stickmaker | Medical Mysteries Continus (Reply)

I started getting a rash again last Thursday. It was mild at first, but Sunday it started spreading. It even began recurring in a location where I'd had this rash before, which was new. Went to the doctor Monday morning. (Traffic was horrible; too many drivers have water-soluble IQs.) He put me back on Prednisone, a stronger dose this time. Then he thought of something.

"When did you have your last allergy shot?"

"Thursday, in the early afternoon."

"When did the rash start?"

"Thursday evening."

I hadn't noticed the correlation before, but in hindsight it makes sense.

I get my next allergy shot next Thursday, being on a two-week schedule. I've already called the allergist's office, and was advised to tell the nurse who gives me the next shot to back the dose down 0.5cc,

I made very good progress on my allergies this year, to a substantial benefit in my general health. I hope I don't have to stop the shots at this point.

So far, the only real side-effect I've noticed from the Prednisone is that I have trouble sleeping, even with melatonin supplementation. Come Noon I start thinking about a nap after lunch. So, whether I'll feel competent to drive to Lexington tomorrow for comics and gaming is still uncertain.

Update: A quick Google search confirmed that Prednisone can, indeed, cause insomnia. I have just over a day left in the prescription. Oog... I'm staggering around my house like a zombie, even with a nap after lunch. If I can't sleep well tonight, there's no way I'll be going anywhere tomorrow.