A bit of an exciting day yesterday. As some of you know I have some allergies. Tree, weeds, grasses are not my friend and flying and stinging critters are worse. I also found out I have some food allergies on top of all that.
All that being said, no one thing will kill me.
However I always refer to it as climbing a mountain, every allergen I am exposed to is one step up that mountain. If I am exposed to many in a short amount of time, then the trip up that mountain is quicker. The last allergen ( the straw that breaks the camel's back) is the one that sends me over the cliff at the top of the mountain.
The journey continued on Veteran's day. I was supposed to get my venom shots, which I get every 6 weeks. In short I forgot, no worries I could get them Friday but um, I remembered on the way home and too late to get to the office.
I go in Monday and they tell me I can get my shots but your punishment, if you will is, to drop down a portion of the dose and repeat the full dose a week later. I am never late for these shots and the nurse confirmed that. They are amazed that I keep records like that.
No worries. I recieve shots on 15th and I went back on the 22nd for the regualr dose.
When the nurse gives me the first one and immediately asks " Do you always get red this quick?" I knew I was in for it. I receive 3 shots all together and go about my day. The shot area was red and inflamed but I have had that before, so I take a Benedryl at night and watch what I eat for the next couple of days so I don't add to the mess.
Tuesday, the spot was still inflamed but everything seemed fine. I go get a salad for lunch and choose the custom salad so I can make my own and avoid potential allergens.
Get back to my office and finish my salad ( I eat at my desk most days). As I finish I feel my lips tingle. Uh Oh. I look at my arms and I can see them starting to turn reddish. Of course I have no Benadyl in my purse, but this is happening pretty quick. Quicker than other times. I call the allergy office and ask if I should just go to Urgent car or can they treat this at the office.
The response was " Well, we can get you an appoointment at 4pm at the office on the other side of town."
(no fast car to take me there) Um No. I think I will just go to Urgent care. I could have gone down to the CVS for Benadryl but I think at by this point I knew that was not the best solution. It would keep the reaction at bay but I needed to nuke it.
I check in at Urgent care and wait.
It was not busy but at least I was out in the waiting room and if it got worse quick I could get someone fast. I was triaged and put in a room. Why would they put someone in a room with the door closed for what seemed like an eternity with an allergic reaction?
I thought maybe I should lay down on the floor so when they came in I might get my point across but I thought better of it ( and really did not want to get on the floor
)
The PA comes in agrees that I am indeed having an allergic reaction. I have no idea why I always feel like that in itself is a victory. I know I am allergic and I know what it feels like. Plus I have seen my DD go through this may times. Too much experience with this.
I hate playing 20 questions with the "medical professionals". I always say " They only
practice medicine."
A nurse comes in. This was funny. She comes in and looks over at me. We exchange greetings and she is begins to set up the IV pole. She stops and looks at me again. She looks back to continue what she is doing. A few seconds later, she looks back at me and says" You are the one having an allergic reaction right?" I confirm that and she says " Oh good, I idn't think I was in the wrong room."
But you see, I don't
look like someone having an allergic reaction, no breathing problems, no panic, no obvious visible swelling.
In fact the only thing I see is that my skin turns darker than normal. I have olive skin so I don't turn red, I turn brown. Thank goodness the triage nurse was African american and the PA was hispanic.
They got it.
The nurse starts the IV and pushed the drugs in.
I learned something new as well. Pepcid, yes the antacid, also helps block the allergic reaction like Benadryl but without the drowsiness. I really think one of the reasons they did not give me the Benadryl was because I drove myself and told them I was going back to work.
About 2 hours later I was on my way and over to the CVS to pick up a Rx and some Pepcid.
I did go back to work but I thought I had to officiate a swim that afternoon so it was time to get to the pool. I get there and meet the coach who just laughs at me. The meet is next week.
I knew that, it is the 30th and it is only the 23rd. Why did that not connect? Blame the allergy brain.
Well, I get home and realize that I had also forgotten to take the allergy medicine I take every day.
I never forget that either.
All in all, I am fine. I go into work today at 1pm and then get home around 8. After that I am officially off until Monday.
Sorry about the long dissertation about my woes. I am trying to get my 4 park day started. I felt like I need to get that out. Keep that experience under you cap because it does come up again at some point.