MaybeMidMom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 18
Hi,
I apologize if this question is covered elsewhere but my search didn't bring up what I needed. To fill you in on Son's allergy history:
Son had a severe reaction to penicillin (Amoxicillin, specifically) when he was 16 mo. old - definitely anaphylaxis, not just angiodema. His throat was closing up, ambulance had to be called, epinephrine given, etc. He had to be hospitalized for 36 hours to flush the drug from his system. He was covered in hives from head to toe and looked atrocious.
At age 6, he had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids. He was given morphine in the recovery room, then brought to a holding area where we were supposed to only stay an hour or two before release. While there his face began to swell and turn red; epinephrine and Benadryl were given, and he was fine right away. We were told "morphine allergy." He had to spend the night to make sure he was okay, no further reaction noted.
Two or possibly three times after that, Son has had hive episodes. NO true anaphylaxis, just itchy, unpleasant hives. Last time he had them we took him to an allergist, who ran a few tests and said they were *probably* from a virus (he'd been sick) or ibuprofen. This was in 2007.
Son has been absolutely fine ever since. He has never had penicillin again, but I've read they don't care about that so I'm not worried about it. What I AM worried about is a) the morphine thing and b) what else I've read on the DoDI PDF file I just downloaded and looked at, courtesy of another thread.
Good news:
- Son has been taking ibuprofen for 18 mos. now, no reaction whatsoever.
- Son had wisdom teeth out 17 days ago. Dr. was given history. Dr. gave him Fentanyl (synthetic morphine) in IV and prescription for hydrocodone, i.e. Tylenol with codeine, a morphine derivative. He took the pills for four days, 'round the clock, and WAS FINE. Zero reaction.
Bad news, as written in the PDF document:
- "Idiopathic anaphylaxis" not allowed. Son had (pretty much) "idiopathic urticaria," i.e. "Unknown hives." Hopefully not the same thing?
- "Acute, early, or immediate anaphylactic onset" not allowed. I am not sure what this means. Do they mean "early in your life," or "You have horrible anaphylaxis right away NOW" to things? He does not now, to our knowledge. If I have to pay for something called a "morphine challenge test" that the Dr. is willing to administer to find out for sure, I will. What do you think?
- "History of systemic allergic reaction or angioedema" not allowed. This is the one that has me most worried. Yep, he's had both... but not for at least five years in the "systemic" case, if you count the hives, or 12 years, in the angioedema case (I looked up what angioedema means). How long ago is "history" applied?
Thank you for any advice you may have. I'm sorry to have written a novel for my first post, but we would REALLY appreciate any help or answers! If he has NO chance of admission, better for him to find out now than knock himself out applying...
I apologize if this question is covered elsewhere but my search didn't bring up what I needed. To fill you in on Son's allergy history:
Son had a severe reaction to penicillin (Amoxicillin, specifically) when he was 16 mo. old - definitely anaphylaxis, not just angiodema. His throat was closing up, ambulance had to be called, epinephrine given, etc. He had to be hospitalized for 36 hours to flush the drug from his system. He was covered in hives from head to toe and looked atrocious.
At age 6, he had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids. He was given morphine in the recovery room, then brought to a holding area where we were supposed to only stay an hour or two before release. While there his face began to swell and turn red; epinephrine and Benadryl were given, and he was fine right away. We were told "morphine allergy." He had to spend the night to make sure he was okay, no further reaction noted.
Two or possibly three times after that, Son has had hive episodes. NO true anaphylaxis, just itchy, unpleasant hives. Last time he had them we took him to an allergist, who ran a few tests and said they were *probably* from a virus (he'd been sick) or ibuprofen. This was in 2007.
Son has been absolutely fine ever since. He has never had penicillin again, but I've read they don't care about that so I'm not worried about it. What I AM worried about is a) the morphine thing and b) what else I've read on the DoDI PDF file I just downloaded and looked at, courtesy of another thread.
Good news:
- Son has been taking ibuprofen for 18 mos. now, no reaction whatsoever.
- Son had wisdom teeth out 17 days ago. Dr. was given history. Dr. gave him Fentanyl (synthetic morphine) in IV and prescription for hydrocodone, i.e. Tylenol with codeine, a morphine derivative. He took the pills for four days, 'round the clock, and WAS FINE. Zero reaction.
Bad news, as written in the PDF document:
- "Idiopathic anaphylaxis" not allowed. Son had (pretty much) "idiopathic urticaria," i.e. "Unknown hives." Hopefully not the same thing?
- "Acute, early, or immediate anaphylactic onset" not allowed. I am not sure what this means. Do they mean "early in your life," or "You have horrible anaphylaxis right away NOW" to things? He does not now, to our knowledge. If I have to pay for something called a "morphine challenge test" that the Dr. is willing to administer to find out for sure, I will. What do you think?
- "History of systemic allergic reaction or angioedema" not allowed. This is the one that has me most worried. Yep, he's had both... but not for at least five years in the "systemic" case, if you count the hives, or 12 years, in the angioedema case (I looked up what angioedema means). How long ago is "history" applied?
Thank you for any advice you may have. I'm sorry to have written a novel for my first post, but we would REALLY appreciate any help or answers! If he has NO chance of admission, better for him to find out now than knock himself out applying...