Why did I still date him for a few months after?! 😅 Here are a few important lessons I learned from that reaction. TW: anaphylactic reaction details I ate takeout from my fav cafe, and my bf at the time came over to get ice cream. On the walk there, my feet felt tingly and my face felt itchy. For me, these are typical early signs of an anaphylactic reaction, but my bf said I looked fine, so I brushed it off as anxiety. We got ice cream, I took one bite, and it felt hard to swallow. ‼️ At this point, I thought I was having an anaphylactic reaction but my bf acted like I was overreacting, so I didn’t administer epi. ⭐️ My allergists have advised me that it’s better to give epi when I don’t need it than to wait for the reaction to get worse. I should have administered it then. As we walked home, it was hard to breathe. Once inside, I looked in the mirror to see my eyes and lips swelling and my throat closing. My bf still didn’t think I needed epi, but I gave it anyway and instantly felt better. The firefighters checked my vitals and told me it was a busy night in the ER and to stay home. But staying home didn’t feel right, so I decided to go. I needed another round of epi, so I’m happy I listened to my instincts. I recovered well, but my bf never let it down. He said I was inconsiderate for having an anaphylactic reaction on our date and “ruining” the night. Reactions are scary, and I don’t expect someone that doesn’t even have allergies to know how to best support me in the moment unless I specifically say so. But saying I was inconsiderate for a reaction that’s out of my control is where I draw the line. Here are a few things I learned: ⭐️ Anaphylactic reactions can be delayed and exercise can induce them. ⭐️ Create a reaction plan with your allergist that helps you decide when to give epi and what to do after. ⭐️ Take note of symptoms during a reaction because it can help you recognize the reaction earlier next time. & most importantly, you know your body best. Listen to your instincts! 🩵
#allergy #allergicreaction #baddate #foodallergy #peanutallergy