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My nose and me...

9/26/2021

32 Comments

 
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​Hello dear friends, I've a medical adventure to share. 

​It was innocent enough, an advertisement in a magazine for glasses that filtered the computer’s blue light. Better sleep was the claim and clearer vision was the promise. I ordered one right away. My Whiskey Tortoise pair arrived two days ago.

I donned it immediately and by the end of day, I thought I noticed a difference. My eyes didn’t seem as tired, but my nose – something was odd with my nose. I looked in the mirror and discovered it was impossibly larger than usual. The bridge was bright red and otherwise the nose was quite swollen.

I tossed and turned last night, wanting to scratch my nose off my face. And in the morning discovered it had grown even more. How could that be?

Hubby made a quick trip to the pharmacy for Hydrocortisone and Benadryl, in hopes of preventing a visit to a Walk-In Clinic.

The long and the short of it is I’m allergic to something on the glasses. And I suspect I know what that something is.

Several years ago, I had my hair dyed. Unbeknown to me, the dye contained polyethylene glycol (PEG). I had a massive reaction and ended up in the emergency room with doctors and nurses rushing around to help me breathe. Six weeks later, I was still on steroids and other medications. So, what does my nose have to do with my hair?

I suspect that whatever was sprayed on the glasses contained PEG.

I share this because I’m one of the unvaccinated. The CDC instructs that no one with an allergy to PEG can take the vaccine. We all have our reasons for getting or refusing it, but my reason is medical and there are others like me. 

We live in crazy tumultuous times, and I believe the only way we’ll get through this is if we step back and truly listen to our neighbor. You know the phrase about walking in another person’s shoes? If ever there was a time to do so, I suspect it's now. Though that said, I wouldn't want you to walk in mine. 

On a happy note, from hubby's perspective my nose has shrunk just a little. I can't see it, but his words are encouraging.

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Thank God for facemasks, right?? I knew there had to be a bright side to COVID somewhere. 😊 I've got shopping to do, and if nothing else, a mask covers my very special nose. 

Have a wonderful week, my friends. Think twice before buying those protective glasses, and stay safe. 

32 Comments
Mae
9/27/2021 14:16:54

Brave of you to post pic and speak of such a misadventure. I too was thankful for face masks after a recent minor fall that caused unsightly bruises.

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Gwen Plano
9/27/2021 14:20:44

Thank you, Tina. I guess getting old has some advantages -- I care less and less what people think. Big hugs to you...🤗

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Diana Peach link
9/27/2021 16:05:50

What a frightening and unexpected experience, Gwen. I'm glad you're okay. And a great reminder that some of our world community can't get vaccinated. It's up to the rest of us to keep them safe. <3

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Gwen Plano
9/27/2021 20:07:50

Thank you, Diana. I'm extra careful these days. Fortunately, this evening, the company that makes the glasses notified me that they will refund the cost. My nose may suffer for a while, but my pocketbook is happier. 😊

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Joan Hall link
9/27/2021 17:53:54

Oh my goodness, Gwen. What a dreadful experience. I do hope hydrocortisone cream and Benedryl does the trick.

A few years ago, when my husband was in the hospital after having open heart surgery, I kept itching when I went to bed one night. It was so bad that I kept waking up. Earlier that day, my bottom lip had a tingling sensation. Tired of fighting the itching, I got up and went into the bathroom to look for Benadryl. When I looked in the mirror, my lip was swollen about three times the size it should have been and I was covered in hives. I took the Benadryl and was finally able to sleep. The next morning, the hives were all but gone and my lip was normal. I never figured out what caused the allergic reaction, but believe me that was scary.

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Gwen Plano
9/27/2021 20:10:31

Wow, Joan, a mystery that needs solving. You never know if it could happen again. I'm so sorry. These alergic reactions are a bummer, but at least my nose fits under a mask. 😄

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Staci Troilo link
9/28/2021 03:39:35

Oh, Gwen. I'm so sorry! As a fellow allergy sufferer, I feel your pain. I hope the OTC meds work for you so you can avoid a trip to a medical center.

It might interest you to know there are sepia filters you can use on your laptop and phone (and even on the Kindle) to help with the blue light problem. They aren't as good as the blue light blockers, but I've been using them for years, and they have helped my eyes a bit.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 06:32:36

Thank you, Staci. I'm going to check out the filters you mention. They sound like the perfect solution. I suspect the frame on the glasses was treated with something that included PEG. Who would have thought? Oh well...I'm much better today. 😊

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Priscilla Bettis link
9/28/2021 04:06:16

Oh, you poor thing, what an experience! PEG is in everything, lotions and toothpaste and lubricants and laxatives and vaccines and . . . it must be hard to avoid. I suspect it was in the lubrication used to put the lenses in the frames.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 06:21:31

Thank you, Priscilla. I think you're right. As you mentioned, it's in everything and I'm careful about lotions/etc. But, I never thought about the glasses until it was too late. I won't make that mistake again. Hugs. 😊

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Karen Ingalls link
9/28/2021 04:35:52

Such an adventure! Thank goodness your allergic reaction was not any worse.
Thank you for sharing! You are still as beautiful as ever.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 06:19:20

You're sweet to say that, Karen. I feel like I belong in a circus, but at this stage in life, I'm thinking a circus might be fun. 💗

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Mae Clair link
9/28/2021 04:41:04

Oh my word! What a reaction you had, Gwen, and quite scary! I'm so glad the swelling is going down now.
I use glasses with blue light blockers but have never had such a reaction. This post is definitely a good warning and caution for others who might be susceptible.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 06:17:13

I never would have imagined this reaction, Mae. I suspect the company used a cleaning fluid with PEG. No worries though, the reaction is lessening by the day. 😊

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Harmony Kent link
9/28/2021 04:46:03

Oh, Gwen! I’m so relieved the allergic reaction didn’t get worse. I hope you feel some relief soon. There’s nothing quite like a crazy itch you can’t scratch. Hugs and love 💕🙂

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 06:14:09

Thank you, Harmony. I'm better today, so no worries. My daughter is even more sensitive than me. And then there's my granddaughter. Yep, it must be genetic. 🤗

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Jan Sikes
9/28/2021 08:54:45

Oh no!! This is terrible. I do hope it is better by now.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 14:19:50

Slowly but surely, day by day...what a mess. Thanks, Jan. All will be well. 😊

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Pete Springer link
9/28/2021 09:16:37

There is a lesson in this for all of us. Though a big believer in getting vaccinated, there are people who have no other choice not to. I hope that you share your story with the company who manufactures the glasses so that they can offer a warning to potential buyers.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 14:21:27

Thank you, Pete. I've contacted them and offered photos. That scared them into refunding the cost. 😃 I explained that I believe they used some sort of solvent on the frames that caused the reaction. I hope they review their process carefully.

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Marcia Meara link
9/28/2021 09:42:19

Oh my word, Gwen!! I've never even heard of PEG, and I'm sorry I learned about it because of YOU having a reaction! But I'm glad to know about it now, so I can keep it in mind should I ever have a problem. (I'm allergic to a few things, though mostly nasal type stuff, so I appreciate knowing the kinds of reactions that can result from contact with various allergens.)

I hope your nose continues to shrink back to normal and that the overall irritation is short-lived. And meanwhile, please throw those glasses on the floor, then have your HUSBAND stomp on them a few times, sweep them up, and throw them away. (You wait in another room altogether while he does so.)

Here's hoping you never have anything like that happen again! And I'm SO glad you were aware of this allergy and knew to check the vaccines out thoroughly.

Stay safe, my friend!!! 🤗💖

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 14:23:19

Thank you, dear Marcia. Each of us have our stories, don't we? This one was an unpleasant surprise for sure. I'm getting better though and feeling more human by the hour. 💗

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John howell link
9/28/2021 09:49:22

OMG Gwen. I'm glad things are getting better. BTW I never got a notification for this post.

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 14:25:08

That's wierd, John. I don't even know how to change notifications on this site (or if I can). I think the tech gods don't like me. 😁

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D.L. Finn
9/28/2021 10:52:52

That looks painful, Gwen! I've never heard of that allergy but glad you figured out the issues quickly. There are so many things that can potentially affect us we have to be detectives sometimes. Glad you spoke up about people's allergies to shots, people need to understand and open their minds. Feel better and sending healing hugs xo

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 14:27:30

Thank you so much, Denise. Because of my reactions, I'm empathetic to others with similar limitations. Big hugs. 💗

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Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
9/28/2021 16:17:30

Oh my! I’m sorry this happened to you, Gwen. I wish you a speedy recovery. 🥰

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Gwen Plano
9/28/2021 16:37:05

Thank you, dear Vashti. I hope you are doing well. I often think of you and your books. They've come alive during this craziness. 💗

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Yvette M Calleiro link
9/29/2021 04:05:35

Thank you for having the courage to share your story. Nowadays, people are so quick to judge and ridicule. I wish society had more empathy and compassion. I, too, have not been vaccinated. I am not an anti-vaxxer; I've gotten every vaccine except this one, and I've given my son all his necessary vaccines. Unfortunately, I have a condition that seems to be triggered by this vaccine in many people, so I've been recommended to not get the vaccine. I constantly see the posts of people calling the unvaccinated 'murderers' or other vile words. Each person's circumstance is different, and we should respect that.

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Gwen Plano
9/30/2021 06:48:55

Dearest Yvette, often I feel like the scorned in Nazi Germany. The narrative that people are fed elicits the worst and it is so sad. We've all got to hold on to love if we're going to emerge whole from this nightmare. My God bless us all - and especially you today. 💗

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Miriam Hurdle link
10/1/2021 20:20:19

Sorry to hear your allergic reaction, Gwen. What an unpleasant and worrying experience you had with the glasses and hair dye. I wonder what else has PEG!

I'm allergic to some unknow medications (to me and to the doctors to date). I just had rash all over my body that started from one leg, traveled upward to my head and downward to the other side of the body until every inch of my body was covered with puffy bright red inflammation. I had it in 2018 and then at the end of 2019. Both times required hospitalization. The second time last for a lot longer because of the timing between seeing the doctors and my travel. After hospitalization, I was on steroid for six weeks resulting in 80% of hair lost. It took a year to grow back.

I took the risk of taking the vaccines. I had rash from the second dose but it went away in 5 days.

I'm very cautious in taking any prescriptive and OTC medications.

I hope you're completely recovered by now. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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Gwen Plano
10/3/2021 07:08:39

Thank you for sharing so deeply, Miriam. Your experience sounds much like mine. I, too, am very cautious about all medications. It's quite scary to take a new drug - prescription or otherwise. I can't even have aspirin, and it's in a lot of things. Bummer. As for this episode, I'm much better. Not perfect but much much better. Thank you. Sending big hugs...💗

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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