Hi, I have a severe allergy to sulphites (preservative, found in practically anything and not always labelled).  I carry an epipen but have only used it once. 

First of all, get your prescription and training, you should practice using your epipen every few months (don't inject yourself just get it out the pack and and remind yourself what you need to do.  Make sure a couple of people at work and your husband, or neighbour know how to administer it too.

Remember that you should always carry 2 epipens, once administered they work quickly but you may need to be given another dose before an ambulance arrives.  If you ever do use it call an ambulance too, if your reaction was bad enough to use it then you need medical help!

As to living with such a severe allergy, well, you'll get used to it and find coping strategies.  I make almost all our food from scratch and tend to have people round for dinner rather than getting them to cook or eating out.  I have a list of prepared foods and snacks I know I can eat and always carry a couple of cereal bars.  I guess you could say my diet is restricted (I'm allergic to milk products too) but it consists mostly of fresh meat, fish and veg so its pretty healthy and I don't have to read so many labels.  Rather than cooking from scratch every night I make loads at weekends and freeze batches cos I can't trust jars of sauces or ready meals.  Honestly, you'll find ways to cope too.

Cat

Hi there, I have had anaphylaxis since I was 2 years old, I am allergic to nuts & egg but only eating egg, nuts I am touch,taste and smell senstive to.

I carry epipens and always carry 2 incase one fails, I also used to have a medical bracelet but lost it and have not replaced it yet (naughty), they don't have to be hideous, I had just a gold bracelet and had it engraved, as someone else said you just get used to it, I mean really I know no different but it becomes part of every day life!

All I can say really is try and makesure people around you are aware of it and what to do should you have a reaction,and check EVERYTHING EVERYTIME as they are always adding things!  Am a bit worried now though as I have never been given training for my pens (!) might be making a trip to the GP!

HTH

x

Gem & Jake xxx