Shocking: & ALL

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and All,

A sore throat or a hoarse voice is often a sign of shocking. Remember this

can start happening with or without hiving. Sometimes this happens with

just pruritis (itching). So don't be fooled or dismiss these type of

symptoms. My best advice to you is to try to control this mess without

using epi if possible. Here are some of the ways. First line control

should begin with an H1 and H2 combo. Then NSAID's can really help control

if you are not salicylate sensative. If this doesn't work singular or

accolate can be added to the stew, or maybe alone or perhaps with doxipen.

But the first thing to do is to try to work out a combo with your Dr which

will control better than you are being controlled now. I will repeat this

one more time, zyrtec works with zantac, do not substitute pepcid or

tagament. Atarax works with tagament. If you are still not controlled

well with any type of combo, then you need second line defence. An inhaler

is the first route to go. It will beat back most of the symptoms quickly.

Work with your Dr on this, but get a cromolyn sodium med. Primatene Mist

which is available over-the-counter in the US is an inhaled adrendaline, it

can cause some heart racing and it can be dangereous to those who are

reactive to alcohol, but it works. Also, you may want to use NasalCrom on

a daily basis to stablize the respiratory mast cells. This is available

over the counter, talk to your Dr about it. Next you want to have dye-free

liquid benadryl. This is easily absorbed and it works totally differently

than H1 anti-histamine. It does not fight histamine, it competes with it.

If you go to an ER, in the US and you are having shocking systems, they

will do one of three things, first benadryl pushes, epi or steriods. The

benadryl sold in the US is not the same as the benadryl sold in Britian or

Austraila. But there are international pharmacies online where you can

order our over-the-counters. So, you can use the benadryl to turn things

around, if the inhaler isn't helping. Finally, if need be use the epi while

you are on the way to the hospital, it is only effective for about 30 mins

and then your b/p can plummet again. Also, I suggest signing up with medic

alert ( put " anaphylaxis " on the braclet) and make a set of laminated 3x5

cards with instructions on what to do if you do become unconscious and can't

help yourself. You should also let someone know that you are having

symptoms. Wake up your spouce, call a neighbor....... you get the idea. DO

NOT SHOCK ALONE OR WITHOUT SOMEONE KNOWING ABOUT YOUR CONDITION. Finally,

when to epi or not to epi is the question. If you feel disoriented and not

thinking straight..... use your epi.......... if you feel totally rung

out......... use your epi. Better too early than too late. Hope this

helps, Hugs, Myra