Has anyone had allergic reaction to this?

[venator]

My wife had a violent anaphylactic reaction to something yesterday, collapsed and ended up in A&E having Piriton and hydrocortisone drips.

All we can think of is that at the time, she was opening a charity mailshot from the Marie Curie cancer people, which had a card with some very strong glue for attaching coins.

She's OK now, but I wonder if anyone else has had this mailshot and had any reaction?

[Sqad]

No I haven't.

The gum may well have contained latex which is a well known allergenic substance.

She needs to keep this in mind.

[venator]

She's a midwife, and has worn gloves for 30 years! - she and other people had a mild skin reaction to a new type of glove a few years back, and they were withdrawn.

She had a badly swollen arm last year due to a bee sting, so we have carried Piriton ever since. She had 40mg, the ambulance crew gave her another 100, then she had hydrocortisone.

We have an Epipen now!

It's just stressful, not knowing what caused it.

The Marie Curie people are finding out what chemicals were in the mailshot - glue, fungicides etc.

[emmie]

If there was latex in there someplace that's a distinct possibility.
People can get allergies later in life from things they never had a problem with before.
I have an allergy to certain flowers, and get migraines, its bizarre,
hope she's better now...

[venator]

Thanks em10 she's a lot better now - feels like she's been run over by a bus, and still taking steroids, which she doesn't like.

She admits now that she thought she was going to die, and was surprised that her airway didn't close.

If anyone's had one of these mailshots, and had any reaction, we'd love to know!!!

[237SJ]

As it`s a charity, they might have used cheap, recycled paper for their mailshot and it`s something used in the recycling process. Just a thought.

[daffy654]

A feeling of 'impending doom' is common in anaphylactic shock, in fact it is listed as one of the main symptoms. It might be advisable to ask the doctor to prescribe 2 epipens (anapens are easier to use, Google them and you'll see what I mean) so one can be kept at home and the other for your wife to carry with her at all times.

[venator]

Thanks Daffy - she's seen people die with the same symptoms, so we can understand her feelings!

We have 2 epipens, one in the go everywhere bag, and one at home.

A&E is only 5 minutes away when she's at work - she goes down there regularly when a pregnant customer walks in and needs assessing!

[Maydup]

Blimey. Get well soon Mrs V.