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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
        
(Message started by: Jackie on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:06am)
Title: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Jackie on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:06am
Angioedema is an allergic reaction to many different types of substances (drugs...including ones you have taken many times before, pollens, chemicals, foods, etc.)

This reaction may cause wheezing, low blood pressure and rapid pulse, swelling of the face, tongue, lips and vocal cords.  This can be life threatening.  Treatment should be sought immediately.

I wanted you all to be aware of this because most of you are on lots of drugs prescription medications....(some not... ;))

I was in the ER last night with such a reaction.  The doctors have no idea what my trigger was as I am on no drugs and had not eaten anything different and have no allergies.  I was being stubborn and wouldn't let Blake take me to the hospital when it started.  When my tongue swelled to almost three times normal, I could hardly swallow and breathing was becoming difficult....I decided to go.

They started an IV....gave me prednisone, benedryl, pepcid and a drug to help me breath.  When the doctor released me I was told to come back to the hospital IMMEDIATELY of any of the symptoms returned.

I thought of all my cluster friends and their families when this was going on.  I want you all to please be aware of this and how very fast it can happen.  I was lucky.....much longer and they would have tubed me....or worse.

OK....lecture over....you all be careful out there....

Love to you all...
Jackie

OH....Jonny :-*, I want no smart remarks about my swollen tongue.  If Chewy says one thing....kill him....
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by thomas on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:12am
I admire your stubborness, it's part of your charm.  However, when it concerns YOUR health, you need to listen to Blake, you know that you would make him listen to you. ;)  I love you and am glad you are ok after that scare.
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Woobie on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:18am

YEP!      I have to agree with Thomas!!!   ;;D


SO glad you're OK now Jacks!!!

:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

smooches
woobs
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by nani on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:30am
Oh Jackie... that's awful! I'm so glad you're OK. Please be careful in the future...and don't ignore possible symptoms. If no one is around, call 911. Really. This sin't something to mess around with.
If chewy says something, can I kick his ass? Please?

BIG hugs, nani






on 03/21/07 at 09:06:52, Jackie wrote:
I wanted you all to be aware of this because most of you are on lots of drugs.


I don't know why, but that made me laugh.
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Mosaicwench on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:39am
The reaction is not always triggered by something new to your system.  It can be something you've taken or eaten or breathed for years and then one day - whammo!

That happened with me and penicillin.  Years of use as a kid and one dose as an adult and had a reaction.

Good words of caution, Jackie.  Glad you're okay.
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by pattik on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:52am
Hi Jackie,
I'm glad you have it under control now.  It's a scary thing.
The same thing happened to me three separate times a long time ago, and I never figured out any triggers other than a whole lot of stess going on at the time.  My hands and tongue swelled up really quickly, but I was too young and stupid to see a doctor.  That will no longer be the case if it ever happens again.  Keep a watchful eye out for any recurrence.

Patk
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Jackie on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:55am
Thomas...I love you too, Sweetie...I'm stubborn for sure.  But....I've crewed this old ship for a long time and when I knew I was in trouble we took off   :P

Thanks, Woobster....yup, I'm fine.

Nani....I "kinda" fixed the post....LOL.  And...yes, please kick Chewy's ass.  Wait...let's think about this...he'd probably like it coming from you... ;;D

Yes, Moasicwench....your post is exactly right....the doctor told me that too.  I've know people who developed penicillin allergies....very dangerous reactions.

Jacks 8)
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by catlind on Mar 21st, 2007, 10:37am
OMG OMG OMG Jackie.......you have no idea.....

Damn Mom2, I'm soooooooo glad you are ok, but you have started a thread that I was planning on starting today.

Yesterday after a doctors appointment we discovered some new information that my doc is going to submit to be examined and possibly added to the FDA warnings of SSRI's and Triptan usages.

All these last few days that I've been trying to post updates and spelling mistakes and missing words, things that are NOT  normal for me - they weren't exhaustion.  For the last 3 weeks, I have been having seizures.  

I have been on Lexapro at different times when my head gets bad to help with the depression that comes with chronic pain.  This last time, high cycle, and a suicidal teen pushed me to the limits and they put my on double dose lexapro.  Now I haven't taken triptans for 3 years since the docs discovered the utter danger of it for me, but something odd happened.

Apparently the AMOUNT of triptans we CHers use and the often times we are also on ssri's both for the headaches and for the depression can cause a chain reaction resulting in a permanent adversity to that particular medication.  In my case it was lexapro.  I was literally having life threatening seizures and NONE of us knew it.


Quote:
Lexapro can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What are the possible side effects of Lexapro?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
   *      seizure (convulsions);
   *      tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;
   *      problems with balance or coordination; or
   *      agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

   *      feeling nervous, restless, or unable to sit still;
   *      headache, trouble concentrating;
   *      drowsiness, dizziness;
   *      sleep problems (insomnia);
   *      nausea, diarrhea, heartburn;
   *      weight changes;
   *      decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or
   *      dry mouth, ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html

What you need to know is that you may not recognize the seizure:  In my case, I would have what can only be called 'narcoleptic' episodes, where my eyes would suddenly close and I would open them again and be 'speaking in tongues'.  One eye would wander, I would fall asleep or lose my coordination for no apparent reason and in the middle of a normal activity, I would smell strange smells that no one else could smell, I had double vision and blurred vision.

Please, if you have ANY signs like Jacks had, or any signs listed above like I had get to an ER ASAP - it's better to be safe than dead or brain dead.

Cat
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by ClusterChuck on Mar 21st, 2007, 10:50am
OK, seeing Jonny and Chewy have been warned, and I haven't, I'll say it:

Finally overused that tongue of yours, eh?  Wore it out to the point of swollen?   DAMN mouthy broad!!!

Remind me to get a gag to send to Blake ....

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  

Now to be serious ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ....
OMG, Lovey!!!! You GOTTA take care of YOU, m'love!

I am glad YOU were typing this, as I was petrified something permanent had happened!  At least if you are posting this, you are your normal, naggin', self, which is who we all love ...

PLEASE take care, hun ... For ME???   Ya need to be around to nag and bitch at me!!!


<hugs> and <smoochies>

Chuck


(Damn stubborn, ornery wimminz!!!  SHEESH!!! )
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by BarbaraD on Mar 21st, 2007, 11:09am
Good warning Jacks... It happens like that sometimes. My mom had this happen with pennicillin after years of nothing. Then it quit after years of alergic reaction to it. I guess the old system just changes.

But you RX takers out there BEWARE.. Better safe than sorry. Even the most stubborn among us.

Glad you're ok Jacks... Back to tongue lashing as usual... ;)

Hugs BD
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Gator on Mar 21st, 2007, 11:28am
Geez, Jackie and Cat!  Glad you both are okay.  Good info x 2.


Here's where they get you:


Quote:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.


Even drugs that have been on the market for years can produce new side effects in certain people.  You just really don't know how you are going to react to a med until you try it.

Definitely better that you be safe than your family be sorry.
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Racer1_NC on Mar 21st, 2007, 11:41am
It can happen......happened to me years ago with a drug I had taken many times before.

Be careful...

Bill
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Sandy_C on Mar 21st, 2007, 12:35pm
Geez, Jackie and Cat!  Glad you are both OK.  How scary.  

Thanks for the warnings.  It never occured to me that you could have an allergic reaction to a drug you've taken for years.  Just one more thing we need to worry about  :(

Sandy
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Jackie on Mar 21st, 2007, 3:18pm

on 03/21/07 at 10:50:34, ClusterChuck wrote:
Remind me to get a gag to send to Blake ....

 










So, Chuck, you think Blake needs to be gagged......I'll be sure to tell him you said so..... ;;D
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by LadyElaine1 on Mar 21st, 2007, 4:01pm
I am so glad you are ok Jackie. I couldn't help but laugh when you were telling me how you were talking to the nurse and Blake. I am sure it wasn't funny at the time.

Thanks for the warning and glad your OK.

Love ya My Friend
Elaine
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by thomas on Mar 21st, 2007, 4:22pm

on 03/21/07 at 15:18:14, Jackie wrote:
So, Chuck, you think Blake needs to be gagged......I'll be sure to tell him you said so..... ;;D

 This should be interesting.  ;;D
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by lionsound on Mar 21st, 2007, 9:34pm
Jackie! that sounds very scary. I am glad you are okay now. PHEW!!!

TAKE CARE OF YOU!!!

-Rori :)
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by ClusterChuck on Mar 21st, 2007, 10:01pm

on 03/21/07 at 15:18:14, Jackie wrote:
So, Chuck, you think Blake needs to be gagged......I'll be sure to tell him you said so..... ;;D


Aw shit!!!  Now Blake is gonna kick my ass, too!!!

Sheesh!!!  Damn wimminz is always trying to get me in trouble ...   <sigh>

Chuck

PS:  I think I am feeling an illness coming on .. Seems like it will peak right at convention time .. Guess I will have to miss Richmond ...
Title: Re: Angioedema....FYI & Warning.....
Post by Melissa on Mar 22nd, 2007, 8:41am
Oh wow Jackie, I don't know what to say??  Well, other than I'm so glad you are alright!!!

That sounds like it was just an awful ordeal.  Thank you for giving us all a heads up!

hugs,
mel


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