A minor

A couple years ago, I had a puzzling illness, for which a full and accurate diagnosis was never reached. Well, now it seems the mystery has finally been solved: severe allergic reaction to naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, etc). I had wondered if this might be it, but now I'm sure. (Of course, a couple years ago, I had no idea, so I kept taking naproxen for days as a fever reducer and pain reliever; unbeknownst to me, it was the naproxen that was causing and perpetuating my illness in a vicious cycle.)

So Saturday night, I took some naproxen for a headache, and Sunday morning I woke up with a blistering rash around my right eye and cheek, swollen lips, mouth soreness, and flu-like symptoms. Being the pharmacist's son, I took some antihistamine (Zyrtec), some vitamins, minerals and herbs, and began applying hydrocortisone lotion (Cortane-B), all of which helped, but not enough. I happened to have an appointment with my endocrinologist today, and she said my symptoms seemed like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. She gave me a steroid shot (Celestone) and said she'd refer me to an allergist or dermatologist if I wasn't better in a couple days.

Thankfully I was off Sunday and Monday; I stayed home sick today and hope to go back to work tomorrow.