Discovering that your child requires an EpiPen can be alarming. But the shock deepens when you realize that affording it is a whole other level of stress.
As my little boy, Oliver, wriggled off the examination table, I felt a wave of relief wash over us after the allergy test. However, that relief quickly turned to concern when the nurse pointed out the red hives marking his skin, revealing a severe allergy to eggs. “He will need an EpiPen,” she stated matter-of-factly.
Wait, what? I exchanged a bewildered glance with my partner, Claire. “An EpiPen? Are you sure?” I questioned, feeling an unsettling mix of disbelief and worry. The nurse confirmed with a nod, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was an overreaction. After all, he had only thrown up some eggs. Surely, we could manage with allergy medications and simply avoiding eggs?
Then, our doctor stepped in and explained that two of Oliver’s systems were affected, both his skin and digestive system. Protocol dictated an EpiPen was necessary. I reluctantly accepted, but it still felt excessive. EpiPens are for emergencies, right? For those who can’t breathe or are in anaphylactic shock. I couldn’t fathom that my son was one of those cases.
Reflecting on my past, I remembered teasing my cousin for her peanut allergy back in the day, not realizing how serious these allergies could be. I was naive and frankly, a bit of a jerk.
Once we got home, Claire called in the prescription while I started digging into the world of childhood allergies, hoping to convince myself that the doctor was overreacting. Yet, the facts were sobering. Anaphylaxis is no joke, and even seemingly mild symptoms like hives could escalate rapidly, potentially leading to serious consequences.
But the real shock came when we learned about the cost. Our doctor warned us to prepare for a hefty price tag, suggesting it could exceed $500. What?! A quick search confirmed my worst fears—EpiPens had skyrocketed in price by over 400% since 2008.
How could something so crucial, containing a well-established drug like epinephrine, cost so much? It felt ludicrous that this essential device would come with such a staggering price. My frustration boiled over. While it might be acceptable to pay a premium for luxury items, life-saving medicine should never be priced out of reach.
Thankfully, Claire and I have decent health insurance, which eased the financial burden somewhat. We’ve since taken steps to manage the situation, including informing his daycare and keeping an EpiPen handy in his diaper bag. We even let Oliver play with a training version of the injector to familiarize him with it.
Looking ahead, we’re planning a food test to see if he can tolerate cooked eggs. Our doctor encouraged this approach, hoping he may outgrow the allergy. Fingers crossed—I’d love for him to enjoy an omelet someday (and, of course, to avoid any serious allergic reactions).
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In summary, discovering your child needs an EpiPen is undeniably frightening, but the financial implications can be even more daunting. As parents, it’s crucial to stay informed and proactive in managing allergies while advocating for fair pricing on essential medications.