What medical conditions could cause medicine intolerance?

Question

I was working in sick building and then one doctor thinks I also have Lyme disease. All of a sudden, after 2 months of medicines, I have severe reactions to any medicine. I end up in ER and at home bedridden for weeks every time I try to take any medicines(including nasal spray). They are not allergic reactions in the sense of my throat swelling up... it's that I can't tolerate them(tachycardia, orthostatic hyper, difficulty breathing...)

It seems that this started the day that I got a MRI done with Contrast... this could be coincidental, but it did start at this same time.

Yes Kathy... my symptoms are autoimmune, but my ANA, RA factor, and SED Rate keeps coming back normal. That's why doctors can't figure it out. And it started after toxic mold building.
I was taking large doses of medicines for 2 months, and it started overnight one night.

Answer 1

If you had Lyme's disease; you defintely will be aware of this sore area in your body. This will be the point of entry that you were bitten and infected by a tick bearing the Lyme's disease. Usually it inbeds itself underneath the skin; making it irritated, inflammed and eventually an infected pus producing sore. My husband still shows the circular scar on his leg. Thank God he didn't have the Lyme's disease which would have created a lot of havoc to his immune system .

From the medical background you describe and as you yourself stated; I totally agree with you on this malady of this "sick building syndrome."

Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort. These symptoms include headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; a dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors. With SBS, no clinically defined disease or specific chemical or biological contaminant can be determined as the cause of the symptoms. Most of the complainants feel relief soon after leaving the building

Causes of SBS are chemical and biological contaminants in combination with air pollutants, inadequate temperature, humidity , poor ventilation and lighting.

Too low or too high a humidity level or changes in relative humidity in a building can aggravate individuals. Too low humidity can increase dust and particulate indoor pollution, and too high humidity can provide a breeding ground for molds and fungi. Poor lighting can increase eye strain and result in symptoms similar to "sick building syndrome." Extreme temperature fluctuations in a building can serve to release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and molds/fungi.


Biological contaminants include pollen, bacteria, viruses, and molds. These contaminants can breed in stagnant water that has accumulated in humidifiers, drain pans, and ducts, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, insulation, or carpet.

Biological contaminants can cause fever, chills, cough, chest tightness, muscle aches, and allergic reactions. One indoor air bacterium, Legionella, has caused both Pontiac Fever and Legionnaire’s Disease.

Inadequate ventilation: In the 1970s the oil embargo led building designers to make buildings more airtight, with less outdoor air ventilation, in order to improve energy efficiency. These reduced ventilation rates have been found to be, in many cases, inadequate to maintain the health and comfort of building occupants

Other diseases to consider aside from MS. . It is critical to exclude other diseases that can mimic multiple sclerosis, including vascular disease, spinal cord compression, vitamin B12 deficiency, central nervous system infection (e.g., Lyme disease, syphilis), and other inflammatory conditions (e.g., sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome). Symptom-specific drugs can relieve spasticity, bladder dysfunction, depression, and fatigue.

An Allergic Reaction to the MRI contrast is unlikely. Although I know of a patient who went into cardiac arrest during an IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram ): of kidney using a contrast medium. she apparently was found allergic to the dye. However, these contrasts are seldom checked or if possible, unable to be done.... a pretesting.; prior to procedure.

If you were tested negative for the above mentioned autoimmune diseases; I would certainly be inclined to consider the "sick building syndrome." - from the microbacterial of molds and fungi biological contaminants. And your best recourse is to stay away from this building or correct the conditions within e.g. , the ventilation shafts, air conditioning, storage of paints, the temperature, and humidity, or to locate and eliminate the source of these contaminants; etc.

Answer 2

All medicines, even simple aspirin, carry the risk of side effects. You can develop allergies or sensitivities to medicines that you formerly took without any problems. Also, drug interaction plays a part. Certain medicines don't mix well with others, and some can enhance, delay or cause a reaction when mixed with others. It's possible that you had a bad reaction to the contrast medium when you had your MRI. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if the medicines you're taking could be interacting with others in your system. Some people cannot tolerate medicines that are trouble free in others. Most health care professionals will ask what medicines you're already taking, including supplements, and OTC drugs,before prescribing anything else. Allergic reactions, by the way, manifest themselves in various ways, not just throat swelling. They can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps, respiratory symptoms, aching muscles, skin eruptions -- the list goes on. So the best way to determine your problem is to find out what drug or drugs, singly or in conjunction with others, is doing that number on you. Best of luck!

Answer 3

have you been tested for Lupus, or MS ???
Autoimmune diseased people usually have a low tolerance for meds..( I have lupus and can't take a lot of meds...including many antibiotics, painkillers, etc...) so you either learn to live with what you have or let it control your life...

Answer 4

Failure to see a second Doctor might explain it.