Practice Your Epi Pen

Just a quick post to report on practicing the Epi Pen.  I'm embarrassed to admit it but in the 4 years since Alexa had her first anaphylactic reaction I've never ever used an Epi Pen.  I thank God she hasn't needed it and now I'm thankful that my first time using one wasn't on her!  We have some expired Epi Pens in our medicine cabinet.  My husband and I have been saving them to practice but just never got around to it.  I was cleaning out the refrigerator the other day and noticed a grapefruit I was going to chuck and thought "I should use that to practice on".  I got out the Epi Pens and went through the entire procedure.  I'm so glad that I did!  That "click" that you are supposed to listen for is more of a loud "THUD" and you can clearly tell that the pen has engaged.  I always worried I wouldn't know if it had truly worked or not since some people have said "you won't hear the click" and others have said "listen for the click".  There is no denying that loud "THUD" noise the pens make.  I even did a second one to be sure that was normal and what to expect.   My expired pens were the old Epi Pen Jr. design but I'm assuming the ones will work in a similar manner.  My lesson learned? PRACTICE! Get comfortable with them if you've never used one.  I have a higher level of confidence now that I have and I will be encouraging my husband to practice too.