First time to use epinepherine

[cjgayler]

I've been allergic to coconut and latex since I was 18 and have had a variety of reactions over the years. Last night, at 31, was the first time I had to use my epi-pen. I had a reaction to banana for the first time 2 days ago (hives, mild), went to work the next day and had an exposure to coconut via inhalation. Treated it with loads of benadryl, finished work and went home to rest. I was perfectly fine for 24 hours when the reaction came back even worse, making it feel like I couldn't swallow or get enough air. Used my epi-pen and went to the ER for more benadryl, steroid & Pepcid. Got prescriptions for a new epi-pen and 9 days of steroids, but I cannot afford $350 after insurance AND a $100 coupon off the epi-pen. DH is mad I used it at all instead of just going straight to the ER and I'm terrified because my reactions have become drastically severe in the past 6 months and the holidays are right around the corner...

_____________
Self: Coconut (severe), latex, palm (& derivatives), shea, macadamia, avocado, banana, potato, cats, most trees/grasses, lilies.

[CMdeux]

First--

GOOD JOB.  You saved your life last night.  WAY TO GO, you!       I'm really really sorry that you had that experience.  It's terrifying to be in anaphylaxis.   But isn't it amazing how much epinephrine helps??

Also-- has anything new changed in your home recently?  I'd be looking for a concentrated source of your allergen-- while a biphasic reaction like that is possible-- if only just-- for it to be from an inhalation source would be incredibly odd.  Is it possible that you've begun cross-reacting to something else?  That a regularly purchased product now contains coconut after a reformulation?

In any event, a warm hug-- and a hope that things improve day by day.  Be gentle with yourself. 




DH is mad I used it at all instead of just going straight to the ER


Oh my.

Well, I'm sorry to burden you with this as well, but your DH needs to be re-educated a bit here.  This is called "life-threatening" for a reason.

Here's what's behind door number two, however...  (door number one being what you did, which ended with you cranky over the expense and trouble, and stunned about what just happened to you... door number three would be, um, "dead" from the reaction...)


going without oxygen for very long can lead to severe brain injury from anoxia/hypoxia-- which means that NOT using a $350 epipen when you should is actually playing a very dangerous game of roulette.  Oh sure, I suppose if your DH wouldn't miss you all that much... (I'm kidding, I hope-- but hey-- how much DO you mean to him??) at least remind him that you becoming a vegetable and requiring round the clock care, or years of REHAB to re-learn how to be a functioning adult....

whoah, HELLA expensive.  For comparison, I mean.

Those are very real possibilities when you can't get oxygen to your brain.

[Macabre]

Wow--what an experience. I'm glad you are doing better.

Here's the thing--the best practice is Epi, 911, ER. Had you just gone to the ER without Epi, who knows if you'd have head it in time?  Also, you could have/should have spent more by calling for ambulance transport (it's a beat practice for a reason).

If you have another reaction, try very hard to silence the inside voice that worries about expense that might creep into your head. You did the *right thing.*

I have had some bad airborne reactions--even one causing GI symptoms. I'm guessing your "allergy cup" was already so full. I hope a few days on pred will scale things down for you.

I'm really sorry you experienced this. Do take good care of yourself over the next few days. Sometimes we feel emotionally spent for a bit after anaphylaxis. Do something really good for yourself.

:grouphugs:

[PurpleCat]

What they said!

Take good care of yourself as your body heals, rebalances and your mind processes what you have been through.

[SilverLining]

I've been allergic to coconut and latex since I was 18 and have had a variety of reactions over the  DH is mad I used it at all instead of just going straight to the ER

The initial reaction doesn't sound like it was anaphylactic, so going to the hospital then likely wouldn't have made a difference.  A biphasic reaction (when the reaction returns usually worse) still can happen even if you received treatment in hospital.

And, taking the epi at home might be the difference between whether you arrived alive at the hospital.  I'm not trying to scare you, but without that treatment...you may not have made it there.

~~~~~

I also want to mention, when my reactions went from an inconvenience to life threatening, it took a while for my system to calm down.  (You have the advantage of knowing what you are allergic to.). We refer to it as your "allergy cup" being over full. It seems to result in having reactions to less amounts of your allergen and for your reactions to be more severe. 

It usually does calm down...but in the meantime, you treated your reaction properly. If necessary, do it again. Don't second guess based on money.  (I know, easier said than done.)