Anaphylaxis in Action- A Parents Worst Nightmare
Posted by Dr. Cason on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
As a pediatric office we see a lot of patients. Some really sick but most not so sick. But today?
Today took the cake.
I saw anaphylaxis in action and it wasn’t pretty. He was struggling, gurgling, drowning in his own saliva. Bright red skin head to toe covered in hives. Wheezing and congested. In clear respiratory failure.
I called out, “I need Epi!”
The gurgles increased and he grew pale. His airway was closing. I was running out of time. I glanced over at my staff. They were working quickly but the epi wasn’t drawn up yet.
Without hesitating I walked over to my purse and grabbed the Epi pen jr ( I carry one around for my son in case of an emergency.)
Flicking off the gray protection cap I strode quickly back to his room, took his outer thigh in my hand and stabbed the pen in his leg .
*Click!* it went. What a satisfying sound. As I held it and counted to ten I looked at his face. Within seconds I could see him suddenly relax and breath easier.
It took another Epi dose, IM Benedryl and Solumedrol before we could leave to hospital.
Later I sat in the cab of the ambulance listening to the sirens screaming as we moved easily in and out of traffic. Surreal.
And I thought today’s highlight was going to be taking Little Miss Blue Eyes to her first day of school.
*** I just fell asleep on my computer- I’m off to bed. I’ll get those pics up tomorrow and you can see what a sweet and happy first grader I have.
Oh and that baby- stable in the PICU right now. Thank God for Epinephrine.
Filed in Everything Medicine,My Life | 15 responses so far
Nikkion 27 Aug 2008 at 10:39 pm 1Alright so seriously I should probably get an epi pen again. I haven’t had one since I was 13. This post has made me say “stop being a dumb ass Nikki”
Thanks!
Awesome Momon 27 Aug 2008 at 11:38 pm 2Gosh, how scary! I am glad that you were able to think quickly and get the child the medicine that he needed.
Writer Dadon 28 Aug 2008 at 12:05 am 3You have a difficult job that few us can imagine. Thank you for doing it.
Trishon 28 Aug 2008 at 12:08 am 4GOOD JOB!!!
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Kristinon 28 Aug 2008 at 12:09 am 5It is truly amazing what can happen in a few seconds.
Kristins last blog post..Cakes Gone Wrong
Linda Abbiton 28 Aug 2008 at 5:06 am 6I have been there, Sheila.
At 18 months, my son ate a cookie at a play group and we learned the scary way that he is deathly allergic to all peanut products and nuts! He didn’t react right away, but threw up at lunch at McDonald’s (didn’t think much of that happening LOL) and then woke up from his nap screaming and covered in hives! I called our pediatrician and the nurse calmly told me to bring him in right away. I had no idea what was going on, or the danger he was in — just that something was wrong with my precious son. (Looking back now I wonder why they didn’t have me call 911?). The doctor met me in the parking lot and gave my son an epipen injection in his carseat! Then, and only then, they told me what was up. If I had known before the danger he was in, I never would have been able to drive there, even a short distance away!
Since then we’ve lived in vigilance, always with two epipens available at all times. The Vice-Principal of his middle school had to give him an injection once when he ate candy with nuts in it at school, and then just last year, as a college freshman, he ate dressing at a restaurant that had peanut butter in it and had to call 911, because he didn’t have his epipen with him!!! He’s been super vigilant all his life about what he eats, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. He’s obviously gotten more lax about keeping his epipen with him, but that was a good wake up call.
I hope the parents of this little baby appreciate that you saved their son’s life. I am eternally grateful to those who have taken care of my son in these situations!
This is an important topic to bring awareness to. Thank you!
Dr. Casonon 28 Aug 2008 at 5:21 am 7Nikki- Seriously get the epi-pen! And get two because if you’re not better in 10-15 minutes you have to give another. Which is what I did yesterday.
Awesome- I’m glad they they were able to get there that fast.
Writer- Yesterday was one of the best days of being a doctor. I didn’t feel helpless. There was something I could do!
Trish- Thanks.
Kristen- Seconds is right.
Linda-Thank you for sharing. It’s a huge important issue that more people need to be aware of. With the increase in food allergies I have feeling that having epi pens available is going to be required in public just like AEDs.
Rebecca Brownon 28 Aug 2008 at 6:15 am 8My word how scary. I’m seriously thanking God my children aren’t allergic. Praying for those who are.
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Marelisaon 28 Aug 2008 at 11:01 am 9I’m going to e-mail this post to my sister who has two little boys.
Marelisas last blog post..30 Ways to Increase Your Creativity
Sara Rosson 28 Aug 2008 at 11:57 am 10Way to think on your toes in such a terrifying situation.
Did you find out what caused the reaction?
We carry my daugthers epipen everywhere. We have at least 4 in the house, but now I will carry 2 and I should probably give daycare 2 also.
I am glad your day ended with a positive outcome.
Sweet Dreams
White Hot Magikon 28 Aug 2008 at 1:11 pm 11Wow, scary. Luckily I have not seen an severe allergic reaction like that. I know some moms who have and live in such fear. I feel bad because many people make light of it as though they are overreacting.
White Hot Magiks last blog post..Prepping them for adulthood
Dr. Casonon 28 Aug 2008 at 1:32 pm 12Rebbeca- Seriously be thankful. An pass this information to any one you meet who is allergic! Most people get a little lax and stop carrying the epi pens! Don’t!
Marelisa- Are they allergic?
Sara- Milk we think. It was his first time getting any formula and he only took 3 sips! Yes the daycare should have two!!
White Hot- One of the biggest challenges that parents with allergic kids will have is convincing everyone they actually have an allergy!
Kylaon 28 Aug 2008 at 11:09 pm 13Oh wow. Quick thinking! I’m glad you had an Epi-pen handy!
Glad the baby is stable now. How frightening, though.
Kylas last blog post..Tuesday/Wednesday
Aaron Dwyeron 29 Aug 2008 at 11:20 am 14Thank you for sharing this story, do you mind if I mention it on my blog / show.
Aaron
Aaron Dwyers last blog post..Children With Anaphylaxis Managing Their Anxiety – Episode #18
Elizabethon 29 Aug 2008 at 2:08 pm 15I wonder what might have happened if you didn’t have that Epi Jr pen close by? *whew* Way to go Doc!
Back in ’96 I was hospitalized in Korea for a pretty nasty case of the hives. I was given a shot of Benadryl at the ER but no improvement came. 10 minutes later I was given another shot but no joy there either. It was a weekend (and a quiet one at that) and I was put in a back room for “observation” while the staff chilled out. A couple of hours later I got up and used the rest room… and came face to face with my own personal nightmare. My body (and, good God, my face) had swollen up so badly that I couldn’t recognize myself. My throat was starting to get tight, and I could feel that tightness moving down my esophagus. Guess who got airlifted to Seoul? The only thing that stopped the progression of and relieved the hives was Prednisone. Turns out I’m allergic to antihistamines. Go figure, eh?
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