Using an asthma pump for allergies

[Lousmith]

I’m looking for some advice regarding using an asthma pump instead of an epipen.
I am allergic to nuts, soya, lentils and chickpeas and when I was younger I used to go to St Thomas in London to see consultants. Now I’m an adult consultant appointments are very rare. About three years ago I had my last visit and was told that even though I will never grow out of my allergies I don’t need an epipen. However he advised that 20 puffs of an asthma is enough adrenaline as the epipen.
I didn’t query it but when I went for a recent asthma check up my nurse was not happy with the advice given by the consultant and has advised me to see the GP. She said that if I took the puff and waited 10 seconds for each I could go into anaphylaxis shock.

Has anyone been given this advice before or know if anyone? I havent seen the GP yet but have done some research but it’s not been successful. Any info would be fab!

Thank you

I am not medical and have no idea but i do up to 20 puffs for an asthma attack and it isn't adrenalin.

Why don't you just go and see the gp....

I have an appointment next week. Unfortunately there’s a three week wait for appointments at my surgery so just doing a bit of research beofre

Ventolin is pretty much modified adrenaline, but delivering 20puffs is a bit too time-consuming if you’re anaphylactic. As an adult, I doubt you’d really wait 10secs between puffs, but even so.

What happens if you are exposed to these things? Will you have an anaphylactic reaction? Or a more mild response? (In which case an inhaler might be ok). I think this is the most important bit - what sort of reaction are you likely to be dealing with?

Oh wow I didn't know that Callamia (modified adrenaline I mean.)

BUT yes surely all the waiting and checking wouldn't work on shot.

I changed my preventative asthma meds, and it changed my life.

I know this is slightly off thread, but I urge anyone with uncontrolled asthma to do the same.

If your allergy consultant told it to you, I would guess he would know more than the practice asthma nurse.

Do you have his letter and does it explain the advice?

This isn't my field at all but GPs often write to me or phone me asking me to clarify something that I have advised that is out of their comfort zone and I would have thought this is something your GP could do for this.

We have antihistamines, inhalers, and epipens to hand at all times. Just an inhaler isn't good enough, not if your allergies are life threatening.

According to my asthma nurse (very knowledgeable and straight to the point!) if you use an inhaler more frequently than once a minute, all you get is accelerant rather than the drug. I'd definitely see your gp about an alternative.

I can imagine this is handy for children where you can squirt the inhaler 20 times into the spacer in quick succession with the face mask already in place, and 20 doses could be delivered as effectively as one. Useful to know for my two asthmatic and food-allergic DC!

...not so useful in your circumstances I imagine.