Last night, on my way home from work, I decided to head to a walk-in clinic instead of my typical after work workout. When I arrived at the walk-in clinic I was amazed it was only going to be an hour or so (apparently they'd JUST reopened from a closure to clear the backlog) ... it's my lucky day.
I see the Dr, she's kind, but I explain what she's looking at has affected me for almost 30 years ... it's just another "spell". I'd given up wheat over a year ago, that seemed to help, but it still goes on ... still persists. The nice doctor, reviewing my chart prescribes a certain medication ... but comments it could be an issue with my allergies. I informed her I'd been on it previously (about 6 months ago) without any side effects. So, she writes my script and I toddle off. I'm feeling rather lucky that my clinic visit only ate up an hour of my night, not the normal three hours.
This morning I wake up, feeling a bit out of sorts. I'm dizzy, slightly foggy and my lips are swollen and purple. I'm not making the connection, I just think I'm coming down with something ... so I jump into my car and drive the hour drive to work. When I get to work, I decide to google "side effects" of the medication I was prescribed. Of course my symptoms come up ... but under the "Allergic Reaction" section.
CRAP
So, I figure I'll just stop taking it, and see if I can get into my Dr later in the afternoon and get a new med ... then I think ... hmmmmm .... perhaps screwing with an allergic reaction isn't the best idea ... so I call Telehealth Ontario ... and things happened pretty quickly.
After 10 minutes on the phone with an RN, she's transferred me to 911 and they're sending an ambulance with lights and sirens. I send an interoffice IM to my HR manager:
Hi .... I'm sitting in my office upstairs having an allergic reaction to medication
They're sending an ambulance with lights and sirens
If you'd be kind enough to let them in, I'd appreciate it.
Needless to say she was at my door in under 30 seconds ... I was still on the phone with 911. I didn't really want to disturb the workplace, so she and I went downstairs and waited for the ambulance ... when it came, everyone came running out, I'm waving them back in yelling "relax, it's for me, I'm okay" ... stopping them from pulling out the gurney and hopped in the back to talk to them.
They informed me that they couldn't kidnap me, but the STRONGLY recommended that I let them take me to the hospital ... this is the first time I felt fear. Yes, perhaps it was a good idea to hang with the medical professionals while I was in this state.
At the hospital they fast tracked me (kinda a bonus having an allergic reaction that could be life threatening) ... and I finally saw the doctor. He not only prescribed the right meds to resolve the allergy, but he actually diagnosed what sent me to the walk in originally. HOLY HELL, I've been SUFFERING from this for almost 30 years. Seen countless doctors and "experts" and no one could tell me what it was, or what caused it, yet this doctor FINALLY did.
So ... while it was a tad embarrassing to be whisked off in an ambulance, it's worth FINALLY getting the diagnosis I've hoped for, for so long.
Time to heal, and enjoy myself!
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