Stupid allergy shots.

[kyrielle]

Last time I went in, I got 2 of my 3 shots - the two that needed to step up. The environment reacted to the size of a half-dollar at least. Result, it stepped right back this time. The other - trees and weeds - reacted but not that badly and was a repeat. They're both being mild nuisances today. The grass and weeds, however, which I didn't get last time because it didn't need to step up, made it to 'silver dollar'. So now I assume that next time that one will step back.

Current plan: go in every 2 weeks until mid to late August. Attempt to maintain, make no attempt to step up even if I fall back. Try not to cry in frustration. Try not to forget to ice the stupid things (and take ice pack to work to tuck in the freezer on shot days...sigh).

I am tired, frustrated, and my arm aches. Also, I hate trying to ice my arm with the ice packs we have availble. Once the gel one warms up and I'm forced to one of the others, they are all inconvenient, taking BOTH my arms offline as the side being iced needs the other side to hold the stupid ice thing on. And it's a balancing act to keep the gel on without that, but I'm stubborn. Irritable, prone to tears, and stubborn.

Oh well. If my worst woes are annoying shots and ice packs for my arms, life could be a lot worse. Not that this really improves my mood yet, but it'll help once I'm past the 'arrrrgh!' mood and have rested a bit.

Comments

[kayre]

Have you tried strapping on the ice packs with an Ace bandage? Packs of frozen veggies work almost as well as gel packs, too.

[mandydax.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest something similar like those welcro bands they use to hold iPods on joggers.

[kyrielle]

No - I never think of it and don't have one. Oops. Also, the ones I have, with the exception of the gel, are thick enough the Ace bandage probably wouldn't hold. It's on the upper part of my arm and unless I want to cut off circulation to it, I am pretty sure the bandage would in no way stop it from sliding to my elbow, which would be quite useless. Nonetheless, I may pick one up and try and hope I'm wrong. I hate having to ice these things, so I'm really really bad about not getting around to it. :P Anything that might make it easier, I should probably try, even if I'm not confident of it.

[callibr8]

If you only use the ace around your upper arm, yeah. Try a figure-8 across your shoulders.

Or maybe a scrunchie. The latter works pretty well for keeping an ice pack on my ankle. But then, it's easier to keep an ankle relatively horizontal.

Also - are you having any problems with the site itching? Would Caladryl help?

[kyrielle]

The site itching has been an issue since I started, and yes, Caladryl (or the house brand of same) is lovely. The allergy clinic pointed me at it. Though yesterday the site itching wasn't really a problem as it was more doing the 'bump me and I hurt like the worst bruise ever' thing instead. Grah.

[kayre]

Get a self-stick Ace bandage, if you're buying a new one. They have adhesive like post-it notes, and stay in place beutifully. That way you can wrap them securely without messing with circulation. You'll want a 3-inch wide one, probably. And why not pick up another gel pack?

[kyrielle]

Yeah, I think another gel pack was indicated. I got two - that way I'll have two at home for trading off, and another one that I can keep at work.

And thanks for the recommendation on the self-stick...I got one and will give it a try next time. (Four inches, because the 3-inch looked awfully narrow compared to what it needs to hold in place, and also because the price differential was negligible. Granted I'll end up with a good part of my upper arm encased, if it actually works I don't mind that much.)