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So, lately my family has been SNOWED under with health issues.

One of the Meds the Dr put my son on was going to cost us $1,485.24 a MONTH. Couldn't do that so he switched him to a different drug yesterday. Son had 2 doses in him this morning when he went to the schools clinic this morning. His tongue was so swollen that when he talked he sounded like a cartoon character under water! I was already on my way there with the Benedryl (the school nurse cannot administer medicine without prior permission) so the nurse calls my cell & asks if I want her to call him an ambulance (he was having difficulties breathing) I asked if his fingernails were blue & she said not yet. So I told her I was on my way & if the fingernails did turn blue then she should call 911 then.

I got there & gave him 75mg of Benedryl but it wasn't working fast enough. So I signed him out of school with the intent of taking him to an urgent care center (closer to where we were & I honestly thought they could handle the situation.)

The Dr that prescribed the meds called me back (FINALLY) & after I described my boys symptoms (plus let him say a few words to the Dr) he told me to pass the urgent care center & go straight to the ER.

We were there for about 3 hours & I am SOOOO glad I gave him that first 75mg of Benedryl! WOW, what a day.

Yikes! That sounds scary! I hope the ER was able to get your son straightened out (and he's got some other med to take now). I hope your family has better luck with health issues in the future.

mechie

Sending loads of hugs your way!! Sounds like you've had quite an ordeal!!

What a day Diana and thankfully you did give him that first dose so helping him.

that things improve now for you all.

That must have been truly terrifying. I'm assuming he's ok now? I've got all my bits crossed hoping for a good outcome.

What an awful experience. Thank God that you got there in time and got him to the ER. I hope you are able to get him on the right meds soon. It's scary how quickly an allergic reaction can be. I only start new meds in the morning on a weekday just in case, but you can't always do that. Sending you

Carole

How frightening, hope hes alright now??

Oh, Thank-y'all (yeah, I'm southern!) for the 's & warm wishes.

I think we broke some kind of a SPEED RECORD there, in & out in about 3 hours! Yes, he is doing MUCH BETTER. Funny, but he's my 2nd child, the youngest & I haven't called him "a baby" since he hit toddler-hood...but whenever our child is sick, it's SO easy to remember just how it was when they were an infant.

I didn't really get scared until we got home...that's when he realized that his trip to to the ER was the "A" in ABC triage...(airway). The realization dawned on him & THAT was not a pretty sight. (I think we handeled it the right way...his sister was with us & I'm glad for that; 2 years separating them in age, but when they were younger they were as close as twins-due to some family circumstances).

All in all, my post here was my way of venting (can't really do that in front of the kids, ya' know?) So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all y'all for helping me!

Oh gosh, what a scare, hope all's well now.

mags wrote:Oh gosh, what a scare, hope all's well now.

Same

How very scary!! So glad he's ok now, phew.

I know how scary drug reactions can be, and even changes from a branded name to the generic can cause issues. I hope you find a cheaper but effective and SAFE drug for him!!

Niki xxx

I am so glad that everything worked out and your son is safe and sound. I hope for smoother days ahead and that your family manges to get his meds and such worked out. Best wishes to you and your family.

Glad things worked out in the end. As for the expensive meds. You can talk to the doctor about applying for the meds free direct from the pharmaceutical company. You do have to present your taxes from the previous year with the application. With the meds costing 18k a year, I'm pretty sure any lower-middle to middle class family would be able to be approved for them. Your doctor should also be able to obtain some samples of that med to make sure your son won't have an adverse reaction to them like he did with this one.

I'm glad everything worked out.

What a thing to happen. Hope your little boy is OK. sending

So very glad that all is somewhat back to normal. Sending a few more hugs your way!! : hug:

Wow that does sound a bit scary. I always am fine until after the event and then I think back and fall apart. I hope you can get his med straight and no more emergencies.

talenaya wrote: I'm glad everything worked out.

Me too.

backafteradozenyrs wrote: I was already on my way there with the Benedryl (the school nurse cannot administer medicine without prior permission) so the nurse calls my cell & asks if I want her to call him an ambulance (he was having difficulties breathing) I asked if his fingernails were blue & she said not yet. So I told her I was on my way & if the fingernails did turn blue then she should call 911 then.

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I am very glad things are OK now. It must have been a very anxious time for you.

But I'm concerned about the fact that allergic reactions can quickly get out of hand and precious time was wasted because the school nurse could not administer any medication without permission. I realize why that rule is in place, and it is a good one, but this was an emergency situation. His tongue was swelling and his airway was being compromised.

Obviously you know the situation better than I do, but it just raises the question in my mind about how schools handle things like that. It's not something you can plan ahead for.
I'm assuming if she hadn't been able to get hold of you, she would have called 911.

In the past I've had Benadryl at the school for him (Elementary school) even had an Epi-Pen (he was allergic to fire ant bites) but he's grown out of all that & I guess I grew complacent. And yes, if I hadn't been able to go to the school, I know she would have called 911.
DH is an electricians apprentice & Tue. the company told him they have no work for him the rest of the week...which worked out because we were down to 1 car (although he fixed the clutch in the truck yesterday afternoon so now we are back to 2 vehicles).