Im Allergic

Today I ate a chocolate fish, and once I’d swallowed I found myself unable to stop coughing. When I tried, I couldn’t breath. However, within a few seconds, I was mostly alright again. I think it might be possible for it to be a food allergy, but I’m not sure whether it’s common for the symptoms to just go away by themselves. Anyone know?

PS: Please don’t tell me I was choking. I’m not an idiot.

Allergens affect different people in different ways. Sure sounds like a severe reaction was starting to get out of control. Maybe your body reacted very swiftly to send out enough antihistimine to control the reaction.

Better find out exactly what it was that caused that reaction. Subsequent reactions to that substance will be MORE severe, and next time could be fatal.

Maybe there were almonds in the chocolate or there was iodine int the fish. Very common allergens.

If somebody goes into anaphylactic shock, what is the likelihood of them suffering from diarrhea? Is it more common in children or adults?
Any answers appreciated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqdqoJuEBas&feature=related

No ,but you may well have and not known. Most people with anaphylactically bad allergies will have had a smaller reaction to the allergen- I seem to remember this causes the body’s immune system to "remember" the allergen and therefore react so violently to it when encountered again.

can you stop it by treating the affected area with anything?
well treat the area of exposure before it becomes a system wide reaction

A true anaphylactic reaction is a systemic reaction, so you cannot treat an "area" and treat this kind of allergic reaction. IV fluids, benadryl and steroids will help in addition to epi. Not all alergic reactions or course develope anaphylaxis. A localized allergic reaction may be mitigated by using the benadrl, ranitidine, steroids and may prevent worsening of the reaction.

using topical medicines won’t prevent a systemic reaction. Treating early reactions with benadryl orally and oral steroids like prednisone may however.

I just woke up, about 3 hours after falling asleep and i had a hard time breathing because my heart beat is skipping really fast, my mouth feels dry, i’m shaky and I have big stomach cramps…

I was drinking all night and definitely exceeded my alcohol limit…
Could this have something to do with the symptoms?

yes, it’s possible lolz

My boyfriend has "IA" and has not had an attack in the past year I’ve been with him. I need to know what I would do if he did. This disease is potentially fatal and I NEED to know.
Thank you, i know that idiopathic means its cause is unknown, I just need to know what to do when something happens.

http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/faqs/aafaanaphylaxis.shtml

If so, what cruise line were you on?

All major cruise lines that sail out of the US are required to have a doctor and one or more nurses onboard. You will be fine.

That said, I because of allergies I carry my own Epipen. It’s a pseudo-epinpherine auto-injector, so if I have a reaction I can use it myself. (Jab pen-shaped device into leg. Scary but easy.) Any doctor can write you a prescription and explain how to use it.

FYI, Holland America Line has a particularly good reputation for medical care — and all their doctors are from North America. Not to disparage doctors from other places, but even though all the doctors will speak English, US and Canadian doctors may be easier to work with.

I hope you have a healthy and enjoyable trip.

Your best guess—which is the person conscious of: not being able to get enough breath or the feeling of impending doom caused by the drop in BP (similar, I’m guessing, to the feeling during a vasovagal episode)?

I would say it is a mixture of the two, and either one could be the definitive cause. However, it is most likely for it to be lack of oxygen due to breathing difficulties, as plummeting blood pressure causes unconsciousness, but the sufferer can live through that, whereas lack of oxygen is more fatal.

Last March i had an allergic reaction to something unknown and went into Anaphylactic shock. For a few weeks after i got out of the hospital i had a lot of trouble breathing and my lungs felt constricted. Now I have constant chest pains that go straight through my back. Could the anaphylaxis have caused pernament damage to my heart?

what you are describing is not related to your heart. the chest pains you experience are caused by inflammatory reactions in the pleura, the membranes covering your lungs. you can try several of anti inflammatory drugs like voltaren if you have no kidney or stomach problems. no need to worry about your heart.

I have to write a paper and have no idea how to start it and its on anaphylaxis shock, can you give me ideas for the first pharagraph.

Anna Phylaxis is also a stripper at the Golden Horseshoe. When she does the bump and grind, all the patrons go into Anna Phylaxis Shock.

Ten points, please.