Thursday, April 16, 2009

Anaphylaxis Thursday

Well, I thought that "Wordless Wednesday" and "Flashback Friday" were so awesome, though I'd try a new one, so here it is
"ANAPHYLAXIS THURSDAY"...catchy, right?!?

Yesterday I went to work and helped out some sweet ladies with complicated pregnancies. I got out of work late because I wanted to prepare for the arrival of a lovely family who will likely say "hello" and "goodbye" to their precious baby on her birthday, today. Planning ahead can really make a huge difference for my families who are the anticipating a sweet, but mostly heart wrenching experience of the birth of a critically ill baby.

(They can certainly use many prayers)


As I left the hospital, I pulled out my cell phone to call my hubby. My voice sounded odd to my own ears. The thought went through my mind, "Am I tired? I sound exhausted."

Well, within 5 minutes it became clear to me that, no, it was not exhaustion, I was going into an allergic reaction. As I was only a few minutes from my own hospital, I decide to turn the car around and head back. An Epipen is a must for my purse, so I pulled it out, just in case things worsened.

Thankfully, I had not driven far, so I arrived quickly. There were no parking spaces, so I pulled into an ambulance spot and dashed into the Emergency Room. At this point, I was in anaphylaxis. My voice was thick and raspy. My chest was tight and it was getting hard to breath.

I tell you what...it's a good way to get taken immediately into a room. Let's just say, I caught their attention.



2 IV's+Epinepherine+Decadron (steroid),+2 breathing treatments+on H2 antagonist+and a nice big dose of IV Benadryl +3 hours=A return to normal.

My doctor said, "Do you get a skin rash when this starts?,"


"Nope," I replied.


"Oh good, you just go straight to life threatening symptoms," he half joked.


Life threatening...scary.


What had caused it? Well, you may remember that last August brought a huge change in my health, out of no where. Click her if you want you'd like, to read a brief post on my problem.

But what triggered me yesterday? Not really sure. Something in the air...maybe it was the carpet cleaner that I passed as I zipped through the halls at the end of my long day.


Well, I must say, I could title this post:

"Vanity or Breathing. A difficult choice."


You see, 2 weeks ago I mentioned to my allergist/immunologist that I thought that my light steroid was making me fat (In general, and in weird places, like my wrists). Things had been going great since November with my allergy, so I asked what he thought of going down a bit on my dose.


Two words:BIG mistake!

This may become my new look:

Do you like it?


So, please find Mr. Linky below and attach a link to your favorite anaphylaxis story. (Ha! LOL!)

21 comments:

April said...

How scary that must have been! What a blessing that you were still close enough to the hospital to make it back before things took a nose-dive! God was definitely watching over you!

Helene said...

How scary but you're so very lucky that you recognized the signs and you were able to get back to the hospital so quickly!! It must be frustrating to not know what caused such a serious reaction!

Rachel said...

Ouch! So glad you recognized what was happening and turned around! My Mother-In-Law was/is a nurse and was totally chewed out one day in the ER when she told them she didn't come in immediately during a heart attack, because she wanted to finish her lemon bar! :)

I think maybe the steriod might be a good idea? Would hate to see something worse happen, especially that quickly!

Glad you're okay.

And glad you were able to stay and help the family... I can say firsthand that small kindnesses make a world of difference.

Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

I am really glad you are in the health profession to diagnose yourself...if that happened to me, I am not sure that I could think clearly to get to the ER in time!!!

No tales for me of that....unless you count the time that I was 3 and I ate a lifesaver that got lodged in my throat sideways. Thank God for the hole in the middle or I would not be typing right now!!!

Unknown said...

You are such a wonderful nurse! Yay that you work in a hospital & when able get to the ER fast!

Your allergies are C.R.A.Z.Y. I do hope your doc can figure out what's going on!

Didn't you hear fat wrists are the latest thing!!!

Jane Anne said...

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry. Anaphylaxis is my worst nightmare!! I pray I never have a story to share. My son has a severe peanut allegy. I am thankful that you were smart and quick with your ER visit. I cannot imagine how scary it must be to be allergic to perfumes and fragrances! You really cannot control that when you are around others.
You have a lot to be thankful for this Thursday!
Thursday Thanks Tank

jennykate77 said...

Wow. That's crazy. I'm glad you're ok! I'm thinking the gas mask is stylin'. You could add some bling to it...maybe get it in a few different colors. I'm also thinkin' that chubby wrists are a good trade for tight-chest-hardly-breathing.☺

Mrs. M said...

Wow - thankfully you knew just what to do! I am glad you are home and I will go check out that other post now!!

Anonymous said...

That's so scary! I'm glad you're ok and that you're a nurse!

Aspiemom said...

I'm glad you noticed the symptoms and got help right away. BTW, don't you HATE when people pour on the perfume/cologne? I am always having to move because of those people!

I went into Anaphylaxic Shock from an abx that I had always taken. No more sulfa drugs. That was scarey!

Love that new look, BTW!

He & Me + 3 said...

OMGosh, I am so glad that you are alright, but don't lower that dose anymore. goodness that was scary.
Love your doctors bed side manner though:) cute!

Beth E. said...

Good grief, girl...this post gave me a fright! I'm so happy to hear you are okay. Sheesh...

I am extremely (EXTREMELY) allergic to cats. I can't even be in a house that USED to have cats. I go into anaphylactic shock as a result. My eyes and face swell to humongous proportions, and my throat closes up. I have asthmatic problems, too. I have jokingly told hubby Bill that anytime he wants to collect on my life insurance policy, just throw a cat in my face!

Please stay safe!

Unknown said...

Glad that you turned around and made it back in time...I will now have to go check out your allergy story...

Casey said...

Oh my goodness! I'm glad you're ok!

Thanks for adding me to your sidebar! I'm going to do some updating to mine soon!

Elaine at Matters of the Heart) said...

Oh my goodness, how come I have to read about it here???? Just kidding, I am so glad you are okay. Why did you go and try to fix something that was not broken? Call me.

Carebear said...

Oh no! What a blessing that you are trained and observant enough to notice what was happening. Scary moments I'm sure. In the vanity vs. breathing face-off, I'm going to have to go with breathing by a slight margin, LOL! Found you through a link over at Once Upon A Miracle. Going to have a look around...

mama's smitten said...

Oh my gosh you poor thing! I so glad you stayed calm and did what you needed to do. Your post title got my attention because my daughter has a bit of experience with the big A word! She has extreme nut allergy.Thankfully we arrived to the ER in time both times! I know those words life threatening FREAK me out. I know carry an Epipen for her.

E @ Scottsville said...

Wow, how SCAREY is that, Julie? Yikes!!!

Glad you were close to the hospital and are doing okay now. Whew!

Lori said...

That's pretty scary. I'm gld you're ok. Praying that this allergy thing gets better for you soon.

Mr. Daddy said...

Yikes, I hope that Ana-whatever Thursday isn't catchy, I hate going to the doctors..

If you can't pronounce it and for sure can't spell it you shouldn't have to catch it!!!!! RIGHT?

Hope your better :o)

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

That is so scary! Glad you were able to get help quickly! You're right~ nothing gets you help faster than not being able to breath. Oh my!