Recently, I experienced a reaction to cologne sprayed in a patient's room by a visitor. I had what I thought was the most frightening reaction I could ever imagine. My airways almost completely closed off and I felt as though I couldn't get any air. I was rushed to the ER by coworkers where the Doctor had to give me high doses of Benedryl and Solumedrol (iv steriods) to get my airway opened again. The very next night, my husband sprayed an airfreshener in the next room and I again closed off. This time it was much worse!
My husband gave me an Epi-pen shot in my leg and called an ambulance. I was given Benedryl by the paramedics and taken back to the ER. Upon arrival, I was given more Solumedrol, benedryl, and Epinepherine.
I felt as though I couldn't get any air into my lungs despite a very high flow oxygen mask on my face. I now know first hand how it feels to be air hungry.
Since my second ER trip, I have been fighting to breathe. It gets better every day, but this has been over a week and I am just now feeling like I might be able to walk to the mailbox and back without getting short of breath.
The fallout from this is that I am going to do everything in my power to ban perfumes, colognes, air fresheners, and flowers from all medical facilities.
I will be posting my progress as things happen. Watch for big changes on the way!
