Rash all over

[Tigger1]

On Sat. 06/12/04 I woke up with a rash on my legs and swollen feet. I didn't think much because it was in a small area. On Sunday it had spread from my neck down. My wife called the pharmacist who said I should take Benadryl. She then called my PCP who got back 2 hrs later, he said not to take it because it could cause my heart to speed up. He said to come in to his office on Monday morning so he could look at it. She then called my cardiolagist who said to take the Benadryl.

They all think it is a reaction to one of the medicines I am on.

I'm taking Cardarone, Cardizem, Coumadin, Lopressor, Percocet, Klopin and Bextra. My Myectomy was 4 weeks ago.

My decision was to wait till I see my PCP tomorrow. Has anybody else ever had this problem. The rash is ugly, big red patches especially on my legs. Any answers would be helpful

Patrick Ekardt
(Tigger1)

GOOD to hear about Jim...

[Linda]

Patrick, If you have any problems breathing or with swollen throat, go to the ER right away. See someone tomorrow, or go to the ER if it continues as it is now. You don't know which med it is, so you may still be taking the one that is causing it. Don't be put off on treating this. Good luck, keep us posted. Linda

[Pam Alexson]

Patrick , the only thing I can comment on is that my brother-in-law developed a rash on his entire torso , mostly upper and it was nasty. It was several weeks after his open heart . They attributed it to an allergy to the adhesive that they apply over the chest at the time of surgery. Then after that they said it was perhaps also a reaction to the suture material. He does not have HCM so he did take benadryl. It did go away but he continued to have areas on his incision that became infected. His surgery was Jan. 12 and he still gets flareups. Hope this helps . Pam

[Tigger1]

No breathing problem or throat problem. The doctors did ask that...

[Reenie]

Benadryl shouldn't speed your heart up. Some antihistamines that contain decongestants do speed your heart up but it's the decongestant that has that particular side effect, not the antihistamine. I hope you get it all figured out.

Reenie

[Sarah]

Benadryl won't speed up your heart. Two Benadryls will put you to sleep. It is NOT a decongestant but an antihistamine. Be sure you don't take any decongestant/antihistamine blends or anything that says "non-drowsy" formula --that will speed up your heart.

(I hope there was just confusion about what you were taking and not that the doctor didn't know what the heck they were talking about.)

It is very unusual to be taking cordarone, cardizem, and lopressor all at the same time. I can't imagine how you have any blood pressure at all under that combination.

As for the rash, are any of the meds new? has anything changed? laundry soap, foods, vitamins, anything? If so, stop it (meds--check with doctor, of course) and see what happens.

Good luck!!

S

[ginnilea]

I work on a floor for patients after heart surgery. We often give them benadryl to help them sleep. use your best judgement. Have you ever taken Bextra before?

Ginnilea

[Largehearted]

Hi Patrick.
The last several times I was in the hospital I developed a rash (hives) a week or so later. This was especially true after any kind of surgery. I never knew what caused the hives and nothing I did seemed to relieve them very much. The were itchy and drove me nuts, but eventually they went away.

Hope things get better for you soon.

Peace,

Leon

[Tigger1]

Thanks to everyone for your quick response. I am seeing my PCP this morning and will post when I get back...

Thanks again,

Patrick Ekardt
(Tigger1)

[Ronnie]

Hi Patrick-

Lot's of things have made me ITCH over the years, from Meds to Laundry Soap, the one cure-all that my Cardiologist told me is safe is Benadryl. I've been taking it (on demand) for years, with the worst effect being sleepiness.
Diuretics always cause itching, for me & last year my Cardio took pity on me & called an allergist who suggested Allegra (not an OTC), which I now take daily (yet I still itch a little, some days).
Always beware of difficulty breathing or an itchy throat.
HAPPY SCRATCHING