EpiPen advice please

[MegBusset]

DS1 (8.8yo) has just been prescribed an EpiPen for the first time. He's allergic to egg, nuts, sesame and pulses but has never had an anaphylactic reaction. We saw a new consultant a couple of weeks ago who recommended he has the EpiPen "just in case".

Obviously we will have one at home and school will have one, but just wondered what others have done at parties, playdates etc when you're not there with your DC? Do you always send them with it if they're going round a friend's for tea and are other parents willing to be left in charge of an EpiPen or do you stay with your DC?

Advice and experiences welcome!

I ask the birthday child's mum what us going to be served in the party and send DS with a lunch pack with similar stuff. same goes for playdates.

I send epipen and piriton, and some instructions on what to do if he has a mild, medium of severe reaction. Having said that, I always reassure the parent that as long as he eats his food only (and he knows well not to eat anything else) there won't be a problem and that I would be on call and near if she/he has any questions. (But don't make a fuss because if you scare the parent off, your son won't get many invites).

Tiger, do you show the parent how to use the epipen too? Are most other parents ok with it?
My child also has an epipen for a few different allergies and I am wondering what it will be like as he gets older and goes to things without me, so watching this thread with interest

Ds has been carrying epipen since he was 4. He had to carry 2 with him at all times which meant he had 2 stored at school and 2 at home. I've always kept them in his rucksack or my bag if he wasn't taking a backpack. I rerun the 'training' with anyone who was anxious about the epipens. It only takes a few seconds and a few more to reassure them that we haven't ever had to use them so far. Ds is 11 now and I have to remind him constantly to carry his medication now

No, most parents are definitively NOT ok with it. I just tell them to give him a piriton dose and give me a ring straight away. ( I make sure I am reachable at all times).

I only explain how to use the epipen if DS is staying overnight or for a long period that involves meal times. For a 2-3 hours visit, I send the lunch pack and medicines, have the phone in hand and hope for the best.

But yes, DS' medicines never leave his side, now that he is older he carties piriton tablets, an asthma inhaler and an epipen in his trausers' pockets if he doesn't want to carry the full medine bag around.

Oh - we only got prescribed two, one for home and one for school. They're on repeat prescription though so I should be able to get some more.

It's so worrying :( even though I know it's not because his allergies have suddenly got worse, we just have a more cautious consultant...

Yes, you need at least two epipens with him all the time, plus another 2 to stay in school. (And the four of the if you are taking a plane). It is just asafety net in case the first one doesn't work soon enough or is damaged during application.