Yesterday I got a call from my son's school around 12, and they left a message saying my son was gagging a little bit and said he felt like he had to "puke". They said he went to the bathroom and came out feeling better. My son is autistic, and 13, just for some background to the story. Anyway I got this message around 12 30. I called the nurse a couple times but she was at lunch. I couldnt get ahold of the teacher, I found out later there was a substitute in that day. Anyway, I was a little while away from home, but started to head to the school anyway. Around 110 I finally got through to the office who put me in to the nurse. The nurse said my son was there, but seemed congested, runny nose, etc. And hives. So they gave him benadryl. She told me that yes, I should come get him , he seemed uncomfortable. So I got there around 120 maybe? And as soon as I saw him I KNEW. His eyes were bright red. He was completely covered in hives. He was shaking, and he had massive swelling developing in his neck and arms - you could literally see it happening. My son had never reacted like this before but i knew what it was. He could barely talk and I said "he's in anaphylaxis! He needs his epi pen!" They administered it while i called 911. This was one of the worst experiences of my life. (we wont even go into how terrified my son was of course!) The worst part was the shaking ..he was just staring at me and shaking , and so swollen. Within 5 minutes of the epi he could talk again and I knew he would make it. But without that epi pen, I knew he was done, and I am having a hard time with what I saw, and ..just...wow...i dont know. My head isnt a fun place to be right now.
He is fine now. He got epi via IV in the ambulance, and steroids, breathing treatment, etc at the hospital. We were home in about 4 hours. He is on round the clock steroids and benadryl now for the next couple days. We have an appt with the allergist for follow up in the morning.
I just wanted to share my story. I am pretty badly shaken. But Thank God for epipens!!
just a follow up to- my son is severely peanut allergic class 6 off the charts. has a personal aide with him at all times with his meds as well. we are unsure of where the exposure came from right now.