Allergic Reaction

[Mommy_2]

The other day at work I had an allergic reaction and the cause is unknown.  I had been itchy that morning and it grew steadily worse by 9:45am.  My skin started to crawl, my eyes were scratchy and red, the tip of my nose was numb, my lips and tongue started to feel huge.  Then the fun began.....I couldn't breathe as my chest was tight, however I obviously could still talk and breathe.  It felt like I was about to pass out and everything got bright and very far away.  My co-workers called 911 who came and said I was fine.  My husband picked me up shortly after and the symptoms started to come back.  Rather than the paramedics being called back my husband drove me to the ER.  There I was hooked up to an IV with Benedryl, Prednesone and Prevecid (?).  Anyhow, I started to feel better right away and fell asleep.  After recouping at home over the weekend I went in to the office this morning to anxious co-workers.  I came home at noon as I am so tired and unsure what had happened.  I had not eaten anything different, no new laundry soap, shampoo, etc....everything the same as always.  Prior to this episode, I have also had frequent muscle twitching in both legs and arms, numbness in hands and feet and basically a reduced feeling sensation all over.  I have seen a rheumatologist and had several tests done, all came back fine.  I frequently do seem to have excess fluid in my throat, nose and eyes for some reason and my tongue is tingly.  What is up?  I am 43 and average height and weight and except for this strangeness seem to be rather healthy.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
From your post it seems to an allergic reaction. It could be an allergic response to a food product or an environmental allergen like dust, smoke, pollen etc.
Only an allergy test will help in pin pointing the exact cause of the allergic reaction.
Regarding the numbness and muscle twitching, please get a blood sugar test done to rule out diabetes. Also Vitamin B6 and B12 deficiency can cause numbness in various parts of the body.
Excess fluid in the nose, eyes and throat also indicates an allergic response.
Please consult a specialist as soon as you can. Take care!

[Pum]

Allergies can be difficult to pinpoint if they happen rarely. It took me years (30years) to figure out mine as it only happened once a year or less. It turned out to be a reaction to a virus. A rheumatologist is the correct specialist. Sometimes flares are few and far between which is good news when you think about it.

Good luck.