Living with Food Allergies, 2013 and on

[CMdeux]

Yes, SO glad that he's okay, Ginger!!



Today, he can't seem to get himself out of bed.  He's exhausted.  The epinephrine really did a number on him.

I wouldn't assume that is an epi hangover-- DD's been that way after every anaphylactic reaction, including a few that we didn't actually know were allergic (we might have assumed illness, or minimized symptoms, that kind of thing)-- so no epi.

Sometimes the aftereffects of anaphylaxis are as telling as anything else.      

  To you both, Ginger.

[PurpleCat]

How scary GP!  So glad he is OK.  DD is always wiped out the next day.  It keeps her close to home and easy to watch.  Does your son have any symptoms today?

[LinksEtc]

          GP ... how scary ...

[Janelle205]

GP, I agree with CM - every time that I have had a severe reaction, I have been completely wiped the next few days.  When I had a reaction when I was teaching preschool, I couldn't go back to work for a few days afterwards - I was pretty sure that I was too exhausted to safely make the half hour commute.

[SilverLining]

GP, I'm sorry your son went through that. It's always so scary.

Yes, SO glad that he's okay, Ginger!!



Today, he can't seem to get himself out of bed.  He's exhausted.  The epinephrine really did a number on him.

I wouldn't assume that is an epi hangover-- DD's been that way after every anaphylactic reaction, including a few that we didn't actually know were allergic (we might have assumed illness, or minimized symptoms, that kind of thing)-- so no epi.

Sometimes the aftereffects of anaphylaxis are as telling as anything else.      

  To you both, Ginger.

Anaphylaxis is exhausting.  I'm not a doctor, but it makes complete sense to me that a person would be tired after it. (I always was.) Your body is fighting against what it sees as an invading enemy. When it's an anaphylactic reaction, that is all out war.

[GoingNuts]

Oy GP, how scary.  And yes, I was exhausted after anaphylaxis too. A combo of the body's reaction to an allergen, and the effects of epi  - it's not surprising.

Hope he's feeling better by now.   

[Macabre]

Oh GP!  I'm glad he trusted his gut.  I hope he's better today.

If your insurance covers the AuviQ, it's so much easier to carry two of them than two epis.

I woujd be very interested in knowing the chips if they are sold up here--or anyway, since DS may venture that way for a speech tournament this year--if the issue was peanut rather than dairy.

Wow--I'm sorry he had this.

[GingerPye]

Well, the company president called me and assured me that they make potato chips only, and they make two flavors only.  None of DS's allergens are used at all.  And they do random testing for gluten, peanuts, and tree nuts and always come up negative. 

So.  It seems to eliminate the chips.  I have no idea what caused the reaction.  They served a bunch of cheesy things in the cafeteria that day, and I wonder if he somehow got into some cheese on the table or on a doorknob or something, but he scoffs when I suggest it.  I dunno.  We're just not gonna know, I think. 

He and I were both exhausted yesterday; DS stayed home and slept until 2:30.  The allergic reaction and esp the epinephrine seemed to really take it out of him.  It took over an hour for him to stop feeling (visibly) jittery.  I told him it must be like running a marathon, the way the epinephrine can affect the heart etc.
Me, I think the fear took it out of me.  I had the phone call in which they told me he'd had a reaction and they used the epi and the ambulance was on the way -- no other info; I heard the sirens as I jumped in the van to race to the school, and had no idea what I'd find when I got there.  Then I had to follow the ambulance, although by then I'd seen him and knew the epi had done its job and he was doing better.

Auvi Q is not covered by our insurance, and at $300 each --- umm, not gonna happen anytime soon.  The school is used to epipens --- the other allergic kids also have epis, so it doesn't seem wise to change it up.  But for him to carry for his own use, yeah, it would be better.  Thankfully he did shove BOTH epis into his jeans pocket today instead of just one.

[Macabre]

GP the two times DS has had an ana reaction at school were both after eating. The first time DS disnt use his wipes for his hands and the second time he had gone to the bathroom midway thorough lunch and touched the bathroom door (the one closest to the cafeteria) on the way out and then ate. We can only assume he picked up peanut protein from other surfaces and ingested it. His allergist agreed that's probably what happened, though he said we'll never know for sure.

Yeah--for school we keep epis, too. It's what they're familiar with (though they're teained with Auvi, too now).

Glad your DS took two epis with him! 

[MaryM]

GP, I am so glad your DS is ok.   

[Janelle205]

This is definitely minor, but...

I HATE it when companies label their alternative food products as 'Allergen Free'.  People can be allergic to pretty much anything.  People can be severely allergic to pretty much anything.  'Allergy friendly' is fine with me.  I understand that I don't exactly have the most common allergens.

Your apple flour is NOT allergen free.  The eight epi-pens in my house say otherwise, thanks.

[LinksEtc]

This is definitely minor, but...

I HATE it when companies label their alternative food products as 'Allergen Free'.  People can be allergic to pretty much anything.  People can be severely allergic to pretty much anything.  'Allergy friendly' is fine with me.  I understand that I don't exactly have the most common allergens.

Your apple flour is NOT allergen free.  The eight epi-pens in my house say otherwise, thanks.

I don't think that this is minor at all ... it's a great point.  If somebody new to allergies (with a non-top8) sees & believes that "allergen free" stuff, they could have a rxn.

Would you mind if I copied your quote and put it into this thread?
Food Allergen Labeling: Using "common sense" when assessing safety

[Janelle205]

That is absolutely ok with me, links.  Thanks for asking!

I did send an email to the company - will see if I get a response.

I appreciate that Enjoy Life labels their products as 'allergy friendly', since a good portion of them are not at all allergen free to me.

[LinksEtc]

Thanks Janelle 

[Janelle205]

I got a response today from the company that I emailed about the 'allergy free' labeling.

Hi Janelle,

Thank you so much for reaching out!

So sorry if we came across as misleading by stating allergen free. We were using the term as it is defined by the FDA, but you are completely right that it is not completely accurate or transparent. We will be referring to our products as "Big-8 allergy friendly" going forward.

Thank you again and all the best!

Really, really surprised and happy about that.