ER last night
 

This is unrelated to my RSD, but last night I ended up in the ER because of an allergic reaction. Yesterday morning I woke with a rash on my neck and it just got worse during the day. I took benadryl throughout the day and I got worse. Because of that, I decided I should go in. By that time I had welts all over my neck, chest and face, on top of the awful rash. I went to the same ER that handled my last allergic reaction (much worse that this one). They were great although some of them did not know what RSD or CRPS was. I just told them where it was and where they could put the BP cuff and IV. My right arm is the only option so that is where everything was placed, but I think that is why my hand flared and hurt like ****. I am much better today, except for a monster headache.

I have no idea what caused this reaction!?! The only thing different was cereal I ate for dinner (yeah, exciting I know :p), it was a new (gluten free) one, but I had it Sunday morning with no problem. My pain level was higher that night too so I took my usual nausea and pain meds before bed. I have taken this combination of promethazine and demerol many, many times, but not right before going to bed. I sure hope it wasn't the meds because demerol is the only pain med I can take with less side effects (get a little headache vs migraine with some), I have to take the promethazine with it or I will get really nauseous.

So frustrated with everything happening and then this :(

Hope everyone is having a less pain day.
Nanc

Nanc, that must have been scary. I'm glad you are feeling better today. I really hope it wasn't the meds. Here's hoping it was that exciting new cereal you tried - you wild woman. :P

Nanc, I hope you're feeling ok now, scary stuff...

I had to just let you know that my mum has had exactly the same symptoms quite a few times over the last five years or so, and still hasn't worked out exactly why. She has been to ER a few times with it, it looks really frightening at the time, and makes her feel really poorly, and then tired and wobbly for about 24-48 hours after. She has to take a kind of mega-anti-allergen tablet that she calls a 'bomb' - makes her sleep for a day, and then she feels a bit better. The docs have checked out all sorts of things like laundry detergent changing, a plant she might have brushed against, new clothes, different food etc, but nothing has been conclusive. Her best guess is a plant in her garden that she is allergic to, and she wears gloves now - it does happen less often now.

Hopefully you and your docs will be able to track down what caused it - I hope they offer you an allergen test (although not one that involves using pin pricks on your arms obviously :rolleyes:).

Take it gently for a few days and I hope this is a one-off thing!

Bram :hug:

Thanks Kim! I sure hope it was that "exciting" new cereal too :D

Thanks Bram. It is really puzzling for me too. Glad your mom sorta found her culprit. I stay inside majority of the time. I will go out and get the mail if I am up for it, I go out when it's time to go to the dr or store or when my husband needs me to tie a bag of grass for him after doing yard work (he was born with cerebral palsy and has use of one hand/arm, we are quite the pair these days :rolleyes:) I am allergic to the sun too, yeah that's right! I break out in a rash if I am in it for more than a few minutes. He thought maybe it was the stuff he put on the yard (seed and fertilizer), but I would think that I would've broken out on my arms and hands too. I only tied the bag for him and came back in the house and washed my hands. I haven't changed anything else.

I know what your mom is talking about in regards to that allergy bomb. I have had many of them in the ER and I usually get the jitters and then crash. I would be out most of the next day. Didn't happen like that this time. Last night they put three different drugs in the IV and then gave me prescriptions for the stuff to take for five days (if needed). Normally benadryl knocks me out, not this time!

I had allergy testing done back in May 2012. They tested environmental things and foods. I think I need to have more foods tested as they will not test much at one time...they say if you test too many foods, you can get more false positives and false negatives. I am gluten free (not by choice) and have many allergies. I now have to start a special diet for Interstitial Cystitis. I am so confused with all this. Hard to figure out what I CAN eat :eek:

Anyway, we shall see what happens. Once this clears up, I will try the meds and the cereal again...all separately!

Nanc
:hug:

Man oh man going to the er for an allergic reaction sucks. Im glad they are going you sorted though. I have a friend that used to work admissions for the er and she has seen a ton of people come through with allergic reactions to every day stuff. Stuff they had been around for years. Maybe with all the meds your on you might have developed another allergy. I hope you feel better soon.

Oh Nanc,

I'm so to hear this but glad you are feeling better by now. I was wondering if you have contacted both your PCP and CRPS doctor about this? I would think at the very least your PCP should have a look at it in case it stems from something autoimmune related.

I do hope you figure it out so that you won't have to make another trip to the ER.. my most hated place on earth!!

Keep us posted on how you do,
Tessa

So sorry to hear about this Nanc! How scary... I sure hope you're doing better now! :hug:

Thanks Tessa! I am doing better, rash is much better but not all the way gone. I am on some meds for a few more days, one bbeing prednisone...hate that stuff. I have a hard time with prednisone/steroids so he gave me a low dose to try. I did call my PCP today and left a message with the nurse, I haven't heard from her yet but hopefully she will call in the morning. She is the one who manages all of my medications. I am not even going to bother with my PM dr as I am looking for a new one. You do have a good point about the autoimmune thing. I am also seeing my urogynocologist tomorrow and will tell him about it.

I too hope I can figure it out...I also hate the ER!