How many of you "should have" given an Epi Pen but instead went to the ER and the Doc

[ChitChatNIne]

really took it personally that I chose to closely monitor with mega Benadryl + Prednisone with Epi Pen in my hand as my daughter has had allergic reactions before that this always worked for?  She ate a Peach Ring gummy type candy and within 20secs her throat began to itch and felt very tight and swollen but not gasping for air or drop in BP or GI symptoms or rash or hives ...... so I gave immediately 75mgs of Benadryl (3 tabs .. she is 17yrs old) and then 2 puffs of inhaler (albuterol) and then 45mins later still on the fence so gave Prednisone I had in the house and then decided an hour into this touch and go situation to go to the ER with Epi in hand if needed.

They assesssed and gave more prednisone and sent her home a few hrs later with Benadryl (50mgs two tabs) round the clock for next 48hrs and Prednisone for next 48hrs (50mg) and of course to keep the Epi close at hand, etc. and really slam dunked me NOT using the Epi Pen.

Has this happened to you?  Your child on the fence and they differ with how you and your allergist handle things?  She has had serious oral allergy before and even swelling of eyes, etc. but this was strictly bad in throat with no other apparent signs and monitored closely.

She is RAST + with varying Class I - IV for latex, plums, nuts .. the ingredients read:

natural and artifical flavor .. packed in a facility that pacages peanuts & nuts  (she has Class IV hazelnut and other nuts but peanuts are ok).

What do they mean by natural flavors .. could there have been PLUM in it ?  I'm going to call them today.

Any thoughts, insight appreciated esp. since we've been at this for 7 yrs and never ended up in the ER .. SCARY stuff .. this AM her throat still itching and I just gave the Benadryl.

Cheryl

[ChitChatNIne]

PS:  I guess she did get croupy at one point and sounded barking from the swelling .. maybe I went into Denial?  Maybe I should have ... but I don't want to go backwards and beat myself up .. she is almost an adult and felt she didn't need the Epi at that point yet she told me afterwards if she was home alone she would have injected. She has never had to use it to date.

Cheryl

[jeowen]

I've been on the fence with the Epi with Matthew when he was stung by a wasp last summer.  We rushed him to the ER and they then gave him 2 shots of it while there as the first one practically did nothing for him.  They said I should have injected and called 911.  Last time we had to call 911 it took them an hour to get here when dh passed out in the driveway and was bleeding from his head.  He had a very high fever and pneumonia. He'd worked all day long in the heat and wouldn't admit he wasn't feeling well.  It took them an entire HOUR...so I could get him there in 25 mins tops.  I did give him benadryl and took him right away. I called the dr on the way to let them know what I was doing.

I'm glad your dd is ok!  Don't beat yourself up!

[ChitChatNIne]

Thanks Jennifer .... and an hour was just awful for you to have to wait .. geez!

Cheryl