Makes me mad

[newleaf09]

I am a walking side effect.  I expected all the hemotologial things but now I've got one I CAN'T STAND!  I have taken on an allergy to mosquito bites.  Haven't been allergic since childhood.

I'm an outdoor sort and have accepted that I won't be gardening or hiking.  Just too tired.  Now I can't go outside at all because it's too rainy and mosquito infested where I live.   The threat of West Nile couldn't keep me inside but big itchy bumps on top of riba rash are too much!  Sorry.  Venting again.

[newleaf09]

Like justme says, none of the interactions are written up, to my knowledge, except a few really outrageous things like heavy-duty bloodthinners and grapefruit.  It also plays to the incredible diversity between human reactions to drugs.  If they studied them long enough to find everything, they'd never get to market.  I didn't know aleve was going to kill my liver - label says don't drink, bad for stomach.  My goofy reaction to an SSRI is someone elses reaction to something else presumable innocuous.  How about the labels on drugs that say "We really don't know how this drug works".  That's the craziest thing to me.

I actually feel pretty good.  HGB at 10.2 and that's about the only side effect that makes you feel bad.  Low neuts and platelets just cause paleness.  I've felt worse.

[winner727]

why did pharmacy not see drug interaction? I also read the med sheets . really read them !  thats how I learned to stay away from antacids close to injection day . the sun will come out & dry away the skeeters .find a nice shady spot .  hope you feel better .     bob

[IMstacie]

I'm taking lexapro and my platelets have been  rising.  Can't remember right now but every blood test getting closer to normal.

Men have been used for studies starting way back when.  It's amazing how far behind we are in regard to Women's health.

[newleaf09]

There's a female hormonal action with interferon, too.  Women are more responsive, more women clear the virus on their own. Interferon cures uterine fibroids which are caused by rampaging estrogen near menopause.  I can find studies where interactions with men's hormones were studied but not women's.  It's amazing we are allowed to use the drug for hepatitis treatment considering all of the unknowns about it.

[GSDgirl]

I don't know about the ADs but I have been scratching my ankles off for 5 days, same 3 bites.  Welts and angry red.  It has been raining around here, storms for at least 5 days.  I keep my pond treated with mosquito dunks and have the mosquito bits that work instantly for around the flower pots and stuff.  I can't treat the grass and whole yard tho and there are mosquitoes everywhere.  I just mentioned that I think I am not allergic today LOL.

Denise

[franke566]

Grapefruit can cause a number of medications to concentrate and or change.  I learned the hard way.  Heart patients on Tx be especially careful...

[justme53]

That's interesting about the Interferon/Celexa/Lexapro connection. I suppose it's like most info on HCV and tx...we're breaking new ground with each passing day and FINALLY some Drs. are beginning to listen and learn from us as well. I wonder how many people got pulled from tx for super low platelets in the past when an adjustment in AD's would have been enough. Live and learn...........

[newleaf09]

Oh, something you might want to hear about:
Nurse finally figured out today that my Lexapro interacts with my interferon and crashes platelets even worse.  I took Celexa for a little while, platelets dropped.  Started taking it again and they really dropped.  Stopped it, went up.  Started Lexapro and they dropped.  Went to half dose and they went up.  I mentioned interaction to the nurse long ago. Celexa & Lexapro are almost the same drug.  Recently, I am so nuts about getting an opportunity to finish early that I went to full dose of lexapro and got the lowest platelet reading yet, 35,000.  I told her when I gave blood that they should be up but that I had doubled Lexapro and predicted low.  She finally believes it.  

Rats!  Why couldn't they have done a drug challenge months ago and save me all this crashing?  How many others are having a difficult time with adverse effects for no good reason?  How do they keep up with all of the numbers for 50 patients?

[Rockerforlife]

A lemon eucalyptus extract (Citriodiol) has been shown to be a natural repellent against mosquitoes, stable flies, and midges.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15605645

[Tippyclubb]

So now your forced to stay in the house --hmmmmm, you sure have had your share of problems--more than most.  Vent all you want.

[annieCinMD]

I know what you mean. I got bitten by ants the other day, and at least one mosquito. Talk about adding insult to injury.