At 4:45 this afternoon I was back at my local surgery, for the second time in 6 hours!
About an hour after I started the Nystatin and the Naseptin Nasal Cream, the palms of my hands became ridiculously itchy! I was walking around Waitrose (looking for Sauerkraut, as you do!) and looked like a woman gone mad!
I made it home and the itch seemed to subside. I worked on my "Many Faces of PMR/GCA Masks," for awhile until I was overcome with a relentless drowsiness. I passed out on the couch, for about an hour, before I was suddenly roused by a terrible itching sensation up and down my arms and legs.
I of course began scratching feverishly (Yes, yes, I know stupid!), and because my skin is Pred compromised I immediately saw huge red blood blisters popping out of my skin before my very eyes!
F#*k, s*^t, #~!*+, #~<$+!
I called the pharmacy and explained the situation to the Pharmacist. She said, "...you're having an allergic reaction to one of the meds."
Another call to the surgery reception, resulted in... "...you'd better come in."
The GP was not as warm and welcoming as the Nurse Practitioner had been earlier in the day! He sounded unsure of himself and he actually asked me, if I was sure, I had thrush! WTF? Seriously, he asked ME, if I was sure that I had thrush!
After taking a look for himself, he had his answer.
He then said, he had never heard of an allergic reaction to Nystatin. I mentioned the warning in the patient leaflet, that said to contact my doctor if I experienced, "hives, a rash, itching, burning, or trouble breathing...."
He just "Hmmm'd" me.
He then advised me to stop the "nasal cream" and continue with the Nystatin. If I started itching again, stop the Nystatin!
Seriously I could not make this sh*t up!
So here I am, arms and legs covered with red, purple, raised blood blisters and "cat scratch fever marks," wondering to myself, shall I just end this now?
Should I just cut my loses and freakin end this now.
I think this is where you send a loved one to the store for some Benadryl?
What a horror show. And how confident you must feel about the competence of the doctor. 🙄 Is this your usual physician? I wouldn't be seeing him again....
All antihistamines? Aren't there different kinds which work in different ways?
One of my friends had to reschedule a coffee date we had because she got unexplained hives out of the blue, which went away in a day or two. I think she said this happens to her from time to time, and as far as I know she's not on any meds for chronic condition as we are.
Hmmm? That I am not sure of... I know back home in States I never took any of it; like Benadryl or Sudafed... I had had such a strong reactions to it (palpitations, jittery, anxious... ) i just stopped taking anything that was considered an antihistamine.
Yes, I too have a history of allergies, hives, rashes; I had a very close relationship with my Dermatologist back home and saw him often... He loved me as I always went in with the STRANGEST things. ; )
This too shall pass. You are strong! You are woman! Roar!! I had one of those weeks a few weeks ago. Had to go up in prednisone as headaches and jaw pain returned. Had appointment with ortho surgeon who told me I need surgery to repair snapped Achilles' tendon, driving home from there my transmission went, and had to go to dentist because 2 fillings fell out and I needed a root canal. All in one week. The silver linings. I'm heading downwards again with the prednisone, the new ortho surgeon was really nice, the tow truck driver was really nice (and cute) and my teeth feel better now. I have had thrush and the nystatin worked for me. Sorry you are having an allergic reaction but maybe it's to the nose stuff. Stay strong and it will get better.
Just remembered the worst thing that happened that week! I had to have my picture taken for my drivers license and health card - with my face in full moon bloom! And to make matters worse, the guy did an extreme close up which makes it look even bigger! Even I had to laugh when I saw it. Ah....the stuff we go through. Hope you are having a much better week 😁
Okay... that mad me laugh out loud!!!!!!!! I'm actually having one of those "days" today! Everything that can go wrong is going wrong! I have not left the house because A.) I am too exhausted and B.) I fear Armageddon, if I venture outside the 4 walls...
Sorry to hear that! But glad I could make you laugh. I'm having a good day. Had a tooth filed down that was hurting when I bit, got antibiotics for my sore inflamed gums and found green makeup to counteract the red on my face. And the sun is shining and it's 15 degrees! There are days I don't leave the house.... figure I am a danger to myself and others. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Here's hoping!
Bloody dreadful I know......had a reaction to goodness knows what....the hives were horrendous....I woke one night clawing myself to bits....on fire, couldn't believe how quick it spread.....I went quickly to doctor, who gave me (I think) antibiotics......have some by me in case it starts up again, because I don't know what caused...it.........methinks I'm allergic to OH😏
How could your doctor be so awkward when he could see the problem!!
Omg poor you AGAIN! So unlucky. I hope the itching has subsided and some sort of normal has returned. (But I am in stitches at your writing up and shared with an equally amused hub). X
Hi Pongo13, Happy to add to your Friday evening entertainment! One of us should be enjoying ourself! My hubby arrived home to find this angry, fed up, scarred, bloodied, bruised, scratched up, misery of a woman.... I think he wanted to go back to work!
When I first saw your "poo" emotive, I wondered if the nystatin had upset your tum too so was already getting ready for a giggle! (My experience so laughing in a "co-misery" way!) X
Keep in there my dear. Don't take anything ever again without looking at the leaflet with side effects. I always do. So sorry for how you are feeling. Big hugs. Xx
There’s the rub - you responsibly read it, fingers crossed it won’t apply to you (afterall, most of the time it doesn’t) and then, bam! This time it does. Reading the warning won’t keep it from happening; it’s just there to say/mock “Told ya so”.
Itching- you know you shouldn’t scratch, but your body tells you if you don’t, you’ll go insane.
All I can say is when you get to other side of this, you’ll look back and say, “Have I got a story to tell you!”
You’re right you couldn’t make it up! I’m so sorry for you, not that it helps. Definitely need another doctor, or the nurse Practitioner. Good luck. Not sure why this sort of thing always happens at the weekend.
mamici, the two products contain an antibiotic called neomycin. I was once prescribed Nasept for my nose and within a short time my nose was itching, red and inflamed. It was also one of the ingredients in ear drops that I was prescribed many times many years ago and ended up making a simple ear infection a lifetime problem. The culprit wasn’t found until a private appointment with a dermatologist pinpointed neomycin. Of course, this might not be the case for you but have a look at all the ingredients in both your medications and see if they contain Neomycin. If they do, you may have your answer.
Erm, sorry Celtic but Nystan oral solution doesn't contain Neomycin. Only nystatin. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic but nystatin is an antifungal.
Thank you, PMRnewbie - great to have someone with a pharmaceutical background on the ‘team’! It is now looking as though Nasepin is the problem for mamici as the allergic reaction has improved since stopping it - still leaving the Neomycin it contains looking suspicious.
Thanks Celtic... I have had two more doses of the Nystatin and experienced only minimal itching (nothing like the original occurrence!) I'll reintroduce the nose cream in a few days and see what happens! Thanks, good insight!
So glad to hear that at least you’ve had some relief since discontinuing the Naseptin, mamici. After reading PMRnewbie’s reply to me, it seems that Nystatin doesn’t contain Neomycin after all, so the finger does point to it being the Neomycin in the Naseptin possibly being the culprit as it was for me. Should that turn out to be the case for you, another little warning about Neomycin - it is an ingredient in the shingles vaccine!
After reading your comment there was something nagging at me... something from the past! I remember having a bad allergic reaction to an antibacterial cream when I lived in the States; it was called "Neosporin."
"The 3 main active ingredients in Neosporin are neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B sulfate, and bacitracin zinc. One of the main components of Neosporin is Neomycin Sulfate!!!! "
I AM ALLERGIC TO NEOMYCIN, I must be!!!!
That mild mannered, unsure, indecisive, no-bed-side-manner, doctor was right!
mamici, I would never have known, had the Harley Street ENT consultant I saw many years ago in sheer desperation with my inflamed and itchy ear canal not referred me to a dermatologist. He, in turn, decorated my back with all manner of products and the due appearance of a great big itchy swelling laid the blame firmly at the door of Neomycin. Still came unstuck in recent years when a nasal cream was prescribed, unbeknown to me containing the dreaded ingredient - in spite of an alert on my records!! Even the wonderful PMRpro has reminded me on occasion that I can’t have the shingles vaccine - I have little faith that my surgery would be as knowledgeable!!
Definitely an anti histamine in your future and I would want some fluconazole especially as it seems to have settled in. Can you have them? I had a Friend who had to take a fluconazole every week for 6 months to stop thrush.
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Hi Poopadoop, I asked indecisive doctor if there was an alternative to the Nystatin, as I was keen to continue with the nose cream... He, "hmmmm'd," me. : C
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I have taken fluconazole OTC on current raft if meds. I have bought it as I know it thrush. You know it's thrush. Look up patient info leaflet for canestsn and see what it says. I will have a quick look. I am in lower pred but probably on 10 more meds and it's ok. My GP prescribed one lot but can never get appt to get more.
It does contraindicated about 5 of meds I am on. Discuss at length with pharmacist. Given your current allergic reaction I might let it settle for a week and cut all processed foods. Only eat food you know has no sugar or yeast in. I personally risk it but you need to check throughout as bits seem to fall off at the mo😜😁
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Cheers and yes.. I am being EXTRA cautious!!!!
Hi
Did he give you anything to counteract the effects of whatever you were reacting too? Presumably, if you hadn’t already been on steroids you could have a more serious reaction! Have you taken any more of the Nystatin & how are you feeling now?
Mrs N 💅🏼
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Hi MrsNails, Why no of course not! I asked should I bathe in salt water, or baking soda.. He said "Yes." "Thanks Doc, very helpful!"
I have taken two more doses and have had minimal itching (which could be physcosamatic). I have stoped the nasal cream for now, so only dealing with one new drug at at time!
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Nystatin is usually pretty much OK as they give it to babies with Thrush.
I had terrible oral Thrush after Chemo & had everything possible to treat it, it was a nightmare until suddenly I had a flashbulb moment & realised it was something else that l was taking that might be the culprit & l was in fact correct!
Just be mindful of the reaction today & don’t use the nose cream over the weekend. A chat with your Pharmacist face to face might be helpful & they may recommend an antihistamine.
I have to carry a simple antihistamine ie Piriton incase l’m ever stung on my arm as l’ve had the lymph nodes removed.
my goodness! Are you Irish? Sound like the luck of the Irish has hit you again. I too had the beginnings of thrush and ran straight to pharmacy I got an over the counter mouth rinse and daily morning yogurt seen to do the trick. I did have it once as a kid, so it had frightened me too. This PMR has brought a host of other health issues upon us! Not sure but thinking that the prednisone may have been a help in this situation you were in. Hang in there n I too send you hugs mamici1. maryanne
found this! This isn't luck at all, but more of an attitiude, a positive look at a bad situation.
The Irish didn't survive a potato famine, and being treated as 3rd class citizens upon their arrival to the U.S. (til the mid-late 1900's)by not having a positive outlook and a great sense of humor!
Mary-"I was just wearing my new shoes today when I stepped in a HUGE cow shit"
Michael-"Well then, tis a LUCKY thing you were wearing shoes!"
Hi MaryA, Funny you should ask... All my life I believed myself to be mostly Sicilian, because both my paternal grandparents came from Sicily... I had my DNA done and I am 37% Irish!!!!! Who knew?
I had no idea I had it! I eat natural greek yogurt everyday, take a high quality pro-biotic, no wheat, low sugar, low carbs, supplements... a few glasses a red wine a week (which is a HUGE reduction) believe me!
Luck of the Irish!
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The Irish are like Jack Russell Terriers! There's a bit of Irish in all of us!!!!!
Dear Melissa How GHASTLY - REALLY AWFUL for you - I can't think of one cheery thing to say other than one day you will look back on this chaos and wonder : 'Did THAT ALL REALLY happen to me !!??'
In the meantime do ANYTHING that makes you feel better - do it or use it - 'whatever' ... !!
Thanks Rimmy, ...and yes, I will look back at this week and "laugh" at some point, I'm sure.
Working on your masks made me feel much better, an accomplishment you know?) until I feel under a Cinderella's Sleep Spell and woke up with cat scratch fever!
I'm so pleased to hear you 'transcended' all this nasty physical stuff even if momentarily in a sense of 'accomplishment' - such a wonderful word expressing ALL these things and thus many more:
I particularly like 'stroke of genius' and 'manoeuvre' - though i am less sure why the latter (ha ha !!) Also a 'stratagem' ART is of course the doorway 'out' of many things and 'into' others - although some times we need to bash these doors down and this can be very 'hard'.
Any medical 'advice' I can give is likely to be 'suspect' but Ruth (who has an allergenic response to mosquito and some other insect bites) said she would try calamine. I read however that a side effect could be 'itchiness' !!!??? - I mean WHAT is the deal ?- this sounds 'familiar' - like everything seems to have an underbelly - so maybe not some of the ingredients are 'astringent' !- but perhaps put on your list of 'not yet resorted to' possible solutions if ALL else fails ?
Hahahahahaha! A side effect of "calamine" is itching???? WHAT IS THE DEAL!
"Achievement." Yes it does produce a whole host of thoughts, feelings, emotions... but perhaps a little regret too. There are so many things I did not achieve... but perhaps I was never meant to! Maybe in another life! : )
I have taken two more doses since last night and have only minimal itching that's all in my head, I'm sure!
Oh mamici how awful for you. So did you try it again? You are already doing the sensible diet to get rid of Thrush aren’t you? With no processed foods or sugar if you can help it and plenty of live Yoghurt and the fermented foods hence the sauerkraut. The internet is dense with advice on how to control Candidais is it called, when it’s spreading.
I felt convinced that I had it too after reading about it for you. I have the fungal toenails, the upset digestive system and a blocked nose, dry mouth, scratchy throat and am a fiend for sweet things ( never before). My tongue is ok though, so how would it get diagnosed? It’s the kind of ailment that freaks me out, like nits in kids a kind of invasion.
Please tell me the picture was a joke and “ wanting to end this now”. You just want to end the rotten lousy Candida.
Sometimes I don’t know whether to laugh at your justifiable outrage or cry with you because of all the tormenting things. Let is know how you tackle this damn thing. X
Yes, things like this, nits, toenail infections, pin worms... They ALL freak me out! I had no idea I had it.. I suddenly noticed a rough path of skin (with my tongue) on the inside of my cheek; took a look and it was a white, bumpy rash. Dr Google said, "THRUSH!" F*@k.
I have taken two more doses of the Nystatin ad just minimal itching. My arms and legs however look like they have been through a meat grinder!!!!
It was a joke... kinda. ; )
xxxxx
"If you have no tragedy, you have no comedy. Crying and laughing are the same emotion. If you laugh too hard, you cry. And vice versa." ~ Sid Caesar
Exactly! I was tired, cranky, headache, intestinal distress, i.e. bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, sinus infection, etc, etc, etc. I attributed it all to PRED! : \
Hope you are 'OK' (a hopeless euphemism I know) - I am - 'WE' all are worried about you Melissa - and trying to think of something that might make you feel a little more comfortable - at the very least - a cool bath for the itching - something anything .....
I soaked for about an hour in a cool bath of Himalayan Salt and Baking Soda. Got all cozy on the couch... and "vegged" in front of the Boob Tube to forget my troubles.
It worked nicely!
Hubby being very patient and caring even though I look like I have been put through a meat grinder. It will be HOT here today and I will be relegated to wearing jeans and a long sleeve shirt, because I have made such a mess of my arms and legs!
Hi Telian, I am scratched up, with red/purple lines up my arms and legs, but no worse for wear! Itching has subsided and I am taking only the Nystatin for now... Today is a new day!
How awful for you, I'm please the itching has now subsided - there's nothing worse when you're unwell anyway.... I can commiserate totally with you as have been the queen of allergies and reactions for many years, hope your full recovery is swift. Must go to skype Oz..
so sorry. and to think 21 hours ago your title to the post was "I had the BEST experience". That will teach you!!! GOOD luck! Hope the hives etc have passed by now.
Hi. Are you allergic to peanuts? There's peanut oil in Naseptin cream. Also Naseptin will not kill the Candida if it is in your nose. It's an antibiotic specific for staphylococcus and is used to stop spread of MRSA so perhaps shouldn't have been prescribed?
Ps. You could try an oral antihistamine or if the skin isn't broken, an antihistamine cream for not more than 2 days, or even hydrocortisone cream (more steroids though)'. I'm shocked that considering your dose of pres your allergic reaction was so marked. I live and learn. Chin up x
Hi PMRnewbie2017, No I am not. I think she gave me the Naseptin for a bacterial infection in my nose; I thought it was thrush because of the little white dots... I cant take antihistamine... Mitral Valve Prolapse. Cheers!
Morning
I hope there’s some improvement for you this morning but if you are still itching & showing signs of a reaction l definitely think you need an antihistamine at the least to dampen the reaction down to make you more comfortable, if however it gets any worse go to Out of Hours GP
Hope you feel better today 💐
PS What dose of Pred are you on at the moment?
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Good Morning MrsNails, I feel much better mentally and physically!!!! Thank you.
I have had two more doses of the Nystatin, mild itching that might be all in my head!!!! Have stoped the nose cream and will consider reintroducing in a few days.
Oh! Melissa, whatever next. I was late catching up with your latest travails what an ordeal.
Seems my stomping up and down the garden uttering profanities on your behalf didn’t have the desired effect.
I think soaks in the bath, lolloping on the couch and lots of weekend rubbish TV are order of the day.
I shall now direct my profanities to the doctor who I feel needs to go on a refresher course.
Lots of bountiful hugs and positive thoughts. You are woman you will overcome and down the line you will reciprocate these words because that is who we are and what we do.
ps, sorry chaps I include you as well and I keep my profanities to a quiet whisper as we have young children living both sides of us.
Dear SheffieldSonia, I can only imagine how much WORSE my day could have ben without your incessant stomping and swearing! Thank you for that.
I dreamt last night that I could hear, somewhere off in the distant hills, a woman's voice howling out profanities, into the wind, like a long shore man drunk in New York on shore leave! Was that you?
Ahhhhhhh, well thank God for you!!!!! Nothing quite as comforting, as the distant sound of loud, uncontrolled swearing, being carried across the sea by the winds of rage and anger!!!!
I don't know if you can get it in the US but I always keep a bottle of colloidal silver to hand. Its antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial. I have had several bouts of oral thrush which I treated with this as I didn't want to put more drugs in me. I also keep a spray bottle of it to treat any skin lesions I get such as overenthusiastic cat padding scratches or mental dog jumping for biccies or me scratching from the heat etc. Seems to help with the healing of my delicate baby soft, fat stretched, paper thin skin. Lots of info on colloidal silver on internet if you can't sleep and need to occupy the mind So sorry to hear of your latest suffering, big hugs xxx
There are also silver-based plasters (band-aids) for covering a graze when it happens which seem to aid healing - I was also told by a pharmacist to leave the lesion open to the air, cleaning only with soap and water, NOT sterilising the actual wound area but only around it (it kills the good as well as the bad bacteria). I had a monumental graze from tripping over a kerb in the snow (I did NOT 'have a fall' !) and it healed much more quickly following this method. I live and learn...and you may know all this already!
It’s another beautiful day. That was an informative useful “thought shower”. It’s amazing what this forum can do when roused. There is a collective power that’s moving to me. Thank you for provoking it mamici 1. You are very “ held” on here.
Thank you SheffieldJane, what a lovely thing to say.
Aw so sorry to hear all this. It's truly pants isn't it. You get the feeling of there being nowhere to turn. Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right.
Oh dear what a hard time. Pmr/gca is so life consuming that one more thing is just the last straw. What we could ordinarily take in stride previously just just unhinges us now. You are one day closer to being well xoxo
So sorry sunshine you really are being put to the test! I used to have eczema and had a steroid cream to calm it down whenever I had a flare. One day it started to pop up all over me and continued to get worse. It was in my ears, hair and anywhere it could find 😳. I went to an allergy clinic eventually and they stuck little testers all over my back to find out what the problem was. Two days later I went back and they examined the my response to these testers. " aaaaah" said the doctor in a triumphant manner "I know exactly what you are allergic to" , " oh good" I said "so what should I be avoiding" " well my dear, you are allergic to your allergy cream" 😱
Yes... perhaps the name could be "Couldn't Make This S**t Up! Or "WTF?" Or "Seriously?"
I'll keep working on the name... : 0
Mellisa. I'm a burnt out husk just catching up on this thread! What can I say to help? Life! Eh! Sometimes you're the dog. Sometimes the lamp post!!!! Hope that helps, ATB
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Hahahahahahahaha! It did indeed! I was definitely the Lamp post this week!!!!! Without a doubt!!!! Thanks, that was brilliant!
One damn thing after another, seems to be happpening with this disease! Sorry you had to get another lovely side effect! Glad your hives and itching are resolved
At least your doctors and PA know about candida in the body and not just oral thrush. When my son came down with Crohn’s disease 20 years ago and did research and tried to get treatment for candida his doctors hadn’t heard of it, it was a fringe idea.
Never mind cutting your losses - cut that GP! How ignorant:
"Stop taking nystatin and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Common Side Effects of Nystatin Oral Suspension (Nystatin (oral ...
And while he may have been right in fact, you MUST identify if it really was the other stuff - because once you have had an allergic reaction it will very likely happen the next time you meet it too and at some point it could tip over into something much worse, you don't know.
And 111 won't help on that case - 999 is more appropriate or nip to A&E
Poor you, you really going through , not just this last week either. I have just returned from visiting Dad with daughter and 16month old granddaughter. Your warning of you visiting your grandson has helped. I am now recovering. Mind you bed at 8.30 w as very new to me, we were sharing a bedroom (hasten to say not with Dad). Thanks again.
Wow, I wouldn’t be going to that Doctor again 😆 I came here trying to find answers as I’ve just started the naseptin and my nose burns so bad! 😫 they gave it to me for for a chronic nosebleed I had for 4 days after stopping Tranexamic acid, may I add I never had a nose bleed in my life before the tranexamic acid, now I have to use them full time due to these nosebleeds and if I stop them the nosebleeds come back! but I suppose that’s how the healthcare in this country works 💰hope you’re well 😁
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So sorry to hear of your latest suffering, big hugs xxx
Sore tongue linked to Pred and/or GCA?
Itching
Advice please - sinus problems
