What's it like actually USING an epiphen?

[herbaltea]

We have just got 2 epipens via our GP. Our Paediactric Allergy clininc won't prescribe epipens because our DD doesn't have a history of breathing problems ie. asthma. We are going abroad on holiday for the first time with our child so have bypassed the allergy clinic and got the epipens very easily. My DS is 3.5yrs and has just reached the right weight for the Junior epipen.

She's allergic to all nuts and pine nuts. I have been online and watched how you administer the injection and feel I know as much as I need to know but would like to hear from people who have actually had to use one on their child. Did your child resist/struggle (you have to hold it there for 10 secs I believe) - how far into a reaction was it before you used the pen? If you've had to use one yourself, what did it feel like -is it very sore during/afterwards?

TIA

Friend reports going hot and cold, flushing red and feeling shaky. Her breathing difficulties kick in only a few minutes later if left untreated. She says to look for tingling in face, rashes sore throat and redness, followed by difficulty breathing. Says to tell you to jab hard, hold for 10 secs and then remove, then massage the area. It is going to hurt but you must jab good and hard.

I've used epipens on myself before, and had other people use them on me. I hate to tell you this, but it's probably the most painful thing I've ever experienced. That being said, the thing that motivated me do it was that without the injection, I might well have died...

I would always, always inject if in any doubt. I use my pen as soon as I have tingling in my face or lips, redness and swelling, and breathing difficulties. I was told it's always better to inject sooner rather than later, and if you think you should be injecting, then do; considering you will be getting medical help anyway, my doctor said that injecting it if you didn't really need it wouldn't do you any harm, but not injecting it could be a very bad idea.

In terms of resisting/squirming, yes I suspect the child would, especially if they aren't too ill by that time. I certainly find it hard to be still- I now tell people when I'm training them in how to inject me to make sure they hold my leg firmly, so I can't inadvertently pull away. The best way I can describe it is like when you get washing powder into a cut- it stings and burns. The pens themselves inject with a fair bit of force too, and often leave a bruise. The injection site is sore for me for a few days afterwards.

This all sounds terribly scary, and I'm really not trying to put the wind up you. The thing to remember is that at the time I need it, handling the injection is in many ways the least of my worries, and actually gives me confidence that this will make things better. Hope this helps!

Thank you DrSeuss and GoddessofSubburbia. I hope to God that I never have to use it

thank you notirednow. Appreciate you taking the time to write all the above. Obviously I realise that it's not a pleasant experience but when you put it in context... wow! I wonder if I can get hold of a practise pen before I go? It would be useful to feel how much of a "kick" it has. Appreciate your reply too Goddess.

And Dr Seuss!

once we have realised that we need to use the epi pen , and we just calmly used it.

we have used it 3 times , and he was instantly much better after we gave it to him.

he has had a wide varity of symptoms, and now that we have used it much of our fear has gone. we feel more confidant that the epi does work its magic , and is easy to use.

my son has been in too much pain with the reaction to ever complain about any pain from the epi pen. a small bruise afterwards is a very small price to pay for your life.

I have just had care plan meeting with school nurse. She has said that if DS has feelings of extreme cold, flushed face, hives, swollen lip or complains of sore throat, or the confused/drunk behaviour (had all in past at the same time) that is when school should give epi-pen instead of puriton. She said swollen face is the indication swelling is occuring inside. Once he gets to the extreme congestion and wheezing it has gone further.

Having said that when he had a reaction like this I gave 5ml of puriton 3 times over an hour and it did work. (phoned OOH GP who suggested more).

I have never had to use the epi-pen (and hope to god I don't) so will be watching this thread with interest. Great thread BTW.

My experience is similar to nottirednow - fine at the time - I have about a two week time lag and then freak in private totally. It's not only the use of the epi-pen - it's all those conversations that follow people who are ultimately concerned for your child and you; who ask about how you are and what happened -but conversations always reach the same terrible point of reality. That's what gets me more!

Anyway - first time we had no epi-pens so was a bit of a panic. Gut instinct said call an ambulance and I'm really pleased we did. If you see symptoms as described by heliumballoons above call asap. No one tells you off for calling an ambulance for a child.
So our first two times we managed to to either get A&E or a paramedic to do it for us. But then they couldn't get here on time and we did it. A bit hairy but, as nottirednow says, you get your calm-mum mojo on and it just works. What we did badly was to disagree between DH and I as to when to use it in from of our son. DS followed the conversation (aged 5 and flagging with a reaction) and joined in! Argh. DS was not pleased with the final decision (though had no breath to disagree anymore) so we went for it and I managed to bend the needle on the first needle ... BUT second epi-pen in - it worked a treat. Just like a magic wand. DS calmed down, was a bit spaced but so clearly fine.
Now we're all on the same page as to when to use (when I decide as I'm with him most) and it's all done calmly and it is indeed our magic wand.

Helium - pleased your meeting went well - were you happy? I reckon your school nurse is spot-on - we mums can probably watch a little longer and take the risk on the piriton as we have our instincts, but she's following text book and it sounds sensible.

All excellent advice thank you everyone. My DS was diagnosed with a skin prick test at 15 months - she hasn't had a reaction as such since then because at this age we can control what she eats, once she went a bit pink and we gave piriton and she was fine (she might not have needed it). Who knows what her reaction might be if she is accidentally exposed - we may just be in hives territory (her biggest reaction is to cashews and pistachio). She's due a visit to the allergy clinic in May so it will be interesting to see if they will give any further tests to see what her allergic status is and whether they will officially prescribe the epipen - they do seem very reluctant to do so.

thanks topiarygirl Yes I'm very pleased. I agreed with everything she said and I think it has given me the push to use the pen if needed and not wait so long. I hadn't realised the confusion, coldness etc we're early signs of oxygen deprivation. I guess from my point of view if I don't use the epi-pen DS doen't have analyphalaxis I'm now getting to the place where I'm accepting it iyswim.

I also said to the HT I trust the school to do whats best and I would never question the way they dealt with a reaction as I know they are doing their best for DS as yes as his mum I stand back and judge more but for the wrong reasons stated above.

I use the out of date ones and let the kids practise on oranges. We are all quite quick at it now. DS2 holds the record.