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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Should I push for an epipen?

11 replies

Felixss · 22/04/2023 22:43

DD admitted to A&E yesterday she has asthma. Her face hugely swelled eye drooped and she had some kind of allergic reaction gave her antihistamine have no idea what to, said she was struggling to breathe so gave her her inhaler and antihistamine didn't work. She was admitted to hospital given meds, shes ok now thank god need to book a gp appointment on Monday should I push for an epipen until we find out what it is especially with the asthma ?

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 22/04/2023 22:47

Only a healthcare professional can advise you on what is the best option here.

Sodie · 22/04/2023 22:48

Yes definitely, no two allergic reactions are the same. Two of my children carry epipens both for nuts. One of them has brittle asthma and his tongue swells and throat closes.

MySaladDaysAreGone · 22/04/2023 22:49

ask your Gp for a referral to the allergy clinic, I believe only they can make initial prescription for epipens.

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 22:50

How old is she?

Toddlerteaplease · 22/04/2023 22:50

If the hospital felt one was indicated. They would have discharged you with one. If she didn't require adrenaline to manage the reaction then they are unlikely to give you one. But that is their decision. The GP will probably not prescribe it. But you could ask for a referral to an allergy specialist.

IsItHalfTermYetHelp · 22/04/2023 22:52

Toddlerteaplease · 22/04/2023 22:50

If the hospital felt one was indicated. They would have discharged you with one. If she didn't require adrenaline to manage the reaction then they are unlikely to give you one. But that is their decision. The GP will probably not prescribe it. But you could ask for a referral to an allergy specialist.

Two of my relatives have had epipens prescribed by the GP after a first reaction.

Original poster
Felixss · 22/04/2023 22:55

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 22:50

How old is she?

She's 10 asthma diagnosis was 4 months ago so relatively new.

OP posts:
MissTrip82 · 22/04/2023 22:59

Was she treated with adrenaline?

You can push all you want, no responsible health care professional can prescribe a medication unless it is indicated.

A better path is to ask if an epi-pen is indicated, and seek an explanation about the reasoning why or why not. You want to make sure your child receives appropriate care balancing risks and benefits, with proper regard to evidence. Not just what you ‘gut’ tells you she should have.

Original poster
Felixss · 22/04/2023 23:03

MissTrip82 · 22/04/2023 22:59

Was she treated with adrenaline?

You can push all you want, no responsible health care professional can prescribe a medication unless it is indicated.

A better path is to ask if an epi-pen is indicated, and seek an explanation about the reasoning why or why not. You want to make sure your child receives appropriate care balancing risks and benefits, with proper regard to evidence. Not just what you ‘gut’ tells you she should have.

I've already done the NICE risk assessment. With Asthma more care does need to be taken because the risk of anaphlyaxis is higher in people with asthma and I have no idea what the allergy is.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 23/04/2023 00:23

She may have had a severe reaction, but it may not have been anaphylaxis.

Witchbitch20 · 23/04/2023 00:34

When I suffered an extreme allergic reaction (head swollen to twice it’s normal size), I was treated in A&E with steroids and told to discuss with my GP that an epi pen would be a sensible precaution. (I did know what had caused the reaction).

I was given pens, following this and a year later had follow up allergy testing to confirm the allergy. To date I haven’t had anaphylactic reaction but advised it could happen.

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