Need Advice - What Does Your Action Plan Say?

I think that plan is reasonable and that is also what our Dr suggested for the action plan. You don't just want them giving Epi if it is not neceassry, as long as they continue to assess and have Epi ready and available- my opinion is that it seems fine!!

I don't want the school to get confused, although giving Benadryl and then the Epi-pen would be okay, but my emergency medical plan for my son has always been, at the sign of a reaction he is to be given his Epi-pen, two puffs of Ventolin, 911 dialed, and another Epi if ambulance hasn't arrived in 15 minutes. I have never supplied them with Benadryl and it's never been part of the conversation.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

mcmom,

The two consideration that jump out at me are:

1) What is the doctor's current advice?

2) What's your comfort level with school personnel being able to spot anaphylactic reaction?

I know that often, the advice we give the school is somewhat more cautious than if we as parents were present, since they just don't have the same familiarity (even if they have been trained)...However, we don't our kids to get injected left and right...no easy answers, I'm afraid...

Our action plans says that if ingestion is suspected or if the reaction has any signs of inside symptoms (breathing, speaking, swallowing, vomitting, diarreah) to give the Epi-Pen. If there are only hives he gets 2 tsp Benadryl and have the Epi-Pen ready if needed. My son does get hives from environmental allergies so I certainly wouldn't want him getting an Epi-Pen for that.

What does your doctor or allergist think?

Thanks for the responses [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Our allergist agrees with what I had last year - if hives, treat with Benasdryl and watch - if more than one symptom, or if ingestion is suspected, use the Epi. I guess that makes sense - that's what I would do if he were with me. I am meeting with everyone at the school tomorrow to get ds's 504 plan in place, and that's when I will meet with the nurse. She's the new head nurse - last year she was the relief nurse. I will definitely question her as to her ability/experience to recognise a reaction. I certainly plan on impressing upon her (and everyone present at the meeting) that I would rather them use the Epi, even if it turns out it wasn't needed, than not use it.

The policy in our county in Maryland is that the Epi-Pen can only be administered once by school personnel. 911 is then called and any extra Epi-Pens are given to the EMT to be used in the ambulance if necessary (not all carry Epi-Pens).

Our allergist knew this last year (I did not!) and prescribed a heavy dosage of Benedryl to be used first if no breathing problems were immediately present. If it was observed that Benedryl was not working, if breathing problems began, or if actual ingestion of any allergens listed on the form from the allergist, the Epi-Pen would then be used. It was explained to me by the allergist's assistant that having the school authorized for both Benedryl and Epi-Pen would offer the greatest protection for my son in his school environment.

I am comfortable with this arrangement. My son did have a reaction 8 days before school ended last year (hives on legs, swollen hands with red spots, headache, sore throat). Benedryl was given and the Epi-Pen was not needed.

------------------
Donni

[son 6 years--anaphylatic reaction without ingestion to peanut @ 22 months; contact allergic to peanut, sesame seed, & chickpea; possible airborn reaction to peanut if in closed environment; CAP RAST also shows allergy to almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts (avoiding all tree nuts) but no known reaction to tree nuts]

Our plan says: benadryl for runny nose and/or hives; epi-pen for trouble breating, swelling of mouth or face, vomiting, and/or loss of consciousness.

Fortunately for us nothing has been needed in 4 years of public school! Hooray!!!

[img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Miriam