Katie literally saved my life last week

Hey guys,

I wanted to share something personal with you. I have mentioned in the past some personal things about my life (my divorce, having to euthanize George my Beardie, my kidney transplant, and some things about my fiancé Katie), but rarely go into any detail.

I very much feel like part of the community here, and consider my BP.net peeps as extended family. Still, I tend to air on the side of caution when sharing personal info.

Having talked a lot about Katie, I think it's clear there have been bumps in the road with me moving in and bombarding her small and quiet house with more dogs and reptiles. I sometimes discuss her adjustment to reptiles and try to be as fair and empathetic as possible, while still being honest about some of her hesitancy, at times.

I have been given a second shot at life because my mother gave me a kidney in 2012, but also a second chance at a happy life and love, because I met Katie in June 2016 and we fell in love.

Now, I also owe Katie my life, she literally saved it last Wednesday.

I'll try to be brief.

I got the flu at the beginning of February (the flu symptoms lasted about a week). I am immune suppressed so I do not reject my new kidney, and get sick often and easily. Over a four week period I had a fever on and off (more on) and a persistent cough. I also got a stomach bug in there and spent a weekend vomiting all over the place. By the way, few things say "I love you" more than taking apart a radiator at 4AM to clean it and half a room because I just sat up in bed and projectile vomited. In case you didn't already know, Katie is an angel.

The cough got worse in weeks 3-4 and I went back to the doctor (for the 4th time that month). He was worried that being immune suppressed and still coughing like crazy, I could get pneumonia, if I wasn't already heading there.

He put me on Doxycycline (an antibiotic) on Tuesday, 2-27-18. The next morning, I woke up at 5AM with itching and hives all over my body. Katie told me to take Benadryl (by the way, Katie is in the medical field and has a doctorate in physical therapy). I did and the itching subsided. Katie said not to take the Doxycycline again and call the doctor first thing in the morning. I did, he said I probably had an allergic reaction to it (which I thought was weird because I had never had an allergic reaction to anything before), to stop it, and start Levaquin (another antibiotic of a different class).

So, at 2PM on Wednesday, 2-28-18, I took my first dose of that. At around 6PM, my lower lip felt a little funny, like I had bit it, and it was swelling at the bottom left corner of my mouth. I didn't think much of it. Katie came home at 6:30PM and said, "what's with your lower lip?" I looked in the mirror and my whole bottom lip was swollen and 3-4X it's normal size.

Katie ordered me to take Benadryl immediately. I did. By 7:15PM, my upper lip matched my lower lip, and the Benadryl was, seemingly, having no effect.

Katie told me to get in the car and she was taking me to the ER. I said, "it's just an allergic reaction to the doxycycline. I will take more benadryl and go to sleep."

She would not take no for an answer and made me get in the car and call Yale Transplant to let them know I was headed to the ER. We live in CT and I had my transplant at Yale New Haven Hospital. When I get sick I call ahead and they triage me to avoid me getting sicker in the ER waiting room. We live about 50-60 minutes from Yale. The car ride felt like forever, not because I was in that much discomfort, but because Katie was obviously nervous, and speeding.

When we got to the hospital, they pumped me full of prednisone (I take 10MG a day normally, but they gave me an additional 60MG). By 3AM, the swelling had largely subsided, and they sent me home with orders not to take any more antibiotics, to follow up with my GP and Nephrologist in the morning, and to take 40MG of prednisone a day for 4 days and then go back to my normal 10mg.

When I got home, I emailed my nephrologist a picture from the ER (see below) and a description of what had happened.

The next day, I get a call from my Yale Nephrologist, from his cell phone. We usually joke around and are both on a first name basis at this point and also have a great rapport.

He was very serious and said, "don't ever take Lisinopril again. You have angioedema." To back up, I have been on Lisinopril for 11 years. It helps control blood pressure (common with kidney problems) and also helps kidneys' last longer, although they do not fully understand why.

I said, "what? What's angioedema?"

You can google it if you want specifics, but basically it's when your blood vessels leak fluid out into your skin tissue, causing itching and hives, then swelling of the mouth. If untreated, it quickly spreads to the tongue and throat causing death by asphyxiation.

Stupid me, I am thinking the doctors are right and it's antibiotics, take Benadryl and go to bed. Not only did my GP misdiagnose it, but so did the ER.

Apparently, if you are going to get angioedema from Lisinopril, it almost always happens within the first week of taking it. However, in rare cases, it can occur at any point during treatment. Even 11 years later! Your body can basically flip a switch, for whatever reason, and stop tolerating the drug.

Thank G-D, the treatment for angioedema and an allergic reaction to antibiotics are virtually identical.

Also, Thank G-D for Katie. My nephrologist said if I hadn't gone to the ER, I probably would have been dead by morning, if not soon after.

Very thankful to be alive today and have Katie by my side.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._1144_copy.jpg

Wow, you went through quite the rough time !! I'm glad your doctor figured it out before it got worse, close call there !!!

And Katie sounds like a GEM !!!

Hold on to her, there is nothing more precious in life then to have such a great person by your side...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zina10

Wow, you went through quite the rough time !! I'm glad your doctor figured it out before it got worse, close call there !!!

And Katie sounds like a GEM !!!

Hold on to her, there is nothing more precious in life then to have such a great person by your side...

---

Yeah, good thing, huh? Face it, you guys would have missed me :rolleye2:!

I couldn’t agree more. So happy to have Katie! She’s not just a gem, she’s an angel.

Oh man...you had the right people, in the right corner, in the precise right time. Thank you Katie for getting you to the ER and wow.....just wow. I have nothing else but wow!

Damn, close call my friend!!!! I'm glad you gave in and let her take you to the ER.

I guess maybe there is something in a name...
My girlfriend's name is Katie as well, and she also works in health care as an RN...and...she also literally saved my life a few years back, but that's another story for another day.

Anyway, I'm happy you're still with us, got that scare out of the way and have an amazing woman in your life. Hang on tight and don't let go. In this crazy world we're living in true love seems to be rare, so once you've been lucky enough to find it, don't lose it.

Happy thoughts, best wishes sent your way.

Sending good thoughts your way and a kudos to Katie.

Oh my goodness! What a scary awful close call!! So glad you're still here to tell us about it. Katie sounds like an amazing person. The good ones can be hard to find and I'm glad you did.

BTW - women pay a lot of money for "allergic reaction lips". That pic would be quite the inspiration for some. ;)

Wow! Glad you're ok bro. Hang in there!!!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

WOW! it sounds like you're on the mend so yay! thank goodness. and thank goodness for katie!!!

Good to see you pulling through my friend, stuff like this gives you a new appreciation for life. Keep trucking buddy!:gj:

Better call your rack guy for an enclosure for that angel you have!!

i wonder what the hot and cool temps should be for an angel ;)!!!

glad you are ok!!

There's nothing better, in this crazy thing we call life, than sharing it with someone who is fiercely devoted to you! :-)

<><Peace

Wow, what a story. Glad you have a smart girl and a great medical team!

So do you now have an Epi-Pen on hand?

Its often our (what we think is a PITB sometimes) wives/significant others/Family that make good calls on these types of things. Glad things went well and you listened to her advice.
Thanks for the update. Its funny how these forums can bring people into our lives. You do form a bond here and there with people you share a common interest with. I always think about the ones I seem to click with and always pray for the best in their everyday lives.
Thanks for sharing with us Bro. [emoji1360]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeeesh, you had quite a time! Very glad everything turned out alright, and kudos to Katie for knowing it was time to take it seriously!

Wow!! That’s terrifying! So glad that you are okay and have a guardian angel in the home taking good care of you [emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There have been so many wonderful and thoughtful responses to this post.

First of all, it makes me happy that I shared it with my BP.net family! Secondly, I cherish every day. I have since my kidneys began failing when I was 23 and I almost died. Even more so when my father dropped dead suddenly at 58, when I was 25. Going through the transplant, and maybe surprisingly, the divorce, and then meeting Katie, that just cemented it for me. Appreciate what you have! Cherish every day! Carpe Diem!

It may sound weird, but my kidneys failing was a good thing for me (hear me out and I don't wish it on anyone). It made me stop and look around and appreciate life. Before that, I was just an invincible kid floating through life. It made me focus on my goals and the people I love (and animals too!).

Again, I don't wish it on anyone, and I wish I wasn't sick, but it is what it is and I can't change it. I am just glad I figured out what is important in life; many people never do.

Also, if this story, or my whole story, inspires other people to grab life by the horns and make the most of every day, then it was worth it.

Hugs and kind thoughts to all who read and contributed to this post!

Yay Katie! Yay dakski still with us!

Note to self, since I take lisinopril...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

Wow, what a story. Glad you have a smart girl and a great medical team!

So do you now have an Epi-Pen on hand?

---

Thanks Reinz. No need for an Epi-Pen as I should never have symptoms again, as long as I don't take that medicine ever again!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Yay Katie! Yay dakski still with us!

Note to self, since I take lisinopril...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

---

Yeah, just be aware. Also know that, as far as I know, it isn't a 30 second reaction and you die. It takes a few days.

So if you get hives and itching and certainly if you get any swelling of the mouth/lips/face etc. call your doctor immediately or go to the ER.

The problem I had was they assumed it was the antibiotic.

Not everyone gets the reaction, certainly if they've been on it for a while. I was an unusual case. However, doesn't hurt to be aware as it can happen.

Be safe!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

Not everyone gets the reaction, certainly if they've been on it for a while. I was an unusual case. However, doesn't hurt to be aware as it can happen.

Be safe!

---

Understood, just a mental note since I do take it. I don’t remember that on the list of possible reactions, but its been quite a while since I’ve read that one. :)



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Wow! Talk about a close call. You apparently still have a purpose on this earth.

Also, it OK to say "Thank God." No one here will be offended by that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MasonC2K

Wow! Talk about a close call. You apparently still have a purpose on this earth.

Also, it OK to say "Thank God." No one here will be offended by that.

---

I hope so! I have more I want to do for sure.

I am Jewish. In Judaism we cannot write G-D's name. Hence, the work around. We have a word in Hebrew we can say and write that refers to G-D, but cannot say, or write it, directly.

G-D's name is too powerful for human mouth and ears.

Not meant to avoid offending anyone, just working within the confines of my belief structure.

Thank you, and everyone, again, for the kind words. It means a lot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

I hope so! I have more I want to do for sure.

I am Jewish. In Judaism we cannot write G-D's name. Hence, the work around. We have a word in Hebrew we can say and write that refers to G-D, but cannot say, or write it, directly.

G-D's name is too powerful for human mouth and ears.

Not meant to avoid offending anyone, just working within the confines of my belief structure.

Thank you, and everyone, again, for the kind words. It means a lot.

---

Oh wow! I had thought it was only the formal name (Jehovah) that was forbidden. I may ask you some questions separately. My faith, Christianity, is derived from Judaism. It would be cool to talk to a practicing Jew to understand a modern Jewish views and understanding of some things. I am sure you guys have to deal with similar misunderstandings that we do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dakski

Hey guys,

I wanted to share something personal with you. I have mentioned in the past some personal things about my life (my divorce, having to euthanize George my Beardie, my kidney transplant, and some things about my fiancé Katie), but rarely go into any detail.

I very much feel like part of the community here, and consider my BP.net peeps as extended family. Still, I tend to air on the side of caution when sharing personal info.

Having talked a lot about Katie, I think it's clear there have been bumps in the road with me moving in and bombarding her small and quiet house with more dogs and reptiles. I sometimes discuss her adjustment to reptiles and try to be as fair and empathetic as possible, while still being honest about some of her hesitancy, at times.

I have been given a second shot at life because my mother gave me a kidney in 2012, but also a second chance at a happy life and love, because I met Katie in June 2016 and we fell in love.

Now, I also owe Katie my life, she literally saved it last Wednesday.

I'll try to be brief.

I got the flu at the beginning of February (the flu symptoms lasted about a week). I am immune suppressed so I do not reject my new kidney, and get sick often and easily. Over a four week period I had a fever on and off (more on) and a persistent cough. I also got a stomach bug in there and spent a weekend vomiting all over the place. By the way, few things say "I love you" more than taking apart a radiator at 4AM to clean it and half a room because I just sat up in bed and projectile vomited. In case you didn't already know, Katie is an angel.

The cough got worse in weeks 3-4 and I went back to the doctor (for the 4th time that month). He was worried that being immune suppressed and still coughing like crazy, I could get pneumonia, if I wasn't already heading there.

He put me on Doxycycline (an antibiotic) on Tuesday, 2-27-18. The next morning, I woke up at 5AM with itching and hives all over my body. Katie told me to take Benadryl (by the way, Katie is in the medical field and has a doctorate in physical therapy). I did and the itching subsided. Katie said not to take the Doxycycline again and call the doctor first thing in the morning. I did, he said I probably had an allergic reaction to it (which I thought was weird because I had never had an allergic reaction to anything before), to stop it, and start Levaquin (another antibiotic of a different class).

So, at 2PM on Wednesday, 2-28-18, I took my first dose of that. At around 6PM, my lower lip felt a little funny, like I had bit it, and it was swelling at the bottom left corner of my mouth. I didn't think much of it. Katie came home at 6:30PM and said, "what's with your lower lip?" I looked in the mirror and my whole bottom lip was swollen and 3-4X it's normal size.

Katie ordered me to take Benadryl immediately. I did. By 7:15PM, my upper lip matched my lower lip, and the Benadryl was, seemingly, having no effect.

Katie told me to get in the car and she was taking me to the ER. I said, "it's just an allergic reaction to the doxycycline. I will take more benadryl and go to sleep."

She would not take no for an answer and made me get in the car and call Yale Transplant to let them know I was headed to the ER. We live in CT and I had my transplant at Yale New Haven Hospital. When I get sick I call ahead and they triage me to avoid me getting sicker in the ER waiting room. We live about 50-60 minutes from Yale. The car ride felt like forever, not because I was in that much discomfort, but because Katie was obviously nervous, and speeding.

When we got to the hospital, they pumped me full of prednisone (I take 10MG a day normally, but they gave me an additional 60MG). By 3AM, the swelling had largely subsided, and they sent me home with orders not to take any more antibiotics, to follow up with my GP and Nephrologist in the morning, and to take 40MG of prednisone a day for 4 days and then go back to my normal 10mg.

When I got home, I emailed my nephrologist a picture from the ER (see below) and a description of what had happened.

The next day, I get a call from my Yale Nephrologist, from his cell phone. We usually joke around and are both on a first name basis at this point and also have a great rapport.

He was very serious and said, "don't ever take Lisinopril again. You have angioedema." To back up, I have been on Lisinopril for 11 years. It helps control blood pressure (common with kidney problems) and also helps kidneys' last longer, although they do not fully understand why.

I said, "what? What's angioedema?"

You can google it if you want specifics, but basically it's when your blood vessels leak fluid out into your skin tissue, causing itching and hives, then swelling of the mouth. If untreated, it quickly spreads to the tongue and throat causing death by asphyxiation.

Stupid me, I am thinking the doctors are right and it's antibiotics, take Benadryl and go to bed. Not only did my GP misdiagnose it, but so did the ER.

Apparently, if you are going to get angioedema from Lisinopril, it almost always happens within the first week of taking it. However, in rare cases, it can occur at any point during treatment. Even 11 years later! Your body can basically flip a switch, for whatever reason, and stop tolerating the drug.

Thank G-D, the treatment for angioedema and an allergic reaction to antibiotics are virtually identical.

Also, Thank G-D for Katie. My nephrologist said if I hadn't gone to the ER, I probably would have been dead by morning, if not soon after.

Very thankful to be alive today and have Katie by my side.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._1144_copy.jpg

---

That's insane! So so glad you're okay :( It's amazing to have someone who cares so much about you <3

:cake::pinkele::fest: KATIE! KATIE! KATIE! :fest::pinkele::cake:'

But seriously, so glad your okay. Hope it's not weird, but I really think of you guys on here like family! You've helped me so much, and so many others in this forum! Again, so scary!!! Happy your alright!!!

That's absolutely terrifying! I'm so glad you're okay and thank goodness for Katie! Seriously what an angel! I think everyone can agree that we'd like to have you stick around!

WE OWE YOU KATIE!