New...and Petrified!!

Linda-Jo
I have a 4 year old daughter, she will be 5 in Sept. and starting kindergarten. I actually did have to use the Epi, but I did call the Dr. first to ask whaat to do. I even forgot about the Epi the first time (they told me to take her to the ER) so I called back and asked if this was an emergency where I should use the Epi. The answer was "YES". Good thing I had two. I was nervous and discharged the first into the air. The second one my daughter got very calm and said "It's ok Mommy, You can do it I know you can." I could not let her down. So I use it, she cried for a minute, I gaave her a hug and drove her to the hospital. She waas doing better before we left the block. At the hospital they told me that after using the Epi I should have called for a paramedic and an ambulance.

I also oearned that I should practice. I called the fooe Allergy Network, an other great resource, (800-929-4040) and ordered an Epi-Pen trainer. I am much more confident about using it and now that I have seen it work (and another time when I did not use it and it took much longer waiting for the anti-histamine to work) I know I will use it again.

I hope that day is far away.

Good luck and Stay safe.

MaaryLynn

Linda-Jo,
It is very overwhelming watching out for our kids. My two year old son has a peanut allergy along with many others. What helps me is that I have an Epi-pen trainer and that I have shown many daycare teachers and the director how to use it. I have an Emergency Health Care Plan typed and ready to go back to daycare with Jack next month. I found the template for it on the Food Allergy Network's website. It lists the symptoms of allergic reactions and what to do if he has an allergic reaction- from Benedryl to the pen and ER. I am keeping a copy of it at home to in case I ever panic and can't think.
We eat at restaurants that have been safe and "friendly" towards our little guy and his allergies.
Just know that you are not alone reading ingredients, asking questions, and educating other people about PA. I think that is what has helped me the most after finding this website.
Kris

Linda-Jo,

I have several comments to your post.

1. Don't blame yourself.

2. Giving peanut butter to your daughter at 13 months did NOT give her the allergy. A person needs to be exposed to a substance before their bodies will generate the IgE antibodies.

3. The ED physicians obviously felt that your daughter needed the injection. They were not trying to make you feel guilty, but trying to make a point. Some of our greatest opportunities to learn are when we do something wrong. Fortunately, your daughter is O.K. Epi can save her life and has no major side effects for children. When in doubt give her the epi.

4. Accidents do happen. Peanuts are everywher and are difficult to totally avoid. Dr. Wood, Johns Hopkins Pediatric Allergist, says it's not if, but when someone will have a reaction. All the PA individuals/parents hope there won't another reaction, but most will at some time. Reducing risk and having a specific emergency action plan will help in the event this happens.

5. There is an excellent article on worry and stress regarding food allergies. Here is the link: [url="http://www.cadvision.com/allergy/handlingstress.htm"]www.cadvision.com/allergy/handlingstress.htm[/url]

6. Use your expired Epipens, try injecting one into an orange. This along with the trainer should boost your confidence.

Good Luck!

Hi MaryLynn, Kris and Steve W,

Thank you all so much for your advice. I'm glad I found this site for the great support from so many of you. Sometimes, you do feel like you and your child are the only ones dealing with this. It's nice to have so many people understand your fears and concerns.

Megan's allergist and pediatrician seem to have different views on when to use the Epi-Pen. Her PD said to use it no matter what, at the first sign of a breakout, whereas her allergist said start with Benedryl and then work up to the Epi, depending on the severity of the reaction. No wonder I'm confused! But anyway, I will follow the protocol written up by the allergist. In fact, just a few weeks ago, she reacted very mildly (itchy eyes, nose and mild hives) when I ate some peanuts (I'll never do that again). I ended up giving her Benydryl which took care of it. That was something that never happened before, she was only allergic to ingestion. Which brings me to another question:

Do any of you know of the new testing procedures for the RAST test? I'm from Massachusetts, so I'm not sure if it is unique to the particular lab she was tested at but last month at her 4-yr. old checkup, I had them do another RAST test. The first one showed a level of 262.5 (LEVEL III-SEVERE when she was 2), whereas now her results came back with 66.5. I questioned this, as I thought that was quite low and wondered if maybe her allergy had reduced in severity. They checked into it and told me that they changed the testing method of the RAST from 2 yrs. ago and now the levels have changed. The PD feels that since there is nothing to compare it to, that she probably is still very severe, which I agree. I just thought that I could breathe a little easier.

Well, once again, thank you all for your advice and I pray our kids stay safe.

Linda-Jo