I had to go to the emergency room on Sunday. I was outside getting ready to go do some running around. I got into the car and for some reason I looked into the mirror. My eyes were red and starting to swell. Before I knew it, I was starting to have a hard time breathing. My face was swelling to. I got on my cell phone and called 911. They were there in a flash but couldn't see me at first. Finally, I stuck my hand out the car door. Next thing I know is that they are putting the EKG electrodes on me and started a IV. Then came the questions which I was having a hard time answering. Then they got a O2 mask on me and loaded me into the ambulance. Thank God that the hospital is only 4 blockes away. In the meantime, my eyes were just tiny slits. Once in the ER, more questions and I'm getting scare. After what seemed like a long time but wasn't, they decided that I was having a allergic reaction to a unknown cause. After a couple of shots and very close montoring for several hours, they asked me some questions. It turned out that I was very allergic to this new shampoo that I had used.
Today, the swelling is almost gone and that shampoo is history. All of my neighbors checked in on me and I think that my roomie is still shaking as I scared everyone.
The only good thing was that I didn't eat yesterday as the medication made me sleepy. I don't want another day like that one!!!
MarisaThat's brutal, Marisa, to have such a severe allergy on top of everything else. Seems like people have been having an extra rough time in the past couple of weeks.
Glad they got you straightened out, though. What a scare!! I never give things like shampoo a second thought. Good thing it wasn't your medication, though. There's one bright spot.
Marisa, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. You sure kept your head though. I wonder if a lot of people with RA have severe allergies? I sure do. I've gone into anaphalaxis (what I think you had) when the doctor tried to desensitize me to ragweed, and also when I come into contact with silk if it touches my eyes.I had to carry epi hypodermics around with me for years in case I had another episode.Have you been tested for allergies?
That is pretty crazy...why would they think it was the shampoo and not something out in the yard? What kind of shampoo was it? You prob. should get tested for allergies as Linda mentioned. It just sounds a little questionable, you probably shouldnt take any chances.
I am glad you are okay now, sounds like you had an exciting weekend.
I'm so glad you are ok now!!
Allergies I do have. I can't walk down the soap section in the store with out my nose and eyes brothering me. I can't wear perfume unless it's a very light smelling one. I have to buy almost every thing unscented. Our outdoors is all blacktop or half dead grass. Plus today, when I was in the bathroom, my eyes stared to brother me and I was holding the open shampoo bottle in my hand as I read what's in it. So no more fruit scented shampoo, hand lotion, or body wash. I guess with RA comes other problems too.
I read the ingredients on the shampoo bottles because I dont like to buy a bottle for if I can get the same ingredients with a different label for . Mostly they are all the same. But some of them have a lot of plants and flowers in them. I know if I inhale pollen I cant breath, so I guess it makes sense not to rub it all over your head! I had a reaction to herbal essence shampoo once and now I avoid anything to flowery. I have had good luck with the Dove products and the Vive by Loreal shampoo. One of my other faves is Neutragena-I love all of their products-for hair, skin and make-up. I am so sensitive to so many things that I think I have used every brand of shampoo and cond., soap, lotion, make-up, detergent, deoderant, hair color and hair spray invented! I am the human guinnea pig!
When I see my RA doc on Thursday, I'm going to ask about allergies.
Tonight, I'm feeling like myself and my eyes aren't puffy and red. I have a nice bruise from the IV and my hand is sore but that's all unless you count my aching joints as it's going to rain.
MarisaI was just wondering if it was herbal essence shampoo...I am soo allergic to that stuff.Wow- thank goodness you're OK! That must've been terrifying! Life's hitting you hard right now, but keep venting on here and you'll feel better. I know it's helped me!Sorry you had to go through that, glad you're ok now.How terrifying that must have been. I am glad you are okay.
I would keep some Benadryl around in case you didn't really get the
culprit. Good luck.
OMG, it was a herbal essence shampoo, VO5. It was on sale for a .25. I thought that I would try it and save some money too. So much for that! Have switch to Dove shampoo. So far so good. I know that the ER bill is going to be over ,000 and when I get the paramedic bill.... ouch!
Marisa
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