hive attack

So last night, around 7, my arms start itching...Well, I had worked until 6 in packing, so i just figured I had dust irritating my arms.

I get into the tub, thinking I will simply wash off whatever is irritating them. They get redder, start burning, and welps start forming.

I yell for my son to get me the vapor rub.

I tell him I have hives, if I stop breathing, he may have to call 911.

I decide that since it is now itching under my arm pits and my lip is swelling, I will call an ambulence.

MMy man is coming over by this point also to bring me benydryl)
The 911 operator tells me not to take anything or injest anything.
The ambulance gets there, I am breathing vicks, scared my throat will swell, but then they inform me that won't help...I felt better with it, though.

Anywho, I have large welps on my forearms now continuous and about 3 inches wide.

The paramedics take my vitals in the ambulance. They can't give me epinephrine because my heart is racing at 108, and my blood pressure is like 144/89

I get an injection of benedryl, and i start convulsively shaking lightly. I am asked if I am cold, but I am not.

Finally, that dies down.

The doctor says hives come from so many things. I mention I thought I had too much vitamin c and got hives from eating too many oranges once. He doesn't think that is it. I tell him about everyone in the department I work in getting cold sores. Still he is uncertain.

I get a shot of Pepcid (blocks histamine 2's) and epinephrine now that my heart rate is back to normal.

who knew zantac and pepcid are histamine inhibitors!

I have to take zantac and benydrill consistantly for about 3 days.

If I don't, immediately the hives begin again. I have been taking two which would knock me out under normal circumstances...but not today, weird.

Nywho. I think I made the right decision, and after the doctor and nurses stopped looking at me as if I was a druggie, I was much happier.

That was sure scary. The worst part was the 911 guy said, "The paramedics are on the way, so if you need anything else, just call us back." and he says bye...what was that!

still breathin...still kicking...thank God!