YOU CAN SUDDENLY DEVELOP AN ALLERGY TO MEDICATIONS:
A few weeks ago, I had to go to the urgent care for a skin infection that developed over the weekend. The doctor asked me if I was allergic to any medication and I told him no. I was prescribed an antibiotic ointment and oral Bactrim, which is a sulfamethoxazole drug (sulfa, for short). I know I've had sulfa drugs in the past, including Bactrim, but it's probably been at least 15 years. The prescription was for 10 days. On the morning of the 10th day, my inner right arm started itching and I noticed red bumps developing. I thought it was from pulling weeds the day before. Within a few hours, I had a rash from my neck to my feet. It resembled measles, which freaked me out a bit, considering the recent outbreak, thanks to anti-vaxxers. I spent some time online and decided it was indeed an allergic reaction to Bactrim, and it was quite common for it to not show up until the end of the prescription. So strange, considering I made it this long in life without any prior medication allergies. I spent 5 days on Benadryl and the rash eventually disappeared. Now I'll be worried about any antibiotic I'm prescribed in the future.🙄
JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD USE IT FOR PRESCRIPTIONS:
Our RX insurance changed at the start of this year so that my husband's maintenance med for GERD was no longer on the 'preferred drug list,' despite it being a common, generic drug. Previously, we had paid about $140 for a 90 day supply with insurance. I went to CVS to find out how much it would be under the new rx policy and was told it was $550 for 90 days. Isn't that nice? I drove over to Walgreens and discovered it was $600 there. The pharmacist was kind enough to tell me to go online to goodrx.com. How did I not know about this website?? You type in your zip code, prescription name and how many days supply you need and you are given a list of prices for area pharmacies. You have to print out a coupon and use it that week, as prices seem to fluctuate. The first time, I found it for $68 at a grocery store pharmacy. The next time, it was cheapest at Walgreens (down to $46). Of course, you have to go through the rigamarole of transferring the Rx each time you switch. I've also had to stand and wait at pick-up because they always run it through insurance (I don't know if it's the doctor's office giving them our insurance info or if there's just no privacy in the drug world) and I have to tell them I'm using the goodrx coupon instead of insurance. The trouble is worth it to save $500!
I hope what I've learned can help someone else.
Too bad the prescription wasn't for 9 days.
ReplyDeleteDrugs and the prices are so confusing. I had a prescription for a drug, a three months supply, 18 pills. Insurance only paid for 6 pills and I paid through the nose for the rest. After two years I found out the insurance would only pay for 6 pills at a time but I could get them every month. Made no sense and cost me big league (biggly) until I found out. Made zero sense to me.
That's down right infuriating! The insurance company or the pharmacy should have told you that from the beginning. Ripoff!
DeleteI've seen GoodRX on tv a few times. It's good to know it works. I'm not allergic to any medications right now but I'm so sensitive to so many of them. I have to take anti-nausea meds with any pain killer and even then they make me sick. I had contrast dye with an MRI and the contrast made me so sick omg. I'm glad you figured out what it was and was able to treat it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had one wisdom tooth removed at age 40, they insisted I take a painkiller and I was SO sick to my stomach after I said never again! Pain is preferred!
DeleteYep, I have heard that you can develop allergies even with pills taken routinely daily. It is interesting how our bodies work. Son is allergic to sulfa; same with you he broke out in rash/hives but it was like 2 days into his treatment. He's taken other antibiotics since with no problems. Hubby is allergic to iodine and some shellfish. He had an anaphylatic reaction to that so he avoids it of course (though I bet they could work around it if he needed it with premedicating with Benadryl and the like).
ReplyDeleteI have heard of GoodRX. I see a lot of commercials for it on TV. Thankfully we aren't on any medications so I haven't had to look into it to see what their price may be.
Thanks for the warning!
betty
I have heard of people becoming allergic to shellfish after years with no issue, which sort of freaks me out! That's great that neither of you are on any meds whatsoever. You are in the minority!
DeleteMy theory is you my have allergies to farmed shrimp, but not ocean shrimp.
DeleteWell, that's interesting, Joe! Never heard that theory.
DeleteIronic; a couple of our kids have penicillin allergies, and so sulfa drugs were crucial for them.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started on the Insurance Follies, and the endless cycle of "It's your doctor's fault"; "No, it's the insurance's fault". . . More fun than a human being ought to be allowed to have, right there. . .
One of mine has a penicillin allergy; now I'm worried I will, too! And yes, the insurance company will often blame the doctor's office, "They coded that wrong" being the common excuse for not paying.
DeleteI knew about the allergies and figured insurance screws all over when they get even the inkling of a chance. You can develop allergies to darn near anything as life goes on, sadly. I have a reaction to friggin more food than not, ugg.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure if your food issues were allergies or preferences. That does indeed stink!
DeleteEvery time someone makes a bold comment about not wanting the government in health care, I just comment about not wanting insurance companies deciding my treatment... I’ll have to check out that website.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
I don't want either deciding my treatment!
Delete".....it was $550 for 90 days. Isn't that nice? I drove over to Walgreens and discovered it was $600 there...."
ReplyDeleteOH.MY.GOD!!!!!!! I cannot even fathom those prices!?!? Thank god for the pharmacist who was kind enough to inform you about the website. I mean, how is it possible that some places are charging $600, yet you found it for $68 and $46 at difference places?!? And that's not a "little" difference, that's a "HUGE" difference!
Happy to read that your allergic reaction subsided. How scary was that?! I read somewhere that people can suddenly have an allergic reaction to antibiotics, even though they were perfectly fine with them previously.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, my friend. Definitely helpful.
Have a super weekend! X
Aren't those prices insane? I think the pharmacist felt bad for me when he looked up the price! And how dumb that a paper coupon changes the price like that. It's such a game . . . that none of us want to play!!!!
DeleteI did freak about my rash, worried that I'd suddenly have problems breathing, too!!!! My husband about fell over when I showed him my stomach. It really looked like the measles!
As far as I know I have no allergies to anything, except a mild allergy to wheat products like bread (my nose gets a bit runny). But maybe I might develop an allergy in later life? Very glad I have the NHS, which means I never pay anything for a prescription. $550 for a 90-day prescription is unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteIt was so strange for me, because the only previous reactions I've had were to a cayenne pepper type seasoning (gives me blood blisters inside my mouth) and sodium lauryl sulfate, which gives me canker sores.
Deleteuseful post...thank you for sharing
ReplyDelete# I learned about allergic from you
I'm glad you found it helpful.
DeleteHey! Thanks for sharing the goodrx link. I'd never heard of it but I will be passing it on. I seem to pass on just about everything from your blog! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I can be of help!!!
DeletePrices between $46 and $600...??? That's what's wrong with our f-up health care system. Don't get me started... Thanks for the info on goodrx.com!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how scary your reaction to your medicine must have been. I'd be worried about not being able to breathe all of a sudden, too!
It's terrible that prescriptions are such a game, especially because it's the elderly who are least able to play the game. And terrible that those who pay for health insurance are getting screwed. To think I was paying more than twice as much all those years with insurance. Insane.
DeleteYep, allergies can develop literally overnight. Could be just one of those things, could be just a slightly different formulation than last time, or in my Mom's case could be all in your mind!
ReplyDeleteI am a government regulation hater but pharma is one place where the government really needs to intervene. When I was unemployed we had a few prescriptions to fill and it was whacky. One item had cost a $50 co-pay when insured but when uninsured only actually cost $20!! Thieves and bandits .....
Another item for our daughter that had also had a $50 copay was suddenly free with a manufacturers coupon that we could not use while 'insured'. Meanwhile a third prescription that had been free under insurance now cost around $150 with no assistance available.
Wacky is the right word, as it makes absolutely zero sense. As much as we pay to have health insurance, it's just not right to then be tricked into paying more than everyone else for the same product.
DeleteOh, God, Bijoux, I'm sorry! What an awful experience. I hope you're feeling better. And thanks for the tip goodrx.com. I'd never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteI'm completely back to normal now. I think the rash lasted 5 days. Take care!
DeleteYou can suddenly develop an allergy to anything. Ask anyone who says they are immune to poison ivy - until they aren't.
ReplyDeleteIt's insane the way insurance companies work.
The allergy business is frightening and hopefully most reactions are mild. And I've always thought poison ivy was poisonous to everyone and not really an allergy. Yuck.
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