A few weeks ago school managed to let DS (8) eat something with sesame in it. They called me around midday saying he had asked for some piriton, but he was ok and they didn't need me to get him. 45 mins later they called back as he was being sick and asked me to get him. I said to give more piriton and I'd be there as soon as I could.
I arrived about 45 mins later and DS looked awful, he was grey in colour and his arms were covered in hives. He was quite cheerful though and joking with his friend he followed me out the door to the car.
He was following behind me and seemed to stumble catching onto the rail. I looked round concerned but he was walking again and talking to me. This was the only point at which I considered epipens, but he was breathing fine no swelling or anything. It wasn't until later he told me his vision had gone all purple. Had I known this at the time I would definitely have used the epipen!
I got him home and he was sick a bit more and looked awful, but eventually perked up.
At his appointment on Friday the consultant asked about recent reactions. I told her about the above and she confirmed what with hindsight I had realised, that I should have used the epipen. She said DS was teetering on the brink of anaphylaxis.
Thankfully we were lucky and piriton worked.
I thought the decision to use the epipen would have been a bit more clear cut, that DS would be having difficulty breathing or there would be more swelling.
I knew about blood pressure dropping during anaphylaxis, but didn't realise that grey/blue skin was a classic sign. DS also knows now to tell me straight away if he's dizzy or faint or his vision goes funny again.
I feel awful though, I feel I failed him.
I thought I'd share this with you in case it helps someone. I'm hoping there won't be a next time, but I feel I've learned a lot from this experience and better prepared to deal with it.If in doubt use the epipen!!
Just thankful that DS is fine!
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Allergies and intolerances
I thought I knew when to use the epipen. Clearly I don't! Hope this helps someone.
trixymalixy · 20/07/2015 22:13
Yes that is helpful, thank you. I had a vague idea that the need for an epipen would be obvious and dramatic. I'm off to have a read up 
Glad to hear your son is ok. Please don't feel you've failed him though. Everything is a learning process, what's important is that you learn from these experiences!
Sorry, OP I just wanted to add, thank you for posting, it's all theory until the actual incident happens isn't it?
It's been 5 years since my DD's big incident, I can well imagine hesitating before using the pen in indecision, I have never actually had to put my theories to the test (we've had a couple of minor scares that cleared up v v quickly. Reminders like this (and the tip re grey skin) really help refresh the mind. Glad your DS is ok 
Magicpuppy, my DS is a silent wheezer too. When our GP packed us off to the children's hospital when he had his worst asthma attack I was convinced they'd send us straight home. Instead they got him on oxygen ASAP and whisked him through to a bed. He was in for 5 days 
.
Thankfully we are now more alert to the signs.
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As this thread has been bumped I thought I would share our most recent allergy experience when we did use the epipen. We still didn't quite get it right though, but thankfully DS is fine.
DH managed to give DS the wrong milk in his cereal one Friday morning. It's happened before and DS has been a bit sick but recovered with piriton. So I took DD to school leaving DS with DH as he was working from home.
I don't normally work on a Friday and play tennis after dropping kids at school. I phoned DH to see how DS was and whether I should come home or go to tennis. DH said he had been sick but was ok and to go and play tennis.
When I got back it was nearly lunchtime and DS was asleep in bed. DH said DS had been wanting to lie down on the kitchen floor so he put him in bed.
At this point we woke him up, he was quite floppy and his lips were blue and his face was swollen and it was clear that the piriton wasn't enough. So I made DH give DS the epipen and I called an ambulance. The epipen looked like it hurt a lot.
A first responder arrived within 10 mins and hooked DS up to heart rate monitor etc. He was a bit shit and thought we shouldn't have given the epipen as the colour had now started coming back into DS's face although he still looked very unwell. He also wasn't sure whether DS should go to hospital to get checked out.
The ambulance then arrived, the paramedics said we had done the right thing and DS must go to hospital.
We were kept in for 6 hours after giving the epipen to make sure there was no secondary reaction and were to give regular doses of piriton for the next 2 days.
DS was still very unwell for several hours after giving the epipen, but it was when he asked if I had brought his iPad I knew he was fine 
.
A week or so later we were brought in for a debrief with the allergy nurse. We should have given the epipen a lot earlier at the point where DS was wanting to lie down on the kitchen floor. The first responder was wrong, we were right to give the epipen and you must always go to hospital after giving the epipen.
She said that she knew the doctor well who had seen DS when he first came in as she had worked in the allergy dept and that she had said we did the right thing. They would rather a well looking child came in in an ambulance having been given his epipen rather than a very unwell child coming in even if you feel like you are wasting their time.
To kind of summarise, if you are unsure whether to use the epipen, just use it. It's better to use it early. You must always go to hospital afterwards. Let them lie down but don't let them go to sleep during an allergic reaction.
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