I’m Not Allergic to The Tide

Thursday afternoon was my appointment with the allergist which I had been looking forward to as I was hoping that this would be the solution to my chronic sinus problems. As it turns out, I am allergic to nothing. I can’t really say I’m surprised, but am still a little disappointed because I was hoping some allergy would be the cause of my problems.

For those of you who might be curious as to how things go at the allergist, I am here to fill you in. My appointment was t 1:45 and I arrived at 1:20 and was called back before 1:30 – needless to say, I was impressed with the promptness of this medical office. My blood pressure was checked and was high, which wasn’t much of a surprise because I was a wee bit nervous. I took a few breathing tests and they also pricked my arm to make sure I had not been on an anti-histamine for the past week. That prick – it itched like crazy and I couldn’t scratch it! I was then put in a room to await the arrival of the doctor.

Dr. Kumar had, as Tony warned, gross hands. His fingernails needed to be trimmed and they were exceptionally well, gross; but not crusty as Tony suggested. We talked for a bit about the problems I have experienced with my sinuses and then he left the room so the nurse could come back and start the testing. I had to change out of my top and put on a gown with the back open.

The nurse came in and wrote the numbers 1-42 on my back and then pricked me beside each of the numbers with 42 different things from tree pollens to grass pollens to dust mite and dog dander. After 15 minutes the nurse came back in and examined my back which apparently did not break out and my results were that I was not allergic to any of the 42 items for which they tested.

Next she tested me on my arm with 24 different pollens, etc. These 24 had been tested on my back, but now instead of just a little prick these 24 items were injected under the skin and y’all, these injections hurt like nothing I have ever experienced before. I don’t like needles anyway, and these injections hurt so bad that I am not ashamed to admit that I cried. The nurse kept asking me over and over if I was okay. I probably looked like I was going to pass out.

The injections all came back as negative as well, which I suppose is a good thing. My arm, however, looks like I have measles now due to all the marks left by the injections. The doctor came back in and basically told me that I have nonallergic rhinitis, which basically means my sinus issues are not allergy related. He gave me some nasal spray to use once in the morning and once in the evening and in one month I am to call back and let him know how it is working. If it is working okay then he will write a prescription and if it doesn’t work, then off to the ENT I go. He will send me a summary of my visit in the mail in the next week or so. I’ve got to say, despite his long gross fingernails, I thought he was a very nice doctor and I would recommend him.

As I left and went to check out, the receptionist tried to get me to pay my $300 deductible. When I told her I had already met my deductible, she seemed skeptical, but she relented and only charged me my co-pay. I was thinking to myself, lady it’s almost September, who in the name of insurance hasn’t met their deductible this late in the year? I would like to meet that person and ask them how they stay well.

So, that’s the story of the visit to Dr. Kumar’s office. For the record, I don’t think there’s a Harold working there.