You know, diabetes really sucks ... but sometimes it takes a backseat to other things that (at least currently) suck more.
Right now, for me, that's my allergies.
My allergies have been completely out of control. I've spent the last two months feeling as if I've had a continuous cold, and this weekend (tonight, actually) I hit my breaking point. I've been taking extra-strength antihistamines, decongestant nasal spray (only the past two days), and allergy eye drops. Nothing prescription, yet. Despite all that, the past few days I have been blowing my nose and sneezing non-stop, my eyes and nose and mouth and throat and ears are so intensely itchy that they sometimes feel like they're burning. I've been using my asthma inhaler almost daily, which isn't good. I've had a headache for two days from sinus pressure (and my hearing is all muffled from it, too).
The other day I woke up wheezing and with my throat so clogged and swollen I couldn't swallow. I ate out the night before so I'm suspicious that it may have been a food allergic reaction. But overall, the combination of my symptoms is getting ridiculous and seriously affecting my daily life.
Tonight I could not stop sneezing and actually found myself wishing for a bubble or a gas mask! I'm allergic to so many things that it's impossible to avoid them all (dust and dust mites, cats and dogs, multiple tree pollens, multiple grass pollens, multiple weeds, multiple molds, feathers, etc.). In a month I'm going to a conference where there will be many guide dogs. I was there last year and could barely participate because of allergies. I'm scared for this year ...
Sometimes I feel like a hypochondriac because I seem to go to the doctor so often. But other times I feel like I put up with ridiculous symptoms before I finally go to the doctor to ask for help. I've been recommended allergy shots, but just can't commit to the schedule for those at this time in my life. I asked if I could do them at home, and the doctor said they are the same as insulin shots so I would know how to do them, but no to at home due to the risk of a life-threatening reaction. In the meantime, I'm stopping by the clinic tomorrow (I currently don't have a GP) to see if they can give me anything.
I have an endocrinologist appointment on April 4th for diabetes stuff. I have some additional stuff I need to talk to him about since I don't have a GP (related to ongoing foot/ankle issues and I suspect carpel tunnel syndrome), so will be doing that as well. I will be happy if my A1c has stayed the same; I've put virtually zero effort into my diabetes lately between work (two jobs) and school (in the midst of my thesis). My plan is that when I'm done school, my health is going to become my Number One priority.