I had no idea I was experiencing anaphylactic shock or that it was msg that caused it but slowly I started to work it out, a trip to the Chinese restaurant helped me along.  I had already realised the timing had to do with something moving out of my stomach, a point somewhere there, that's where it triggered.

It was a tick bite that got me the diagnosis, with an ambulance ride and the hospital emergency services.  

so yes over all I have a lot of detailed experience of anaphylaxis, what happens to me and how to handle it to give myself the best chance of survival.  I'm not suggesting it is the same for everybody but this is what I do -

No epipen in the fridge, they scare me a bit, but I make sure there are those nice soft freezer packs in the freezer.  I use my last moments to get them, a towel or two and lie in recovery position in the bathroom.  Hope nobody finds me until I'm better, not because I don't want them there but because they would be bound to call an ambulance - and they would strap me down on my back.

funny that.  the first thing they teach you in first aid courses is recovery position.  It's more than just the airway - once I am in shock put me on my back and I go unconscious, keep me on my side and I retain consciousness even when I am so low I cannot move so much as a finger voluntarily, I retain consciousness on my side.  it's enormously helpful, cannot explain why.

oh well part of it might be that my body has sort of taken over from my will - even tho I cannot move anything voluntarily, my hand has kept the icepack on my head, and if I am being bitten by a tick, my arm has moved with deadly accuracy, I rip that tick out even though I'm not aware I'm being bitten (they have an anaesthetic in their spit).

it's more than that though. somehow I am helping myself survive just by being there.

Once my body has dealt with the toxin I recover quickly.  It is tiring but a bit of rest and time to replenish and I'm fine.

The second shock from contrast dye I was already unconscious as I was under general anaesthetic, I don't remember it.  The thing I remember, well two things to say - I was worried my surgeon was contemplating using it again and I said to him there isn't a drug in the world that can stop that happening.  and indeed that was the case, nor could the general anaesthetic keep me unconscious.  so the thing I remember is waking up, I was waking up to die.  It's all so endogenous by then see, and I felt I was being completely looked after from the inside, like I was being hugged, I was wrapped up in a pink bubble.  but outside there was this warmth, she was in the shadows beside me and she was so putting everything into it, she was keeping me alive.  The picture I had of it was like a vast cavern dark and shadowy greens and blacks with a massive piece of machinery she was using to keep me moving on through it.

Afterwards the anaesthetist asked to see me.  and she was able to confirm this was the case, I had woken up, she had been trying her hardest to keep hold of me.  and now we were smiling at each other.  see from my perspective she is the one person in the room I was aware of.  and it was all up to her, the others stood back, behind them skulked the surgeon.  She used the modern learning she had, she used drugs and she used her intelligence in what to do when.  It was the warmth of her heart I was aware of.

Setting aside the other stuff and just focussing on the anaphylactic shocks I am confident in saying the experience and subsequent recovery from being treated for anaphylactic shock instead of letting my own body deal with it -in that equation no treatment comes out ahead by a country mile so you know I tend to think much as it is very necessary and I am glad the vaccine is here now, I am still a bit worried about it.

not that I really care too much, there is so much other stuff to worry about anyway.