Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Tale of a Food Challenge - Owen Gets the Epi

"Why are you cooking eggs!" exclaimed Max.

"Because Owen has a food challenge today to see if he really is allergic to eggs."

"Itchy" says Owen lifting up his shirt. Was this foreshadowing? I'm sure he was mimicking what Max did at his food challenge last week.

At the doctor's office they started out by just touching the scrambled egg to the inside of his cheek. He scratched at his cheek a little while later, it was red but not hivey so after 15 minutes they went ahead with the first dose of 1/4 teaspoon egg. I put it in his mouth and he pushed it out. He really didn't want to eat it, kept turning his head. I finally disguised it in some soy yogurt and he swallowed it. Complete betrayal registered on his face.

Soon after he was definately getting hives. I went and got the nurse who in turn got the doctor. We gave him some Zrytec and then an oral steroid. The hives were not abating and his eyes were beginning to swell. "I'm going to have to give him an Epi." the doctor said. I was surprised. They had been continually checking his blood oxygen and it was fine but I guess they just needed to stop the reaction. I held him on my lap while the nurse injected epinephrine into his leg. Soon after that he threw up. Before I had left the house I had thought to myself, 'I should bring him a change of clothes.' But I hadn't. I ended up having to take his shirt off and put his jacket on him because the vomit on his sleeve kept giving him more hives. We were there for two more hours before they released us after more anti-histamine and some oral steroids he is to take this evening.

I've been crying on and off since we got home. I don't know why this is more upsetting to me than last week. Because for the first time one of my kids got the Epi? Because it proves to me they really are THAT allergic. I don't know. Owen is fine now. Resisting nap as usual. I think I'll cry a little longer.

12 comments:

Pmcd said...

Ugh :-( I'm sorry to hear about this. It sounds so traumatic for Owen and for you. I'd be crying too.

In Everything said...

I was just wondering (kind of new to food allergy testing). Why are they doing challenges? Versus the skin tests or blood tests? I'm totally asking out of curiosity and future reference for my own children.... NOT criticism:)

I have three little ones ( my oldest is almost 4) and all three have food allergies...although our skin tests for the youngest came back negative she's definently allergic to eggs and milk:) So I know personally that the skin tests aren't totally reliable. My husband has also have the skin and blood tests to solve his allergy mystery...no answers. He totally, voluntarily cut milk out of his diet and the allergy symptoms are GONE!!!

Sorry about Owen.... tough doctor's visit :( And I'd cry too. I totally understand...it's overwhelming at times:)

KMF said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. That's a lot to go through in just a few hours... celebrating being at a place where you can challenge, hoping to succeed, anxious about what will happen, Owen having a reaction and then taking all of those steps to quell it. The vomit doesn't help either. I'm crying with you. That stinks.

Libby said...

Please consider yourself hugged! That's just rotten, for you and for Owen. It never ends, does it? Libby

Maria H said...

I'm so sorry. You had great care with this. Hang in there and it's good to cry. It took me too long to let myself do that and now after our most recent reaction, I can get on with our life with more acceptance.

emma said...

That sucks - what a crappy outcome! I was rooting for Owen (as I had for Max in the last challenge). I know it wasn't youre intent (today's post at least), but thanks for showing us how serious allergies are

Kate Oliver said...

Oh, that's awful. I'm so sorry- you guys have really had a rough run with this lately.

Unknown said...

I cried just reading this. I'm glad to find other moms going through this too. Sometimes other poeple just think I'm crazy, over protective and too emotional. Good luck to you all!

Angie McCullagh said...

Oh hell! I'm so sorry. That sucks. I would feel exactly the same way. Like, wow! It's really true. I can hardly believe it. In some ways, my guy's allergies don't seem real yet, because, due to our vigilance, he hasn't had a serious reaction.

Any reason why the doc didn't give Benadryl?

Just curious. Glad Max is fine. And there still is hope for the future, for him outgrowing. Really.

Big hug!

Angie McCullagh said...

Sorry. I'm glad OWEN is fine.

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

I'm glad your son is OK. We EPI'd for our egg challenge too. It's just so scary. HUGS to you!

CTR said...

Don't give up! My son has had allergies to Milk, eggs, soy & peanuts. He is 11 now. He is going for his final challenge to milk May 13 2008! So there is still hope for your son. I guess there is a reason why they give the challenge in a safe environemnt. Even though he was given the epi that's ok. It doesn't hurt him. Now you know. Not the result you wanted but he still has time to outgrow his allergies.