Cautionary tale of a new medication.

[Scottishlad]

Yesterday my wife visited the doctor to check out her shortness of breath. She was prescribed Prednisolone. Within two hours she suffered a severe reaction to the drug. I had popped out to the supermarket just as I was coming in the gate she phoned me to come back ASAP to call 999 for her. She was struggling for breath and very flushed when I got to her.

The ambulance arrived promptly and after initial treatment was admitted to hospital where her condition quickly stabilised and improved. She should be home today.

Thankfully this type of reaction is very, very rare, perhaps we should consider having someone around for a couple of hours when we start any new medication.

[allanah]

Good advice. Any problems we should contact a doctor. Hope she feels much better very soon x

[Hidden]

I’m sorry this has happened. It has happened to me in the past . I have had it happen 3 times with a new drug and once with ibuprofen which I’ve used for years and suddenly allergic to. When I start x new drug both my husband and myself have a day or so off antihistamine and epipen s as t the ready. Happened yesterday.

Hope things settle down quickly it can take a little while.

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Hidden]

How you feeling today ?

[Hidden in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

I haven’t taken today’s yet. Antihistamines calmed things down a bit . Had headaches yesterday evening. Just took an antihistamine will take tablet in about 1/2 hour 🤞. Thanks for asking M x

[Ruth12345]

Thank you for your post. I hope your wife completely recovers quickly

[Lolabridge]

Gosh that must have been scary for both of you. Good advice too!

[nomoreheels]

I'm so sorry to hear this Cecil & really hope that your wife is now feeling better than she was. Your advice is good, especially for those who have a history of reacting adversely to meds. Not only be there but respond quickly, don't try to help by yourself. My h is one who reacts badly to many classes of meds & we do just as you're suggesting since he had a really bad reaction to pregabalin (or gabapentin, I’m not sure which just now but he has tried both with similar reactions, though one spectacularly badly).

I hope that your wife's shortness of breath is now checked out & the reason it's happened found.

[Marionfromhappydays]

Very scary for the both of you, hope she recovers quickly

[springcross in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

How are you M? xx

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to springcross]

Hey 👋

Compared to the other day it's like a weight off my shoulders 😁 everyone helped so much , my daughter seems less anxious so happy days.

Physically its the same old but will be until on get on the drugs 😅 then hopefully back to doing the splits ha ha .

Hope you are ok x

Thanks for asking

[springcross in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Glad to hear it. xx

[Hidden]

I went through the same thing as like J1707 posted I now take anti histamine 2 weeks before a new drug being taken and I have hubby by me and then I feel safer.

[Summerrain14]

Good advice about having someone around if possible for a couple of hours when starting a new medication.

I do hope that your wife is starting t to feel a little better today after her awful day yesterday.

[Pippy25]

Thank you for sharing this with us, it must have been frightening for you both. Hope your wife feels much better soon, take care x

[Fruitandnutcase]

Gosh, your poor wife how scary, hope she is feeling a bit better now. Thank goodness she was able to contact you. Very good advice from you though, thank you.

[rab1874]

Sorry to hear that you were in hospital,very scary situation,I suffer from Angina as well as RA and OA and about a month ago when out walking the dog took an angina attack,usually my wife comes but she was away for the day and I couldn’t get my breath,I had to sit for half an hour after taking my spray,thankfully it passed but i was very frightened and alone, we just don’t know with ra as there are a lot off complications and side effects,take care xxx

[springcross]

It's really good that you were just coming in the gate Scottishlad, it must have been so frightening for her and for you too. Glad she's now on the mend and will be home today. Take care both. xx

[Green230461]

That is a very good suggestion and one that I will follow. Hope your wife gets better soon. 😃

[Scottishlad]

To all those who responded thanks for your good wishes. My wife got home this afternoon.

[springcross in reply to Scottishlad]

Hope all will be well. x

[Mmrr in reply to Scottishlad]

Pleased to hear that your wife is home.

[bienassis]

An interesting post, Scottishlad, and a warning about any new medication - it really must always be taken for the first time in company. As you say, your wife had a rare reaction - but these reactions usually are rare, and most people who take a lot of different medications without trouble are the ones who are more likely to be caught out.

The question: "Are you allergic to anything?" when being prescribed a new drug should always be answered with caution. This question is currently being asked when we present ourselves for the corona virus vaccine. The insistence on a 15-20 minute wait after the jab at least ensures medical attention will be immediately available.

I hope you and your wife have the vaccine soon, if you haven't already had it. My husband and I had the first dose before Christmas and the second is due on 11th January. So it's rolling out at last.

bienassis