Photo courtesy of kidshealth.org
For awhile now I have been meaning to practice using an Epi Pen, a real one, just to see what it is like. An Epi Pen, which is short for epinephrine auto-injector, is a medical device used to house and deliver a certain amount of epinephrine, better known as adrenaline. Epi Pens are most commonly used on a person when they are having an allergic reaction to help treat and/or delay Anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic Shock can kill a person. No word of a lie here folks. 🙁
Epi Pen Jr. boxes
Now, I didn’t just decide one day that I was bored so let’s play around with a serious medical gadget. What some of you know is that my four year old son, William, has several Food Allergies. I give this capital letters because it is serious business. William was diagnosed at the age of 8 months with an allergy to diary, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. He was almost three when it was deemed he had outgrown the diary allergy, but the other three remain. 🙁 To date I have not had to use an Epi Pen on William, which is a blessing, but it is better to be prepared. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. It was suggested to me that I practice with our expired Epi’s and use a piece of fruit rather then my son. So that is exactly what I did.
I took some photos during this little experiment so what you see is the Epi’s ( I had two of them) in their protective case and then one of them outside the case. It is a fairly easy process, but I wanted to do this test for two reasons. First, to see the needle. Sounds morbid, but I have heard the needle is big, but I needed to see for myself. I also wanted my daughter Emily, age ten, to see it. Not to traumatize her, but to make her better understand the severity of this whole issue. Emily also needs to know what to do “just in case” and she bravely helped me out. My second reason for doing this test was to “feel” how the whole process happens. We have trainer Epi’s. They make a big clicking noise when you shove them into your thigh and that is it. They don’t hurt at all. Trainer Epi’s do not have a needle or medicine in them so you have to wonder, “does it really feel like this?” Of course it doesn’t, but using a real Epi I was able to get a better sense, a better feel and you know what? It was very much like using the trainer, LOL. I feel like I should be saying, “Doh!” and slapping my hand to my forehead. 🙂
Two different Epi’s, in their cases
Epi out of it’s case
Anyway, next you see the Epi Pen with it’s blue safety cap off, which needs to be removed for the pen to work. We plunged it into an apple and held it tight for a good fifteen seconds. The apple did not look any worse for the wear, but I am sure a person’s skin will bruise from the force that has to go into administering an Epi Pen. The last two photos are of the two pens after they were injected, like spent cartridges from an AK47. The pen on the left has a bright orange shield which automatically comes down to cover the needle, protecting anyone from accidentally poking themselves. Epinephrine will not hurt you, whether you need it or not, but a shared needle could. 🙁 The pen on the right is a little different in that it does not have a shield to cover the needle. It allowed me to actually see this sucker. I can not lie, it is big. It is not a thin needle either. In the past couple of years the makers of the Epi Pen have changed from not having the needle covered after use to having the orange shield come down. Other then the safety issues the reason for this change was so that the patient does not have to see the needle, before or after it is administered. Thank the Lord for that.
Blue safety off
First needle covered by the orange shield and one with no covering
Just so you know I did this test when William was not around. I would never show him a real demonstration or the needle. William has used the trainer Epi, which is completely safe. While it is not a toy, it allowed him to get a bit more comfortable with something that may be with him for the rest of his life. 🙁
So, what did I get out of this Epi Pen test? A little reassurance that my son will not have to see the needle ( all of our current pens have the orange shield) and the knowledge that Emily or I could handle this job if it came down to it. My husband was already confident, but I was not. Now I will continue to pray that I never, ever have to use an Epi on William, ever.♥
FT&PD
Suz
Author’s Note: I made reference in this post about an accidental dose of epinephrine not hurting anyone and I need to clarify this. My information came from a reliable source, a doctor that specializes in Food Allergies, and that info was that epinephrine would not cause harm; however a reader has informed me that is not always the case if the epinephrine is administered to a small area, like the hand. It can cause loss of circulation and does require medical attention. Anytime an Epi Pen is used on someone you should always seek medical attention. Thank you. Suz
I think it’s a great idea to practice- and also to have your daughter involved along with her brother! I’ve used this practice method during training sessions that I’ve done for early childhood educators, and we usually use a grapefruit- which supposedly has a similar feel to the thigh when you do the injection. Here’s hoping you NEVER have to use it for real!
Thanks Kelli 🙂 And a grapefruit makes more sense then an apple, LOL. Maybe once this batch expires we will try that. I am hesitant to show William yet because I don’t want to scare him, but someday he will have to learn sadly 🙁 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Suz
The statement of epi not being harmful is not totally correct. I have carried an Epi for years due to severe allergies. When my son was young, he went into my purse for something & released an epi into his hand. They fought for six hours to restore proper circulation to his hand, due to the concentration into a small area..
Hi Maryanne, I am so sorry that your son had to go through that experience with the Epi. Must have been scary for a young little man. 🙁 I am sorry for my misleading comment about epinephrine not hurting you. I stated this because of information our allergist gave us as well as the resident “expert” at a food allergy conference we attended this past spring. The conference was the Anaphylaxis Canada Food Allergy Awareness Community Conference held in Toronto and during the “Ask the Expert” session a question about accidental exposure to an EPi was asked. Dr. D.P Mack replied that epinephrine would not hurt a person if they did not actually need to have it. He emphasized this information with a story about a co-worker accidentally sticking an Epi in his leg during a demonstration. The co-worker was more “hurt” from the needle and force on his leg and was fine. From your comment though your son received it in a small area and not the thigh, which is traditional, so I can see his reaction would be different. Thank you for bringing this to my attention Maryanne. I will add a note to my post.
Have a great day, Suz
Blarg thats a hefy needle! Crazy! Good idea to test it and get somewhat comfortable with it.
LOL, it is crazy Joey! But I am glad I got this test over with so if I ever do have to administer it I will not be so shocked. Pray I never have to administer it 🙁
Thanks for stopping by!
Suz
Without having to read this again, Suz, did you say it doesn’t hurt? And it usually goes into the person’s thigh? Yep! Prayers will continue that you will never have to use it on William or any other person!
Hi Gem, what doesn’t hurt is using the trainer Epi pen, not the real one! The trainer does not have a needle in it so it is just pressing against your skin, but the real deal has a large needle penetrating your skin into the muscle 🙁 As for an accidentally getting a dose of Epinephrine, again it is not a physical “owie” you will feel ( but the needle will hurt). A reader commented that her son accidentally got epinephrine in his hand and because it was in such a small area it caused loss of sensation and took many hours to come back. As I was told by an allergy doctor an accidental dose of epinephrine in the thigh ( or a larger area of your body) will not hurt you. Hope that helps!
suz
oh boy, reminder, I need to do this too. I have an almost 9 year old no-peanut boy and have never used one. And my son is psycho when he even looks at one–letting him use the trainer is a good idea I should try…as well as more fruit or veggie practice with the expired. thanks for the post!
You are most welcome Robin 🙂 I have not shown my son an EPi or really explained what would happen if he had an allergic reaction. He is just four and I figure if there ever is a need to use the Epi on him, God forbid, he will not be in any condition to really watch or see it happen. When he is older, like your son, he will know,but for now I will keep that to myself. I felt bad the other day. He and I were talking about him going to school this fall and how his teacher would know of his allergies. I said that, just in case, he would have his special medicine there to, all the time. I was referring to his Epi. He then asked me if I had ever had that medicine and did it taste good 🙁 I could honestly say that I didn’t know, but there will come a time when a white lie won’t do the trick 🙁
Thanks for stopping by Robin, I appreciate it!
Suz
Thank you for your post about practising with an epi pen. On which part of the body is the epi pen supposed to be administered in a real situation?
Thanks for checking us out Jenna and the great question. The Epi pen is administered in the upper thigh, kind of about where your hand is when your arm is hanging down. You press it in tight and hold for ten seconds to allow all the epinephrine to get out!
Suz
Great article! Food allergies are no laughing matter and they are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. I’m glad you took the time to educate your readers!!
Thank you so much Jennifer, I appreciate it. It is not something I ever hope to have to do in real life, but at least I will know how. If this helps one person remember what to do then I am happy!
Suz
whoa, this sounds scary. I would be nervous about having to stab my child with that too. I think a little practice is probably a good thing
It will probably always freak me out to some degree Jennifer; I am not sure that will ever change. But I am glad I took the time to test it out and especially show my daughter. Now she is more confident as well! Thanks for stopping by!
Suz
It’s unfortunate that your son has deadly allergies. I think it’s great that you are prepared for the worst. Knowledge is power and it’s better to be safe then sorry. I hope that you never need to use one too. Thanks for sharing.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
And thank you for stopping by Sarah, I appreciate it. 🙂
Suz
That must be frightening for both you and your son to deal with severe allergies. Thank goodness you haven’t had to use the Epipen yet! Hopefully never will 🙂
I pray that it never happens and every time there is a close call or I hear of someone else having a reaction it literally tears me apart inside 🙁 But, at least we are prepared..
Thanks for stopping by Dawn 😉
Suz
Great post, thank you so much. While I don’t have children with severe allergies, as a Girl Guide Leader, I sometimes have kids with epi pins in my groups. I’ve never had to use one, but it scares me. I’ve given my FIL insulin, although that needle is smaller, but at least I’ve had to do something similar. I’m sharing this with other leaders so they know what to expect.
Thank you so much for your kind words Calista, I appreciate it. What a great service you are providing FA kids and their families by sharing this with your GG leaders. Being aware and taking the risk seriously are so important. Thank you!
Suz