I need to begin by saying a huge thank-you to all of you who prayed in the last 48 hours for a clear diagnosis from the allergist today. I am normally not a complainer, but I am thrilled that the patch testing is over … it was definitely one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve endured.
Today was a big day for answers to lots of unknown questions. I truly think this dr. is one of the most intelligent/thorough docs I’ve ever seen. She spent 40 minutes with me explaining the results of all the testing and her suggestions on treatment. The bottom line is that I have a Staph infection and am allergic to all tapes, adhesives, and something called wool alcohol (aka: lanolin).
The Staph infection has likely been present for quite some time & probably came from some hospital, surgery center, medical personnel, etc. …. think of the hundreds of “medical places” that I have visited. The blood work was totally obvious for Staph. The tape allergy was no surprise …. It is going to take a week she said to get over the tape reaction used for the patch testing. Honestly, I am surprised that I have not had Staph before given that we’ve done twenty surgeries. The dr. was glad that I do not have kiddos at work for awhile … less chance of more germs.
As for the lanolin allergy, this was the cause of the hives that I had 18 months ago. Lanolin has been in the steroid creams (I bet I’ve been on 10-15 of these in the past year), moisturizers, lipstick, eye make-up, shaving cream, makeup removes, any protective cream, hairspray, etc. I have a huge tub of prescription creams that we’ve tried unsuccessfully that we now know have been part of the problem.
This allergy very often involves swelling of the lips, which is what I had horribly at one time. Every day I’ve been using a lotion (Lubriderm) on my legs that had lanoline in it … this combined with my body having the Staph infection has not been a good thing!
The Staph infection is something that likely should have been caught before now on blood work, but I cannot change that fact. I am on major antibiotics, and am starting this leg wash/Rx cream routine tonight before bed. She suggested that I buy new 100% cotton sheets, so I did that tonight. I’m on the medication for the next 21 days and then we’ll re-evaluate … Staph is commonly hard to eliminate. The leg rash should go away with time, but it is a characteristic of staph. She said to be prepared for it to take longer than 21 days to cure.
This dr. has asked the lab to do another test to see which drug would treat the Staph the best, so I may learn more on that in the next few days. I have not heard back from Chicago on the hardware contents in my foot, but I did read my copy of the op notes last night and it referred to titanium several times and not nickel (which was our fear), so we are leaning toward thinking there is likely not a metal allergy …. Big PRAISE!
The allergist also told me that to just look at me you’d never know/guess that I’m walking around with a Staph infection, so she was not surprised that the ER in May, other dermatologists/allergists/family dr. had missed it (although it doesn’t say much for any of them). I am fortunate that the incision from the May surgery healed, given that an infection was quite likely present before May. I feel like a new person tonight just knowing that we finally have some answers & hopefully the treatment plan will work.
The allergist did not charge me for another co-pay today, since it was a follow-up from Monday …. this has never happened before, so I was thrilled to have saved fifty bucks.
I need to close for now and read the directions on what I’m supposed to be doing w/this bedtime wash/cream routine. I’ll have to write more soon on what happened today at the Wal-Mart pharmacy counter …. it was definitely a God blessing.
Thanks again for faithfully praying for answers, dr. wisdom, strength, and patience this week. There is still likely a long way to go with this, but I’m very grateful that all the other blood work was normal. Today was another example of God’s faithfulness and to never give up! Off to try out my new sheets & hopefully get a better rest tonight …..
Looking forward to itch free days ahead …
Jenny
2 comments:
Jenny, Sounds like you hit the jackpot one more time with this doctor. It is hard to believe no one else picked up on it being a staph infection that can be very serious. She sounds super smart. Thank the good lord you found her and you can get this cleard up and maybe no more problems. I do know all of the screws in my arm are titanium I do not know about the plate though, thank God that is not what it is. Take care and your medicine and we will be in touch. Love, Teddy and Carol
You DID get a great blessing in the doctor department here! I KNEW there had to be something underlying w/ all of this!!!! Testing for it isn't much fun (patch thing), but it is VERY revealing, huh? Glad you're stepping in the right direction, pardon the pun. Hopefully you'll be more comortable, too. L Jo
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