Anaphylaxis is a life changing condition, a powerful force in one’s life that is invisible to others.
You will find my allergen in a high percentage of food available in the grocery stores, could be anywhere in restaurants, but medicines are the real terror as they are not required to list non-medicinal ingredients and usually don’t. I’ve held up operating rooms while they searched for complete ingredient lists for anaesthetics because they failed to prepare for my medical care. I always provide complete information when I am interacting with doctors, nurses and hospital staff, so they know ahead of time about the allergy and can prepare. Dentists have been particularly indifferent to the allergy, which has been very dangerous because most freezing injections have sulfites in them; not all, but most. I’ve faced my own death a few times in the dentist’s chair. I’ve also come out of anaesthetic after surgery and been denied painkillers because no one prepared for my medical care… really resented that one a lot and felt it deeply, as did Attila who stayed by my side and watched me suffer. When I go into hospital I write allergen warnings on my body with permanent markers and wear a self-administered allergen warning label on my forehead because I might not be conscious to protect myself from negligence. I’ve had a few close calls.
Hospital emergency care will not allow an advocate to accompany me while I receive health care. I tried to find a way to permit an advocate to accompany me when I receive care in hospital, contacted all kinds of health care associations etc., but have come away without any answers. After running around in circles for a few years trying to put something in place so that I needn’t feel terror about medical care, I gave up trying. I am but one person and my dilemma is of no interest to anyone but me and a few others who are seriously affected by this allergen. What I really need is legal right to have an advocate with me at all times when receiving medical care, so that if I am not functioning at 100% someone else is looking out for me and protecting my life. As it is, I fear for my life every time I enter a hospital as a patient.
Socially isolating and very tiring.
In US the first question after name and health insurance is allergies. That goes on a red label on your arm separate from your id tag and EVERY health care worker looks at that. I am surprised Canada doesn’t do that. How about an ID bracelet with allergy listed? I am allergic to a common painkiller-found out in ER when blood pressure dropped to extremely low level..don’t want to go through that again. I have had anaphylaxis after a bee sting so I know what you mean. And your allerigic substance is in everything since it is used as a preservative.
Wow! I took so much sulfa based antibiotics when I had many bladder infections as a teenager and young woman. After a while, the medicine gave me joint pain. I never imagined it could be life threatening, though. Fortunately, I am able to take penicillin.
The ID bracelet sounds like a good idea.
Crochet Lady I have a Medic Alert necklace, worn at all times. The staff at the hospital have to LOOK at it, and I cannot rely on that. Mostly they do, but sometimes they’ve missed it. They only have to miss it once to kill me. The red label on the arm sounds like a great idea! And yes, sulfites are EVERYWHERE, it even coats some food packaging. I try not to think about it, as I read every single label and check out every single morsel of food that goes into my mouth, and every medication that I have to take. My GP is great, he helps me find prescription alternatives that are safe when I need medications. Unfortunately, in an emergency he might not be the one taking care of me.
Joan, sulfa drugs and sulfites are not the same. Sulfites are an anti-bacterial additive used to preserve foods and medications, it is primarily used to increase shelf-life and thereby profits. More info here: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/fa-aa/allergen_sulphites-sulfites-eng.php.