Fw: Acute Allergic Reaction

May 9, 2002

----- Original Message -----

From: " by way of ilena rose " <HGloryann@...>

Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2002 9:11 AM

Subject: Acute Allergic Reaction

> Many of us have allergic reactions to drugs, chemicals, etc. My most

> recent reaction is as follows: I get severe chest pain occasionally

(about

> 4 to 6 per year). My doctor gave me nitroglycerin to put one under my

> tongue when it happens. I had taken it before about 4 times. The last

> time I did so, within minutes, I began swelling (face looked like an

> inflated balloon), itching all over, lost my voice & broke out in a rash

> all over (looked like a severe sunburn). I could not swallow without

> severe pain. I guess the swelling constricted my esophagus causing the

pain

> & not being able to talk. My BP spiked to 188/124 during the pain, but

> came down some after the pain let up. At the ER, my EKG was normal, but

> was treated for an acute allergic reaction to nitro & given large doses of

> benadryl and prednisone through an IV and released after a few hours to go

> home & take prednisone, benadryl, atarax & an antihistamine for a week.

> They would not give the usual ephinephrine because my heart rate was too

> high. The ER! doctors stated they had never heard of anyone having a

> reaction to nitro before. It has given me awful headaches in the past,

but

> nothing like this, so nitro is added to my list of things I am allergic

> too. Has anyone heard of a reaction to nitro or had a similar experience?

> In the past I have went into anaphalatic shock after taking tolectin and

> spironolactone, both of which I had taken before. Is there an alternative

> drug for nitro to take for chest pain? I am scheduled for a stress test &

> to see a cardiologist, but was wondering if any of you had experienced

> this? Thanks, Gloria

>

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