sbgrace Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 (edited) My husband is having an allergic reaction. I'm familiar with anaphylaxis because my son has those reactions but I'm not sure what my husband is having is allergy vs. anaphylaxis. He had throat swelling (tightness) and what sounds like minor swelling in his mouth. He had trouble getting a full breath and chest tightness. I say had because he told me 30 minutes after the reaction started when he wasn't feeling better. He said he immediately took a double dose of children's benadryl. When he told me I had him take another double dose (for a full adult dose). Now, about five minutes later, he says he's feeling better. I couldn't get him to take my son's inhaler. I suspect the chest tightness and trouble getting a full breath are asthma? He's never had an asthma attack. Ok. So anaphylaxis to me means epi pen (I've got children's but two is an adult dose I believe) and call an ambulance. But I'm confused by the symptoms because I'm seeing no skin issues at all and I'm not sure the swelling he's got (presumably lungs, throat, mouth) is one body system or two? In other words, is this a severe reaction or an anaphylactic one? We live 30 minutes from a hospital but there is an ambulance stationed in our fire department. Our hospital is, in my experience, pretty bad with anaphylactic allergies. He says he's feeling better and the tightness in the throat and chest are less. He's still clearing his throat. Either way he's going to see an allergist to get his own epi pen. Ugh. But now--what do I do now? Edited September 18, 2011 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 My husband is having an allergic reaction. I'm familiar with anaphylaxis because my son has those reactions but I'm not sure what my husband is having is allergy vs. anaphylaxis. He had throat swelling (tightness) and what sounds like minor swelling in his mouth. He had trouble getting a full breath and chest tightness. I say had because he told me 30 minutes after the reaction started when he wasn't feeling better. He said he immediately took a double dose of children's benadryl. When he told me I had him take another double dose (for a full adult dose). Now, about five minutes later, he says he's feeling better. I couldn't get him to take my son's inhaler. I suspect the chest tightness and trouble getting a full breath are asthma? He's never had an asthma attack. Ok. So anaphylaxis to me means epi pen (I've got children's but two is an adult dose I believe) and call an ambulance. But I'm confused by the symptoms because I'm seeing no skin issues at all and I'm not sure the swelling he's got (presumably lungs, throat, mouth) is one body system or two? In other words, is this a severe reaction or an anaphylactic one? We live 30 minutes from a hospital but there is an ambulance stationed in our fire department. He says he's feeling better and the tightness in the throat and chest are less. He's still clearing his throat. Either way he's going to see an allergist to get his own epi pen. Ugh. But now--what do I do now? I have two anaphylactic/asthmatic children, and what you described would have me dragging dh to the car/calling an ambulance and getting him to an emergency dept. somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 With anaphylaxis symptoms (throat swelling, etc.) you just never know if the symptoms are going to come back in a hour or in a few hours. You also don't know if his blood pressure could suddenly drop. I wouldn't mess around with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seraphina Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I would take him to the er just to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I'm confused by the symptoms because I'm seeing no skin issues at all and I'm not sure the swelling he's got (presumably lungs, throat, mouth) is one body system or two? In other words, is this a severe reaction or an anaphylactic one? Another thought - these are all internal reactions he is having, as opposed to external (skin hives). The internal reactions (no matter how many body systems are involved and no matter what the reaction is called) are a big problem. ETA: I don't mean to sound so scary, but thoughts keep coming to me so I keep posting. Please let us know what you decide to do and how he does! Hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I'd also have him at the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 My son's anaphylactic reaction didn't involve any skin symptoms until 5 hours after ingestion (and an Epi & IV Benadryl at ER & adrenaline at ER). Get thee to a hospital. Better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 You need to get him checked out. It could be a heart problem, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 (edited) ER to be sure it's an allergic reaction. Edited September 18, 2011 by melmichigan changed my mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higginszoo Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Definitely an ER visit, probably in an ambulance to be safe, unless you can get him there in less than 5 minutes. These things can turn bad, fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 (edited) My husband is quite a bit better (he's says throat and breathing a 9 now) but I'm trying to talk him into having a good friend drive him to the ER. I do not want him to drive himself and my ASD son is asleep so I can't pile us all in to go. I'm thinking send them with epi pens and have them sit there for a couple of hours to make sure he doesn't go biphasic without help? Our ER stinks with anaphylaxis but at least he'd be there if things go worse. Edited September 18, 2011 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 ER. What you described involves breathing. Issues with breathing can bring death. Rashes...no problem. Breathing? Swelling in throat? Tightness in chest? ER. STAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 My ASD son is asleep. He's quite a bit better (he's says throat and breathing a 9 now) but I'm trying to talk my husband into having a good friend drive him to the ER. I do not want him to drive himself. I'm thinking send them with epi pens and have them sit there for a couple of hours to make sure he doesn't go biphasic without help? Our ER stinks with anaphylaxis but at least he'd be there if things go worse. What does he think the allegen is? Depending on that he might need dosing over the next 24 hours. I'd still send him to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 ER. What you described involves breathing. Issues with breathing can bring death. Rashes...no problem. Breathing? Swelling in throat? Tightness in chest? ER. STAT. :iagree: Find someone who can take him, or call an ambulance and find a friend to pick him up later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 What does he think the allegen is? Depending on that he might need dosing over the next 24 hours. I'd still send him to the ER. The allergen is definitely buckwheat. He's much better now and we're at least 45 minutes out so at this point I'm mostly concerned about biphasic, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 My husband is quite a bit better (he's says throat and breathing a 9 now) but I'm trying to talk him into having a good friend drive him to the ER. I do not want him to drive himself and my ASD son is asleep so I can't pile us all in to go. I'm thinking send them with epi pens and have them sit there for a couple of hours to make sure he doesn't go biphasic without help? Our ER stinks with anaphylaxis but at least he'd be there if things go worse. What about calling an ambulance anyway? Just so the paramedics can at least evaluate him and maybe *they* can talk him into going to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 I think I almost have him convinced to go. I called his friend who said he'd take him. So...what can the ER do? What do I want the ER to do? From my son's experience I think he needs to know what to ask for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I think I almost have him convinced to go. I called his friend who said he'd take him. So...what can the ER do? What do I want the ER to do? From my son's experience I think he needs to know what to ask for. - They can keep an eye on him for a few hours - They can check his blood pressure and other vital signs periodically - They can listen to his lungs for any wheezing, and give him a puffer if needed - They can check his blood oxygen levels - They can give him epinephrine if needed - They can put a breathing tube down his throat if it swells up again - They can give him treatment for shock/blood pressure drop Glad you are convincing him to go! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 Ok, he's convinced. I hope he'll see an allergist later because I think a doctor telling him next time he needs to respond immediately would help. Of course I hope there is no next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 Make sure he gets an Epi script from the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 Ok, he's convinced. I'll be :bigear: to hear what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 I hope he's on his way to be seen. It's necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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