Last week, I had the pleasure of taking my vehicle to the dealership, if you can call it that. The pleasure, I mean. The engine light was on. I couldn't fix it with oil, antifreeze, or transmission fluid. They plug your vehicle into the computer to find out what's wrong. That is an immediate charge of $89. Why? They don't have to spent 2 hours looking for the problem. Then they don't have the part, but they can get it. Also, along with the fee for the sensor, there is a list of things my vehicle needs that will total $2,000. I decide to just do the air sensor. It won't take too long, so I decide not to have them shuttle me home.
Alas, the trip starts going downhill fast. They are inflating gigantic balloons near the waiting room. I try to wait outside, as I have done before, but the temperature is 32o. It won't hit 50o for a couple of hours. I spend my time in the service area next to the pile of tires, no chair to sit on, but I can lean against the wall a lot while I read. also, for my enjoyment, it's all windowed so I get "free" entertainment watching all the mechanics working in their bays. I can't figure out whose working on my van, but the guy in the next bay is snapping his latex gloves on & off . My hood is open. The airborn rubber protiens have become hitchhikers on my engine. I end up spending 4 hours there because the part was only available at the furthest dealership.
The hives are popping up in my mouth, and my driving is poorly focused as i drive home. I'm having a reaction. Of course. I can't stay much longer than 15 minutes in any public place. i'm usually homebound for 2 days with a reaction and stoned on benadryl, even tho' I know it can take 3 days to recover. Well the 3rd day, I was still in the reaction. The 4th day I had to cancel an important fun day for me. (Latex Allergy allows me about 3 of those a year and not necessarily the ones most important to me.) The 6th day I get some groceries. I'm still reactive or I'm rebounding. After 7 days stoned on benadryl, not getting out of the reaction, I am frustrated with my whole life and what I can't do. On the 8th day I hold the benadryl and get into the doctor's office for a script for prednisone.
I haven't mentioned all the anger, frustration, feeling like crap, and the revelations about what I can no longer do that have gone through my mind this past week. I do know in my heart that this disease is progressive. There is no textbook about NRLA, just those of us who have it.
Sal
Showing posts with label benadryl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label benadryl. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
More Than I Can Chew
The last several weeks have been very busy for me. I've been helping very good friends(3) thru serious health issues along with support group moderating, a couple of medical appts. each week, and scheduling in my curves workout 3 times a week, along with grocery shopping, and trips to the drug store without overdoing my rubber exposures each day.
This past week, I've been learning more about organic foods and checking them out in the stores. i've begun learning about the hazards of PBA in our canned foods since the 50's, and also found in some plastic storage containers. This is worse than food handled with latex gloves, and it's also approved by the FDA. I joined Weston A. Price Foundation, my local chapter, and began learning more about nutritionally dense foods(not found in the grocery store). This is what organic foods are, pasture raised, no hormones or antibiotics; essentially safe and very nutritious food that all of us should be eating.
I came across a website while googling for locations of accessable spring water. Well, I drove around town to check out one that had been pointed out to me a number of years ago. I couldn't find it. I think the access was closed. The other may be a possibility. It's 200 years old and overgrown with brush. It may not produce all the time. Then I wonder, how do I learn how to safely access or get the spring active again? It just came into my head. Maybe the DEC can help me with this one.
On Thursday, I spend to long picking up extra groceries to donate to my food pantry. The lines at the checkouts are too long, so I use my rescue inhaler while in line and take my benadryl before i leave the parking lot. This is safer because I'm only a few minutes from home. The rest of the day is strung out on benadryl every 4 hours.
On Friday, I should be homebound and on benadryl, but first I go to get measured and work out at curves. I had signed up for Saturday class for weight management. Then I go home and continue with benadryl every 4 hours for another strung out day. I began having hives in my mouth. This isn't cool, it's really a systemic reaction, but doesn't go any further. Whew, no need for an epi-pen and call to the allergist. By my exposure rules, I should stay homebound on Saturday.
I went to the class anyway. I was ok in there for 1 1/2 hrs. Yippee! But as I read what I need to be eating for weight loss, after I've gotten home, to figure out a new grocery list, I start slowly going into the meltdown that almost became major. I was still having trouble on Sunday when I went to check out organics in a different grocery. I had decided that I was going to chunk down my approach to this diet, but I was still getting anxious. I got the organic butter I wanted to make my own ghee and a few other things. One bag and an immersion mixer was $80. Yikes. On the way home, I prayed for help and guidance.
The answer came. Chunk it down. My activity level has increased with working out. I'm forgetting that I'm disabled. I'm forgetting that I'm scheduling everything so I can just fit my workouts in with buying groceries, picking up prescriptions, doctor appts., tests, and trying to manage my home(which I'm way behind with). I'm also forgetting how old I am. I'm not ancient, but I'm not 20, or 30, or 40 either. I'm not giving up, I just need to watch my times outside home more carefully. I need to stop testing to see how many exposures to rubber I can have and then end up calling 911 and ending up in intensive care on a respirator for a few days.
Sal
This past week, I've been learning more about organic foods and checking them out in the stores. i've begun learning about the hazards of PBA in our canned foods since the 50's, and also found in some plastic storage containers. This is worse than food handled with latex gloves, and it's also approved by the FDA. I joined Weston A. Price Foundation, my local chapter, and began learning more about nutritionally dense foods(not found in the grocery store). This is what organic foods are, pasture raised, no hormones or antibiotics; essentially safe and very nutritious food that all of us should be eating.
I came across a website while googling for locations of accessable spring water. Well, I drove around town to check out one that had been pointed out to me a number of years ago. I couldn't find it. I think the access was closed. The other may be a possibility. It's 200 years old and overgrown with brush. It may not produce all the time. Then I wonder, how do I learn how to safely access or get the spring active again? It just came into my head. Maybe the DEC can help me with this one.
On Thursday, I spend to long picking up extra groceries to donate to my food pantry. The lines at the checkouts are too long, so I use my rescue inhaler while in line and take my benadryl before i leave the parking lot. This is safer because I'm only a few minutes from home. The rest of the day is strung out on benadryl every 4 hours.
On Friday, I should be homebound and on benadryl, but first I go to get measured and work out at curves. I had signed up for Saturday class for weight management. Then I go home and continue with benadryl every 4 hours for another strung out day. I began having hives in my mouth. This isn't cool, it's really a systemic reaction, but doesn't go any further. Whew, no need for an epi-pen and call to the allergist. By my exposure rules, I should stay homebound on Saturday.
I went to the class anyway. I was ok in there for 1 1/2 hrs. Yippee! But as I read what I need to be eating for weight loss, after I've gotten home, to figure out a new grocery list, I start slowly going into the meltdown that almost became major. I was still having trouble on Sunday when I went to check out organics in a different grocery. I had decided that I was going to chunk down my approach to this diet, but I was still getting anxious. I got the organic butter I wanted to make my own ghee and a few other things. One bag and an immersion mixer was $80. Yikes. On the way home, I prayed for help and guidance.
The answer came. Chunk it down. My activity level has increased with working out. I'm forgetting that I'm disabled. I'm forgetting that I'm scheduling everything so I can just fit my workouts in with buying groceries, picking up prescriptions, doctor appts., tests, and trying to manage my home(which I'm way behind with). I'm also forgetting how old I am. I'm not ancient, but I'm not 20, or 30, or 40 either. I'm not giving up, I just need to watch my times outside home more carefully. I need to stop testing to see how many exposures to rubber I can have and then end up calling 911 and ending up in intensive care on a respirator for a few days.
Sal
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Natural Rubber Latex Allergy & Coping
Some days I just feel so alone. I live alone, except for Casey, my pride & joy & the greatest company.
I can't even remember the places I went to on Thurs., Fri., & Sat. in this Benadryl blur. I did go to a garage sale. The others were drive bys. I know I have been in Wal*Mart a couple of times. I had been in Lowe's earlier last week. The exposures to natural rubber latex mount up in my exposure glass to overflowing.
I do remember finally reacting on Fri. afternoon after spraying my shrub clippers with WD-40. It contains carba, thiuram, & mercapto mix, all chemicals used as accellerators in the manufacture of latex gloves. Initially, I was only allergic to these chemicals & had only topical or skin reactions. Now I'm getting into severe systemic reactions from these chemicals. Actually I have before. They are also found in disinfectants & insecticides.
I had to cancel company coming on Sat. & again on Sun. while still feeling the effects of the reaction & the Benadryl load in my system. Sun. I held my Benadryl til I could go to the drug store to pick up my allergy meds.
Mon. I picked up the rest of my allergy meds, mainly rescue meds., including epi-pens. Stopped at Wal*Mart to pick up a couple of things & chatted too long. My problem tire needed air. The rubber from the compressor tubing & my tire got me. It was down 15 lbs. of pressure & very noticeable. It's time to replace the tire!!!
So I'm here, homebound for a couple more days. I do need to pick up other meds tomorrow, but will do this at the drive up. Not going anywhere else tomorrow & praying that I won't need to keep the benadryl going tomorrow.
I fight the effects of the Benadryl, still trying to feel functional, but doing mindless tasks that do accomplish something. The feeling of worthlessness keeps popping up no matter how hard I try to stay positive. I only share my thoughts & feelings with people in my support group online. They are the only ones who totally understand this terrible allergy. My close friends are learning more & more, especially when I use the rubber word rather than latex. It seems to help them understand much quicker what has gotten me into trouble again.
This isn't the life I chose, nor did I ask for it. It is a challenge, sometimes a draining challenge, but in many ways I've become a better person for it.
If you are reading this post, you are very welcome to contact me or go to www.LAForum@ yahoo groups.com to learn more.
Sal
I can't even remember the places I went to on Thurs., Fri., & Sat. in this Benadryl blur. I did go to a garage sale. The others were drive bys. I know I have been in Wal*Mart a couple of times. I had been in Lowe's earlier last week. The exposures to natural rubber latex mount up in my exposure glass to overflowing.
I do remember finally reacting on Fri. afternoon after spraying my shrub clippers with WD-40. It contains carba, thiuram, & mercapto mix, all chemicals used as accellerators in the manufacture of latex gloves. Initially, I was only allergic to these chemicals & had only topical or skin reactions. Now I'm getting into severe systemic reactions from these chemicals. Actually I have before. They are also found in disinfectants & insecticides.
I had to cancel company coming on Sat. & again on Sun. while still feeling the effects of the reaction & the Benadryl load in my system. Sun. I held my Benadryl til I could go to the drug store to pick up my allergy meds.
Mon. I picked up the rest of my allergy meds, mainly rescue meds., including epi-pens. Stopped at Wal*Mart to pick up a couple of things & chatted too long. My problem tire needed air. The rubber from the compressor tubing & my tire got me. It was down 15 lbs. of pressure & very noticeable. It's time to replace the tire!!!
So I'm here, homebound for a couple more days. I do need to pick up other meds tomorrow, but will do this at the drive up. Not going anywhere else tomorrow & praying that I won't need to keep the benadryl going tomorrow.
I fight the effects of the Benadryl, still trying to feel functional, but doing mindless tasks that do accomplish something. The feeling of worthlessness keeps popping up no matter how hard I try to stay positive. I only share my thoughts & feelings with people in my support group online. They are the only ones who totally understand this terrible allergy. My close friends are learning more & more, especially when I use the rubber word rather than latex. It seems to help them understand much quicker what has gotten me into trouble again.
This isn't the life I chose, nor did I ask for it. It is a challenge, sometimes a draining challenge, but in many ways I've become a better person for it.
If you are reading this post, you are very welcome to contact me or go to www.LAForum@ yahoo groups.com to learn more.
Sal
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