Please use your EpiPen and be prepared

Do you carry an EpiPen in your bag with you at all times? Do you make sure you always have two EpiPens in case you suffer a secondary attack? Do you check the expiry dates on them to make sure they are within date? Do you know how to recognise the symptoms of an anaphylactic attack? Do you know how to administer your EpiPen? and do you tell your friends and family how to do so?

If you answer yes to all of the above then perhaps you don’t need to heed the advice I have for all allergy sufferers. I would urge you all to use the EpiPen; don’t be scared of being a nuisance, making a fuss, or wasting the drugs in case you get better naturally. If you notice any symptoms such as tightening of the throat, tingling of the lips and mouth, asthma and trouble breathing etc. act fast, phone 999 and use your EpiPen. If you wait too long it could be too late.

I used to think that I understood all of the above, that I was responsible and that I would always use my EpiPen if I needed to. Who would have thought that I, a 36-year-old intelligent young woman would suffer two severe anaphylactic attacks in the space of two years, both with my EpiPen in my bag, and still not take action. On both occasions I did not administer the medicine that could have reversed the reaction and hastened recovery, and potentially saved my life.

I have been lucky, but I have also been stupid and careless and should have known better. I wanted to share my experience in case it is similar to other allergy sufferers, and also in the hope that others can learn from my mistakes.

Read my firsthand experience “Use your EpiPen!”, published in Foods Matter magazine in April 2009, and find out about my experiences understanding my own anaphylactic attacks.

Please make sure you know how to use your EpiPen and are confident of what to do in the unfortunate event that you suffer an anaphylactic attack. Write an Action Plan, share it with your friends, family and work colleagues, and above all, be brave and use your EpiPen if you need to. Be safe! Use your EpiPen!