Last night started out innocent enough with wine, lots of yummy food and great company!
It took a turn for the worse toward the end of the night…
But we’ll get to that in a minute.
Dinner at Cuvee
I had dinner plans with my friend Amanda at Cuvee, a local wine bar and bistro.
I’ve heard great things about Cuvee ever since we moved to Ocala and since both of our husbands were out of town this weekend, Amanda and I decided to make it a girls’ night! (Ryan left on a bachelor party cruise on Thursday for his friend Terry who is getting married in New Jersey in October. He’ll be home again early this afternoon.)
After we arrived, we were escorted to our table and our waiter explained how wine tasting at the restaurant works. Every guest is given a card and after you swipe the card, you select your portion of wine.
Amanda and I had a great time trying new wines throughout the night and agreed that we must return with the guys. Since we were both driving, we made sure to keep our tastings under control, but it would be quite easy to let loose at Cuvee! I wanted to try everything!
As for our food, we shared a bunch of different options including cheesy focaccia bread, buffalo meat balls, a cheese plate and a roasted hummus sampler plate. I didn’t snap any pictures, but the food was delicious! After our time at Cuvee, Amanda and I weren’t ready to head home yet, so we stopped into a local coffee chop to chat for a few more hours.
While were there, I ate a chocolate chip cookie and sipped on hot tea. It was so great to spend an evening with a friend.
An Allergic Reaction
I arrived home a little before 11 p.m., washed my face, changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed to read with Sadie by my side. About 20 minutes later, my stomach started cramping up and I was hit with some serious nausea. I ran to the bathroom and threw up, but only a teeny bit. I kept thinking I would throw up again, but nothing ever happened and I hung out on the bathroom floor hoping the nausea would dissipate for about 20 minutes. As I waited for the feeling to pass, I noticed that the palms of my hands started itching. Then, the food seemed to want to leave me the other way (TMI, I know – I’m sorry!), and after that, my stomach started to feel better, so I crawled back into bed.
The itching in my palms continued and grew to include my wrists and back of my legs. When I looked at my wrists, I noticed some of the skin looked like elongated mosquito bites and I thought I might be having a reaction to something. I called my mom who is a nurse and she encouraged me to take Benadryl immediately and go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room if anything got worse.
Since we didn’t have any Benadryl in our cabinet, I drove to the 24-hour Wal-Mart near our house and swallowed two pills while I waited in line to check out. During the 20 minutes it took me to get to WalMart and buy the medicine, my symptoms significantly escalated. My skin was now red all over and I was itching everywhere. My legs itched like crazy, my ears felt hot and I started to get a little nervous.
I decided to drive to the emergency room and when I arrived I was greeted with, “Oh wow! You’re having a reaction to something!” The nurses took my vitals and within 15 minutes I saw a doctor.
(No, my legs are not normally bright red!)
As a little aside, I cannot say enough wonderful things about the care I received at Munroe Regional Medical Center last night. I didn’t wait long at all and the nurses and doctor I met with were so kind. Also, I want to give all of you who work the night shift in health care a big hug. I’m sure it’s an incredibly draining job, but I was so grateful for the expertise of those on staff when I needed the help last night.
Once I was taken back to a bed and asked to change, the doctor came in to see me about 10 minutes later. He looked me over and asked me a bunch of questions about what I ate, whether or not I recently changed detergents, what medications I take, etc. We couldn’t pinpoint what caused the reaction since I didn’t eat anything too out of the ordinary other than the bison meatballs, which the doctor said probably didn’t do it.
After I was treated, the doctor prescribed me some medications to take throughout the week and also prescribed me an EpiPen to use in case of an emergency. He explained that the severity of allergic reactions can increase over time, and told me I should carry an EpiPen in my purse at all times to administer an emergency dose of epinephrine into my outer thigh if a severe allergic reaction occurs in the future.
Within a few hours, I was released from the hospital and drove home more than ready to crawl into bed and sleep for a few hours. It was quite an eventful night and I’m so grateful for the care I received and that the situation was not any worse.
I hope your Saturday night was slightly less chaotic!
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Wow, that looks like a severe reaction already! I guess only getting breathing difficulties would be worse. Might be good to do an systematic allergy test. — Some allergies can start when you get older, so you might never have been allergic before and then suddenly are. It must certainly have been something you had a lot of during the evening. — Would have been good to photograph the evidence 🙂
How are you feeling now? Is the rash gone?
The rash is gone and I feel a LOT better. Just kind of lethargic and a little achy.
I had an allergic reaction to Sabra roasted garlic hummus. I can eat the classic hummus, but the flavored hummus causes my throat to itch and swelling of my eyes and lips! I am glad you are feeling better! Nothing worse than driving yourself to the emergency room!! I drove myself to the hospital when I went into labor early with my second child. My hubby was at work (at another hospital)! Thank goodness he was able to get to the hospital before I went in for a c-section. 🙂 On another note, I bought Chia seeds for the first time today. I can’t wait to try them in some overnight oates.
I agree that the hummus seems suspect. It could have had different kinds of nuts or spices blended up in it that you aren’t used to.
I hope you’re feeling much better! You’ll be in my prayers 🙂
That sounds horrible! Even more horrible that you’re not really sure what caused it. That has to be the scary part. I’m glad he gave you an Epi Pen just in case anything ever happens again – those things are life savers! (for real. 😉 )
Man, that is scary! Especially since you were home alone! Glad you are OK!
Of course that had to happen when Ryan was gone…I am a major hypochondriac and would have been going all sorts of crazy! Kudos to (seemingly) staying pretty calm, Julie! Feel better 🙂
Oh, I know! I think I said, “I can’t believe this would happen on a night when Ryan is gone” in my head 1,000 times. 🙂
How awful! It sounds like you held it together pretty well though. I would’ve been a nervous wreck having to deal with that on my own! Get some rest 🙂
Oh my gosh! Hope it wasn’t the wine!
Oh man glad you’re back to normal! I have allergic reactions a LOT and since I am highly allergic to 75% of things I was tested for I never know what caused it! It usually happens when I workout which is very frustrating and scary!
Ashlee, you might have something called exercise induced anaphylaxis. I have it. Basically if I eat pretty much anything too close to before I run, I can go into anaphylactic shock. Certain foods are worse than others, but pretty much anything can be a trigger. Of course, in my case when I took the prick test nothing showed up as a trigger for me–it’s just the running and food combination. Luckily gatorade and cliff blocks seems to be ok. If I am pushing it too close, I take allergy medication before I run as a preventative measure. I wrote about it on my blog. Good luck!
Oh my goodness! So glad you’re okay and that you went and took care of yourself! Must have been hard to be alone going through all that! I hope you don’t have to use the EpiPen!
That sounds awful! I’m glad you are doing better now.
Oh Julie! I am so glad you are ok! Your rash looked so uncomfortable. I would never want to go to the ER by myself & I’m a nurse! lol Sorry your night turned off so bad. Hopefully this doesn’t happen again. Take care.
Glad you are okay. Is the Benadryl supposed to be helpful for potential reactions like that? You have a good mum.
Likely one of those fluke ingredients in a restaurant dish that literally sent you into fire mode. Hopefully won’t happen ever again!
(I’d be cautious of allergy tests…highly unreliable).
you need lots of buttered toast and a quart of oreo ice cream (to yourself) today ….and much more of course 🙂
Oh no! I’m so sorry that that happened, maybe it was an ingredient in one of the many wines? It stinks that this just happened to be a night that Ryan was out of town!
Im so happy youre okay! That can be so scary, I am allergic to like everything and I know how scary a moment like this can be! Hopefully you feel better!
So glad it wasn’t worse! You did all the right things and I’m glad you got excellent care. As a night shift nurse I see a lot of people come in for a lot less 😉 but glad you have an Epi pen to help you in the future! Stay well 🙂
Yikes! Glad you’re okay!
Wow! You poor thing!! I’m so glad you are feeling better!
So glad you’re okay! You still don’t know what it’s from?! Your poor hubby, of course you had to be all alone at the hospital! They don’t allow vislas into hospitals?
So sorry for you Julie 🙁 you might have developed an allergy to something, that can happen too. Feel better! And I hope this doesn’t happen again
Oh god that’s so scary! I would have been a total mess if it happened to me! Wonder what on earth it could have been? Keep us posted if you figure it out!
ouch, good thing you went to the ED!
So sorry to hear about the allergic reaction. I’ve actually had 3 reactions over the past 5 years that sound EXACTLY like yours – ate something with common ingredients that I eat fairly often and had a very late onset reaction hours after. I’ve been through rounds and rounds of allergy testing and the doctors can’t find anything. I’m convinced it’s to a specific tree nut, but can’t prove it! Luckily, it hasn’t happened in years. Best of luck!
Wow!! that must have been scary! Glad you’re ok.
Wow, that’s crazy! I hope you’re feeling better. I’ve never had an allergic reaction to food before, but I can imagine how scary it must’ve been!
Glad to hear you are doing better!!! How scary! 🙁
My husband had the same thing happen to him. He thought he could have developed a shellfish allergy, but he tried shrimp a few weeks later and nothing happened. I’m still not sure what caused him to breakout in hives but he looked just like your legs. Glad you are OK.
Wow! that’s so crazy! Has ANYTHING like that ever happened before? I wonder what made you react so badly and so quickly! Glad you’re feeling better but I hope you can figure out what caused it and avoid any future problems!
No, never! So crazy!
Hope you are feeling better! I had a horrible reaction to chapstick and toothpaste this year!
Not good at all!! I see a naturopath and she mentioned there is a blood test you can get done that tests your sensitivity and I assume allergic reaction to 96 foods / types of foods which may be worth getting done so you know what did it.
I am an ER nurse and am so glad you went in and that it didn’t escalate (like throat swelling & breathing difficulties). Keep that epi pen on you girl! I hope you’re feeling better!!!
Yikes!!!! Glad to know you are home and feeling better!!
Scary!! Hope today you are feeling much better!
Know you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! ;0)
Helen
Wow! So glad you’re okay! Hope it doesn’t happen again.
Hope you are feeling better. Get some rest and take care!!!!!
I had a similar allergic reaction minus the vomiting after using an off brand soap. Horrible experience! Take care!
I wasn’t feeling too hot last night either! The only ‘new’ thing I had yesterday was carob chips… hm.
Glad to know you’re feeling better now 🙂
Wow, thankfully you are ok! I wonder what caused it…I once had an allergic rash all over body reaction to taking the Z-pack antibiotic, which I had taken once before without an issue. Allergies are so scary, especially when you don’t know what may cause it. Hope you are feeling better.
Yikes! That looks so scary. Hate that Ryan was out of town when it happened! Glad you were able to get to the Dr. so soon!
Wow what a crazy evening! Glad you have recovered and are OK!
Wow, that was some reaction. I had a reaction to medication a long time ago. Hives are not pretty. Have you thought about going to an allergist to find out what you may have reacted to? Maybe it was something in the wine?? Hope you feel better.
I am considering it! The doctor said it might be a good idea!
Due to the fact I’m allergic to virtually all kinds of face makeup (i can wear any lip or eye stuff and it’s fine, which is good since i’m addicted to eyeliner), strawberries, and several kinds of medicine, i know where you’re coming from. When I get hives, generally it only makes things worse when I take Claritin, but try benodryl!
Only downside, it makes me fall asleep… Oh, and sometimes the rash can linger for a while.
Oh my goodness! So happy that you were able to get the help you needed and are now doing better.
Get yourself to an allergist & get tested. Our youngest daughter has a life threatening dairy allergy, so my husband and I know a lot about food allergies. What many people don’t realize is anyone one of us can develop an allergy at anytime to something we may have been consuming for years. This is why FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) has been working so hard to pass the federal epinephrine act for schools. This would require schools to stock Epi Pens. Many school related deaths have been children that did not have a known allergy & the incident was their first reaction. Sadly those children did not have epinerpherine in the nurses office.
For tons of info check out the FARE website. Also check out the brand new automated Auvi-Q epinephrine auto injectors.
If I had to guess it could have been the sulphur in one of the wines. The allergist will help you figure it out. Until then, do not leave home with out your Epi Pens.
Sorry to hear that happened! I had the same thing not long ago though I wasn’t smart enough to go to the hospital. It actually took several days to go away on my legs but I felt ok otherwise!
Yikes! Sounds like a very scary experience, but I’m so glad you’re ok! The photo of your legs reminds me of a reaction I had once, which resulted in a whole bunch of hive-like patches appearing all over my body. It started behind my knees and insides of my elbows, but within hours they spread and just got more and more itchy. I was put on steroids to reduce the size of the welts and to bring the inflammation back down (sounds scary, but it worked!) and we’re still not sure how it happened. Glad to hear you’re feeling better, and let’s hope it doesn’t happen to you again! 🙂
Ahh, so scary, Julie!! I am glad you are better and acted quickly. Happy that everything is all right! You’re such a positive person in my life and I don’t even know you 🙂
That is seriously so scary! I saw your hospital post on Instagram so I am happy to read that it was an allergic reaction and not something more serious (not that it’s not serious because it is). Hopefully you won’t have to experience that again!
YIKES! Thank Goodness you were able to get into an ER and get care. Maybe it was something the food was cooked in that brought about your allergy. I hope you can get into an allergist and get it figured out. It is crazy how allergies can present themselves.
Wow! That was some reaction. I was sad for you the whole time I was reading thinking how this happened when Ryan was away. I’m sure you would’ve given anything to have him with you 🙁 So glad you are better.