I know I'll see your face again

[venta]

I seem to be having a virulent and unwelcome bout of autumnal hay fever. All the usual sneezing nonsense, but also badly irritated eyes. The usual prescription-only antihistamines appear to have been having no effect at all.

This morning, despite apparent uselessness, I grabbed the little silver blister pack from the kitchen shelf. I seem to be ridiculously clumsy at present, too, and I batted it onto the floor. It fell pills-down, and I noticed the name on the foil: Naproxen.

Now many of you may be leaping ahead here. Naproxen is not an antihistamine. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Critically, it is the NSAI which made me really ill last year. Well, that explains the recent bad stomach, too.

Now, there is no danger of me getting these two mixed up. The packets are different shapes, although the actual tablets look pretty similar. But what's this? Past-me had, for some unknown reason, cut the end off the Naproxen packet making it exactly the same size as the antihistamine packet. I have no memory of doing this. I have been duly taking the wrong thing for some time.

Pros:
1. I have now started taking actual antihistamines, so have reason to believe the hay fever might recede.
2. I have accidentally blind-tested myself, and demonstrated the side-effects of Naproxen are not psychosomatic. Yes, I had complained of a bad stomach to a reliable witness before I discovered the mix-up.

Cons:
1. Really bad eyes for a few days.
2. I feel like a complete fool.

PS If you're reading, zandev, sssh ;)

Comments

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

It has to be asked... if you react to Naproxen why is it still on the kitchen shelf a year after you noticed a reaction?

I admit I have kept a box of OTC paracetamol despite no longer being able to take it, in case of visitors with need of it, but it doesn't live with our daily meds. :)

[venta.livejournal.com]

Actually, I found it in a suitcase recently, thought "ah, great, a full packet of antihistamines" and put it on the shelf!

I do still have Naproxen (in the house, but safely corralled) in case my hands get bad enough that I decide the bad stomach is worth it.

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

*g* Yeah, fair enough then. :)

[bateleur.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on doing some SCIENCE! (You pillock.) (Hope you feel better soon...)

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Oh goodness I was prescribed Naproxen once, I took one dose and regretted it for rather a long time