possible for a range of random triggers.

So I carry an epi. But when do I know to use it?

The other night my lips were tingling, i had made spicy chili hours before and wondered if it was that somehow still irritating my lips, or a an allergic reaction to a new body soap?

I stayed up two hours past bedtime to monitor — would you wake up from anaphylaxis in your sleep? I had no swelling, no breathing but was worried it was just starting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re supposed to do it that way - treating only with antihistamines- you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications.

Benadryl can potentially knock a reaction down but it the reaction can rebound and worsen. At least that’s what doc told me in er. They used massive steroid dose for me done my breathing had improved. - new poster.

"you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications."
Really? Did the er doctor say that? I thought that was only used when the airway was closing. What else would the epi help with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Benadryl plus Pepcid plus Zyrtec calmed me enough to get to er last incident. EpiPen would have been smarter and probably less stressful for my driver.

Don’t mess with anaphylaxis. Use the EpiPen

Did they use an epi when you got to tje the er?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Benadryl plus Pepcid plus Zyrtec calmed me enough to get to er last incident. EpiPen would have been smarter and probably less stressful for my driver.

Don’t mess with anaphylaxis. Use the EpiPen

Did they use an epi when you got to tje the er?

They pump you with steroids and antihistamines I think, and intubate if breathing constricts; epinephrine is fast but shirt acting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re supposed to do it that way - treating only with antihistamines- you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications.

Benadryl can potentially knock a reaction down but it the reaction can rebound and worsen. At least that’s what doc told me in er. They used massive steroid dose for me done my breathing had improved. - new poster.

"you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications."
Really? Did the er doctor say that? I thought that was only used when the airway was closing. What else would the epi help with?

YES

The doctor said that the airway can close quickly if more than one system is involved like your skin and your breathing you use the EpiPen and call 911

For me my airway wasn’t closing, but my lungs were not working properly. Like asthma attack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a condition that makes anaphylaxis possible for a range of random triggers.

So I carry an epi. But when do I know to use it?

The other night my lips were tingling, i had made spicy chili hours before and wondered if it was that somehow still irritating my lips, or a an allergic reaction to a new body soap?

I stayed up two hours past bedtime to monitor — would you wake up from anaphylaxis in your sleep? I had no swelling, no breathing but was worried it was just starting

I would suggest calling your allergist to check in.

It can all be so overwhelming. I get it.

[Anonymous]

As a PP says, if 2 systems are involved, use EpiPen and go to ER. My kids typically will get hives and one vomits and the other wheezes. With only 1 system, benedryl and Pepcid works

[Anonymous]

I am allergic to bees, but didn’t know that when I was stung initially and did not have an EpiPen. I itched like crazy and then my lips and throat started tingling. I ended up at the ER where they gave me several injections of epinephrine. I remember those making me shake quite a bit. But once that wore off, I was pretty much OK.

I got allergy shots a number of years ago, but don’t know if they still would help me. I was stung by a yellow jacket several years ago and the site swelled up quite a bit. After calling my doctor and taking Benadryl, I didn’t have a further reaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am allergic to bees, but didn’t know that when I was stung initially and did not have an EpiPen. I itched like crazy and then my lips and throat started tingling. I ended up at the ER where they gave me several injections of epinephrine. I remember those making me shake quite a bit. But once that wore off, I was pretty much OK.

I got allergy shots a number of years ago, but don’t know if they still would help me. I was stung by a yellow jacket several years ago and the site swelled up quite a bit. After calling my doctor and taking Benadryl, I didn’t have a further reaction.

Aren’t yellow jackets bites?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone done immunotherapy after the first anaphylaxis?
My allergist offered me the immunotherapy shots, but I don’t even want to think about being injected a venom and going through the whole shock again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re supposed to do it that way - treating only with antihistamines- you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications.

Benadryl can potentially knock a reaction down but it the reaction can rebound and worsen. At least that’s what doc told me in er. They used massive steroid dose for me done my breathing had improved. - new poster.

"you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications."
Really? Did the er doctor say that? I thought that was only used when the airway was closing. What else would the epi help with?

Oh my goodness. There can be anaphylaxis without breathing issues such as wheezing or swelling of the airway. Its my mission in life to educate others because my at the time 8 mo old daughter has what some would not consider anaphylaxis, but she could absolutely die if not given an epi (or 2) and go into cardiac arrest. She has local hives and then her blood pressure drops and she becomes super sleepy, unable to rouse, eyes roll, could be pinched and barely responds. If untreated she will go into shock and circulatory collapse because the histmaine surge causes her blood vessels to dilate so fast and remain as such.

Benadryl is no longer suggested because of masking anaphylaxis.

I bless the ER doctor who is providing the above information. Honestly, it gives me hope that my daughter wont be dismissed or given the wrong information or have treatment withheld.

Giving an epi will not hurt you. There is no negative to administering epi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re supposed to do it that way - treating only with antihistamines- you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications.

Benadryl can potentially knock a reaction down but it the reaction can rebound and worsen. At least that’s what doc told me in er. They used massive steroid dose for me done my breathing had improved. - new poster.

"you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications."
Really? Did the er doctor say that? I thought that was only used when the airway was closing. What else would the epi help with?

Oh my goodness. There can be anaphylaxis without breathing issues such as wheezing or swelling of the airway. Its my mission in life to educate others because my at the time 8 mo old daughter has what some would not consider anaphylaxis, but she could absolutely die if not given an epi (or 2) and go into cardiac arrest. She has local hives and then her blood pressure drops and she becomes super sleepy, unable to rouse, eyes roll, could be pinched and barely responds. If untreated she will go into shock and circulatory collapse because the histmaine surge causes her blood vessels to dilate so fast and remain as such.

Benadryl is no longer suggested because of masking anaphylaxis.

I bless the ER doctor who is providing the above information. Honestly, it gives me hope that my daughter wont be dismissed or given the wrong information or have treatment withheld.

Giving an epi will not hurt you. There is no negative to administering epi.

10000%

ANY 2 systems. EpiPen







And how fortunate for your child you are observant and quick thinking to take action. I cannot imagine how stressful this is. Wishing you all health and safety

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think you’re supposed to do it that way - treating only with antihistamines- you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications.

Benadryl can potentially knock a reaction down but it the reaction can rebound and worsen. At least that’s what doc told me in er. They used massive steroid dose for me done my breathing had improved. - new poster.

"you’re supposed to use the EpiPen with anaphylaxis even without major airway complications."
Really? Did the er doctor say that? I thought that was only used when the airway was closing. What else would the epi help with?

Oh my goodness. There can be anaphylaxis without breathing issues such as wheezing or swelling of the airway. Its my mission in life to educate others because my at the time 8 mo old daughter has what some would not consider anaphylaxis, but she could absolutely die if not given an epi (or 2) and go into cardiac arrest. She has local hives and then her blood pressure drops and she becomes super sleepy, unable to rouse, eyes roll, could be pinched and barely responds. If untreated she will go into shock and circulatory collapse because the histmaine surge causes her blood vessels to dilate so fast and remain as such.

Benadryl is no longer suggested because of masking anaphylaxis.

I bless the ER doctor who is providing the above information. Honestly, it gives me hope that my daughter wont be dismissed or given the wrong information or have treatment withheld.

Giving an epi will not hurt you. There is no negative to administering epi.

Yup. This is what we’ve been advised, as well. My teenager with a severe food allergy uses the epipen even if only one obvious system reaction. There’s no downside to using the epipen (other than the injection, of course).