I read this morning’s blog post, “After the Epi, Our Real Nightmare Begins,” on the Allergy Eats website and it was stunning and very important. I urge everyone to take a moment and read the Antico family’s story. Their son experienced an anaphylactic reaction and the family seamlessly executed their response: give epinephrine immediately, call 911, leave the hospital with prescriptions and a plan. What they did not expect was the aftermath that seemed more horrific than the reaction. It’s critical to note that not all reactions or recoveries are the same. What makes their story meaningful is that there are symptoms from recovery medication to monitor—not change without proper professional medical advice–but to monitor. I would lay down $$$ that most of us (managing and NOT managing life threatening allergies) are unaware that recovery can take weeks! For many, the recovery is short and easy, but I believe it is important to be ready for other possible side effects.
Meet the Antico family…
I applaud the energy and concern for us given by the Antico family. I’m sure it was not easy to write about their experience and for their teen age son to have his story told to thousands, but his story may help others. I’m sure of this. I personally understand that the recovery can take weeks and this I only learned from another incredible young man, Zac Chellini, who I featured in, “That Peanut Guy is our Zac”.
The moral of this story is that we need to be prepared for not only the allergic reaction but the recovery period by being mentally ready. It’s been a while since we experienced an allergic reaction in this family, but I must say that I needed some mental mommy recovery time. I needed to regroup emotional, review our protocol and just take a nice long breath out!
What was your family’s experience after an allergic reaction? Please share and let’s keep this conversation going!
Disclaimer: Please note that I was not paid or asked to share the Allergy Eats family story. Also, never make your own medical decisions based on stories or links from this blog–always seek professional medical advice for managing asthma, allergies or any other health condition. My goal is to help connect our allergy and asthma community in meaningful ways.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Our son’s experience after his anapylaxis reaction was anxiety issues. It took months! He was only 4 years old. He had trust issues with adults giving him food (even by mom & dad) and literally with food itself. He relived it again when his younger brother had a reaction in 2nd grade. Scott is a thinker which gets him into trouble. He’d analyze every bite of food. It would take him forever to eat. He would dwell on chewing the food and swallowing. You could see the look of fear in his eyes. He went through a phase where he would only eat a hamburger. Meal time became a very difficult frustrating not enjoyable time for the entire family. Poor guy had some anxiety issue but he eventually worked it out.
Dana,
Your sons are amazing troopers who seem to just pick up the pieces and move on. I”m sure it has something to do with you and Duane being amazing parents who work directly with their children and their challenges.