We Would Have Known the Triage Nurses

When we left the allergist the first time they told us that if our son gets a reaction we should first give him benadryl watch to see if the reaction subsides and if it does not to do anything more. They told us only if we feel the benadryl isn't working should we proceed to administer the Epipen and than take him directly to the ER.

When we went the second time the doctor asked us about his reactions. We told her he was having one every other day at that point, but that we did what we were told. We also told her what the reactions were like, at which point she informed us that we were lucky that nothing had happened to him and that in fact anytime he had an anaphylactic reaction, were two systems were involved, we needed to give him the Epipen and go to the ER. Had we done this we would have known the triage nurses and been at the ER half of our lives. Of course knowing that that's what would have happened had we first been told correctly how to handle the situation we would have gone every time. Nevertheless, we were given false information at first which interestingly enough was later corrected by the same doctor.

Since then we have altered our life style completely in order to protect our son and make sure that he doesn't need to go to the hospital every other day.

Anaphylaxis and Anaphylactic Shock

My son has never gone into an anphylactic shock; that being said he has had an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylactic shock is the most severe reaction to an allergy and is probably the one people initially associate with anaphylaxis. Thus when my son's body became swollen, he had hives all over his body, he was throwing up, and he was sneezing and coughing I didn't think my son was having an anaphylactic reaction. I knew he was having an allergic reaction and of course called the doctors. A nurse from the Children's hospital called me and told me just to give him benadryl and the reaction would go down but I didn't have to come in to the ER.
Now I know that I should have rushed him immediately because even though he wasn't in shock he was experiencing anaphylaxis. According to my Allergist any time more than one system (ie. hives and throwing up or hives and sneezing) is effected by the reaction the person is having an anaphylactic reaction and should be administered benadryl followed by an Epipen and then taken to the ER.
According to National Jewish the following are symptoms of Anaphylaxis:

• Increased trouble breathing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Rapid weak heartbeat
• Swelling in the mouth and throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Flushing
• Itching
• Hives
• A feeling of warmth
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach Cramping

My son also experienced swelling which is not on the list, however, my allergist and pediatrician considered that another symptom.
If you would like to know more about Anaphylaxis click on the link to National Jewish Hospital: http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/allergy/about/conditions/anaphylaxis.aspx#symptoms