Micaela: Problems with multiple medicines (II) – Allergies and intolerances to medicines

Micaela
Female
Age at interview: 38
Number of medicines: 21
Cultural background: Anglo-Australian

Micaela has unpredictable allergic reactions to things like food because of the effects of the immunosuppressants she is taking for Crohn’s disease.

Because I'm on immunosuppressants, for example, and I've noted that more recently I'm allergic to things ... I seem to be having allergic reactions to things that I've never reacted to in the past. Because I've been having allergic reaction to things that I haven't ever been allergic to before, for example, I got stung by a bee and had an allergic reaction to that and quite a serious one, because I had an anaphylactic reaction to that, it makes me more nervous, of course, about what am I eating, what have they put in that. 

You know, I made myself an omelette with all ingredients that I've never had a problem with before, that I know are all good. I think I added some vegetables and onion and various things. Didn't add any herbs. Something in that seemed to spring a reaction and I've made that particular omelette with those ingredients before and I've never reacted that way. So, of course, that curtails ... or in my mind, of course, I'm a bit careless with that too, because I think, ‘Oh, for God's sake! 

I still want to go out and do the things I'm doing.’ I still want to go out to dinner with friends and, if they cook something for me, I know most people are careful and ask me. But if it's something I don't know, it's so frustrating. The only way I can do it ... I mean, I've had to have a fresh allergy test, which I'm waiting for the results of to see if anything shows up there. At least, I can identify it and avoid it in future. But if it's just ... sometimes, apparently, it can be a one-off as well.

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The Living with multiple medicines project was developed in collaboration with Healthtalk Australia.