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So basically, I went to an allergist yesterday, who told me, who has never had a life threatening reaction before to use an epipen. Has anyone else ever had that happen to them? I don’t trust her judgement because she said I was allergic to chocolate and a million other things, and I had a non-gluten free dinner and some chocolate, and I didn’t react.
Why did you go an allergist?
Yes, the old theory used to be that only someone with a history of sever allergic reactions should use an epipen.
However currently it is the symptoms that dictate if an epipen should be used or not.
Pre hospital protocols no longer require the patient to have a known allergy.
Keep in mind that epipen should only be used if there is respiratory or circulatory compromise. Also, you should seek medical attention after using an epipen.
Vogue -“possible food allergy”
Well, I don’t know if the Doc is right about what you’re allergic to, but if you’re allergic to something – it’s a good idea to have the Epi pen. You can go to another Doc to be retested on what you’re allergic to.
Let’s say you’re allergic to peanuts and by accident you ingest one and all of a sudden you feel faint and start having trouble breathing -now is the time to use the Epi pen. This will buy you enough time to get to a hospital or have EMS get to you.
If you ever use an epipen, immediately go to an ER for follow up treatment, as the EPI can cause your heart rate to change dramatically.
why did she say you are allergic? If she did not test, maybe it is time for a new allergist.
Unless you have a heart condition you don’t have to be concerned about the increased heart rate.
The reason you should go to the ER is because the Epi wears off, it’s only a temporary relief.
Vogue -“Right but my mom doesn’t believe I need an epi pen”
Unless your Mom is a med prof, she isn’t called a second opinion. Go to a different allergist Doc and if he/she says you don’t need it – then by all means you can take the second guy’s/gal’s opinion.
It’s covered by insurance -if you have insurance.
My understanding is that many allergists will tell you you’re allergic to things you’re not. It could be that they’re covering themselves, or it could be they’re trying to make work for themselves. My wife had been told that she had various environmental allergies, but a second allergist told her she doesn’t.
I agree with Health. If you don’t like what the Dr said get a second opinion.
my sister has very bad allergies and we only found out when she went into anaphylaxis suddenly. after she was diagnosed she went to the allergist who did the skin prick test. probably 90% of what came back positive was accurate. now She carries an epipen wherever she goes.
lol, I love how the first thing you do after your allergist tells you you’re allergic to chocolate is eat chocolate. 😛
How did the allergist diagnose you?
Either way, you should make sure to carry a Epi pen with you as it might save your life.
From a pharmacy with a prescrption. I just found it for 72 dollars online here http://www.planetdrugsdirect.com/Drugs/EpiPen/101049/.
It might cost more in a regular pharmacy though.
Why doesn’t your insurance pay for it?
Regarding the cost. This shouldn’t stop you from carrying a life saving medication with you.
Why not just make friends with someone who has one, and hang out with them always, and then if you have an allergic reaction, they’ll for sure just jab you with their epi.
Even better, marry them.
1- if you are not comfortable with the allergist you went to, then go to another.
always remember -you are not married to THE doctor.
even if you are married to A doctor.
2- my insurance does cover it, i get the twinject (2 epi pens) and the co-pay is $25.
for anyone who cannot afford their medications please remember that most pharmaceutical companies have a Patient Assistance Program and if you are eligible you can get medication for free or very low cost.
Bar Shattya -“Even better, marry them.”
Or even better marry s/o in the medical field who has access to meds.
Unless you have a heart condition you don’t have to be concerned about the increased heart rate.
The reason you should go to the ER is because the Epi wears off, it’s only a temporary relief. “
Not according to my (otherwise healthy) grandkids’ allergist who is a top allergy doc on LI. The heart rate is affected by a shot of adrenalyn or dose of epinephrine, and anyone who has been given an epi shot should immediately be brought to the ER for monitoring.
Of course the heart is effected, it increases. However s does the heart rate increase when you run on the treadmill.
The primary concern of a child having a severe allergic reaction is not the heart rate. Rather a clear airway and normal blood pressure.
Heart rate does get effected, but in a normal healthy person that’s not a big concern. The major concern is once the Epi wears off and the symptoms come back.
Of course the ER will do cardiac monitoring, usually for around 4-6 hours but that’s not the real concern.
Of course the ER will do cardiac monitoring, usually for around 4-6 hours but that’s not the real concern”
True,regarding the amount of time they will continue to monitor the child. And is the blood pressure not affected by the heart rate? Regardless of WHAT they are looking out for, anyone getting an epi pen must get to an ER ASAP. It’s definitely a Hatzolah call.
Yes, the blood pressure is effected. But shouldn’t really be any concern for a healthy person.
I am not implying that you should not call Hatzoloh or EMS. Rather that the cardiac side effects are minimal compared to the benefit. Besides that some allergic reaction actually decrease the blood pressure, so the fact that Epi brings it up is beneficial.
If you don’t mind to answer, how did the allergist diagnose you with the allergy, and what made you think in the first place that you have food allergies?
Can you explain why you went to the allergist in the first place? Did your primary doctor send you? If so, then why does s/he not agree with the recommendations of the doctor. If not, why did you go without a referral?
Besides that some allergic reaction actually decrease the blood pressure, so the fact that Epi brings it up is beneficial. “
That certainly is a very good point. That gives even more strength to the fact that emergency follow-up care is essential.
Vogue -“Plus, my mom just spoke to my primary doctor and they said there is no reason for me to get an epi pen.”
Is he/she basing this on his/her medical opinion or because he/she wants to please your mom? I honestly don’t know if you need one, but you could ask the opinion of another allergy Doc.
A war story – I was training in the hospital and a 20 yo girl died from anaphylaxis. She was with friends and ate something she was allegic to – like a peanut (hidden in something like a candy bar) -the friends tried to do CPR (She might have had her pen on her, but her friends didn’t know how to use it, if I remember correctly) and called EMS and brought her to the hospital. That hospital wasn’t too good. The family and their friends transfered her to the ICU in the hospital where I was at, but it was too late – all we could do was watch her die.
As someone who developed a nut allergy later in life, I think you need to give your doctor a LITTLE more credit then you’re giving.
And I also had the exact opposite of what happened to you-I went to one allergist, he wasn’t sure so he told me I needed to get a (non-insurance covered) blood test, which I ignored and then went to a different allergist, who took one look at the results of my test and said, you need an epipen with you. ALWAYS.
Allergies can suddenly develop later in life, and the way your body works is (sometimes) the allergy develops over time. Meaning, the first time, you get a little tickle in your throat, or a few hives on your hand, but the allergy can develop into something life threatening if you keep ingesting it.
Go for a second opinion if you doubt your doctor. But to just brush off what the doctor says is foolish. And so is not having an epipen.
My mother was at a dinner once and there were nuts in the salad and someone went into anaphalactic shock, and he didn’t have his epipen with him because he was too embarrassed.
I keep mine in my purse with me at all times. My bosses and co-workers know what I am allergic to, and have made themselves fully aware of where I keep my epipen so that they are ready to help if G-d forbid I need it.
It’s worth it to make sure that you aren’t allergic to foods. You never know in what foods things are hidden.
Vogue, assuming fiddlestick is right, isn’t your life worth something more than $100?
Well, why don’t you pose the question to the person who does. In the meantime, avoid to the best of your ability the things that you think you might be allergic to and go for a second opinion. Find ways to raise the money to buy the epipen as you don’t need to take any extra risks.
Does your insurance cover ANY medications?
I do not think that $100 is that difficult to come up with, 100.00 should not stand between you and your life.
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