Wednesday, August 26, 2009

We Interrupt My Week for an Allergy Adventures

This morning I had to run to the store to get allergy pills because I accidently ran out of Zyrtec. 

A silly move on my part.

You see, several years ago I broke out in hives that lasted over a year. 

I wish I was kidding.

I went to the doctor who was going to refer me to an allergist, but we moved before I could get an appointment.

I figured moving to Arizona would cure my itching ailment but my hives didn't care where I lived. 

In Arizona I was forced to seek my medical needs at the base clinic, which had a waiting list of 3576 months, so I kept putting it off. 

I had been living on Benadryl (w/coffee chasers) until my sister-in-love mentioned that she had her entire family on the generic Zyrtec that she had found at Costco. I immediately went to the drugstore, which was out of the generic, and plunked out a months' wage to buy a few little white pills.

It was money well spent.

My chronic hives went away.

I've been (relatively) hive free since.

Well, except for the last 72 hours.

A week ago I knew I was running low on those sweet antihistamines, so I trekked down to our closest bulk item grocery chain and bought my mass meds.

I noticed they were five dollars cheaper than usual, but I just thought it was my lucky-pharmacy day.

I didn't think much of it when three nights ago I woke up with the inside of my ears so itchy I couldn't sleep. 

It didn't occur to me to check the bottle of newly purchased Zyrtec until I was about to go insane for all the irrational itching.

Turns out I hadn't bought generic Zyrtec, but generic Claritin.

Of course, I didn't catch my mistake until last night, when it was too late to hit the stores and I was in a Benadryl stupor...still very itchy, but too sleepy to care.

Everything itches: my eyes, the palms of my hands, and the inside of my mouth. My skin looks like I have been attacked by a tiger, for all the welts created by my scratching, but the Zyrtec is finally on board. 

Relief is soon to come.

14 comments:

Kristin said...

Awww, I feel bad for you! I was just griping/blogging about my miserable cold. I don't know what is in the air here lately, but it's driving me nuts! I know how annoying hives are. It sounds ridiculous, but I break out in hives when I get cold. You can bet 'cher bottom you'll never catch me out skiing! Feel better!

Tiffani said...

oh.my. that sounds just plain miserable...so happy that relief is on the way!!!

Carpool Queen said...

That makes me miserable just to read! And it also makes me wonder if I should take Zyrtec because my ears are always itchy.

Just what you wanted to read on your comments page, right?

You're welcome.

Amber said...

Oh, Kellie.

I'm a walking allergy, so I feel your pain. There is nothing worse than having your ears itch.

Now mine are itching for you.

Work fast, blessed Zyrtec. Work fast.

Anonymous said...

okay just reading this is making me itch all over!!! I get hives randomly.. but its always from something random like an air freshener in a friends car or something like that. Hope you feel better soon! Get in the tub w/ some oatmeal.. love that stuff and I always have it on hand.

Kendra said...

Yikes! Get thee to an allergist! And never, ever, think Claritin will do the trick. Nope. Never does. Might as well swallow a Tic Tac. Poor baby!

Elizabeth said...

Zyrtec is like a miracle drug for so many people. My kids have taken in the fall for allergies. I hope it helps quickly! No one likes to have itchy ears!

Anonymous said...

You know how I love the recipes.

Thank you very muchly.

Anonymous said...

I put the wrong comment in the wrong place. I don't know how that even happened. I AM excited about the recipe, but I'm NOT excited about the itching. Sorry! Do you think you need a shot or something?

Jenster said...

Oh Kellie, I'm so sorry! I hope you get relief ASAP!

Gretchen said...

Oh, mercy. Keep the antihistamines flowing, girl. I was even a little wheezy on my walk today. Too bad plants grow and we need to eat food like wheat and dairy. But I'll take my pills, thank you. Because changing my behavior is not going to happen.

Praying you're completely healed asap. Hugs.

Tanya (In the Dailies) said...

Oh, honey, I feel TERRIBLE for you! I don't have allergies like that -- I'm allergic to bugs. While on vacation I was attacked by sand fleas during a morning yoga session. I got over 130 bites in less than 20 minutes, so while I can't relate to hives, I can definitely relate to itch! I pray you feel better soon.

jen said...

That is aweful!!! Do you have any idea what you are allergic to?

Here's hoping your drugs take affect fast!

Woman Interrupted said...

We live and die by the Zyrtec in this house too. If I recall correctly, we used to have to buy it from a Canadian pharmacy until it went OTC just recently.

Now our poor son is starting to suffer from allergies, too! (And I find my self thinking, "I should have breast-fed longer.")