I'm having an allergic reaction, need some help.

[Rainband]

I have a shellfish allergy, sounds like you had a mild reaction to the water. I went into Anaphylactic shock, You may have a shellfish allergy.

[Frank2]

Glad it worked out - it could have also been stress-related hives since it did respond to the Benadryl...

I've had problems with hives since mid-December, 2007, but, it was determined that it's my mind's way of raising cane with my body over my sister's anniversary (she passed away from Cancer in mid-December, 2006), and, other unrelated stressors over the past few weeks that all seemed to form an emotional "perfect storm" that resulted in hives once again during this past week...

I've found that 10 mg Claritin works without side effects of any kind but is only 50% effective, so, I tried Zertek for the first time this week - it works well, but, I found that it does have side effects, so, it's best to start Zertek by using the 5 mg children's dose, then, if no side effects are felt, increase it to 10 mg (by taking either two 5 mg doses or one 10 mg dose)...

I've stayed away from the Benadryl since it makes me dizzy at full strength, but, the pharmacist had a good idea - she told me to buy Benadryl capsules, and, open the capsule and give myself a reduced amount (half or even a quarter), so, as my old allergist said, it sometimes takes trial and error to see what works best...

Thank the Lord my hives for the most part disappeared on Christmas morning (what a gift!), and, just need to work on being at peace with my sister's passing, but, as many here know, those things take time - but, hopefully not too much time, since we have to live the life we were born to live...

Hope this helps, and, I hope we all enjoy a allergy-free 2009!

Frank

[Stephanie]

Stress and anxiety does do a number on people's bodies and emotions in many different ways.

[Derek Ortt]

even the standard benydryl dose will put one asleep and quickly (I have taken it nightly since the 8th grade, so I have to take it 2 hours in advance). Usually, within 45 minutes

[danneva]

Both my A. daughter and B. I have allergies to A. peanuts and B. bee stings. You have to be VERY careful with allergic reactions! Especially anaphylactic reactions (this type of reaction requires an ER visit).

Benadryl is excellent to take. Make sure you take it every 4 hours (if your symptoms have subsided).

Are you having any other symptoms?

Such as, hives (itchy, patchy areas on your chest, face, neck, arms) that sometimes move, change places, drive you crazy with itching? Swelling of your lips, face, eyes?

If you have more symptoms like I've described, you need to go to the ER - NOW.

If you are experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, the symptoms will just escalate and get worse. I am sorry to have to say this but it must be said, the end result of an anaphylactic reaction will be your throat closing shut and you will be unable to breath. In the ER they will give you oral medications along with shots. You will definitely need someone to drive you home and you may have to take Benadryl around the clock for 5 days afterwards (I did after a severe bee sting).

Here's more detailed info:
http://www.foodallergy.org/anaphylaxis/index.html

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It usually occurs in someone already known to be allergic either to a stinging insect (wasp or bee) or to a food (peanut, other nut, seafood, milk and egg) but can also occur without prior warning. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening, often unexpected, allergic reaction that affects many parts of the body at once. The symptoms can occur within minutes of exposure to the offending allergen but also can develop after 30 minutes or more. If symptoms develop quickly, the condition is more likely to be severe and potentially fatal. An epinephrine must be given as soon as a serious reaction is suspected and it should be at hand of an anaphylactic patient to avoid unexpected or a sudden shock and it should be admitted to hospital immediately because the symptoms may return a few hours later.

[SaskatchewanScreamer]

When I was pregnant with my daughter I had an anaphylactic reaction. My husband had purchased some air freshener to put in the diaper pail and oh boy did I react!!!!!

In a mater of mere minutes I went from fine to fighting for air. Thankfully the hospital was 2 blocks away. Two weeks later I was released (and the diaper pail freshener was long gone).

I've since come in contact with that product and had no reaction so mine was pregnancy induced.

I wonder if your tonsils could have been acting up? Even if they are long gone the tissue back there can still swell.