I've lived with the allergy for 24 years and have eaten peanuts probably about 40 times in my life. I think it must be really worst for kids, though I had it a lot.
I never had that allergi-pen. What's it good for? I favor the bullimic approach. Once I realize I've eaten peanuts now, I stick my fingers down my throat and retch ASAP. Then my skin just turns pretty red for a while, and I get itchy, but I can usually skip the hard to breathe part.
I know alway to ask "what's in that cookie or brownie" and sniff the food anyhow. I don't mess with Thai food, even though its Soooo good and spicy.
I find the worst thing about the allergy is embarassment from peers. It sucks being patronized when I'm sick. I don't want the attention. Especially if you are at a formal dinner for some major association your in and they decide to throw an unwelcome substitute into the "cashew chicken"... :-(
That's great that you've been able to deal with your allergy in your own way for all these years, but what could it hurt to carry an epi-pen just in case?
If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your mom. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]
Hi! And welcome to the boards! It's always nice to hear from PA people who have grown to adulthood! That may sound strange, but when your own PA child is a toddler, you sometimes wonder if he's going to make it through to an age where he can totally control this himself. Best wishes to you, and WELCOME.
I am 47 and vomited also. I have learned though that the next time it may be much worse. I have learned that I cannot count on just vomiting the next time. No one can no matter how old they are. Andy
Hi Brusselsprouts, I was a little leary with your post. I would not even allow my son to view this. For reason #1 my son is so severly allergic that the vomiting is such a small reaction. He almost had to have a trachiatomy and has almost died because of it. I would never discourage the Epi-pen because he may have died had it not been given. I know you are allergic,but have you ever been in the hospital for a whole week because of an attack. When you sit in the room waiting for your child you gave birth to hoping he will breath on his own then you totally go with an epi-pen. My son thanks me for keeping him alive and that is the only person that matters to me. I will not chill!!! I will always be heard when it involves my childs life. You have a good day,but please don't teach young children to go against a doctor or their parents wishes. Claire
Claire, I agree with what you wrote. Adults with PA who have always had the same reactions that they do not perceive to be life threatening think they will continue to have the same reactions. I was that way for many years, but now I know better. No one has any idea what their next reaction will be. No one. Andy
Andy, Thank you so much for understanding me. My sons allergist told us that Vomiting can be even worse reaction because what HURT him going down is going to make the reaction worse coming up as far as he and his beliefs anyway. Have a good day Claire
Hmm.. Epipens sound ok too have. I was prescribed some pill that I was supposed to take after I threw up. I think that helped, but I'm definately gonna make a doctor's appointment and get an Epi-pen.
I've worked at deli's and bakeries, and the I ended up paying for free samples (if I wasn't careful) :-(HHHHH.
My mom would ask about how long the pan was used on another batch.
Final word:
STOP GENETIC ENGINEERING WITH PEANUTS!!
Hi Brusselsprouts, Thank you for concidering an ep-pen. You see when my son was 6 and had his wicked bad reaction the doctor told us they didn't know how they got him out of that one. They weren't quite that discrete,but anyway we have to be serious. Did you ever have a reaction that was really so severe you were lucky to be alive. My son is 14 and he enjoys the fact that we care so much about him and that we are so careful. he has told us this so many times. He told me that he was glad he had us for parents and we weren't like some of the ones he sees in school. No I am not bragging,but I must be approaching this the right way because he isn't ever embarrassed. Thank you Claire
Hi BrusselSprouts. I, too, am glad to hear that you will consider carrying an epi-pen. It is helpful for me as the parent of a PA kid to see that you clearly have a positive attitude and don't let your allergy get you down. That part is great! However, the current research indicates that every peanut and nut allergy should be treated as life threatening. Carrying an epi-pen won't hurt you at all, and it could very well save your life one day. Kudos to you for sharing your spirit with those of us struggling with our heavy emotions.
Vomiting is the worst thing you can do after ingesting pnut/nut products. It reintroduces the allergy to your system, so you react all over again. That is what happened to my daughter with her last reaction. She not only ingested pnut butter, but then threw it up and reacted for the next 3 hours and went into anaphylaxis. It was horrible. So, I wouldn't count on always getting out of it by throwing up. It just might cause you more harm than good. I know you are 24, but get as much education as you can about the allergy and take it from there. You can never be too cautious. As far as embarrassment, if you're taught early on about your allergy like with our kids, they learn to accept it and be strong because it means staying alive!
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