I Never Knew I was Allergic to This!

I had a stiff neck a week ago and it was already more than three days and it's still bothering me, although the thought that I did not drink any medicine was not good enough. I had to drink something 3 days after to relieve the pain and so I did, not knowing I was allergic to it. So here's the chronological story of what happened.



It was one sunny Monday afternoon, August 2, 2011, when I couldn't take the stiff-neck pain anymore that I decided to drink a medication. It's a good thing someone had Alaxan FR with them at the office so I decided to take one. After 30-40 minutes, my eyes started to itch and it itched in a very uncomfortable way. It's like telling my mind that something is itchy but scratching it would not make a difference.

After looking at the mirror I saw the flesh around my eye starting to inflame and bulge in a way that resembles an allergy. I thought to myself, where did you come from? There were no caterpillars around in the office and I did not touch anything I shouldn't have. I decided to go and wash my eyes only to find out minutes later that it had worsened. The hives started to appear more and more on one eye then on the other.

I had no choice but to go to the emergency room (good thing I'm within the hospital compound). An office mate who is also a nurse accompanied me, thanks Dominic. At the ER I was examined and revealed that I had an allergic reaction but to what?

History would then reveal that I drank Alaxan FR (the CULPRIT to all of this) about 50 minutes ago. Treatment for an allergic reaction was started. First thing was Antamin through IM route. A heplock/saline lock was then inserted to facilitate injection of Hydrocortisone, I had 200mg as starting dose. Epinephrine 0.3 ml was also given subcutaneously. Observation of the symptoms was then started for about two hours and so.

After thirty minutes of observation, I was already asleep but still easily awakened. I can't describe the feeling of having been given a drug with mild sedation and a jolt of epinephrine made me feel sleepy but at the same time I can't stop my body from moving.

The inflammation around my eyes started to disappear slowly. Redness was lighter and the bulging of my eyelids got smaller. I went back to the emergency room to be checked by the resident on duty. Fortunately, they let me go and to come back when problems occur. Of course, this did not end this way. I still had my Heplock on for 3 more doses of Hydrocortisone which by the way for 2 cc would cost you 350 pesos already (that's Solu-cortef brand). I was also to taper the dose with prednisone after completing the Hydrocortisone. Antamine three times a day was also prescribed and together with Omeprazole to counter the side-effects of prednisone on the stomach.

I'm glad the allergy was only contained in the eyes. I did not have a severe reaction like difficulty of breathing or anything dangerous like that. I've never had an allergy like this before because for all I know, I'm only allergic to crustaceans and the likes. I'm never going to take Alaxan FR again. By the way, Alaxan FR is a combination of 325 mg Paracetamol and 200 mg Ibuprofen - a very popular drug allergen.

I'm really thankful to God for what happened, at least it happened when I was still at work and near the hospital. I'm also thankful to my office mates for checking out on me while I was sick.

I want to leave this paragraph to thank my one and only soul mate Kaye Panizales. Without you I wouldn't be where I am right now and where I could be in the future. You were always there for me and this situation was not an exception. Even though you were on duty, you still managed to take care of me and buy the medicines needed. You are so heroic and I really appreciate everything you did. I know I may not have expressed my gratitude that much but let me tell you now the only words fit for the matter: Thank you for show of great tender loving care, I love you so much! Forever and ever babe!

Copyright 2011 Notes on Hobbies | I Never Knew I was Allergic to This!