Allergies

Since the beginning of October, I have been struggling with allergies.   Off and on, something had been causing facial swelling, hives, and a skin rash.  I had several suspicions of causes; soap, foods, latex, bed bugs, etc, but it kept coming back.  It was exhausting to have such annoying reactions for two months (in addition of course to my fractured ankle). 

After my walking boot was removed, the allergies came back, and on my travel back to the US, they came back stronger.  On my international flight back to the US, my reaction started and by the time I landed in Cincinnati, I had almost completely lost my voice and my cheek was swollen.  For the first 3 days in the US, I had hives and rashes constantly.  The Friday after thanksgiving, I finally put 2 and 2 together, and realized that it was aspirin/ibuprofen.  When I got my walking cast taken off, the doctor put me on a once a day aspirin to prevent blood clots, and the day I left for the US, I had a headache all day long, and so was taking ibuprofen every 6 hours.  This all built up, and caused the strong reactions. 

Monday of this week, I had a strong pain in my back, and so, thinking I was being safe, I took Aleve (since it was not aspirin or ibuprofen), but I also had a reaction to that. 

So, I began to do further research, and it appears that those allergic to aspirin also have reactions to ibuprofen and Aleve.  Tylenol is supposed to be safe.  Not sure how I developed this allergy, but at least I have FINALLY figured out what it is and can now avoid it. 

Thank all of you for your prayers.