Reactions to meds, etc.

[Guest guest]

I have been reading with interest that many of you are so sensitive

to different medications as I have been that way all my life. I am

very allergic to sulfa drugs (hives, swelling, difficulty breathing)

and also steristrips (which are hypoallerginic), which they just

used on my neck last week after surgery. It took all of 24 hours

for me to turn purple and welt up. Luckily the dr. believed me and

saw me right away. Was better within the hour. I knew this before

surgery as it has happened the last 4 surgeries that I have had.

But, I thought some of you might be interested to hear what happened

to me 3 years ago. I gained 30 lbs, my face swelled up enormously,

grew facial hair, terrible acne, severe depression. It took several

months and many drs. (one who basically told me to just go away) for

me to read the tiny print that comes with my Nasonex prescription.

It has steroids in it and 1-3% of people have that reaction to it.

I basically self-diagnosed myself. It took a year for my facial

swelling to go down, I don't think it has ever gotten back to

normal, actually. Of course, doctors look at me like I am crazy

when I refuse any steroids and say it is impossible to be allergic

to them.

I take a lot of care in educating myself before I take anything

because if there is less than a 3% chance of a certain reaction, I

GET IT!!!