Allergic day…. (Self, F)

[Dusty15]

To make a long story short, I had an issue back in March with frequent hives culminating in a big ol' allergic swelling all over. Since then, I've been trying to figure out what caused it and because of it, I've been using a prescription strength antihistamine. When I was tested for allergies in an attempt to figure out what caused all the hives, my scratch test came back with strong positives for birch and grass pollens. I've always felt I had mild allergies to dust and pollen (and definitely cats), but this scratch test result was much stronger than I expected.

The doctor thought the hives might have been a virus and has encouraged me to try to get off the prescription antihistamine to see if I still react with hives. I've tried a few times without success, but in the past few days, I've been tapering off again and I've been off for 2 days now without hives.

What I have not been without is sneezes….

I've had allergy attacks before, usually when acutely exposed to LOTS of pollen or when someone is cutting their grass right near me or around cats. What I haven't experienced before is the pleasure of a day-long allergy episode. I woke up with an itchy nose and a slight tickle in my throat. I began my day with several sneezes before I even got out of bed. It's very warm here but its been cooling off at night, so I slept with the windows open….whoops.

I took my dog out for a walk mid-morning and I was barely halfway down my street before I felt the itchy sting of a tickle in my nose and I caught a sneeze against the back of my hand. Eh-tschh! I hardly recovered from the first before a second tumbled out, this time caught in the crook of my bare arm with a light mist. Hehh-TSCHTT! I wriggled my nose in irritation, trying to quell the itch. Another few blocks and another double…Heh-tschtt! Tsh'tschhtt!

My dog and I finished up our morning with a trip to the dog park. I politely stifled a few sneezes while sitting amongst the other dog-loving locals. It was back to the (relative) safety of my house after that and I'm sure I sneezed a few more times, but I wasn't keeping track!

In the afternoon, I went out to get some groceries. It was MUCH hotter than the morning and the hazy air felt heavy. I was almost at the store and waiting to take a left turn into the market when I felt the sudden burning in my nose again. The light was still red as I let the first sneeze go, my head snapping down forcefully. The sneeze felt so itchy and urgent. Heh-CHTT!

The tickle seemed to increase, rising higher in my nose. I haven't felt this kind of urgency except when trying Chihinkni! A second tumbled out soon after-- Hehh-tsch! And another…. Nh'tschhh!

The light turned green and I tried to focus, watching the traffic for a space to turn left. The tickle burned with the same intensity and I managed to watch the traffic patterns between another four itchy sneezes! Finally, as I felt the fifth build, a space opened and I pulled forward after the final explosion, blinking away tears and sniffling. My nose felt irritated and dry and I rubbed it as I rounded the corner into the parking lot. What I would have given for a tissue!!

There were a few more sneezes (all doubles) in the aisles of the grocery store and now I'm fighting that same itchy nose/throat coupled with the new development of itchy eyes. The pollen count for the next few days is on the high side….I'm kinda sadistically looking forward to seeing if this continues (and if I can resist going back on the antihistamine!)

[Leafeon78]

Sorry to hear your suffering and bless you

[Joe]

Good grief, your descriptions give me goosebumps! What a beautiful account of a wonderfully sneezy day

[Honkytonklagoon]

That was a great self-obs, Dusty. I worried about you as you drove, although it seemed safe for you to sneeze your heart out everyplace else. I commend you for wanting to continue the experiment. Keep up the good work!

[Dusty15]

Thanks guys. I'm continuing to feel the burn today I had a fit of 5 last night trying to fall asleep and had to turn the pillow over because things got a bit damp O_o

I hate sneezing while driving but thankfully I was at a full stop when it happened!!

[Leafeon78]

Hope you recover quickly and get the sleep you need.

[NoV]

Bless you! Glad you escaped unscathed after your volley of sneezes while driving

[Guest]

Wonderful self-obs Dusty ..... bless you lots

[Niceguy]

Sneezing > Hives.

At least in my experience.

[BananaTree]

_{oh my! I hope you feel better soon!}

[etechie]

I wouldn't mind seeing you having that allergie attack , its too bad that you feel awefull...

[babyc]

Great self-obs! Bless you!

[bonanocrien]

Whoa... I bet this experiment is interesting! Hope you feel better though and things smooth themselves out.