update

Hi Gang,

I've been gone for a while and I can't recall where I left off the last time I posted. I think I posted about going to a walk-in clinic for a benadryl injection for an allergic reaction to generic diflucan given to me by my lyme docs (thinking I was battling candida and fungus). My doc's kept saying it was just a herx. I disagreed and said it was an allergic reaction.

Well, that same night (of the walk-in clinic), I ended up in the local ER with more allergic reactions and difficulty breathing. Got yet another benadryl injection but, declined the steroid injection... for two reasons: 1) my lyme doc's know steroids / prednisone suppress the immune system and allow the lyme & company to proliferate, and 2) steroids / prednisone make me, to be frank, "bat s**t crazy".... literally suicidal and hallucinations.

After that trip to the ER, I decided to go to my parents' farm 2 hours away. Take some time away from my 60+ year old mold infested duplex, get out of the city (where I could smell the diesel fumes and car exhaust). Well, I wasn't in my parents house for more than 20 minutes when I started having another allergic reaction bordering on anaphylaxis, to the smells in their house. Puffy tongue / lips / face, severely dilated eyes, crushing headache, massive panic attack. 911 was called and the local, small town ambulance and volunteer EMT's arrived in about 7 minutes. I was truly impressed !!!

So, I got thrown into the back of the ambulance and trucked 30 minutes south to the nearest ER. Texted my lyme doc who advised me to decline the IV steroids. Talking to the ER doc, she thought the allergic reaction was probably a "rebound effect" from not taking the steroids the first time. I texted my lyme doc back and said, "Live to fight another day.... I'm taking the IV steroids and prenisolone taper." She wasn't happy as she still thinks it's a herx. I just wanted the allergic crap to stop. Plus, I told her there were six EMT's looking at me and all were in agreement that I was headed for anaphylaxis. I was moved from the ER to a room in the hospital for the next 5-6 hours (not sure of the time due to a 1mg ativan injection which made me pretty loopy) for observation. Then I was released later that night. This all happened a week ago today (tuesday).

I've been at my parents farm ever since. In fact, god love them, they're letting me move back in with them. They have a large finished basement with a spare bedroom. We're in the process of getting my stuff moved out of my rental in the city... putting some stuff in storage and bringing smaller items to their house (including my 10 year old cat).

So, this is where I'll be for the foreseeable future. In the first week that I've slept here, my mom has said that she's checked on me 2-3 times each night. I know it scared the heck out of them, watching me get loaded into an ambulance (my folks are in their 70's). And, it's nice to know there's someone under the same roof who's looking out for me.... as opposed to living alone.

I haven't decided where to go from here re: the lyme docs. I'm not too keen on trying the generic diflucan again... or any other med for that matter. There's a local acupuncturist who'd like to "take a stab at me". He thinks he might be able to help. And lord knows, I'm willing to try anything. I'll give him a shot and see what we can accomplish... at least for the allergies and anxiety. Maybe then I can continue with the lyme doc's ideas.

Anyhow, just thought some of you might like an update from me. Know that I'm under my parents roof, who are being very supportive right now... and I'm no longer alone.

ETA: the ambulance rides and ER visits have all occurred without me having any insurance. That ran out last November after I had to resign from my job. I'm working on applying for medicaid. If that doesn't come through, I'll look at some cheap version of obamacare. Bottom line is, I'm in the same boat as many of you.

Post Edited (sknight) : 3/25/2014 8:20:38 PM (GMT-6)

I just hate hearing how people can be so cruel to sick people. I'm glad you parents took you in so you can relax now. I'm so sorry you had to go through the hard times and now I hope you will get on something that won't cause bad reactions so you can move ahead with treatments and not have any more ambulance runs. Take some time to relax and recover from the stress.

Hi SKnight,

I had to have 1 cortisone shot too last month, to stop a severe inflammation... I had no choice, but I contacted my LLMD and he approved for 1 shot, to 'break' the inflammation. I first put up a huge fight with the doctor at the hospital where I was treated. The nurses understood my concern but told me that if I decided to not take the shot, I would get discharged from hospital because I'm refusing a certain treatment from the doctor. I called my llmd and he was ok with 1 single shot.

It's great that your parents are there for you! Take all the rest you can, and then you can re-evaluate. The clean air will do you good!

Good luck!

MarieLS

 

Sknight -

what a trip!

I haven't followed your story entirely but sounds like you're in good hands at your parents.

I'm not sure about your mold situation or how much you know about it but I wanted to suggest that if your home really does have significant mold issues, you will need to carefully clean E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G in it before taking it with you. The best precaution is taking nothing at all. That is a blow I haven't accepted yet (I have a mold situation that is in limbo right now, too).

For additional reasons (not just the mold) my LLMD started me on (generic) diflucan and nystatin (actually, I started myself on it while waiting 6 mos to get in to see her) because of systemic candida/fungal issues. about an hour after the first dose, I was brushing my teeth and had an immediate drop in blood pressure, heart racing and pounding, dizziness, short of breath, nearly passed out, nausea, and had to lie down for about an hour. And aside from other normal herx reactions (painful gas and bloating) that was it. I definitely agree with you - you were having allergic reactions to the drugs, not herxing.

Hopefully someone else can come along and suggest other solutions for fungus.