Anaphylaxis reactions that cause fainting - Allergies Message Board

cheryl2w · 04-28-2004, 08:11 AM

I was wondering if any has ever experienced what I am going through right now? For years I have had severe Anaphylaxis reactions to arosols, perfumes, hairsprays, etc. Five or so years ago my tongue would swell and then my throut would close off and I would have to take benadryl if I caught it in time or have to give myself a shot if I waited to long. Now for the past year I have been breaking out in hives and actually passing out or come close to it where I turn ghostly white and feel really faint. I didn't realize until just resently that this was related to my allergies. (Fainting) Has anyone else had this happen to them and what can be done about it? It is so severe now that I can't work or drive because I am doing this daily and never know when it will happen. Thanks for any help you can give me.

smiley666 · 05-04-2004, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheryl2w

I was wondering if any has ever experienced what I am going through right now? For years I have had severe Anaphylaxis reactions to arosols, perfumes, hairsprays, etc. Five or so years ago my tongue would swell and then my throut would close off and I would have to take benadryl if I caught it in time or have to give myself a shot if I waited to long. Now for the past year I have been breaking out in hives and actually passing out or come close to it where I turn ghostly white and feel really faint. I didn't realize until just resently that this was related to my allergies. (Fainting) Has anyone else had this happen to them and what can be done about it? It is so severe now that I can't work or drive because I am doing this daily and never know when it will happen. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I can relate to what you are experiencing because I have a history of anaphylaxis to latex and certain foods related to my latex allergy. Up until a few years ago, I've never had allergies and I never thought I would ever have allergies. When I get around latex, my blood pressure drops instantly, I feel like I'm going to faint, my tongue swells, throat swells and gets scratchy, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, pale, cool, sweaty skin. When I was first diagnosed, I went through a time of thinking that anything that had latex in it would set off my allergy, but then I quit worrying about it and to just deal with it when it happens and that has helped me alot. My family still thinks it's all in my head, but I'm learning not to listen to them. Thankfully I have a very good friend who believes me because he has seem what happens. The best thing I can tell you is to have a plan of what you will do when you first start to notice yourself having a reaction and don't let anyone tell you differently because you know your body better than anyone.

amandamanda · 05-06-2004, 02:04 PM

you know what would probably help you??? an allergist ! I have a severe peanut allergy (and seasonal allergies blah blah blah) that I see an allergist for and she's so cool!!!!!!! she makes little plans and stuff for avoiding peanuts, like tell all your friends not to bring anythign with peanuts into class or in the lunch room and make sure the school nurse knows about the anaphylaxis and all....so yea, see an allergist!!

cheryl2w · 05-06-2004, 10:18 PM

Thanks for the advice! When I have a reaction I first get light-headed then I get jittery and my heart starts racing and I break out in hives. Then I get pale as a ghost (what others have said) and then pass out. I am doing this daily now to where I come close to fainting or actually do faint. My friend suggested taking Clariton 24hr and see what it does. I have taken it for two days now and I haven't had a spell yet. COOL! I hope this does actually work. It would be so awesome to get my life back to normal or at least to where I could drive again. I am going to take this for a week then go off of it for a week to see if the fainting comes back. I sure hope this works. I'm greatful my family and friends have been VERY supportive and want to do whatever it takes to get me well. What foods do you react to? I know walnuts do for me. I have been allergic to those for a long time. I haven't been eating those so I don't know what could be causing it. I use to stop breathing with perfumes and any airosals. I am wondering if now it turned into my tongue swelling and then fainting. If anyone has done this please let me know. I would like to find any info I can to help my situation. Thanks!!!

critical · 05-21-2004, 07:24 AM

Four years ago, while working in an operating room, while pregnant (before being diagnosed with a latex allergy) I was having horrible periods of dizziness and fainted several times. At that time they attributed my blackouts to the pregnancy, but in hindsight, it has been speculated that it was a vascular collapse because of the latex allergy- precurser to full anaphylaxis. Everytime, and every circumstance can be a different reaction/experience... so I wouldn't count it out. I take Aerius almost daily (a new non-drowsy antihistamine) and it really helps to minimaize my daily symptoms and my reactions are now minimalized.