One month before our departure for a year of summer, we are in full preparation mode: packing for the first leg of our trip, gearing up for the bike trip, setting aside clothes for a friend’s wedding and figuring out what is left to put in storage.
Preparation takes many forms beyond packing. On Saturday, we conducted an experiment to find out whether Eric was allergic to the Acetazolamide we were prescribed to prevent or reduce symptoms of altitude sickness. Eric recalled having an anaphylactic reaction to a sulfa drug when he was an infant and has avoided sulfa drugs ever since. The doctor at his travel clinic said, “Acetazolamide isn’t really a sulfa drug. It only has one sulfa ring.” We, of course, have no idea how many sulfa rings are important for an allergic reaction, but she suggested he take two doses in Boston where we would be close to medical care if something went wrong. Apparently, altitude sickness is concerning enough that this experiment is a reasonable idea.On Friday night, we researched Acetazolamide, sulfa drug allergies, and altitude sickness and ultimately convinced ourselves we’d rather have a sulfa drug reaction in Boston than high altitude pulmonary or cerebral edema in unfamilar Bolivia. The research also seemed to indicate allergic reactions to non-antibiotic sulfa drugs are less common than to antibiotic sulfa drugs (the culprit in Eric’s infant case).
And so, on Saturday morning, we found ourselves awake at 8am and walking in the direction of Brigham and Women’s Hospital emergency room as Eric took the first dose. If there was going to be a reaction, we wanted to be close to help. It was a beautifully sunny morning, but chilly, and we were both half asleep and feeling a bit phlegmy. When you are on high alert for anaphylaxis, this is a bad situation. As we walked, Eric tried clearing his throat, coughing from time to time. He assured me it was innocent throat clearing, not throat closing, but it was hard to be sure. Then he took a deep breath, let out a big sigh and tried to persuade me it was just a breath and a sigh, not a sign it was getting harder to breathe. I was starting to feel some chest tightening and throat narrowing in anticipation and sympathy.
As we walked and time passed, nothing serious actually happened. We found ourselves in Mission Hill, a pretty neighborhood in Boston neither of us had ever been and wandered into a delicious brunch spot, Milkweed. After brunch, Eric was still completely fine.
Later, Eric found out from his mother that while he did have an allergic reaction to antibiotic sulfa drugs, it was a rash, not anaphylaxis. The antibiotics were for croup, a virus that can make airways swell, hence the confusion. Since he didn’t have any reaction this time around, we think we are in the clear for Bolivia.
Marielle has same issue. She had hives two times it they came after she would finish the medication. Let’s hope Eric will get acclimated to the high altitudes and no medication will be needed.