InVinoVeritas

I had a rather frightening medical emergency last week and had to be rushed to hospital and although fully recovered I am wondering how this would have played out had I been in Penang at the time.

It’s called anaphylaxis and it’s a serious allergic reaction with a rapid onset. In my case it caused swelling in the throat, obstruction to breathing and difficulty in talking. My local doctor gave me a massive injection of adrenaline and another of cortisone to stabilise the inflammation and then it was blue flashing lights to the hospital where I was put on a ventilator.

Once they were happy that the inflammation had been checked I was sent home with pills and potions and am now, happily, fully recovered although feeling a little “junkied” up.

In my case, it was probably a reaction to something I ate but it can also be cause by venom and some medications. I will get tested in the next few days and will know what to avoid in future and I’ll probably be given a crash-pack, just in case.

So, back to Malaysia, I’m wondering how this would have been dealt with here. I was lucky that my attack developed over a few hours but it can happen in just a few minutes and that immediate first treatment can be life-saving. Do ambulances here carry appropriate medication and are the crew competent to administer such treatment? Do they have a doctor with them and/or is it possible call out an emergency doctor at night (my crisis was at 4AM).

This is something that can happen to any of us (or our loved ones) and since it comes right out of the blue we don’t have the luxury of waiting until it happens - we need to be prepared. So pooling our knowledge on this may be vital in helping someone else cope with a similar emergency.

++IVV

bakedbean

Oh you poor thing

You need to have a read through this topic below:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/retir...penang-850093/

I'm sure you've read it already, but read it again.

First thing is to get the Emergency Number of the hospital of your choice plugged into your phone. And make sure Mrs IVV has it plugged into hers too. Do it right now please. When an emergency is happening, you won't be wanting to rummage around the internet searching for the number.

If you've got a medical card for that hospital (i.e. you've been there before) have that in a handy place, maybe by the front door with your keys, as it can be easier to just read out your personal number, then they have your medical history, address, etc up on the screen.

The nurse answering the phone can give you advice over the phone if needed. Y'know...like.... get patient on his side...or whatever.

You obviously need to pay here for treatment, but don't worry about that at the time. The ambulance will come out, they will get you into Emergency and stabilised, and then Mrs IVV can toddle off to reception and produce her credit card or explain about med insurance.

bakedbean

What if you're on your own? Yep it's a problem.

I'm on my own (currently). I make sure I have my Med Insurance card on my person, and my solicitor's contact card also.

And have your Will up-to-date

Gunnar45

First step is of course to find out what caused it and avoid it.
But then one must of course also be prepared for the worst which typically could happen when far away form emergency medical facilities.

One person I know reacted like this on bee stings and he was always carrying two loaded syringes (self-injecting) with adrenaline just for this.

InVinoVeritas

And I can tell you it is bloody painful to inject plus there seems enough in there to revive a dead elephant - I really don't think I could self-administer it, I could barely walk afterwards!

Gunnar45

But you could walk :-)
There are automatic injection devices which just require the pressing of a button.
So, the pain will come only after it is too late to abort.

InVinoVeritas

True! It was an automatic device but I think I would have found it difficult to keep it in - maybe it hit a nerve and isn't always that bad

teejaydee

These are the questions I would like to see an answer to (if anyone is able). As JC3 asked on the thread to which BB provided a link:

moneypenny20

It's actually not hard. I have a friend who has to carry an epi pen because of a peanut allergy and everyone he knows, knows he carries it and it's simply a stab and go. I used to have to inject myself with a painkiller for Migraines. When you're on the loo with a bucket on your lap and your head about to explode and have to get the brain to function enough to stab yourself, I think anything is possible! it never happens again. You must have some idea what brought it on, it would have been something you'd only just swallowed.

InVinoVeritas

My bet is some serrano ham which a friend served me - when his wife tried it she said it had a funny taste and there was some green mould on the skin - but until I'm tested I won't know for sure.

Jerseygirl

My daughter has an Epipen...has had once since she was 8.

A few months ago my almost 2 year old Grandaughter had an allergic reaction. My daughter immediately took her to the doctor downstairs. She also has an Epipen now.

After using an Epipen you must go to the ER immediately.

bakedbean

I have called out umpteen ambulances over the last few years. I am no medical expert, but they seemed competent.

You don't call out doctors to your home. You call an ambulance. There will be a Doctor on duty in Emergency. Other specialists will be brought in if needed and, yes, doctors are called out ALL hours.

These are private hospitals.

Not sure if JC3 was referring to the government ambulances. Maybe they look a bit shabby sometimes. I wrote one experience in the other topic.

columbine

Gosh IVV, sounds like you had a very severe reaction to the fungi on the ham!
Best after your test results, do a thorough review with your Dr, see if your medical condition allows you to use Epinephrine as it constricts blood vessels and if you have heart or certain circulatory problems it might be contra-indicated.
If your condition is ok, Dr can prescribe you a set of 2 Epi-pen. To have him or the nurse go over the effects and side effects of Epinephrine and the proper way to use it.
Never throw the 1st needle away, take it with you to Emergency with your 2nd one. Remember the time as the injection wears off in 10 to 20 mins. So that gives you good time to get to the nearest Emergency Dept. If you wait for ambulance that's not equipped here in Pg, it might be a bit too late

You are very lucky!
https://www.epipen.com/about-epipen/when-to-use-epipen

InVinoVeritas

Thanks for that columbine. I am having a review with my GP this very afternoon and hope we'll get to the bottom of the cause before too long

OriginalSunshine

You've had some can't be topped advice from Columbine and BB.

When it comes to allergy testing make sure you are off all anti allergens histamine a etc for a number of weeks (doctors will advise how long) otherwise you won't get a response good enough during testing.

I had an anaphylactic shock to some food (night shades) that showed up in a skin prick test but not a blood test, so do make sure you get tested both on skin and in blood.