Allergy Clinic

[saxy_jag]

For the first time in my life last Friday I had anaphylaxis and had to go to A&E. They gave me IV Piriton and some steroid the consensus is that I've probably had an allergic reaction to either diclofenac or ibuprofen, or possibly a combination of both or just NSAIDs in general. As a result I've been referred to the allergy clinic. What are they likely to do there?

[Sqad]

I am not sure what an Allergy Clinic has to offer as, the reaction, if it was, to the two drugs that you mention would be an adverse effect rather than an allergy.

The will certainly take a detailed medical history and order some blood tests, but as i have said, i cannot see any advantages to a referral.

[pixie373]

Sqad, is it not possible to have an allergic reaction to diclofenac or ibuprofen?

I imagine, saxy jag, they'll test you with lots of different allergens and monitor the results.

[Sqad]

pixie......yes it is.....but we do not know what the reaction was, but the treatment would suggest an allergic response.

I am not sure how testing against "different allergens" will help.

[pixie373]

Ah. Thank you. I thought because it was anaphylaxis, but they weren't sure of the cause, they would try different things to find out what caused the reaction.

[Nibble]

saxy, glad you are here to tell us about it - glad someone helped you!

[237SJ]

Maybe they are going to sort out the OP with an Epipen and discuss ways manage the situation?

[daffy654]

If it was anaphylaxis they would have injected you with epinephrine/adrenaline, did they not do this? Piriton and prednisolone are usually given after the anaphylaxis has worn off (to prevent a rebound).

[daffy654]

Allergy clinic will take bloods and possibly do a pinprick test, they will then prescribe and teach you how to use an epipen, ask them for 'Anapen' as it is easier and safer to self administer.

[Eve]

I find it depends on what you go for as to what the allergy clinic do. I was sent to the immunology department before an operation as they thought I might be allergic to latex, I wasn't but left with a load of other named allergies and a syndrome (oral allergy)! The nurses did a load of skin prick tests for that then discussed them, suggested ways of dealing with them, considered an epi pen etc...

But, when I was referred for a suspected penicillin allergy I saw one of the immunologists (rather than the nurses who do the pinprick tests) and he did some pin prick tests specifically for penicillin.

Same kind of thing really, you are exposed to the allergen then sent out into the waiting room for a bit then seen to see if any reaction has come up - maybe kept more of an eye on if you may be badly allergic.

[saxy_jag]

I think they're thinking allergy because I've had these meds times before with no ill effects. This time there were all the textbook symptoms - vicious hives rash, swollen tongue/arms/hands, breathing difficulties, starting to black out. Luckily the paramedic arrived just before I blacked out completely. It was him who gave me the initial Piriton shot, which worked pretty much immediately. He said if it hadn't then he'd have gone with the adrenalin. Half an hour later in hospital I was feeling pretty much back to normal but BP was a bit high and there were a couple of numbers they didn't like so they gave me some steroids and kept me in for the rest of the day. They've sent me home with a couple of Jexts full of adrenalin just in case it happens again. Because they can't say yet exactly what the cause was they've advised me to stay away from all NSAIDs until they know more. I hope they'll do testing because at the moment I'm almost scared to eat anything just in case there's a trace of something that I've suddenly developed an allergy to.

I'm a first aider and have had a few lessons on this over the years so I had an inkling from the outset that something wasn't quite right. Fortunately my husband was home and I made him call an ambulance for me, which he did because he knows I normally have to be dragged kicking and screaming to see even the GP about anything, never mind our overworked A&E staff, bless 'em.

[daffy654]

Make sure you ask specifically for Anapen if they prescribe epinephrine injector for emergency use. Anapen is the trade name but the medicine in it is the same as an Epipen. Anapens are much easier to use, you place the pen against your thigh and press a button, normal epipen have to be forcefully 'jabbed' into the thigh which can be painful and doesn't always work.

One of my daughters ended up with an epipen needle embedded in the bone of her thumb when she was trying to give her sister (my other daughter) her injection during an attack. They both wound up in hospital and the doctors still talk about it now 10 years later when either girl sees the ones that treated them :)