I need a drink. And some peanut butter cups. And a wig.

Daisydoodle86 · February 2016

It looks like I'll be benched for a while, most likely 3 months minimum. My allergist has said for safety reasons, for myself and a future baby, that we have to stop trying for the time being.

I have been battling chronic hives, angioedema and anaphalactic reactions for the last 11 weeks. I have been to the emergency room 3 times for severe reactions (throat swelling), been on steroids 3 times, and been stuck with an epipen once. I've had more blood taken than I can count, trying to figure out what I was allergic to. Trying to conceive while being swollen and itchy has not been fun or sexy (oh baby, scratch my arms, you know the way I like it

) but I felt like it was worth it. Then, I finally found a new primary care and a new allergist who seemed to be on top of things (after being ignored by my old PC and allergist after an emergency room visit). My skin testing came back positive for peanuts-- and I thought "Wow! What an easy fix. Sure I'll miss PB cups but I'll be ok". So I cut out peanuts/tree nuts while waiting for my official blood test results.

Well on Wednesday while I was at work, my throat decided to swell shut. I was taken to the ER, stabbed with an epi pen and pumped full of steroids to stop the reaction. The ER doc called my allergist and I went to see him the next day. The good news was, my test results were in. Except, the bad news was my test results. See, it turns out I'm not actually allergic to anything. My "basophil" count came back extremely high. He believes that my body is now (for reasons unknown to the medical community) creating extra histamines that are causing me to have these severe "allergic" reactions. He thinks something is wrong with my mast cells, and I have to undergo further testing and start new monthly injections (not safe for pregnancy). It's side effects are lovely too-- most common, hair loss and weight gain. In addition to that, he also suspects that I might have Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitus/Anaphalaxis, since all three trips to the ER coincided with AF (basically I might be allergic to the progesterone I produce).

Well fuck.

So lets see. My body is literally trying to kill me. I might be allergic to the one thing that caused me to lose my baby and that I need to stay pregnant. And this lovely new medication-- well gosh it's going to make my hair fall out and make me fat.

I need a drink. And some peanut butter cups. And a wig.

dammit.

mylittleversailles · February 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss and continuing troubles. You have all my sympathy. My husband struggles with allergies- in fact he has fifty separate food allergies alone (all nuts, avocado, lentils, raw vegetables etc. plus we're both ethical vegetarians). He's just started working with an allergist again, but I don't know there's much for him to do.

That being said, your situation is heartbreaking and much more complicated. I hope there's a solution around the corner for you. And they do make something like peanut butter out of roasted soy beans that is strikingly similar, if you want to try the making-your-own route. I know a lot about eating around allergies and not missing anything and I'm happy to help! I'll make you a stiff cocktail, too but I have no wig knowledge to speak of. Many creepy internet hugs.

glamakitti · February 2016

Sounds like you're going through a rough time hun (understatement?) Sometimes I think I have that autoimmune progesterone dermatitis too; since I had the Mirena coil.
Your current situation WILL not last forever your treatment WILL work for you. Hold onto that.

chloe97 · February 2016

Oh wow!! That all sounds so scary. I'm so glad that you found doctors who are interested in figuring what's wrong! Why would your body just now becoming allergic to progesterone? It seems like something that should have started much earlier!

BornReady · February 2016

What a bummer, but glad you're getting some answers! I ate a peanut butter egg in the parking lot of CVS this morning, in your honor of course

Interestingly enough, my husband also has unexplained anaphylactic reactions. We have had our share of epipen and Er experiences. I've never heard of anyone else having such a thing. His reactions seem to have a correlation with an increase in stress level.

Good luck!

Knottie12904461 · February 2016

I hear ya girl, it's insult to injury with losing the pregnancy AND the body subsequently attacking itself. Best of luck to you, let us know how things progress....

beff12 · February 2016

Oh that's awful

I'm no help on the medical front but I'm so sorry that you're having such trouble. I hope the doctors can find a way to help you ASAP!

roper2617 · February 2016

I can't even imagine what that must be like. I hope you get answers very soon. Sending you a virtual cocktail

Kay6519 · February 2016

All the wine and chocolates to you! I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope your doctor's figure out how to get the allergic reactions back under control soon!

cooaladoll · February 2016

Wow! What a way for the universe to make a rough situation even tougher! I'm so sorry you have to be going through all of this, but I echo what PP's have said, so glad you have a doctor who is resolved to finding out what exactly it is that's wrong, and how best to treat you for it. Hang in there, and I hope it's soon that they get the specifics narrowed down for you.

AL_TwinCities · February 2016

Holy crap you have been through some rough days lately! I'm so glad you have a doctor who is starting to figure this out. Super bummer that you'll be on meds and have to wait to TTC, but getting healthy will be worth it. Hugs!

fivetimesnoluck · February 2016

Damn, girl! That's a lot to take. I'm so sorry for the rough times you're experiencing. So scary too with the throat swelling! I'll be hoping that you're able to get to the bottom of your medical issues and back to TTC before long!

catiecatp · February 2016

Those allergic reactions sound terrifying - and being benched with horrid side effects sounds incredibly disappointing. I'm so sorry - I hope they get the situation figured out and then solved.

silentP · February 2016

You poor thing! That all sounds terrifying and draining. Thinking of you while you figure out what's next and I hope the three month wait goes quickly!

ThePax89 · February 2016

My sister had something similar to mastocytosis. Randomly, she started reacting to everything. They treated her with nystatin at first to eliminate a yeast overgrowth.

She ended up getting pregnant after her body healed a while and was closely monitored by a high risk ob

megsbrock · February 2016

Wow, a scary ordeal and a frustrating outcome. I'm so sorry to hear it and really feel for you

You deserve a large glass of vino for sure.
Take care of yourself!!!

loveinak · February 2016

I'm sorry you're having to go through that. I can only imagine how defeating that must be, but I'm glad to hear they were able to figure out what might be the issue. I know how painfully slow the three month wait can be... FX they find a solution quickly!

Daisydoodle86 · February 2016

Thank you ladies for the kind words and well wishes. I appreciate all the feedback and advice. I hope that when I'm back in here a few months, that all of you have gotten a BFP and that I don't find you here! My best wishes for sticky, rainbow babies for you all! Lots of love, Krystina

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I need a drink. And some peanut butter cups. And a wig.

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