At about 1 pm one very busy clinic day, I received an emergency phone call. One of my patients was on the line, panicked because she was having anaphylaxis. She had eaten a salad at her work during a party and did not realize that it contained the food to which she had a life-threatening allergy, until a few minutes later. She panicked, ran out of the party and began driving. She was in the middle of the expressway. She described to me how her throat was closing and I could hear her wheezing through the phone. I asked her to pull over. She did. I asked if she had her epinephrine pen. She did.
“Well, pull it out of the holster,” I said.
“Yes,” she said.
“Pull off the blue cap,” I instructed.
“Done,” she said.
“Untwist the gray top and make sure to keep your fingers away,” I continued.
“I can’t do it! I’m afraid of needles, Dr. Wendt!” she cried.
My heart sank in my chest. How was I going to get her to take that life-saving drug?….
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Some common symptoms of anaphylaxis are shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, swelling of the throat or tongue, flushing, hives, loss of consciousness, and potentially death.
However, what if you are all alone and have the antidote (epinephrine) but you know that your epinephrine pen will inject you with a needle…and you are afraid of needles!
This has happened to so many of my patients, I stopped counting.
Well, now there is a nasal spray, so much less intimidating. The nasal spray is called Neffy, and it is FDA-approved for use to treat anaphylaxis. It should be available soon.
…My patient survived. Thank God I managed to convincer her to give the epinephrine pen to herself and she did not even feel it. She drove to my clinic and continued to treat her. It was a good but frightening situation for both of us.
Thankfully it should never happen again.
If you have life-threatening allergies and believe you may be a candidate for Neffy, call 480-500-1902 or request an appointment at https://relieveallergyaz.com/contact now! Begin your healing journey with Dr. Wendt at Relieve Allergy in Scottsdale, Arizona—It’s time to take care of yourself!
Learn more about Dr. Wendt and Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives at www.relieveallergyaz.com or connect with us: https://www.facebook.com/RelieveAllergy/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-wendt/, https://x.com/RelieveAllergy, https://www.instagram.com/relieve_allergy/ or https://www.youtube.com/@JulieWendt-qx7jm. Did you know? Dr. Wendt wrote the book on allergies. Buy it at: https://geni.us/WhatsEatingOurKids
Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives is located near Kierland Commons, 21803 N. Scottsdale Road Ste. 200, and has convenient evening and morning hours to accommodate your schedule. Dr. Wendt is also available for telemedicine appointments as appropriate. Most insurance plans are accepted.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is not meant to substitute for medical care by an Allergist-Immunologist nor is it intended to provide medical advice or imply a Physician-Patient relationship with its readers or their family. It is intended to provide guidance, direction, and moral support from someone experienced in testing and treating allergies. This is also not meant to be a “do-it-yourself” manual or a “how to” overcome your allergies. Some of the issues mentioned, whether allergic or look-a-like, can be dangerous or if left unchecked, deadly. Please develop a relationship with a Physician you trust to help you with diagnosis, advice, questions, and treatment regarding your and your family’s medical conditions.
