Anaphylaxis

OH MY GOD RUN AWAY, ITS A SCIENTIFIC TERM

Well yes, but just hear me out on this one.
Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic and severe type 1 hypersensitivity allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock, the most severe type of anaphylaxis, occurs when an allergic response triggers a quick release of large quantities of immunological mediators from mast cells, leading to systemic vasodilation and edema of bronchial mucosa. Anaphylactic shock can lead to death in a matter of minutes if left untreated.

In English: Severe allergic reaction, you can die :]

Okay all this is great Shannon, but what does this have to do with me?

Excellent question, reader, and this actually has really nothing to do with you. You probably don't have Anaphylaxis, so stop worrying. If you're someone like me though, then well...it was actually pretty much of a shock, no pun intended.

Saturday morning, I woke up around 8:00 AM [weird enough by itself]. About five minutes later, I passed out. 911. Emergency Room. IV drip and heavy medication. Out of the hospital around 6:00 PM. More heavy medication. And the worst part? We don't even know what I was allergic to.

I now have to carry around an EPIpen in case something like this ever happens again. And after I get allergy tested to find out what triggered this Anaphylaxis, I have to stay away from that food. :T

Has anybody heard stories of those kids who have to stay far, far away from peanuts and such? Well I'm one of those people now :]

-Mirik