Turns Out, Not So Bulimic

There was panic in our house tonight. Long story short, K2 and I don't think I'm going to die anymore.

My neck is a bit better today and, although I thought I was walking a little less like the Humpback of Notre Dame, turns out I wasn't fooling anyone. Unsolicited advice about treatments for my neck came from colleagues, students and office mates. Everything from chiropody, to massages, to hot and cold treatments were mentioned. As well, many people offered their preferred pharmaceuticals to help alleviate the pain/inflammation. Since my stuff wasn't working, I chose to take the advice of K2's officemate and take something specifically for inflammation. Problem? Right after I downed it with a glass of water, I had a brain flash about my allergy to sulfa.

Join me, if you will, in a flashback a la Wayne and Garth:

Doodle Loo Doo, Doodle Loo Doo, Doodle Loo Doo....

Two years ago, my doctor gave me a prescription for meds containing sulfa. Many, many people have allergies to sulfa. However, upon taking half of the medication, I broke out in a full body hive that made me look almost fluorescent. Not a pretty site and when my doctor saw me, she said that the likelihood of anaphylactic shock was extremely high as a result. No more sulfa for me, was the grave direction and all of my medical files were updated to reflect this.

Doodle Loo Doo, Doodle Loo Doo, Doodle Loo Doo....

So, upon remembering this allergy I quickly Googled the medication and found that its principal ingredient is...you guessed it: SULFA.

Panic.

K2 instructed me to get my butt to the washroom to try to bring up the pill. I have never, EVER, tried to make myself sick before and had no idea how to even go about it. Try as I might, with the guidance of my K2, I could not do it. A failure at trying to save my own life. Sigh.

I made a decision then and there; no more panic. I was going to sit down, eat the rest of the rice I had made and breathe. K2 watched my skin for signs of fluorescence and I monitored my breathing. All was well.

It is now four hours later and I am still breathing and still a pale Irish white.

Good times.