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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2004Sigh...kinda sad (OT)
Waaaah, Dennis left again this afternoon for work in Burma. He won't be back until March 31 :-( For some reason it just seems harder to have him leave this time than the other times. This is the 4th time. Our 8th wedding anniversary is this Saturday and he won't be here, but we did manage to celebrate last weekend for Valentines Day. The only thing was, we had a really scary incident shortly after we first got there. Dennis and I were lounging by the pool and considering ordering lunch when suddenly Dennis broke out in itchy hives all over his throat, arms and legs! Then his throat started closing up and he had trouble breathing. It was really scary. It had actually happened at home a few days before with the hives, but not the throat thing. He had not had anything to eat for hours before that both times. He almost passed out at the resort but I quickly took him to the hospital in Rayong. They gave him a steroid injection and it cleared everything up almost instantly. They gave him some steroid pills and an inhaler in case it happens again while he's away. The doctor couldn't figure out what it was from either, some sort of allergy but to what? He hadn't eaten anything both times and wasn't bitten by any bugs. Anyway, we headed back to the resort and everything was fine from then on. I'm a bit worried that something will happen in Burma while he's away. This town he's in has absolutely no medical care whatsoever. He is not going to go out without the pills and inhaler for a while, just in case this happens again. We are considering having me go back there for a week about halfway through his tour if being apart is too rough. The other thing is, shortly after he comes back, he has to go to Florida for a week for simulator training. Originally, I was going to go too and we'd make a holiday of it, but now my really good friend that I've had since I was 10 is coming to visit. She can't come at any other time because she's also going to Australia and NZ. I figured I'd regret it if I couldn't see her for more than a day or two while she was here, so I'm going to stay here and go to Florida in 2 years when Dennis will get sent there again. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Holly again (haven't seen her in 18 months) but kinda wish she was coming at another time. Oh well. Sorry for my ramblings, just feeling kind of melancholy this afternoon. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > suddenly Dennis broke out in itchy hives all over his throat, > arms and legs! Then his throat started closing up and he had trouble > breathing. I'm wondering if he should see an allergist, to try to find out what it is he's allergic to. I mean, obviously there's *something*, it's just not clear yet what it is. Maybe there's some kind of pollen in the air. An allergist can do tests to see what is causing this reaction. I was going to suggest he do it while he's in Florida, but actually it might make more sense to do it in Thailand, since whatever's causing his reaction is in Thailand, and an allergist in Florida might not think to test for that. Anyway, once he knows what it is, he'll have a better idea how to avoid it, or when to be ready for it when it can't be avoided. That does sound really scary. <<purrs!>> And I'm sorry you can't go to Florida this time! Joyce > > suddenly Dennis broke out in itchy hives all over his throat, > > arms and legs! Then his throat started closing up and he had trouble > > breathing. > >I'm wondering if he should see an allergist, to try to find out what it >is he's allergic to. And... if he's having that sort of reaction, he should see a doc and get advice on whether he should be carrying an epi-pen with him. It could make the difference between life & death - *literally* if he has a reaction where his breathing is affected - he *might* just go into anaphylactic shock. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ > > > suddenly Dennis broke out in itchy hives all over his throat, > > > arms and legs! Then his throat started closing up and he had trouble [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > difference between life & death - *literally* if he has a reaction where his > breathing is affected - he *might* just go into anaphylactic shock. I know, it is really scary. But the doctor looked up the epi pen when we demanded to have one and he said they are not available in Thailand :-( There was also no time to arrange for allergy testing because this happened only 2 days before Dennis had to return to work in Burma. He has been tested for allergies before, about 4 years ago in Canada and wasn't allergic to anything then. We have no idea what could have caused it considering he didn't eat anything and wasn't stung by any bugs. The first time he was indoors and had just finished working out and the other time was outdoors by the pool. Unless he could be allergic to his own sweat all of a sudden? But then he sweated between the 2 incidents and it didn't happen, nor did it happen after the 2nd incident. Grrr, this is driving me crazy! -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Britta please email me at your convenience. : > > > suddenly Dennis broke out in itchy hives all over his throat, : > > > arms and legs! Then his throat started closing up and he had trouble [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] : Check out pictures of Vino at: : http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Britta please email me at your convenience. Could you email me? badwilson at yahoo dot com I feel really bad about this but I seem to have lost your email address. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >I know, it is really scary. But the doctor looked up the epi pen when we >demanded to have one and he said they are not available in Thailand :-( Any chance he can get one from elsewhere??? Anaphylactic shock is *serious* and if he's at risk (which a doc would know if he is or isn't), then it needs to be taken seriously. I don't mean to worry you - honest :-) Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ > >I know, it is really scary. But the doctor looked up the epi pen when we > >demanded to have one and he said they are not available in Thailand :-( > > Any chance he can get one from elsewhere??? Anaphylactic shock is *serious* and > if he's at risk (which a doc would know if he is or isn't), then it needs to be > taken seriously. I don't mean to worry you - honest :-) Yes, I looked into ordering them from an online pharmacy and they can send it to me here without a prescription. Getting it to Dennis in Burma is another story. But Dennis just wrote me an email yesterday saying that this other pilot who is there right now carries 2 epi pens for bee stings. He is going home to Canada in 2 weeks and might sell Dennis one of his epi pens. That would be a huge relief! -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >But Dennis just wrote me an email yesterday saying that this >other pilot who is there right now carries 2 epi pens for bee stings. He is >going home to Canada in 2 weeks and might sell Dennis one of his epi pens. >That would be a huge relief! Excellent - I hope he manages to get an Epi-pen. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame & fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$ >There was also no time to arrange for allergy testing because this happened >only 2 days before Dennis had to return to work in Burma. He has been [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Britta, My father had an allergic reaction somewhat similar to what you are describing. He was in bed when he realized his throat was closing up and he couldn't breath. I'm not sure that he had any trouble with hives. His allergy turned out to be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that just suddenly developed after years of using that type of OTC pain relief.. Could Dennis have taken any OTC medication that might have caused the problem? We'll send purrs and meatloaf meditations out for Dennis and happy anniversary dances going out to both of you. Julie, Hobbes, Selena and Lacey Sorry to piggyback on Julie's message. I cleaned out my box earlier. Britta, Just a thought. Was Dennis in the sun prior or during these episodes? If so, did he have any sunscreen on? Could it be a reaction to an ingredient in the sunscreen? Or, if he did not have any sunscreen, it could be a reaction to the sun. I have a sister-in-law who suddenly started getting hives when she was out in the sun. Just a thought. Annie > Sorry to piggyback on Julie's message. I cleaned out my box earlier. > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Annie Hi Annie, He was in the sun prior to the second episode, but no sunscreen (at this time of the year we can't even get a tan, much less a burn). But the first time he got the hives was in the evening after working out at home. He had been indoors all day. He was also in the sun between the 2 incidents and after the 2nd incident with no problems. I don't know... -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Hi Annie, > He was in the sun prior to the second episode, but no sunscreen (at this [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > -- > Britta I'm sorry that Dennis has to take pain relief medication for his back. I was hoping he'd get better results from his surgery. As for us, we are getting very nervous regarding our trip to Pittsburgh in April. There's no way to know if you made the right choice until the deed is done. I certainly will keep you and Dennis in my thoughts and prayers in hopes that you can find a positive resolution to both the allergy and the back problems. Annie > > Hi Annie, > > He was in the sun prior to the second episode, but no sunscreen (at this [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > problems. > Annie Hi Annie, Well, he did have great results from the surgery. Perfect results with absolutely no pain for months and months. But then he went for a 3 km run with his flip flops on and screwed something up and now the nerve down the *other* leg hurts! He's been to see the surgeon in Bangkok a couple of times who doesn't think he's herniated another disk, but wants to wait until Dennis gets back from Burma this time to do an MRI. We are hoping the nerve is just bruised and will heal up, but it's starting to seem less likely since no improvement has been made in 2 months. He may have to have another operation...aaaargh. But if he does, we would not be too worried because the last op was pretty easy and it made such a huge difference for Dennis. I've just got to keep reminding him that he can't do any high impact sports such as running...especially with flip flops on! I hope everything works out for Jim's surgery in April. We will certainly be purring for you guys. I think you are making the right decision, even though Jim's problem is a bit different from Dennis', but if you don't do the operation, things will probably never get any better than what they are now. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Hi Annie, ... We are hoping the nerve > is just bruised and will heal up, but it's starting to seem less likely > since no improvement has been made in 2 months. He may have to have another [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > -- > Britta Well, I hope Dennis does not need another surgery and that he has learned his lesson so that you don't have to keep reminding him. You are right that Jim will not get better on his own. What he has is progressive and we can tell that his condition has gone downhill some. Thanks for the purrs. We take any good vibrations we can get. Annie So sorry to hear Dennis' leg still hurts after all this time. Lots of healing vibes, purrs and best wishes,  SignaturePolonca & Soncek <snip> But then he went for a 3 km run > with his flip flops on and screwed something up and now the nerve down the > *other* leg hurts! He's been to see the surgeon in Bangkok a couple of > times who doesn't think he's herniated another disk, but wants to wait until > Dennis gets back from Burma this time to do an MRI. We are hoping the nerve > is just bruised and will heal up, but it's starting to seem less likely > since no improvement has been made in 2 months. <snip > Britta, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Julie, Hobbes, Selena and Lacey Hi Julie, I think you may be onto something. Dennis has been taking some anti-inflammatories for his recent back pain relapse. He used to take Vioxx but the doc recommended a different one, he took it on and off for about a month before this happened. Who knows, this could be it. He was also taking some vitamins. But none of it was anything new, just what he's always taken. He has quit taking anything now, just to be sure. Thanks for the purrs, -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Any chance the something else was Celebrex? It is similar to Vioxx but should not be taken by someone who is allergic to sulfa drugs. Jo > > Britta, > > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > Any chance the something else was Celebrex? It is similar to Vioxx but > should not be taken by someone who is allergic to sulfa drugs. > > Jo No, he's taken Celebrex before too with no problems. This was another type, the older style that can be hard on your stomach, but the doc said for a short time it may be more helpful for his back. Never helped much though, so probably no big loss that he's not taking it anymore. -- Britta Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album That sounds really scary. Purrs for it to never happen again, or for they to find the culprit so Dennis can stay away from it. SignatureVictor Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > Waaaah, Dennis left again this afternoon for work in Burma. He won't be > back until March 31 :-( For some reason it just seems harder to have him > leave this time than the other times. ... ...> -- > Britta > Check out pictures of Vino at: > http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album That is really scary about that allergic reaction. Maybe it was something he drank. I hope Dennis is O.K. and it won't affect his pilot's license. I can understand how this is extra hard for you to see him leave this time. I'll ask Cinder and Rosie to produce some protective purrs for Dennis and soothing purrs for you. And, as usual, I'll handle the prayer part. Happy anniversary, even though you had to celebrate on a different day. Annie I'm sorry you are feeling so sad, but do understand the reason(s). Many purrs coming over that Dennis doesn't experience another attack of whatever it was, and soothing ones to you to ease your worry and make time fly till Dennis comes back again. Sorry about Florida, too. SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki Lots of best wishes and purrs for Dennis to have no more allergic reactions and gentle calming hugs for you, Britta, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > Waaaah, Dennis left again this afternoon for work in Burma. He won't be > back until March 31 :-( For some reason it just seems harder to have him [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > The only thing was, we had a really scary incident shortly after we first > got there. <snip > Waaaah, Dennis left again this afternoon for work in Burma. He won't be > back until March 31 :-( (snipped) ((((((Britta)))))) I hope Dennis can get to a good doctor to find out what's been causing him to have this reaction, and I do hope things look up for you soon. But to annoyingly look on the bright side, IIRC the Florida trip will be happening during spring break, which could make for an awfully grim time for all sorts of reasons. I myself would want to stay far, far away, but of course I am a boring old lady. With cats. ;-) ------ Krista You do have a good point, Krista, about the spring break....they would have been coming here during the tail end of the break, but where they were going to stay is not the usual target of the visiting kids (that area is tightly controlled by big-bucks residents right down to local law enforcement, and the kids know it and flock to more lenient, forgiving, welcoming areas.....like where I live). The college kids usually hurt no one but themselves and unless you frequent beachside clubs, bars, and motels, we natives/locals never even notice their brief presence here. : > Waaaah, Dennis left again this afternoon for work in Burma. He won't be : > back until March 31 :-( [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] : ------ : Krista Britta, An anaphylactic is indeed something to be concerned about. The reaction can take a little while to get into the system. Usually it is within 15 min. of exposure, but can occur as late a 48 - 72 hours later. The most common things people react to are peanuts, strawberries, shellfish, corn products, gluten and bee stings. I hope that you find out what is occurring and can treat it easily. Good luck. Diane > The only thing was, we had a really scary incident shortly after we first > got there. Dennis and I were lounging by the pool and considering ordering > lunch when suddenly Dennis broke out in itchy hives all over his throat, > arms and legs! Then his throat started closing up and he had trouble > breathing. |
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