Allergic reaction experiences?

[Debbie7452]

I once had a serious allergic reaction to an anti-biotic. However, it wasn't your average itchy rash, swelling kind of reaction. First I turned bright red all over, then I began to itch all over (wanted serious meds at this point), then I got this crazy vivid rash all over (it didn't hurt or anything), the next day my joints swelled up: knees, ankles, wrists. Soon after that I was unable to get up as my spine was affected. My limbs just wouldn't operate properly. I started to think I was either going crazy or I was gonna die at this point. I saw all kinds of specialists who thought everything from Lyme disease to Leukemia. They did NOT think it was all from an allergy reaction. It took a month to get over this deal and I was pretty weak for a good while. It was so weird. I never do anything in an average way!

It started to happen a second time to a different anti-biotic. This time I went straight to my Dr. and demanded epinephrine and steroids and it stopped the reaction before all the other steps happened.

 

[KimR]

I've been getting rashes and itching now for about 9 months and still haven't figures out what is causing it. I suspect it's something I'm ingesting, but I've stopped all vitamins and have tried eliminating obvious foods (wheat, fruit, nuts, etc), but with no luck.

 

[minkydog]

I am really surprised that as a nurse you would save antibiotics from a previous infection, then take them because you suspected a UTI. Even a new nurse should know better than to do that. The reason the doctor gives you 5 or 7 or 10 days worth of antibiotics is because it takes that many to completely treat the infection. You should take every single dose. You know better. Incompletely treated infections can mutate into a bacteria that becomes immune to that antibiotic in the future.

I hope your suspected infection gets better. If you continue to have symptoms, i hope you will go to the doctor so you can get a real diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Let your doctor know you had a bad reaction to Cipro, too.

 

[minkydog]

I've been getting rashes and itching now for about 9 months and still haven't figures out what is causing it. I suspect it's something I'm ingesting, but I've stopped all vitamins and have tried eliminating obvious foods (wheat, fruit, nuts, etc), but with no luck.

You may have something called "chronic urticaria"--urticaria means itching. It's caused by release of histamines into the bloodstream and the itching can be maddening. Usually the rashes move around, rather than staying always in one place. Often, allergy testing reveals no clear allergies. It may be treated with daily allergy meds and sometimes with Zantac, which is a histamine inhibitor sometimes used for acid reflux. (I've had chronic urticaria for over 10 years. it waxes and wanes. Sometimes I can hardly keep my hands from constantly scratching. I'm sure people think I have fleas!)

 

[Pixiedust34]

I hate having to get antibiotics for anything because I'm allergic to penicillan, sulfer, cephlasporins, zithromax, codeine and ibuprofin.

I'm allergic to penicillin, Zithromax, and sulfa medications. I'm prone to sinus and ear infections and am worried there will be nothing for me to take if/when I get sick. Is there an antibiotic out there that doesn't fall under the common allergy list?

My reactions were a rash, being itchy, and numb lips.

 

[SandrA9810]

My story:
Back about 1982, I dated a guy who made really good money and lived at home. We would go out to dinner a LOT, to a lobster/seafood place.
I must've eaten lobster 20 times that year.
Anyway, fast forward to 1987. Lobster tails for dinner. ER visit ensues.
A few months later, Shrimp Chow Mein. ER visit ensues. A few months after that, very expensive restaurant while on vacation, scallops. Another ER visit.
I have given up shellfish, and to this day, I am afraid to eat it! I miss it terribly.
I have no explanation why I could eat it regularly, and suddenly be allergic.

Sounds like my sister when I was little. My cousin had sent fresh steak and lobsters for Christmas Dinner. Afterwards, we went to our friend's house down the street and she up and left suddenly, telling me I could stay there. I got home a few hours later to learn that she was at the ER for a reaction to shellfish. Now she can eat shellfish again just fine.

 

[LisaR]

I am really surprised that as a nurse you would save antibiotics from a previous infection, then take them because you suspected a UTI. Even a new nurse should know better than to do that. The reason the doctor gives you 5 or 7 or 10 days worth of antibiotics is because it takes that many to completely treat the infection. You should take every single dose. You know better. Incompletely treated infections can mutate into a bacteria that becomes immune to that antibiotic in the future.

I hope your suspected infection gets better. If you continue to have symptoms, i hope you will go to the doctor so you can get a real diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Let your doctor know you had a bad reaction to Cipro, too.

I read the OP and that is the very first thing that entered into my mind and I am not a nurse.

Why did you even have "leftover" antibiotics? There isn't any such thing as leftovers when it comes to antibiotics! You're a nurse. You'd be ticked if a patient came in and said they were still sick and you found out they only took some of their antibiotic. And I can't imagine rushing to the medicine cabinet because I didn't urinate enough and I didn't have any other symptoms or a test to confirm a UTI. The overuse of antibiotics is common knowledge, so I certainly wouldn't put them in my body because I didn't pee enough in an hour.

 

[njmom47]

You may have something called "chronic urticaria"--urticaria means itching. It's caused by release of histamines into the bloodstream and the itching can be maddening. Usually the rashes move around, rather than staying always in one place. Often, allergy testing reveals no clear allergies. It may be treated with daily allergy meds and sometimes with Zantac, which is a histamine inhibitor sometimes used for acid reflux. (I've had chronic urticaria for over 10 years. it waxes and wanes. Sometimes I can hardly keep my hands from constantly scratching. I'm sure people think I have fleas!)

I get wicked hives on my hands and feet for no reason. ONLY on my hands and feet! I can't find any rhyme or reason to them, so I asked my Doc and that was his answer. Benadryl spray works pretty well on them, or running my hands/feet under cold water.

SandrA9810, I WANT to try eating shellfish again but my family won't let me! I figure after all these years I should be ok.

 

[fairestoneofall]

I've been getting rashes and itching now for about 9 months and still haven't figures out what is causing it. I suspect it's something I'm ingesting, but I've stopped all vitamins and have tried eliminating obvious foods (wheat, fruit, nuts, etc), but with no luck.

you should visit an allergist.

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm allergic to Erythromycin, but nothing else. I always take all my antibiotics but I know plenty of people who don't. lol I have had reactions like that to other things, but with Erythromycin I was just itchy all over my legs, no swelling just massive itch, that's how most of my allergic reactions are but they are pretty mild. with the Erythromycin the Dr just gave me a new pill to take.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

I'm allergic to penicillin, Zithromax, and sulfa medications. I'm prone to sinus and ear infections and am worried there will be nothing for me to take if/when I get sick. Is there an antibiotic out there that doesn't fall under the common allergy list?

My reactions were a rash, being itchy, and numb lips.

I'm allergic to many antibiotics including augmentin (it's the clavamox that gets me) Zithromax, certain and cefzil, and erythromycin. Reactions range from hives to swollen tongue and breathing problems. Lucky me also gets frequent sinus infections. Levaquin is my best friend when I get a bad sinus infection. Others I treat with decongestants and the squeeze-bottle version of the netipot.

Good luck to you.

 

[DisneyATlast]

I am really surprised that as a nurse you would save antibiotics from a previous infection, then take them because you suspected a UTI. Even a new nurse should know better than to do that. The reason the doctor gives you 5 or 7 or 10 days worth of antibiotics is because it takes that many to completely treat the infection. You should take every single dose. You know better. Incompletely treated infections can mutate into a bacteria that becomes immune to that antibiotic in the future.

I hope your suspected infection gets better. If you continue to have symptoms, i hope you will go to the doctor so you can get a real diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Let your doctor know you had a bad reaction to Cipro, too.

You're surprised that I'm human?

As a nurse, I also know how important it is to get enough sleep or to eat a well balanced diet. That doesn't mean you won't find me running on 3 hours sleep while chugging a red bull.

Would I ever suggest to a patient that they not take the full course of antibiotics or that they take them again later? Of course not. Me not finishing the full 14 days from before has no bearing on having an allergic reaction now. Besides, if I would've waited until I got to work and asked someone to write something then, chances are they would want to know if I've had a UTI before and what worked. Then, I would've paid to get Cipro filled and still the same outcome. Same thing if I would've made an appointment.

By the way, I have a degree in early childhood development too so if my judgment as a nurse shocks you then you'd have a field day watching me with my kids! Lol.

I actually wouldn't call that nursing judgment since I wasn't acting as a nurse. I was just acting as someone who has taken leftover meds tons of times in the past because I had no insurance. Get ready to ring the alarms...I've even taken amoxicillin that was prescribed to my husband!! Lol. It's really not that uncommon for providers to write extra if you have a family and strep has hit someone.

Yes, I do know better. I would never suggest to a patient that they do what I did. That's all that really matters.

 

[minkydog]

You're surprised that I'm human?

As a nurse, I also know how important it is to get enough sleep or to eat a well balanced diet. That doesn't mean you won't find me running on 3 hours sleep while chugging a red bull.

Would I ever suggest to a patient that they not take the full course of antibiotics or that they take them again later? Of course not. Me not finishing the full 14 days from before has no bearing on having an allergic reaction now. Besides, if I would've waited until I got to work and asked someone to write something then, chances are they would want to know if I've had a UTI before and what worked. Then, I would've paid to get Cipro filled and still the same outcome. Same thing if I would've made an appointment.

By the way, I have a degree in early childhood development too so if my judgment as a nurse shocks you then you'd have a field day watching me with my kids! Lol.

I actually wouldn't call that nursing judgment since I wasn't acting as a nurse. I was just acting as someone who has taken leftover meds tons of times in the past because I had no insurance. Get ready to ring the alarms...I've even taken amoxicillin that was prescribed to my husband!! Lol. It's really not that uncommon for providers to write extra if you have a family and strep has hit someone.

Yes, I do know better. I would never suggest to a patient that they do what I did. That's all that really matters.

Well, bless your heart

 

[DisneyATlast]

My GP has told me a number of times that the most "dangerous" medications he prescribes are antibiotics due to the number of adverse reactions and allergic reactions.

I've never had an allergic reaction appear that suddenly but I am allergic to some antibiotics. I am also allergic to a filler used in common OTC pain relievers. It's a mild reaction (usually a hive or two on my chest within about 30 minutes of ingestion) but I avoid them.

This is true. I didn't mean that I don't worry about oral antibiotics because reactions are uncommon. It's just that in the hospital setting where the population tends to be older, they "know" what they're allergic to usually and they're probably taking medications that are higher on the radar than an oral antibiotic. Hearing someone name off a list of meds they're allergic to and describe the reaction as "a rash" is a little different than seeing the reaction with your own eyes after you give them the med! Or even worse, experiencing the reaction yourself.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

I started a fruit allergy when I was 10. I was eating a peach, which I used to do everyday, and then within SECONDS (not exaggerating) my face looked like a beehive. There were hives ALL OVER, and when I went to the doctor she said that I've probably developed an allergy to peaches. A week later I ate a cherry, same reaction. I can't eat fruits now.

 

[disfan07]

Been there, done that with both medications and foods.

I was given dilaudid in the ER and within 5 minutes I was covered in hives and was having trouble breathing. I had just had dilaudid a couple of months earlier and was fine.

And last June, I had a severe reaction after eating something. Come to find out, my next allergy tests came back positive for wheat, oats and coconut. All three things I ate right before my reaction.

And looking back, I had felt funny after eating wheat, oats and coconut the entire week before but it went from being mild GI symptoms and stuffiness to full blown allergic reaction.

I've been allergic to peanuts my entire life.
At 14 I was diagnosed with an allergy to ceclor
At 18 I was diagnosed with an egg and shellfish allergy and my peanut allergy was determined to be anaphylaxis. I was also diagnosed with an allergy to parabens and lanolin.
At 22 I was diagnosed with a broccoli and dilaudid allergy
At 23 I was diagnosed with a treenut, coconut, wheat, oat, sesame and soy allergy. I was also diagnosed with oral allergy syndrome (all raw fruit and veggies except for grapes)

I also have an IgE of 2000 so I am high risk for allergies.

So yes, it's possible to suddenly develop an allergy like that. The first reaction can be severe and contrary to what a lot of allergists say, you can develop allergies at any age.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Weird...I have been on antibiotics for 2 days now, and last night and today my face is tingling and itchy. No blotches but a little red. DH thinks it is a new foundation I started wearing but I think it is the antibiotics.
It is amoxicillin mixed with ceva -something. My oldest DD is also allergic to peniccilin, as is my mom.

Do you think this is why my face is the way it is???

 

[jenjifer]

You may have something called "chronic urticaria"--urticaria means itching. It's caused by release of histamines into the bloodstream and the itching can be maddening. Usually the rashes move around, rather than staying always in one place. Often, allergy testing reveals no clear allergies. It may be treated with daily allergy meds and sometimes with Zantac, which is a histamine inhibitor sometimes used for acid reflux. (I've had chronic urticaria for over 10 years. it waxes and wanes. Sometimes I can hardly keep my hands from constantly scratching. I'm sure people think I have fleas!)

This. We determined mine was probably a latex reaction but no real way of knowing for certain. I had miserable hives from May until November. Some days were okay, but many were just downright awful. The low point came in October when my primary stepped in and said it was probably a food allergy and eliminated everything except chicken and rice from my diet. Not a lot of ways to cook chicken and rice when the only ingredients are chicken and rice. Fortunately after a week of that I found a better allergist who told me to go home and eat whatever I wanted because she was certain it wasn't food. She found the cocktail of drugs that kept it under control until I was eventually able to taper off the meds entirely. I don't wish chronic urticaria on anyone!!!

 

[DisneyATlast]

I started a fruit allergy when I was 10. I was eating a peach, which I used to do everyday, and then within SECONDS (not exaggerating) my face looked like a beehive. There were hives ALL OVER, and when I went to the doctor she said that I've probably developed an allergy to peaches. A week later I ate a cherry, same reaction. I can't eat fruits now.

THAT is a horrible allergy to have! How awful.

 

[disfan07]

I started a fruit allergy when I was 10. I was eating a peach, which I used to do everyday, and then within SECONDS (not exaggerating) my face looked like a beehive. There were hives ALL OVER, and when I went to the doctor she said that I've probably developed an allergy to peaches. A week later I ate a cherry, same reaction. I can't eat fruits now.

Are you sure that it's a true fruit allergy and not something called oral allergy syndrome?

I have severe oral allergy syndrome so when I eat raw fruits or veggies my face and throat itch and swell. But I can eat most fruits and veggies cooked or processed in some way because it eliminates the protein that causes the reaction.

If you have environmental allergies it is something to discuss with your allergist.