Another mystery reaction!

[Jimbob]

James came out of school on Monday and he was a little blotchy around the eyes but he often looks like this when he gets warm so did not think anything of it. We went to the after school computer club. We had bee inn the classroom about 10 minutes when James had hives popping up and became wheezy. I gave him 10 ml of loratadine and 6 puffs of salbutamol. The teaching assistant went and got the first aider from the office. The salbutamol calmed his breathing down for about 2 minutes and then went downhill again. James was unable to stay still so I held him in my arms, one arm wrapped around legs ad the other arm holding his arms whilst the first aider administered the epi. Whilst the epi was being administered the receptionist called 999 and a ambulance arrived within a few minutes.

The epi did start to calm things down but then things were getting worse again so the paramedics administered another dose of adrenaline in the ambulance. They also gave James a nebulizer and kept him on oxygen.

When we got to A&E there was a medical team waiting for us and was taken straight through. James was given oral steroids and another nebulizer and also IM piriton. Things again started calming down but then went downhill again so doctor administered another dose of adrenaline. James was kept on oxygen for a while.

Once James had been stable for about an hour they moved him to a ward as they wanted to keep him in overnight due to the amount of adrenaline that had been given, otherwise they would have released him after 4 hours.

The staff at school, the paramedics and all hospital staff were great.

The worst thing about this experience is we do not know what caused the reaction. This is not the first ana reaction James has had but it is the first time that he has had to be given more than one dose of adrenaline.

Kelly

[Shiv52]

How scary Kelly.  Poor James.  How is he feeling now?

Absolutely no idea what caused it?  That is so worrying. 

[Jimbob]

James is fine now and is back at school. It has had an impact on him though. He told my FIL off for not washing his hands after eating a cake as that could make him poorly as cakes have egg in. James has become worried about fruit and milk time at school as all the children drink milk in the classroom. We are working through this though and it is to be expected.

I really don't know what caused it as James had not had anything to eat since lunch but with the severity of the reaction I would think it was something that he had eaten. I had made his lunch though and everything in it James has had so manny times before.

Kelly

[Shiv52]

Poor wee boy.  It must be very scary for him.  And he definately wouldnt' have tried anything of anyone elses?  Probably not seeing as he is so aware of the issue?

[firsttimemummy]

How scary

[Jimbob]

I am finding it really difficult to sleep at the minute. I can't stop thinking about what happened on Monday. If we knew what had caused the reaction at least we could reduce the chances of it happening again. The unknown is so scary.

Kelly

[firsttimemummy]

I can understand this - the reassuring thing, though, is that you now know the staff know exactly what to do and are aware of how quickly he can get ill.  Hope you figure out what caused it xxxx

[Shiv52]

It must be terrifying Kelly.  Am really glad it was handled so well.  Are you confident the staff would know to get help as quickly if you weren't there?

[Roseii]

((hugs)) how scary. I'm sorry I don't know what J is allergic too, but my friend at school had allergies and she touched a nutshell in science class and that set a reaction off, could it be anything like that?? (This was like over 20 years ago so I guess schools are more stringent with these things now )

[Jimbob]

Lucy - It does help to know that the staff know what to do if James has anymore ana reactions. They really did not need me to tell them what to do, which is great.

Shiv52 - I am confident that the staff would have handled the situation without me being there. I did not have to give instructions everybody just did what needed to be done.

Charli - James is allergic to egg, dairy and tests positive to nuts (never had them as first tested positive at 10 months). The children drink milk in the classroom so I suppose it is possible that they could touch things in the class when they have milk on their hands etc. I have also seen children coming out of class with yogurt down their jumpers from lunchtime so that could cause issues. It is difficult though as I can't expect the school to ban dairy, egg and nuts.

Kelly

[Mashi]

Aw, Kelly, just seeing this now.  What an ordeal, how scary for all of you!  I'm glad to hear James is okay now but I can totally understand the fear in not knowing what set it off!  Hope you get some answers. Has his doctor suggested any more testing or anything?   I hope you get an answer x

[Jimbob]

We have an appointment with the specialist on the 20th December. They may decide to do some more testing then.

Kelly