Oh the tests that are done to someone who suffers from a mast cell disorder....there's blood tests, allergy tests, more blood tests, urine tests, neurological tests, scans, biopsies....and the list can go on. Since I am just starting my journey with Idiopathic Anaphylaxis, I'll take you to where I've been.
My first round of tests were simple...or so I thought. I went to an allergist to try and narrow the things I was allergic too, since I had four episodes of anaphylaxis, which all happened to coincide with taking a medication. I went to my very first allergist, and explained what I had been going through the previous month....yes, four episodes of anaphylaxis in a month. The first reaction was understandable. I had been stung by a bee. You see, I have dealt with these little devils in my childhood and almost lost!
I was driving down the road, window down, enjoying the beautiful weather. As I was stopped at a red light, I felt (what I thought) my hair tickling my chin from the slight breeze coming into the window. I went to brush my hair away, only to feel a stinging pain. I let out a scream, looked down to see the dead bee I had just killed that was on my chin. I went ahead and went to work. My thought was, "Sure, I've had reactions as a child....surely I've outgrown it!" Just an FYI....you don't outgrow severe allergic reactions!! By the time I get to work (2 miles away), my chin has doubled in size and feels like it's on fire. So, I tell my boss what's going on, and drive myself to the doctor. When I arrive, I can feel my throat closing, and inform them that I am allergic to bees and had just been stung. Epi time!! WOO HOO!!!.......NOT!!!
A few days later the bee sting I got became infected, and being in fear that I was going into anaphylactic shock again (my face was swelling and turning red, and so was my throat) so my best friend rushed me to the emergency room. Infection had set in. Easy fix....get on antibiotics! WRONG!!! The next day, I went into anaphylactic shock....again. I know this, because when my face and throat started swelling, I drove myself to my doctor's office - 45 minutes away! As I walked through the door of his office, I collapsed.
So, I just happened to be allergic to the medicine...it can happen.
So my wonderful doctor nursed me back from my collapse, yelled at me for driving myself to his office when I was going into anaphylactic shock and then told me to start some new antibiotics in a few days (my body needed time to recover from the anaphylaxis). So a few days later, I began my new medicine. Day one....no problems. Day two.....is this medicine supposed to make me turn red? Why is my voice sounding funny?? Uh-oh!
After dosing myself with my Epipen, my boss took me to my doctor. Yep.....anaphylactic shock....AGAIN!!
This was the very first time I saw that my boss actually was human! He stayed with me while the doctor stabilized me, and then stopped at the pharmacy to make sure I had something to eat and drink when I woke up, and then took me home.
When my husband came back from being out of town, I had to tell him my tale of excitement....he wasn't that excited about my adventures. I didn't call him to come to my aid, because I didn't realize just how serious my condition really was. Lesson learned.....always call that special someone....it's better for them to miss out on whatever they are doing, then having to explain why you didn't need them in your time of need....
A few weeks later, I began feeling like I was getting a cold or the flu, so off to the doctor again. After examining me, he informs me that I have tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis....all the itises! He looks through my chart and decides on the medicine to prescribe me. An oldie, but a goodie. Something I've taken in the past, and never had an issue with. Zithromax. Day one, I feel fine. Day two, starting to feel a lot better. Day three, my throat begins to swell....*sigh* Not again!!!
That is when he tells me that I need to see an allergist to determine what I'm allergic too since I'm having all of these reactions to medications.
So begins my journey....tag along for the ride! It should prove to be interesting!
No comments:
Post a Comment