#chronic allergy conditions

[cripplecharacters]

I'm not sure if I should treat this as an illness or a disability. I'm working on a character who has chronic hives, set in classic Tolkien fantasy. Given the setting, when he first starts flaring up he's marked as cursed by constant burns and is ostracized by society. Once his pain is manageable via temporary magic remedies he becomes a paladin determined to find his patron god and prove himself. She lovingly tells him he's not cursed, and together they work to de-stigmatize his appearance.

Hi lovely asker!

100% agree that chronic allergies and the many other things that come along with it count as a disability. They have knocked me down for day in the past, and doing simple everyday tasks like taking a shower or washing the dishes are things I put off for as long as I can as they're painful and end up knocking me down for the whole day.

One thing about chronic hives and reactions is you start to learn your triggers so you learn what to avoid. For most people, they have set triggers that your body recognizes as such and will alarm too. If you take something like Mastocytosis or MCAS, these disorders are characterized by the instability or abundance of the Mast Cell. And pretty much what this means is you could eat apples for your whole life and then one day your body goes "Hey, guess what I can do" and boom, your having a reaction because you are that apple. The part of this is, sometimes it'll be a one time thing and you can resume eating apples the next day, other times it'll be a forever or long time thing and now you can no longer eat apples. Deciding if you want unknown or idiopathic causes for your character's reactions but you could also specify exactly what (if he knows) he is allergic too.

I know some people (me) sometimes scar up when it comes to certain allergic reactions. That might be something to throw in as a lot of reactions even chronic ones tend to not show physically once you treat them. They can scar for a number of reasons as just from constant itching, friction, scabbing, blistering or a lot of reactions can get so bad that the surface layers of skin coming off isn't unheard of (I have a few scars from this personally). Sometimes the skin may harden around the area or gets tough, or sometimes there is discoloration too.

Also another thing I would show is even though he has remedies that treat him temporarily, a lot of times no matter how good your treatment regimen is every so often you'll have that break through reaction. These (in my experience) are usually the worst because if you don't have an emergency medication you can take them you just have to ride it out and hope the meds in your system do their job. This might be something that could happen even once he becomes a paladin and goes to find his patron god.

Another thing to research would be the effect of culture and religion when it comes to disabilities and the treatment of those people. In the Tolkien setting this would still apply as they have culture and religion etc. It already sounds like you have that part worked out but too much research never hurt anybody.

I really like how they both work together to get rid of the stigmatism at the end though. Especially for the character and the other characters in the story, it's always so lovely to see a change for the better like that! Happy writing!

~ Mod Virus 🌸

[jmtorres]

The Fig (Food Is Good) app, an app that helps you check whether foods meet your dietary restrictions and/or allergies, just added a feature I requested: you can now create multiple profiles for friends/family members to help when you're shopping for a group meal!

A vegan, a celiac, and an IBS-sufferer walk into a bar,,,,

(this new feature is a paid feature, but if you haven't played with Fig before I recommend downloading it and playing around with the profile customization for single/free user, because really extensive customization is possible! and if you like it and you know a bunch of people you eat with who have with food restrictions, consider the subscription for the multiprofile option.)

This app is actively being developed! see also I requested this feature and it came to pass! also if you can't afford the subscription but it would be useful to you, there's a button in the sign up process to request financial aid, which i think is pretty punk rock of them

[zevrans-remade]

.

[prismaticstarshch]

people who have multiple chronic conditions (physical, mental, or both): what's life like?

For me, I live a normal life with:

Cryptogenic (unknown seizure trigger) epilepsy

Grave's disease (a thyroid condition that causes hyperthyroidism)

Pollen allergies

Possible high-functioning autism (I currently have yet to see whether or not I actually have it, but I do experience things that could go along with it, such as poor eye contact, missing social cues, difficulty interpreting tone, stimming, insistence on routine, sensory stuff (I have sensitivities in all 5 of the senses, and have aversions to some things related to them), general awkwardness, anxiety, etc.; on top of that, epilepsy and autism can co-occur)

[literalbirdperson]

So I'm going to tell the story of my yesterday, which started with an appointment with an ENT and ended with me in the ER. I'm doing this in bullet points, because I am very tired. (Also incredibly angry, but that might be adding to the tiredness.)

1:00 PM. Check in at the new doctor's. The facility is clean and bright, and all the staff are really friendly! That's always nice.

Meet the ENT I was referred to. I like him immediately. He's got a really relaxed, informal manner, but also very clearly knows his stuff.

Talk about surgical history, since I've had several nose and sinus procedures.

Since one of the reasons I am there for ear pain and recurring sinus issues, he starts the exam. Ears look great, he says! The pain is probably referred pain from my mouth. Do I grind my teeth? Yeah, I used to, but I might be again due to The Maladies.

He checks the back of my throat. "Oh, you have tonsil stones?"

"I... I do?"

Then he pulls out the horrible snake camera, and I resign myself to discomfort while he tours my nose and sinuses. I watch the screen and make very attractive "man was not meant to feel something pressing against a sinus wall" noises while he digs around.

Investigation over, he gives me a tour! Everything is about what I expected, he shows me old surgery sites, and then scrubs the footage forward a bit and goes "but here's where your problem is."

See, the other problem is, I keep spitting out these awful discs of dried mucus. And they stink!

Well. It turns out that I have a chronic infection in my adenoids. And what I keep spitting out is from there. I'll spare you the details.

Gross! But treatment should be pretty simple if it's staph, which it usually is. A couple of rounds of antibiotics usually knocks it out. If not, we'll culture it and go from there.

"So my throat has been infected for over two years?"

"Maybe even a lot longer than that!"

So we have a game plan. His assistant checks me out, hands me some papers and says "here's your record and a paper copy of your prescription, but we faxed it to your pharmacy as well."

2:00PM. The pharmacy app isn't showing them working on the RX.

3:00PM. I call them to see what's going on, get into a verbal fight with the phone tree, am finally allowed to leave a message. I am polite!

3:15PM. Pharmacist calls back. "We don't have an RX for that medication for you." Cool. I'll check with the Dr and have him re-fax. Oh! I have a paper copy of the-- there is no RX in my discharge papers, either. Fine. Calling.

3:30PM. There's nothing to re-fax, either, as the prescription was never even entered into my medical records! They are so sorry about the oversight, this is being flagged as high priority and his assistant will call you to let you know when it's been faxed to the pharmacy.

5:00PM. Why did I think something was going to go right for me medically? Why? Why me? Exhausted chronically ill/disabled breakdown incoming.

5:13PM. Text from pharmacy. They're working on the RX. It will be ready by noon tomorrow. Do you need it sooner? [YES]

5:15PM. Your prescription is ready.

5:30PM. Emotional collapse staved off for another day. Go to get RXs, with plans to stop to get ramen with spouse across the street from the pharmacy and enjoy the week being over.

5:45PM. Pharmacy tech tells me to go to the consult window if I want to talk about the antibiotic. Since it's completely new, I head over.

5:55PM. Pharmacist storms over, very clearly annoyed, and at me, not in general. Makes direct eye contact with me and starts reading me, word for word, the information on the bottle like I am a small child who can't read. I just wanted to know if there were any worrisome side effects.

Tell her to "have a good night!" She scoffs, literally holds up her hand in a "shut the fuck up" gesture and storms off.

Me and my spouse: "Huh. That was weird."

6:00PM. Take first dose of antibiotics with dinner to help keep stomach upset to a minimum.

7:00PM. Hives break out on my forehead. Then my thigh. Then my arms. Then suddenly my skin is bright red, bumpy, and burning literally everywhere.

That's not good. So I start looking up Bactrim side effects, since the pharmacist didn't deign to tell me. Discover I am having an allergic reaction, but only need to go the ER if my lips and face begin to swell, my vision gets blurry, or I have heart palpitations.

8:00PM. Lips are tingly. Look in mirror. I am lobster red and my face is swollen, as are my lips! I take two benedryl and both my inhalers, and we start looking for which ER to go to.

While we're looking, throat starts to swell. Swallowing is becoming impossible. Closest ER it is, even though I fucking hate it there. But it's a mile away and I want to be where the adrenaline and intubation kits are in case this keeps getting worse.

I am going to regret that decision.

Am forced to go through security and submit to a bag check before I can enter the ER itself. While actively struggling to breathe, which is distressing to both me and the guard.

Receptionist asks what I am there for. "I'm having an allergic response to an antibiotic. I can't breathe well."

She hands me a ten-page thick clipboard and tells me to fill it out, and then she'll get me in the queue.

What queue? There are TWO OTHER PEOPLE HERE. (See, everyone hates this hospital.)

So I start struggling to fill out the paperwork, but I am now to the blurred vision, mental confusion state. I keep having to pause to gasp for breath, and my penmanship is fucked because my hands are shaky from either albuterol or fear.

Spouse walks the paperwork back over to the receptionist.

We spend another 15 minutes sitting there while I am gasping for breath and grabbing at my throat every time I try to swallow because it feels like I'm being STRANGLED.

Nurse comes out to bring me back. We get intercepted by an angry man who has been watching me slowly dying but is still pissed because he got there first.

Nurse takes the time to explain to him what triage is while spouse literally holds me up.

I get a bed. Nurse tells me I'm having a classic allergic reaction and I'll probably be right as rain after some steroids. Hooks me up to all the monitors, tells me the doctor will be right in.

Doctor comes in. Listens to my lungs. Tells me my throat is not swollen even though she tried to grab to hold me upright when trying to swallow made me look like a gagging cat. But, my lungs are clear! Tells me they're going to monitor me to make sure I don't get worse, but she doesn't see anything to worry about.

LADY MY SKIN IS AS RED AS A VAMPIRE'S FAVORITE PAINT SWATCH FOR THEIR BEDROOM REMODEL.

She leaves. another nurse with the bedside manner of someone who enjoys kicking puppies walks in and starts taking my blood pressure.

The alarms go off.

"He put the cuff on wrong," he mutters, then wraps it so hard it hurts and runs it again.

The alarms go off.

"Do you have high blood pressure?" Mildly. NOT LIKE THIS.

"I'm going to go get the doctor." He leaves. He does not turn off the shrieking blood pressure machine.

10 minutes later: it's still screaming. Nobody has come by.

20 minutes later: see above.

30 minutes later: see above, except this time I start my stopwatch.

1 minute later: I get up and turn the fucking thing off, then unhook myself from everything.

40 minutes later: I am now itching so badly that I am scratching my arms bloody.

45 minutes after that, Puppykicker comes back in. "You ready to go home?"

Me, unnaturally red with hives so intricate that there are probably braille words on me, no longer struggling for breath, but 100% more bloody than I was when he walked out of the room an hour and 40 minutes ago: "Actually I'd like to speak with the doctor. I'd like to discuss steroids, since I am itchy."

"I'll go get her." Sure, Jan.

5 minutes later: Puppykicker comes in with a glass of water and a tiny cup of MASSIVE prednisone pills. "Here's 50mg prednisone. She says you're ready to be discharged."

The doctor. Is giving me. 50mg prednisone. Without speaking to me to see if I am allergic to it. When I came in with a severe allergic medication reaction. And is going to discharge me rather than wait around to see if I'll be ok.

Nurse watches me choke and struggle to take the pills. Because we're also giving an oral steroid to the bitch who can't swallow. Puppykicker does NOT care.

At that point, risking it and calling an ambulance if my throat closed up again was more worth it than staying there. Went home, stayed up long enough to confirm I am not going to start gasping for breath again. Passed out for two hours, got woken up by all 3 cats fighting over who gets to be in my lap. I have been taking two benedryl every 4h for the itching/hives and while my skin is its normal color again, everything itches so bad.

So my ENT is going to get a fun surprise on Monday when I inform him that the meds I had to fight to actually obtain have now left me with a hospital bill.

I also made an appt with my PCP, because this is the second medication since May that has done this to me. And they are not even remotely related to one another.

I guess what's 3 more days of living with a throat infection I've had for months, at a minimum?

[lastoneout]

Okay everyone describe your medical condition(s) as badly as possible, I'll go first: I have random bad noise turns me into a supervillain disorder, vampirism, agriculture was a mistake disease, a moderate case of "someone put slinkies where my joints were supposed to go", and if I'm not having fun 24/7 my brain will eat itself alive. Also, I have to wear special amulets on my face to stop me from walking into walls and if I don't periodically fill my lungs with magic smoke they'll stop working.

[tlendeth]

me: *doesnt take my allergy medication multiple days in a row *

Also me: "Why is everything itchy?! Why is all my skin feeling weird and more patchy than the past few weeks (where I remembered to take them daily)?"

[alfredpennyworththecat]

Venting again

I officially cannot get my Epipens renewed before or even after the expiration dates. Doctors offices refuse to tell me how much even walking in the door is, so idk if I'll even be able to afford anything, much less the literal life saving medicine. The doctor's visit could be over $1k or it could be $200. But I won't know till after everything is said and done and I'm billed. I technically could get a new Rx from the hospital if I have another reaction.

And my condition has been severely acting up the last 3 days. Should I technically be getting medical help? Yes. Can I afford it? HA, nope. Hopefully I'll get through again without the ER. No one I know has any money to help me out. And it wouldn't be enough anyway. Everyone I know is barely making ends meet.

[star--anon]

my eczema recognizing that it's only as strong as the body it inhabits and obediently not causing a big problem for me during the day

my eczema deciding "fuck you, fuck your face, fuck your sleep, fuck your entire fabric of being" at night and making my face itchy AFTER I put oily stuff on my face and can no longer scratch it

[tuttle-did-it]

I was outside today and wore spf as always but managed to get a lot of bright red hives from the stupid fucking sun. About 1/3 of them haven’t settled down and are still bright red looking like they want to pop blood.

I like being a vampire in general, but I do not love the side effects of being allergic to the bloody sun.

[vreaum]

I'm not sure if my asthma, eczema and allergies 'count' as a disability bc i can manage enough to do normal activities like 80% of the time, but they sure do mean i have access needs,,,

so i wish everyone suffering from a chronic skin condition, allergies, or asthma a very i love you, especially if it won't go into remission or impacts your ability to take care of yourself ❤️❤️❤️

[transingthoseformers]

I need the humans to learn about the UV tattoos. It's such a cool piece of canon (well iicr canon in idw but I've full well absorbed it into the tfp au)

I've mentioned Optimus having UV flame decals, Megatron having the chassus swirls like mtmte Megs has, oooo maybe Starscream having the stripes on his wings like her other depictions, Knockout still having the cheat sheet to some test on his frame that he just completely forgot about... so many different designs for the vehicons.

I may love the UV tattoos

[teddynotthebear]

ok, chronic hives homies. urticaria cuties. my weal-covered warriors. I come begging on my knees.

I have a doctors appointment with a new doctor tomorrow, and she hasn’t ordered an allergy test yet but based on past experience she is definitely going to (because apparently it’s so hard to believe that someone has hives that need treatment that aren’t caused by an allergen). Because of this, I’m avoiding antihistamines and other allergy meds (because when you go in for testing they don’t want you to take allergy meds for three days before the test). However, as I’m sure most of you understand, because of this I Am Itchy As Fuck And Cannot Sleep.

How do I get some sleep while also itching like a motherfucker and being unable to take meds for it? TIA

[emma-d-klutz]

I love spending literal hours in the bath.......able to Breathe

[familythings]

The Negative Health Impacts of Air Conditioning

Air conditioning has become a staple in modern life, providing comfort in our homes, offices, and cars, especially during the hot summer months. However, while it offers relief from the heat, air conditioning can also have several adverse effects on our health. Understanding these potential health impacts can help us use air conditioning more responsibly and minimize its negative…

[westlinnanimalhospital]

Common Conditions Treated in Pets with Veterinary Acupuncture

Acupuncture for pets is becoming an increasingly popular choice among pet owners seeking holistic and natural approaches to animal health care. This ancient practice, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and relieve pain. Pet acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of conditions, enhancing the quality of life for many furry companions. In this blog, we'll explore some of the most common conditions that acupuncture can treat in animals.

Common Conditions Treated with Veterinary Acupuncture

1. Arthritis and Joint Pain

One of the most common uses of acupuncture for pets is the treatment of arthritis and joint pain. As pets age, they often develop osteoarthritis, leading to stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. Acupuncture can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. Regular acupuncture sessions can make a significant difference in the comfort and mobility of senior pets, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life.

2. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition that affects the hip joints, causing pain and mobility issues. It is particularly common in large dog breeds. Pet acupuncture can be an effective treatment option for managing the pain and discomfort associated with hip dysplasia. By targeting specific acupuncture points, this therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and enhance overall joint function.

3. Digestive Issues

Digestive problems, such as chronic diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting, can be distressing for both pets and their owners. Acupuncture can help regulate the digestive system, promote better gastrointestinal function, and alleviate discomfort. This natural approach can be particularly beneficial for pets with sensitive stomachs or those who have not responded well to conventional treatments.

4. Anxiety and Stress

Just like humans, pets can experience anxiety and stress. Whether it's due to separation anxiety, loud noises, or changes in their environment, these emotional issues can significantly impact a pet's well-being. Acupuncture for pets can help calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of relaxation. This treatment can be especially helpful for pets with behavioral issues or those undergoing stressful situations, such as moving to a new home or adapting to a new family member.

5. Chronic Pain Management

Pets suffering from chronic pain due to conditions like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), cancer, or post-surgical recovery can benefit from acupuncture. This therapy helps manage pain without the need for heavy medication, making it a safe option for long-term pain management. By stimulating the body's natural pain-relief mechanisms, acupuncture can provide relief and improve the overall quality of life for pets with chronic pain.

6. Allergies and Skin Conditions

Acupuncture can also be beneficial for pets with allergies and skin conditions. Conditions like atopic dermatitis, flea allergies, and food allergies can cause significant discomfort and itching. Pet acupuncture can help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and promote healing of the skin. This treatment can be used in conjunction with other therapies to provide comprehensive care for pets with persistent skin issues.

7. Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a common condition in older cats and dogs. Acupuncture can support kidney function, improve circulation, and enhance overall health. While it may not cure kidney disease, acupuncture can help manage symptoms, reduce discomfort, and slow the progression of the disease.

8. Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders such as seizures, neuropathy, and degenerative myelopathy can be challenging to manage with conventional treatments alone. Acupuncture can offer a complementary approach to traditional treatments, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, improve nerve function, and support the overall neurological health of pets.

Choosing the Right Veterinary Care for Your Pet

When considering acupuncture for your pet, it is essential to choose a qualified and experienced veterinarian. Cascade Summit Animal Hospital offers professional pet acupuncture services, ensuring your pet receives the best possible care. Their team of skilled veterinarians is trained in both conventional and holistic treatments, providing a balanced approach to your pet's health care needs.

Conclusion

Acupuncture for pets offers a natural and effective way to manage a variety of common conditions, from arthritis and hip dysplasia to anxiety and chronic pain. By targeting specific points on the body, acupuncture can stimulate healing, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being. If you're looking for a holistic approach to your pet's health, consider the benefits of pet acupuncture. Cascade Summit Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing comprehensive care, including acupuncture, to help your pet live a happier, healthier life. Always consult with a qualified veterinarian to determine if acupuncture is the right treatment option for your furry friend.