Questionable Allergies?

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Do you ever get people who list allergies to things, specifically medications, that you know are not an allergic reaction? I had a lady who listed an allergic reaction to Macrodantin as "lady partsl itching" (It's called a yeast infection, sister). There was also one who listed the allergic reaction to Vicoden as "depression". I just thought it was strange for someone to say "Oh, no, I'm allergic to that, it makes my lady parts itch.":lol2:

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I'm a bit sleep deprived and see that now in your original post. I don't understand why it's hard for some to understand that you are only allergic to one type. It's not like if someone is allergic to one antibiotic that they are allergic to them all. Ya know?

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I answer yes to allergies with Phenergan, but then quickly explain that it's not an actual allergy but rather a very bad reaction. When I was given Phenergan in an ER once for nausea due to pneumonia and promptly discharged I had a bizarre reaction. I got dizzy and strangely restless. I almost climbed over the car seat it was so bad. I can't quite explain it. Anyway, I have no problems with Compazine and indicate that.

Could someone clue me in about Phenergan? I'm a student. I have heard RN's refer to Phenergan as problematic for "the little old ladies" but I don't know specifically what they meant and why?

Ok, I just looked up Phenergan in Medscape again. I didn't notice Extrapyramidal reactions listed as a side effect when I looked before. That is what happened to me. Is this why I've heard Phenergan referred to as problematic for some of the elderly?

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Specializes in Radiology, L&D.

I had to have Lovenox prior to a surgical procedure. It burned like the:devil: when the injected but I thought that was to be expected(the burning lasted about 20 minutes) I went to surgery, and it lasted about 3 hours langer than normal because according to the surgeon, I "oozed" and they could not get it to stop. I eventually wound up getting 4 units of blood and had to be treated with Vit. K for several days before my coags were back to normal. The whole side of my body that was injected with the Lovenox was the biggest darkest purple bruise I had ever seen.:uhoh21: Anyway, bleeding is a side effect of Lovenox, but my MD said to say I was allergic to it, as I was to NEVER have it again.

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Ok, I just looked up Phenergan in Medscape again. I didn't notice Extrapyramidal reactions listed as a side effect when I looked before. That is what happened to me. Is this why I've heard Phenergan referred to as problematic for some of the elderly?

Yep, extrapyramidal reactions are a side effect and also of Droperidol (Inapsine). My #2 son had that reaction when I gave him a shot of Droperidol when he was 15. It isn't just little old ladies.

I encounter the same stuff and when someone lists a med as an allergy (when it is really a side effect), I ask them first what the symptom/s are of the drug for them. Then if not a true allergy I educate them about side effects.

Why not teach our patients the truth?

steph

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Yep, extrapyramidal reactions are a side effect and also of Droperidol (Inapsine). My #2 son had that reaction when I gave him a shot of Droperidol when he was 15. It isn't just little old ladies.

I encounter the same stuff and when someone lists a med as an allergy (when it is really a side effect), I ask them first what the symptom/s are of the drug for them. Then if not a true allergy I educate them about side effects.

Why not teach our patients the truth?

steph

Dh and DD went out of town with DD on augmentin (her first pen exposure and she does have a hx of allergies). DH calls me after about her fifth day of meds and says that's she is having a terrible allergic rxn. Is she breathing? Yes, she's got diarrhea like you've never seen.

Um, honey, that's what we in the business call a side effect. ;)

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Specializes in ER, OR, Cardiac ICU.
Why not teach our patients the truth?

In his best Jack Nicholson voice:

Because they can't handle the truth!!

I do try to separate then educate allergies versus side effects. However, some patients just want to have their allergies so who am I to take them away?

Marie, I had the rep from 3M tell me all the adhesive on their tapes were the same compound- Durapore, Transpore, Sticktoanythingpore (okay, I made that one up). She went on to say it wasn't really the tape that caused the reaction but "some substance the patient had on their skin that was trapped by the tape..." I had to excuse myself to hop back onto the turnip wagon I fell off of earlier in the day ;)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

That rep might want to go back to coporate for a few refreshers courses.

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"oh yes, i'm allergic to morphine. if i have a lot, my breathing slows down and i get very sleepy"

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Specializes in NICU.
"oh yes i'm allergic to morphine. if i have a lot, my breathing slows down and i get very sleepy"[/quote']

Reminds me of a girl I knew in college. She was very naive and had been very sheltered by her grandmother growing up. One night we were celebrating after we finished another clinical rotation, and we offered her some champagne. She said, "Oh no, I'm allergic to alcohol. I once had some, and it made my heart go faster and I got a little dizzy."

:uhoh3:

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In his best Jack Nicholson voice:

Because they can't handle the truth!!

;)

Still, I'm going to keep on trying to educate them.

steph:banghead:

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