I learn something new everyday

So my reactions to latex range from welts, stinging "burns" and anaphylactic.  I'm dealing with some seasonal allergies, nothing new, and all of a sudden I am reacting to latex all the time.  They opened a new box of rubber bands at work and I was feeling so crappy.  I have a habit of touching my face, so wearing barrier cream on my hands may help my HANDS but not my face!  I discovered a simple solution, I brought the rubber bands home and my husband washed them for me, let them dry and brought them back into work.  I am still reacting, but no where near as bad as I was.  I would still like to not use rubber bands at all, but have yet to locate the size required for work in a non-latex alternative.  This is where I miss healthcare, plenty of medical offices are going latex free.  There are only two dental offices that are latex free in this town (did I mention I moved?), not much of a labour market to find a job.  Now I'm in a law office, miss my patients from dental, but I still feel like I'm helping people.

I Thought I lost it

I've been looking for a new job in a new town, quite the chore.  After what has seemed like very successful interviews, I don't get the job.  I'm now being told that I can't mention my latex allergy.  These people have all asked me why I've changed careers, because I wanted to make $7 an hour less than I was???  That's stupid, but it's what I've had to do for safety.  I'm at a loss, and going to try to revamp my job search, too bad some of those jobs I already interviewed for would have been a great fit.

Looking for a new Dentist

Well, seeing as I am unable to go to me previous dentist because they now use latex dental dams in their office and I have reacted adversely, I looked up the College of Dental Surgeons to find a non-latex dental office in my town.  They only listed one office, I went in there today and about the time they were explaining to me that they do have latex but they wont use it on me my throat began to close, for lack of a better description.  It feels awful, like your being strangled from the inside!  Then my face began to feel like it was burning; my neck, chest and hands as well.  I was able to take my pill; "ye-haw avoided the epi-pen." But I got home and just started tearing up, this blows!  I just want my life back, is that too much to ask?  Now I'm being told that I should retire my licence to practice as a CDA. I'm only 35.......I know I have to change careers, but the word retire makes me feel like I should have a pretty good nest egg built up and that's just not the case.

I may have found something to do!

So, I was looking into trying to become a Pharmacy Tech. But discovered that I wouldn't be able to do the training because of my latex allergy, although working in that field would be ok if I stayed in retail. Now I'm thinking, how about Accounting? I like numbers and if I get even worse with my allergy then I should be able to work from home. It looks like a little more schooling than I originally was prepared for but "your never to old to learn," right? In the meantime I seem to keep myself occupied with coupons, a whole new thing for me now that I'm out of work. I can't believe you can go to a store and only pay the tax on some items and not actually have to pay for the items. I've probably gotten $70 worth of stuff in the last two days and only spent $15! Well I guess it doesn't take much to keep my interest. I am on the search for some underwear that doesn't bother my skin though, and I DO NOT sew. I was thinking of e-mailing the different companies to ask, has anyone already tried that? You know, I thought I'd try an experiment a few weeks ago, I actually walked into a dental office here and asked if it was a latex free environment, knowing full well that it wasn't, the receptionist insisted that it was safe for me even after I explained to her the extent of my allergy. Some people, actually most people, don't have a clue about this allergy.

Hi, are you like me?

Well, this is the first time I've ever blogged.  I was diagnosed with Type 1 latex allergy and Oral food syndrome almost two years ago.  Since then my whole world has been shaken.  I was in the health profession, my employer supported me by supplying the correct materials for about a year.  Then all of a sudden they switched to a cheaper latex product and I had an anaphylactic reaction and am no longer able to go back to work unless they get rid of the latex.  They decided to keep the latex and get rid of me.  That was low.  My whole family has been affected.  Where I can eat out, depends on what type of gloves the kitchen staff wear while prepping the food.  Some buildings I walk into have something in the air because my throat closes up pretty quick.  Some of the clothes I'd like to wear have latex in the elastics.  Some days I feel like I should be in a bubble.  So now I have to find a new career, wish me luck and let me know if you have experienced anything like this.  I you need to talk.......