I had another Allergic Reaction BUT...
I always take coffee in a thermos with me when I go to work and since I drink a LOT of coffee I supplament it with a little coffee from the break room at work. I add a little from the break room and then more from my thermos. I left work early yesterday(  ) and I filled my coffee cup as usual, a little from the back and some from my thermos. On the way home my face started to itch. I looked in the mirror and my face was red again. Hmmmm, Can't be the coffee. I decided to check. Stopped drinking coffee until my face returned to normal. Then I drank some more coffee from my cup. BINGO!!! My face started itching and turned red.I thought I got off easy because the rest of my body was not itching. I laid down for my afternoon siesta and thought I'll call work later to let them know. I woke up a few hours later and was one big itch. I stumbled (having just woke up I tend to stumble) down the hall to my backpack and drank some benedryl. Dh was home by this time and helped me scratch one foot while I scratched everywhere else as I explained this to him. He yelled at me for not calling work right away. So I called and talked to the charge and explained everything and told her that if this was affecting me this way, who had NO allergies, it could be much worse if someone who had allergies drank this coffee. To sum this up, I told them to chuck the coffee and call someone in to clean the machine. I'm off today but just called work and spoke to my co-worker and she said she will make sure it got done. Who woulda thought. |
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| You were VERY VERY LUCKY!!!! It could also be some chemical in the filters. Glad you were able to get to the benedryl. You still might want to talk to your doctor for an epi-pen. Also, maybe a bigger thermos.......... Take care Nancy |
| Pam, you've had two bad allergic reactions - I think it's safe to say you have allergies! I had a locally bad reaction to being stung (bitten?) by multiple horribly aggressive yet tiny wasp like critters while weeding for Marnie. She spent the afternoon following me around with her epi-pen  Now I do my best to stay out of sting range of both little nasty wasps AND Marnies armed with epi-pens....  Still might not be a bad thing to have around from the sound of it. An epi pen, that is. Kristine |
| You should call the food company andre them know it wasn't them (once you're sure). Get an epi-pen. You have no idea what specifically caused this; it could be something you'll run into elsewhere in the office or the rest of the world. The reactions usually get worse each time sometimes exponentially worse. Please? |
| BTW, though, epi-pens aren't something to play with either. It's not like taking benedryl. They can have consequences too. It's not like how it in on tv where someone just stabs it in their leg and they're fine and then forget it all happened. I just say this b/c people tend to think of epi-pens as easy answers and will save the day and that's it. |
Yes Pam, you are the proud new owner of allergies  As they tend to increase in severity (the sesnsitivity is cummulative and grows with each exposure), you will need to see your doctor. It needs to be part of your medical record, especially in case of emergency. And likely getting an epi-pen too. This happened to one of my nurse friends years ago. There were 4 of us who were LPN's, going back to school for our RN's. We commuted and car pooled to school. Judy never had any allergies, and she got this "cold" and respiratory bug that wouldn't go away. She just thought it was from working, going to school and being rundown...nope - she had the start of environmental allergies. This was over a decade ago, and she has been on meds ever since. She was so bummed, as she was totally healthy in her 50's, and now has to monitor what she does, where she goes and all that. |
Ditto making an appointment to see the doctor, this has to go on your record. You dismiss this, "Oh the coffee maker at work......" Maybe, maybe not. I'd quit drinking coffee out of there! Also I'd worry about the water supply there..........otherwise I'd suggest finding a single serving Melita brew http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-640007-Perfect-Brew-Filter/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1299272804&sr=8-11 and make your own coffee there with bottled water (get an electric tea kettle to boil the water.........or just an electric percolator!  Another attack and I'd start to wonder about coffee all together. In addition to Dawn's "environmnetal allergies" (which is just plain spooky) think about food in the office......peanuts or other nuts, scents and perfumes....... Don't discount your own thermos. |
| Thanks Susan...as I go to scrub out the thermos. |
| It can be really scary when your body reacts to something and you have no clue what caused it. Glad you have discovered the reason for the itchies. got sheep wrote: This happened to one of my nurse friends years ago. There were 4 of us who were LPN's, going back to school for our RN's. We commuted and car pooled to school. Judy never had any allergies, and she got this "cold" and respiratory bug that wouldn't go away. She just thought it was from working, going to school and being rundown...nope - she had the start of environmental allergies. This was over a decade ago, and she has been on meds ever since. That is exactly how it happened to me. I seldom have colds, always healthy. Then this past September, boom, allergies appeared. Sucks because I have to be careful what I breathe in. Old lady's perfume and that "Axe" spray boys use both knock me for a loop. My lungs start to rattle. Meds do help. I agree with the others, get to the doctor to be tested... if your allergy does get worse with exposure, breathing may become a real issue. Get help soon. peg |
| The other thing is now that you've had a reaction, your immune system is on high alert. Future reactions are likely to be more severe. And things that you might have had a small reaction to, more of an irritation, you may have a more severe reaction to now. They usually recommend avoidance for five years after the last exposure. If you use an EpiPen, it is an automatic trip to the ER. You will need a steroid to tide you over while the body rids itself of the allergen. More people die 6-12 hours after the exposure due to lack of followup treatment than die from the initial reaction. Last year I had to give an EpiPen to a Kinder student - two different times. amazing how quickly it helps. |
| I also have allergies which I got later in life. The worse being allergic to wasp. Years ago I was staying on a tiny Island which only has 30 residents and was walking down to the beach with the dogs. I stepped on a wasp nest and they swarmed me so that luckily no one was around as I had to rip off my sweater and run for the water. I was wearing a turtle neck and they got underneath and started biting me. OWWWWW. I was swollen by otherwise okay. Next time no so lucky...I was bitten by 1 wasp as I was leaving my home with Merlin to visit the dog park 2 blocks away. Everyone asked what was wrong with my face which I found out was bright red. People kept telling me to go asap to the hospital and offered to drive me. i said I was fine but I did get in my car to go home (yes, I drove the two blocks).  I dropped Merlin off and by that time I was wheezing and raced to the hospital. One look at me and they rushed me in and put me on Oxygen...I had a full blown anaphalatic reaction. It was sooooo DUMB of me to ignore warnings and to think it wasn't serious. I was also so stupid to get into my car.I found out later that each time I get bit the reaction will be more severe..so please heed the warnings!!! Peg, I also wheeze with Ax and have trouble breathing if it's sprayed near me. Wonder what's in it that makes it so powerful? Simons mom I'm so glad you are okay  and everyone gave you good advice. I wonder if perhaps the coffee contained hazelnut as there was obviously something in the coffee that caused that reaction. You definately should have some allergy test. |
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