Question:
Does anyone have a latex or penicillin allergy?
I had surgery on Sept 19th,but do to an allergic reaction I had in the OR, my surgeon did not do the surgery, so I went through all the post op pain and have the huge scar but no RNY.(it was very depressing) Anyway, I just found out at I have a latex allergy and was wondering does anyone have a latex or pennicilln allergy, being skin tested for that on friday. My surgeon thinks I had the reaction to the antibiotic he used. This latex thing is new to me. I had a c-section in '92 with no problems and get regular exams with no problems I'm sure they use latex gloves among other things.I have a new surgery date for Nov 3rd but I'm a little nervous about going through this again but I need this surgery I'm 5'8 and 346# I quess I need to know if you were in my shoes would you do it again? It's a scary feeling, I would like to here from anyone of you I'd like to now what you think.(your opinions). Please respond the last time I asked a question no one responded. Thankyou — T E. (posted on October 25, 2000)
October 25, 2000
Hi. Nobody is allergic to latex, nobody. I'm sorry you went through that
pain with zero results. Good luck on the 3rd.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 25, 2000
I don't understand that last post. As I understand it, latex allergy is
becoming more and more common. We are exposed to latex over and over in
our lives, especially in a health-care setting, and some people become
sensitive to it. Some hospitals are even going latex-free because of this
problem. Of course the reaction could have been something else. If the
allergy test shows negative to the antibiotic and to latex, then ask the
surgeon if there is ANY other substance that could have caused the
reaction, and get tested for that too. Good Luck!
— Lynn K.
October 25, 2000
No But I am alergic to the Binder that they make you wear. Everytime I get
it near my skin I break out in a rash and start itching like crazy. I have
to wear 2 - T-Shirts under it and then my binder and my clothes over it, so
if nothing else I will be sweating some pounds off! I am sorry you had so
much trouble, but if all goes well next time it will be worth the wait!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
— Rhonda R.
October 25, 2000
I'd probably do it again - with the assurance that they'd proceed. They
can use something besides penicillin - I'm allergic to penicillin and
morphine. I'd have lots of questions about the latex problem though. Best
wishes.
— Cindy H.
October 25, 2000
Hi, I'm allergic to both penicillin and latex. ( I'm not certain why
someone said "nobody is allergic to Latex"?)...sometimes it's
tricky to figure out if it's the powder inside the gloves, or the Latex
itself. Since I was aware of this before my surgery, my Surgeon has
already planned to use the Latex free gloves as well as anything thing else
that it Latex free he might need. There are plenty of substitutes for
Penicillian as well.
I say that you should go ahead and have the surgery again. Once they are
aware of all of your allergies, they can always work around them.
— Marnie K.
October 25, 2000
For information on latex allergy, which effects about 1% of the population
in the USA (so much for nobody being allergice to latex!!!) just click
<a
href=http://www.aaaai.org/public/fastfacts/latex.stm>here</a>. If
that link doesn't work, the URL is
http://www.aaaai.org/public/fastfacts/latex.stm
— Roseann M.
October 25, 2000
In response to you question. I do have an allergy to pennicillin, also
morphine!!! My surgeon asked me all about this at my
consultation.......Did'nt yours? Yes, GO FOR IT WOMAN!!!!!!! At least
you'll know what to expect!!
— Dina P.
October 25, 2000
I had to respond when I read your post. You stated in the past you had
surgeries where latex was used and you had no problems, but now you are
allergic to latex. In my profession I have found that people do become
allergic to latex when once they were not. I work with a nurse practioner
who 5 years ago wore latex gloves on a daily basis with no problems, but
now can not even touch them without getting a severe redness, swelling and
itching on her hands, she must take Benadryl immediately if she comes in
contact with latex. (By the way the brand, type and manufacturer of the
gloves are the same). I have also had a male patient that while wearing a
latex tourniquet to draw blood had an immediate reaction...literally right
before my eyes, and this young man didn't even know he was allergic to
latex. So who ever commented that there is no such thing as allergies to
latex is grossly misinformed.
— Kim F.
October 26, 2000
I am a registered nurse, and I am allergic to latex and penicillan. There
have been many advances in the latex allergy field. I am sure now that
your doc knows what to expect he can use other materials besides latex and
there are definately great antibiotics for those of us allergic to pcn. I
can imagine the ordeal of surgery with no results BUT try to put that
behind you and go forward. Best of Luck!
— Cindy G.
October 26, 2000
I am allergic to penicillan and it posed no problem to my surgery or
recovery. I just make sure all of my doctors are aware of it. I am sorry
you went through that for nothing, but I encourage you to keep your
November date. It is such a life changing experience. I am down 84
pounds, and I feel terrific. It never would have happened without the
surgery. Do what's right for you and your long term health goals. Good
luck!
— Paula G.
November 1, 2000
I was in fact misinformed. Apparently millions of people have latex
allergies. I am glad to see that hospitals are making accomodations for
this. I'm glad too that my awareness is heightened.
— [Deactivated Member]
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