People who have anaphylaxis reactions to things, can I ask some questions?

[Sandinplaces]

Can I ask what your symptoms were before it turned into an anaphylactic reaction?

My drs are a bit shit and dismissed me last year saying it's just what happens with a wasp sting but this is what happened..;

I got stung on leg by a wasp in November in the morning. It hurt a lot. No biggie.

All day I had electric like shocks from the sting up my leg, up my back into my neck, I'd say it happened once every 5 minutes with goosebumps every time.

Later that night I took my trousers off and the sting was a red area 8 inches wide and the same long. It was raised and sore for days. Antihistamines helped a bit by the shooting pains terrified me.

Do I need to go back to the drs and ask them for an epi pen? I know wasps are fairly rare but it was such a scary experience- not the big welts or the initial pain but the shooting pains and goosebumps every time it shot up to my neck. Or was it just a fluke that hit a nerve?

I think I am reading the OP's question completely differently to everyone else.

I read it as asking for people who now have an anaphalactic reaction to a particular allergen. How did the first reaction(s) to that allergen present? I thought it was quite normal for the first time you react to not be as serious but that next time it can be a lot worse (Disclaimer: I don't have any experience of allergies, just what I've read)

Rather than asking what an anaphalactic reaction feels like, she wants to know if this reaction could be an indicator of a possible anaphalactic reaction if she is stung again.

If that’s the case op then I can’t help you. My allergen is a very specific chemical that I’ve only been exposed to once.

I've had 2 routes into anaphylaxis:

1. Direct - no warning, no chance of prior indication of trouble, just anaphylaxis at first exposure.

1. Longer route (ingested allergen) - started with heart burn, indigestion and abdominal cramps, then sore throat, burning mouth and tingling lips then moved on to an anaphylactic episode.

oh, and if it helps, the one time I was stung by a wasp it felt like electricity - I think that's just how it feels....

But the point the op is making is it could be NEXT time. So should she have one in case...

As it's very very common for each reaction to get worse.

Adidasgirl I hope your don't mean you leave your epipens in the car all the time as if they get too hot or cold they don't work (apols if you know this)

I've experienced anaphylaxis just the once. Luckily is was a reaction to general anaesthetic so in day to day life it's easily avoidable.

Ended up in icu for three days. Closed throat, low temp and blood pressure, lumps all over face and body and weeing blood.

Remember, anaphylaxis is REALLY RARE - I've met a number of medical people over the last few weeks who have never seen a case of it - doctors and nurses.

every allergic reaction isn't anaphylaxis.

every allergic reaction isn't a stepping stone to anaphylaxis...

If it was, everyone who has ever had hayfever would be carrying epi pens "in case the reaction is more serious next time".

Anaphylaxis is a very very serious life threatening reaction - but it is rare...and not the natural progression for you.

It always starts for me with tingling in my lips (I have a food allergy) and then my mouth goes all dry, before my throat swells up.

To be honest, it's happened a fair bit so I'm used to catching it before it goes to my throat.

Apologies @Noeuf it was late when I read the post and I thought OP was referring to a couple of stings.

Should remember to refrain from posting late at night as I am prob not as helpful as I imagine.

@SecretsRsecrets not a problem, just wondered if I'd missed it

afaik, anaphylaxis has to do with massive drop in blood pressure due to rush to swell up parts of the body. anaphylaxis is linked to organ failure & oxygen deprivation. anaphylaxis usually happens in no more than hours after exposure. OP didn't have any of that at all.

Sounds like an infected insect bite to me, OP. Sucky, but not an allergy, just mild toxicity.

*BarbarianMum

OP I suggest you get hold of some liquid antihistamine (Piriton etc). You can buy this across the counter. It's not as good as an epipen should you have a major reaction but it will buy you a bit of time and will certainly help with more minor reactions. You could keep a botle at home and another in your handbag.*

Not true. If you have anaphylaxis, liquid piriton will not “buy you a bit of time”. This is potentially dangerous misinformation.

DD has a mate with peanut allergy who had at least one severe reaction in past. Since taking daily antihistamine (for something unrelated) she has had several mild rather than severe reactions when accidentally exposed to nuts. Seems like the daily antiH has been very protective.

Don't agree AuntyElle. Taking Piriton is the first action on my "in case of reaction" protocol, followed by epipen and 999. Same for my friend's son and he's super reactive. Have staved off several full blown episodes this way.

In the case of the OP who has no epipen and is unlikely to get one based on current reaction history, liquid antihistamine is certainly better than the alternative ie nothing

Everyone’s emergency protocol is different and anaphylaxis doesn’t always have to have a severe drop in blood pressure (it’s definition is more than two organs being involved in an allergic reaction).

My emergency protocol is 999, two epi pens, prednisolone, legs raised, head turned, another epi pen in five minutes if no ambulance yet.

Saying that people are wrong or incorrect or don’t have anaphylaxis as they have been told to do different to what you have is stupid. Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock are very different things; both are life threatening but one is th huge drop in blood pressure and one is a severe allergy compromising more than one organ functioning.