anaphylactic shock

[Vishwas]

Hi all
I have a lady who is due to come this Saturday for her 3rd reflexology treatment. She just called to say she had an anaphylactic shock last night and had been in hospital. Its been happening since Christmas apparently (yet another thing she forgot to tell me!) but getting worse and she doesn't know what is causing it. She wants to know if its still ok to come for her treatment - or should she change to a massage this week - or not come at all.

I haven't a clue!

I have researched it on Google sites and they just say that she should have an epi pen, so I will find out if she has one but nothing about how long it takes to recover and what you can or can't do following an attack etc.

Does anybody know please?

I have to say I felt real panic when she first said cos I thought she was telling me she had it after her treatment!! I have so little confidence!! Thankfully nothing to do with me as it was Sat morning, phew.

Love Melanie x

 

[KerSmaverge]

Hi Melsy

Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic reaction. If she doesn't know what is causing it she must get the doctors to have allergy tests done for her - it is a serious situation and an epi pen is vital.

One of the most common causes from foods is allergy to peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries, and nuts, but anything may cause it. Bee and wasp stings can cause it too - though obviously not in her case. During treatments I'd avoid using nut oils (almond for example), peanut and soya oils too, just in case.

Let us know how you get on. I'm sure you'll be fine!

 

[jteogupuisrizieah]

I am severely allergic to oats and if I have them, I go into anaphylactic shock, BUT they're pretty easy to avoid, so I don't have an epi pen, I'd never use it before it expired. I've had 2 other allergy episodes, no idea what caused them, but they've required hospital visits before it got into full blown anaphylactic shock. What's happened to me at the hospital was I was given a big dose of antihistamine and a dose of adrenaline, and usually the antihistamine knocks you out for the rest of the day, and makes you really dopey for a day or two afterwards.

I think you should be fine to work on her on Saturday. There is usually a bit of puffiness left, so working on any lymphatic type things can help with the swelling and the residual drugs in the system.

Beyond the food/bee stings issue, it might be worth asking if she's had any redecorating done at home or at work, new furniture, new carpets, new polish, fresh paint, or if she's got a new car. Any of those give off so many fumes, and it might just be the continual exposure builds up and she reacts. Also did she have a bad fever last year, or pregnant? Sometimes exposure to something you've never reacted to when you've got a lot of active antibodies (infection, pregnancy) can suddenly make you start reacting to it. (that was how I became allergic to oats, very high fever, started feeling better and one of the first things I ate was oat cookies, next time I ate oats BANG)

 

[Savishiern]

Thanks for your replies. As yet she doesn't know what is causing it and I was only able to have a quick chat last night but will find out more this evening when I phone her back.
I talked with a nurse about it today and she said that until they have it completely under control, I shouldn't do either massage or reflexology and then I should get doctors permission. I know her doctor and he couldn't make a decision as to whether it was a sunny day or a hurricane, so thats not going to happen!! Do you think she is right and I shouldn't treat? I had an anaphylactic situation after a bee sting in the summer and went to a local surgery where they gave me adrenaline. Wanted me to go to hospital but I decided not to as the injection was quite quick acting and all I wanted was sleep for a few days after that, then I was fine. I wouldn't have thought it was too ill etc for massage, but then, we knew what had caused this.
I just wonder whether its best to say I can't treat her indefinitely till its sorted, or whether as Cola says, it could flush the toxin etc out of lymph system better for her.
Love Melanie x