What's the point of having something if you don't use it?
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (64175)
United States
May 29, 2011 8:46pm CST
Well, I'm sure my friends are getting tired of hearing how I've been sick all week...
Believe me, I'm TIRED of being sick!!!
So, today I said - to myself - "I'm going to shot myself..."
***long pause for everyone to start typing***
I'm NOT talking about with a gun, I'm talking one of my allergy antigens!
Now, I only have so many of these antigens, and I can't get any replacements, so every one I take is one less in the future... but if I AM having an allergy reaction, why should I just suffer? Especially since I seem to be getting WORSE rather than better...
Within an hour of the shot I was feeling better.
No, not 100%, but better.
The stomach wasn't trying to turn over and vex me, and I can't tell if the gut calmed down because of the Imodium or the shot, but its calmed down.
I still had a headache, so I took some Goody powders the roomie had.
Aspirin said "oooo empty stomach! must make hurt!" but the head was happier - and the stomach was a totally different sort of pain than I have been having...
I've also been up longer than I have been all weekend, granted that's only about 5 hours, but still!
So, do you sometimes find that you are almost out of something and don't want to use it because it might be hard/impossible to replace?
I'll have to do a discussion about my allergist sometime...
8 people like this
27 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
30 May 11
No it is not tiring ElicBxn, you need to discuss sometimes so you do not hold it in and further upset the stomach. Whichever it was I am just glad the stomach is feeling better.
I get these life long headaches for which nothing to date has been ruled out as to the cause. Doctors prescriptions to not help, but Excedrin does. Which my doctors find amazing. I try to stock up from time to time because there is not a single day I do not get a headache, as I get at least twice a day.
There are times I am running low and know I will not be able to afford any, any time soon and I have to think if a chronic headache and or migraine is worth saving the Excedrin for. Well, I give in and none at all foreseeable , is better then the excruciating headache at the moment. lol
GG has offered me some home remedies for which I have noted to try on the out of Excedrin days. 
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
30 May 11
Hi there 
Yes I have been having headaches and migraines since I was 8 years old. No tests to date show any pathology to prove the reasoning. The Excedrin at times do irritate my stomach but are the only pills to date that actually alleviate. If I try to experiment with anything else and not take the Excedrin I have been in bed for 3 days straight and in great pain. 8 out of 10 times I take the Excedrin and within 20 - 30 minutes get instant relief.
My headaches are attributed to stress and more so these days because I have a lot going on offline. Even when the day is smooth I do not know how to relax as I am a worry wart. I don't know what it is like to live a day headache free. It is quite hard to deal with.
Wow Mrs. Hatley seems like the tension and stress was quite difficult for you growing up.
Yes I have been having headaches and migraines since I was 8 years old. No tests to date show any pathology to prove the reasoning. The Excedrin at times do irritate my stomach but are the only pills to date that actually alleviate. If I try to experiment with anything else and not take the Excedrin I have been in bed for 3 days straight and in great pain. 8 out of 10 times I take the Excedrin and within 20 - 30 minutes get instant relief.
My headaches are attributed to stress and more so these days because I have a lot going on offline. Even when the day is smooth I do not know how to relax as I am a worry wart. I don't know what it is like to live a day headache free. It is quite hard to deal with.
Wow Mrs. Hatley seems like the tension and stress was quite difficult for you growing up.1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
30 May 11
Mine started at 11, and Imitrex would be my personal favorite "fix" but mine really ARE migraines... the neurologist vouched for me on that!
at one point I was actually on another med daily after the anesthesia gave me a migraine (for MONTHS) after my 3rd surgery in 1998
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
30 May 11
I understand what you mean about not wanting to use something that you might not be able to replace.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169568)
• United States
30 May 11
So no other allergist will give you antigens? I have a friend here who knows a good allergist. I give her her de sensitizing shots on a monthly basis, her wimpy husband will not, and that is another story as well. Have you looked for a new allergist? I am glad that the shot helped. I can take aspirin, or aleve on an empty stomach, but Ibuprofen kills my gut. Here's to feeling better.
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
30 May 11
Dr. Brown was ONE OF A KIND! He recommended some allergists when he retired, but the only local one, when I called the office, didn't "hold with those things or those tests" so I never went...
at least my GP understands about the seriousness of my allergies...
a number of years ago (and we are talking early 1980's) I took something (zinc I think) on an empty stomach and I have NEVER been the same about meds on an empty stomach!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
30 May 11
I'm wondering why you can't get more of the antigen from your allergist.
I would definitely have taken the shot! I have always figured that anything I have and can't or don't use is useless and just taking up space in my house (or my head). If you need it and it will make you feel better, do it!
I have some pain medication that belonged to my mom and I know I can't get anymore. It's very powerful and I rarely take a whole one and I know I can't get any more. But when I need it, when I'm in pain and can barely move around, I don't hesitate to take it! That's one less day of misery I'll have in my life and that's what the stuff is for.
I'm so sorry you've had such a miserable weekend. Sometimes our body just doesn't cooperate.
2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
30 May 11
Yes. My meds. Co-pays cost me about $450 a year. You bet I try to hold on as long as I can! 
Maggiepie
"The patriot's blood is the seed of freedom's tree." ~ Thomas Campbell
Maggiepie
"The patriot's blood is the seed of freedom's tree." ~ Thomas Campbell@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
30 May 11
??? You know I already do that!
Maggiepie
"Flush twice; it's a long way to Washington." ~ Source unknown
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
30 May 11
I feel blessed that god ensured I have good health. I take care of me. The worst I have is tooth problem. Other than that, as fine as a fiddle. Touch wood.
I do occasionally gulp down B complex tablets, and iron tablets, and calcium tablets. That is because I had sores around my mouth and thanks to Internet it resembled everything out there, including cancers. Anyway, it turned out to be B complex (foliate) and Iron deficiency.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
30 May 11
I wasn't, in fact, if I hadn't gotten to this allergist, I probably wouldn't have seen 50...
I think those 2 years of reactions helped to give me fibro, well, if it didn't start sooner because of the totaled cars... but having an allergic reaction from 1984 to 1986 when I finally saw him really had me very sick! I actually had a personality change while I was so sick...
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 May 11
I really hope that you are still feeling better and getting even more better
How comes you can not get the Shots any more for your Allergie I mean if it helps you
Have they discontinued or something
Please get better as it does not sound good that you have been sick this long, get it checked out if it does not stop
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
10 Jun 11
I'm really frugal when it comes to using any sort of product...the way I see it is the less I use, the less I have to buy and yes, I totally understand putting off the inevitable when something is about to run out. Also, medicines are getting so expensive, even on the government scheme we have here.
@BarBaraPrz (51838)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 May 11
Why can't you get replacements for your antigens?
(Or is that why you would like to discuss your allergist?)
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51838)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 May 11
And your GP can't prescribe the stuff?
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
31 May 11
I feel that way about almost everything. Not that it's impossible exactly but groceries right now are hard enough to pay for even with cutting corners. So extras like hair styling products are cherished and I use them for example only on the days I work.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
31 May 11
The waves in my hair look better and less frizzy with mouse. I don't care what I look like at home so much it's just when I'm at work mainly. I go thru alot of clips and headbands.... if they are not missing (thanks to the girls or misplacing them) they are broken. I tell ya dollar tree makes some good money off me when I have the money to buy new hair clips ect.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 May 11
Hope u are feeling better. It is the pits to feel bad all the time. Take care of yourself.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
30 May 11
Upon reading the title, I thought you're gonna talk about an old pair of shoes or pants or the like; I didn't expect you'd talk about meds.
Well, medicines are made to cure us so it's obviously pointless to keep them just so you'll have some left.
I've had this pair of sneakers I didn't use because my feet have grown too big for it but didn't want to throw away or give away because it's expensive, it's a Marithe Francois Girbaud.. so now you know. When it got stolen a while back I got furious, I went to the store and bought myself another pair. The whole thing made me realize I've just unintentionally gave the shoes away and bought myself another one.
Well, medicines are made to cure us so it's obviously pointless to keep them just so you'll have some left.
I've had this pair of sneakers I didn't use because my feet have grown too big for it but didn't want to throw away or give away because it's expensive, it's a Marithe Francois Girbaud.. so now you know. When it got stolen a while back I got furious, I went to the store and bought myself another pair. The whole thing made me realize I've just unintentionally gave the shoes away and bought myself another one.1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
30 May 11
well, I hope you replaced them with some that actually FIT!
Oh, I certainly know about keeping things even if they don't fit, I have a few of those things... but rather than cost its sentiment... I may make something from one of them - a pillow perhaps... when I don't have crazy bad cats to ruin everything!
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
31 May 11
Cats can be a hassle, I know. Maybe the ones you need to replace are those hairballs.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
6 Jun 11
Hope you are feeling better now than when you first started this discussion my friend. I know when you do not feel Good, it is no Fun. The only medication I have to worry about is when I get my Migraines as for some reason my Insurance only pays for 4 at a time, and not all the pharmacies keep this one in stock. But since it works I usually keep some for when I do get a Migraine. Why is this not something you can get again? Just do not carry it, or your Insurance no longer covers it? It is a shame when you know there is something that helps you when you get sick, and there is no way you can get anymore.
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
24 Apr 12
I'm that way about my MaxAlt, which is for my migraines. They cost $100 a pill and I tried to get them through Merck for free, but it is a royal pain in the tookus. It seems like every time I apply they find problems on the application, so it's a minimum of 6 attempts to get the medication for free. So, I don't take it on a whim! I only take it when the migraine is so bad that I can't even think of getting out of bed...and that the only other option is crawling in a hole and shooting myself to get rid of the pain. Right now I am totally out, and am going to print out the application AGAIN only this time I am going through my pain clinic doctor. Hopefully this time it won't take 6 attempts to get the medication.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
9 Jun 11
Your symptoms sound so much like those of my daughter whom I have started discussions on but she has been tested for all sorts of allergies and that doesn't seem to be it. They did find that she has "Rhinitis" which is post-nasal drip.I hope that you get whatever you need to help you to feel better, ElicBxn!
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
9 Jun 11
has she been tested for food allergies?
the only way (since my doctor retired) to do so is with an food allergy elimination diet
Of course, the second time I went on that the first thing I eliminated was the DIET!
I am feeling much better, the shot seemed to have fixed me up!
@GemmaR (8517)
•
30 May 11
If your medication makes you feel better, then you should certainly use it without question. There is no point in you being ill when it is so easy to give yourself and your body a break by just taking your medication. We only get one chance at life, so why not try to make it as good as you can; you don't want to waste any of your precious life by feeling ill when you don't need to, do you? I often take a lot of persuading to take painkillers when I am ill, but those pills are the difference between me having to stay in and me being able to go out, so I usually take them in the end.
1 person likes this
@burrito88 (2774)
• United States
30 May 11
I had (and maybe still do have) allargies when I was young. I started getting allergy injections when I was 7 and kept getting them for over 40 years. I was mostly allergic to ragweed pollen, although dust, mold, and cat hair were also problems. When they discovered dust mites, I was allergic to them and they changed my injections. When I moved to Savannah in 1995, I found out I was allergic to pine tree pollen and again my shots were changed. When I was young I had bouts where my nose would get totally plugged and I would have to sit in the bathroom with hot rags on my forehead trying to clear it. I also got a lot of head colds which doctors now tell me were allargy attacks. After losing my heath coverage, I stopped getting the shots and so far, luckly I haven't had any major problems. I was always afraid that I was one of those who would regress. When I do periodically feel someting coming on, I take loratidine, which for me is amazing stuff compared to the other less effective pills I took when I was younger.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64175)
• United States
30 May 11
My allergist said that you can build up tolerances to allergens with the shots and so long as you don't become "desensitized" as in, you aren't around the allergen for a while, you can stay off the airborne shots for a while - with food that doesn't happen
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
30 May 11
Luckily I don't have any allergies but I have a lot of friends who do. It seems this year they are soo much worse. Probably because of the strange weather we are having. My back hurts a lot of times and I have pain pills but I don't want to take them all. I don't want to become addicted and I also don't want to need a refill. Going to see the doctor is a pain, and sometimes they won't give you a refill unless they see you. Maybe before the pills run out you will find another doctor who can get you more!
