Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Epi pens

31 replies

Podmog · 28/02/2003 08:42

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
JJ · 28/02/2003 12:24

Podmog, my 5 yo carries them also. The thing about dealing with schools is that the best method depends on you and on the school... so take my advice realizing that this is what worked for me at my son's school (they've been GREAT which makes everything easier).

I've not been hysterical about it and tried to impress upon them that giving it to him accidentally is no big deal. Luckily (?) we've had to use them before and he's had it in the hospital, also. And again, luckily (?), I've had the experience when he should have had it, but I waited until he got to the hospital (bad me ). Anyway, those types of stories seem to help illustrate that the pens aren't going to hurt him, but not giving them might. We also have a protocol listing certain types of symptoms; what to do when. Mine is based on the Anaphylaxis Campaign's protocol (look here and follow the link to "Guidance for Schools". It's actually quite a bit different-- think of your daughter's reactions, her school situation, etc and personalise it.

Um, um, um. Also make sure they know they are free to call you at anytime and never make them feel like they overreact. My son came home early from school yesterday because of a mild sore throat.. they thought "Throat! AGH!" and rang immediately. So be prepared for more than the normal amount of phone calls regarding sickness at school.

That's about all I can think of at the moment. I've got to go, but wanted to reassure you that, at least sometimes, it's not difficult dealing with the schools. (His is new this year and actually instituted a "no nuts" policy for him! He's only allergic to peanuts (and milk, but that's not so bad anymore) though.)

If you'd like to email me, feel free -- goochersmom (at) yahoo (dot) com. Is that spam safe?

robinw · 01/03/2003 07:18

message withdrawn

robinw · 01/03/2003 07:26

message withdrawn

Wills · 01/03/2003 19:05

Podmog, I've recently been diagnosed with a nut allergy and because dd is only 2 I've been advised that although I don't need to give her a pen, until she's 5 the same eating rules must be applied to her. Like Robinw at first I had an "over-reaction" at her nursery and they wouldn't let her eat anything and for a while I thought they were going to ask me to leave. Unpressured from me the headmistress stepped in and anounced that from that day forward all lunches would be "nut free" but could I supply my own mid-morning snacks. So in the end it worked out fine.

Good luck with planes though. Like I said I've only recently been diagnosed and had to go on a business trip to Singapore. BA would only give me the fruit platter. With your little one its definitely best if you take your own food.

bunny2 · 02/03/2003 00:10

Sorry t ochange the subject here but I am interested in your views. We have been visiting pre-schools - ds will startt in Sept when he is 3.5. One school was very informed about epipens (ds may well be presecribed one soon) but told me ds would be unable to stay at school for lunch because of his allergies. Is this sort of exclusion normal or even acceptable?

bunny2 · 02/03/2003 00:11

Sorry, I'll make that a bit clearer. Ds will not be allowed to stay in school during mealtimes even if he brings his own lunch as the school does not want the responsibility of him eating food from one of the other childrens plates.

Podmog · 02/03/2003 07:48

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Wills · 02/03/2003 11:06

Bunny2, I totally agree with Podmog and feel just as annoyed. Like I said I had a similar reaction at dd's nursery but they at least understood in the end that this is becoming more and more common and that they cannot exclude but instead need to make sensible adjustments! Good luck in choosing and I certainly wouldn't touch a school so narrow minded with a barge poll! What other areas are they narrow minded about? Podmog is right about the Analphaxis campaign.

robinw · 02/03/2003 15:16

message withdrawn

robinw · 02/03/2003 15:20

message withdrawn

Wills · 02/03/2003 15:27

BA are now openly stating that they don't provide nut free meals of any kind. Found their attitude a little frustrating.

robinw · 02/03/2003 15:39

message withdrawn

bunny2 · 02/03/2003 15:55

Thanks for the responses, dh and I are going to look at other schools. The more I think of it, the more outraged I get. It'd not a problem that is going to go away is it? I am going to be more proactive by joining the Anaphylaxis campaign.

JJ · 02/03/2003 18:16

Bunny2, outrageous! It deserves to be fought, but you have to think that they're going to be a non-ideal nursery. (I think especially if you have to fight them about something so basic.) Tell the school why you're not sending you're daughter there and, if possible, how the school you eventually end up choosing is doing it differently and why you like their way.

My son is allergic to only peanuts and milk not tree nuts. BA has been great about it (no peanuts) but I don't know about tree nuts. We always take huge amounts of food on board as we invariably are served the vegan meal (which is awful no offence to vegans meant, it's just that BA serves a bad vegan meal). I think it's a lot more difficult to deal with logistics involved with a child allergic to tree nuts.

Lindy · 02/03/2003 20:06

I can't believe some of these attitudes - I used to a cub leader & one of the boys had a nut allergy, the parents explained it to me, showed me how to use the epi-pen & I changed the menu (we did all our own catering) made sure no other children bought in unsuitable chocolates etc .... no problem & we were all volunteers so can't see what the difficulty is?

robinw · 03/03/2003 19:23

message withdrawn

bunny2 · 03/04/2003 15:49

Feeling a bit emotional today. Yesterday we had the appt at the hospital to get ds blood results and they have decided to give him an epipen for his nut allergy (his worst is cashew). I have very mixed feelings, devastated that his condition is potentially life-threatening but glad to have a diagnosis and appropriate help. I have a thousand questions and am very anxious. How can I ever let him out if my site again? Help.

bunny2 · 03/04/2003 15:51

ps the traing for the epipien is in 8 weeks time, hope he doesnt have an attack before that then. Bloody unsympathetic nurse too

Wills · 03/04/2003 17:45

Hi bunny2. I have a nut allergy (rather than my child) and I only discovered it last September so I too have been going through shock and horror.

Firstly. An epipen is easy to use although I admit it was useful to have a go with the dummy one at the hospital. Take the cap off, place against his thigh and press the end. It will go click and yes it will hurt but only slightly. If he's feeling the effects of a nut I suspect the pain of the epipen will be unnoticeable by comparison to what else is going on. Have they told you that the epipen is only a temporary measure whilst you get him to hospital - if not they should have.

Next have you joined the Analphalixis campaign - if not do so. They are brilliant and will supply you with a parent pack that I'm told is very helpful.

Lastly - food. Unfortunately this is the worst bit. My dd is under 5 and as I have a nut allergy I must treat her as though she also has one until she's past 5. Even then I doubt I will let her near Brazil nuts. Its a case of avoidance is the best course. You're going to get very good at reading labels - but never assume because you read them this week, that they wont have changed next. Also brand contents change from country to country (again the campaign people told me this.) I suspect its a case of getting into a routine and getting your ds also into this routine.

I'm not sure if I'm telling you enough/too much so I'll stop now. Also I know there are parents out there in similar situations to you and could give you first hand experience of being a parent of child with a nut allergy.

Finally - did you ever sort the school aspect out?

robinw · 03/04/2003 18:42

message withdrawn

robinw · 03/04/2003 20:01

message withdrawn

bunny2 · 04/04/2003 10:10

RbinW and Wills, thanks for the responses. The answer to this one is probably obvious, ds has been eating chocolate/biscuits/cakes as treats on a daily basis and has never had a severe reaction. His reactions were due to more concentrated doses of nut .... so, should I immediately cut out all treats (everything seems to have the nut traces disclaimer on it) or carry on giving them to him as he has been ok so far? We are not seeing the dietician till May so I am in a bit of a panic about feeding him.

robinw · 04/04/2003 18:27

message withdrawn

Podmog · 04/04/2003 19:17

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Wills · 04/04/2003 19:25

Have to agree with Robinw. There are many times that I feel thoroughly frustrated but I am now gradually building up a list of "safe" foods that are still treats. I'm being super duper safe at the moment as I'm 4.5 months pregnant and have been told that going into shock is very likely to kill the baby and at very best hurt it in some way. They wont even give me a skin test and have ruled out all nuts - including things like pine-nuts (boy do I miss them!). Not being a particular chocolate fan I can't help you there and Robinw has listed a good selection of biscuits etc. However I do find Waitrose very easy to use (internet site included) as they clearly mark their products for all allergies. M&S have just started doing this as well and for the first time in months I was able to have a chinese meal. Long term things are definitely improving for us nut sufferers.

Good luck.