For years, I’ve been allergic all year around. Whether it’s dust, pollen or other forces of nature, it makes me sneeze, my eyes water, my nose run and my throat fill with phlegm.
Then, I had an allergic reaction that put me in the hospital. I only stayed overnight, but it was one of the worst experiences of my life. My eyes were itchy at first and I felt scratchy in my throat, but things changed after I took a shower.
My throat was closing up and my face felt like it was getting pushed forward with mucus & blood coming out. I knew out of instinct to drive myself to the hospital, which was 3 minutes away vs waiting whatever time it would take for an ambulance to come.
I got to the hospital barely able to see or speak, but I got rushed right in and put on a steroid and epi (the drug they put into EpiPens I assume). It took a couple of hours, but the swelling started going down. An overnight stay later, I was told to see an allergist to find out what caused the reaction. However, I suspect it’s 1 of the 3 medications I was prescribed for my shoulder nagging me.
My Trip to the Allergist
I knew a little bit of what about going to an allergist like Ruby E. Reyes, MD based on my brother and his wife doing so. But I didn’t expect some of what occurred. First was a breathing test where I had to inhale deeply, blow as hard as I could (to blow down cartoon houses like the big bad wolf) and inhale again really fast in one motion each. I had a tough time doing this, so I had to try it 3-4 times to get it right and it’s an indicator that my breathing isn’t the best.
And going to Dr. Reyes helped me find out why. I got pricked by 60 pins on my back to determine what natural allergies I have. Then, another breathing test that went smoother since I took an inhalant medication where I had to breathe in with my mouth and out with my nose (a skill I never thought I’d need). And finally, 10 shots that broke even more of the skin in a combination form to confirm allergies I came up negative.
The result? I’m allergic to next to everything except for dogs and horses, which is great since I’m a dog person… and I guess a horse person? My biggest allergen is dust, but I’m also allergic to mold, trees, grass, cats, weeds and cockroaches. I didn’t even know a cockroach allergy was a thing. I’m sure there are more things I’m allergic to including poison ivy, but I think this is enough for now.
Oh, and as for the medication I’m allergic to? Ruby E. Reyes says there is no test for that , so they just picked the one that’s most common and assume it was that. But I’m going to try & avoid all 3, though avoiding the one is a lot easier since it’s a stronger version of an OTC medication.
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