Health Scare 25 - Episode 5 (The End for Sure!)

On Tuesday evening, my chest itched a little so I immediately concluded that the free $ detergent sheet foisted on me by Amazon with my regular (fragrance free) order of washer pods had given me some kind of contact dermatitis. By bedtime the light rash had turned into full-blown hives and I itched from neck, front and back, to knees. I felt as though a swamp had released all its mosquitoes to feast on me, driving me crazy and making my skin quite hot to the touch. 

 During that long night I had actually wondered if I had fleas (!) or Munchausen Syndrome. Psychiatrist sister Marilyn later dispelled the Munchausen idea with the comment that I am too old (what, me?) for onset. One thinks crazy things during such episodes.

At 7:00 a.m. next morning, looking out at a load of unplowed snow, I managed to get a 12:40 p.m. appointment with yet another new provider, the very sensible, kind and knowledgeable M Health Fairview nurse practitioner Catherine Passé. Taking into consideration my medical issues, including multiple sclerosis, Crohn's, past lung cancer, many drug sensitivities and, of course, the recent presumed reaction to atorvastatin, Catherine dealt with the immediate hives problem. While the reason didn't really matter to me in the literal heat of the moment, the possibilities were reaction to detergent sheet (thought most likely), delayed reaction to statin (improbable but possible), reaction to muscle relaxant (possible but highly unlikely). Marilyn later wondered if  recent events might have re-awakened my screwed-up immune system, so often on "high alert" in the past, as evidenced by presence of comorbid autoimmune diseases.

I walked out of the clinic with prescriptions for ceterizine (generic Zirtec, an antihistamine), short burst of prednisone (a corticosteroid to relieve itching etc. -- controversial as to effectiveness), triamcinolone (rapid relief itch cream) and  a referral to the M Health Fairview allergy clinic -- might as well do the allergy thing while I'm at it.

I felt better almost right away after the antihistamine and itch relief cream. By Thursday morning the rash had really receded even before I took the first dose of prednisone, scheduled to begin tapering off tomorrow, with the last dose on December 22.

I didn't sleep much on Thursday so decided to defer the Zirtec until after dinner yesterday, hoping that the drowsiness impact of the Zirtec would mitigate the effects of prednisone, which exacerbates my manic tendencies, sometimes challenging under the best of circumstancces, and these are definitely not "the best of circumstances".

It's Saturday morning and I feel quite well. I like the ultra high energy me (not a good sign) but wouldn't dare drive yet, or "operate heavy machinery", which I don't have much access to anyway. Sonia and Jim visited late yesterday afternoon and left us a delicious Olive Garden dinner; Bob has taken over some of the tasks that I tend to micro-manage and/or do myself. I think I always appreciated family and friends, but I'm even more grateful now. I also know that only a few weeks ago, I couldn't possibly have imagined that living my best life means being able to walk and get a good night's sleep, without pain or itching.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on one's point of view, I am super speedy, like a novice drinker after a couple of quick shots. I am getting a lot done and catching up from the days I was confined to my chair, reliant on two canes for mobility. I'm too unstable from the prednisone to manage anything very physical, but am improving a little every day.

The bullet remains dodged.