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hivey whine.

Posted by b. (aka starrynit) Jun 4 '12, 18:26

I am so freaking itchy (not to mention hivey - please don't look too closely).

rash started yesterday and got much worse today, including tightness in breathing this morning. (benadryl + zantac for its antihistamine properties) helped stop the latter, but not the former yet. and itchiness has increased as the day has progressed. ugh.

I narrowed-down the likely cause to a new medication (meant to help something related to my knee badness) I've been on for a few weeks.

my main healthcare center/clinic, where I have multiple doctors, and my usual drugstore (walgreens) have in their systems that I am allergic to red dye 40. not good enough.

after they both let a past prescription for downright red cough syrup go through (fortunately, I knew to ask when picking that up), I *almost* always check/ask about ingredients, as I do when looking at new foods or beverages or otc stuff, etc.; but I saw the new pills are green/yellow and not red/orange/purple/flecked/etc., so I thought I was safe. d'oh.

I googled this morning and found these suckers have red dye 40 listed as their last ingredient, so a small amount, but apparently enough to build up and give me not only hives but a sign that (as feared, and what has made me be almost-always vigilant), more reactions to it can bring worse symptoms (breathing symptoms are on the path to anaphalaxis).

I don't know why walgreens, at least, doesn't always print inactive ingredients on their flyers, nor why the dye doesn't show up as a big red flag in their system, since I know I'm not alone with it as an allergen; but I am totally pursuing that. I sent a note to my doctor (the one who prescribed) this morning, not blaming her directly but including her in the mix.

I partly blame myself, of course; but there's more to go around. the lack of a catcher in those systems could end up with even worse badness than my *trying not to scratch* and having parts that look like someone jackson-pollocked me. oof.

Responses:

If only they'd use those bugs they crush up to simulate red dye 40. - Qale Jun 4, 19:20 1
- I just don't get the uproar over using beetle shells to get carmine. It's not like a secret or anything. - Trish Jun 4, 19:56
wow, what a freaking pain. sorry you are having to go through this - prayformojo Jun 4, 19:02
ouch. feel better soon -- nm - peglegpete Jun 4, 19:01
I feel for you. I can break out in hives just from being exposed to very cold air. It makes it tough in the winter around here. So I'm allergic to ALL - Trish Jun 4, 18:53 3
- so sorry you went through that. I've caught some similar stuff myself and also was glad I was awake. - b. Jun 4, 18:58 2
  - You may have to go on a prednisone or medrol dose-pack. That's my biggest nightmare, I get totally homocidal when I have to take that stuff. - Trish Jun 4, 19:12 1
    - I hope I caught it early enough. *fingers crossed* - b. Jun 4, 19:16
Yikes - that completely sucks! Hope it clears up soon b! :( -- nm - JenBro Jun 4, 18:50
:( -- nm - kelly Jun 4, 18:41
:( feel better soon -- nm - epiphany Jun 4, 18:39
thanks, nice folks who read all that. :) - -- nm - b. Jun 4, 18:38
I am surprised walgreen's computer didn't pick it up. -- nm - James Bond (aka Igor) Jun 4, 18:37 14
- I'd actually even have to check if I can add inactive ingredients to an allergy list. -- nm - Tim, forgotten Mets fan Jun 4, 18:47
- inactive ingredients are rarely checked, especially since with the same drug they can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. -- nm - Tim, forgotten Mets fan Jun 4, 18:42 3
  - I see. -- nm - James Bond (aka Igor) Jun 4, 18:43
  - the paperwork actually includes the manufacturer, though, so that's in the system (at least at walgreens). - b. Jun 4, 18:43 1
    - Yeah, it's listed on our bottles too but not the inactives :/ -- nm - Tim, forgotten Mets fan Jun 4, 18:45
- yah, I think that's even worse than the clinic not catching it. this is strike two for them, at least, for it. maybe our resident pharmacy boy can - b. Jun 4, 18:41 8
  - *puts on pharmacy boy hat* - Tim, forgotten Mets fan Jun 4, 18:44 1
    - thanks! - b. Jun 4, 18:50
  - Maybe next time you can ask for them to save the package insert because it lists all the ingredients and what not. -- nm - James Bond (aka Igor) Jun 4, 18:43 5
    - oh, now I'll just always google. now that you mention it, though, they do sometimes give inserts or more detailed info., depending on the drug.-- nm - b. Jun 4, 18:47 4
      - I think most (all?) drugs have the inset and the insert is super detailed. Lists all ingredients, molecular formula, trials blah blah -- nm - James Bond (aka Igor) Jun 4, 18:49 3
        
        right, they all come with them at some point; but they're not always passed along to the consumer unless we're given - b. Jun 4, 18:54 2
        
        Ralph's give you huge print outs but I don't know if they list the ingredients. -- nm - James Bond (aka Igor) Jun 4, 18:58 1
        
        alas, we're ralph-less here. -- nm - b. Jun 4, 18:59
I swear, people with medical conditions almost need to have medical training themselves to monitor their treatment... - MojaveMeg Jun 4, 18:35
Damn! I hope that clears up quickly now that you know the cause. -- nm - Bacon Jun 4, 18:35
Ack. :-( Itching is one of my summer difficulties -- I seem to be getting more senstive to insect bites and poisen ivy and stuff -- but I can only - mara Jun 4, 18:32
So sorry. - Spawn Jun 4, 18:30

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hivey whine.

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