On the subject of weird health issues....

[conuly]

I haven't had a case of hives in ages - I think the last one came after I carried a cold bottle of soda home a year ago, but I think I haven't had any others since then. I don't know why hiveyness comes and goes, but I'm sure not complaining. (I mean, my best hypothesis is "stress", but if that's so then this week I should be itching up a storm and I'm definitely not. One of these years I'll take the time to have a professional medical person figure it out.)

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Comments

[conuly]

Reminds me, I need to get the chickenpox vaccine one of these days.

Hives over the eyes sounds really really terrifying and I'm sorry it caused lasting damage!

[marahmarie]

Yeah, thanks. it's not awful (yet) but it'll get there one day. The lid over my right eye droops if it gets too dry, either from soap or dry weather, which started a few years ago and is likely from all the swelling. So for now it's on and off (though once I age enough it will be all-ON, I'm sure).

I wish there'd been a vaccine for it back then as it was the first and only time in my life I didn't think I'd live through something. After that I swore to myself I'd never get *that* sick again, and (just luckily) I never was.

[conuly]

I hope you don't get shingles later on, that sounds worse.

[marahmarie]

From what I've heard it's vastly more painful. I think as long as my immune system stays strong I won't, but that's always (at best) a crapshoot for anyone.

[conuly]

Isn't there a separate shingles vaccine?

[marahmarie]

Yes, there is: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-new-shingles-vaccine-recommended-for-most-adults-over-age-50/.

It's only 90%ish effective and isn't recommended for those allergic to their first shingles shot (you have to get two to make it effective, but I was allergic to chickenpox itself so worry I'd be allergic to the shot).

Also this: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150811103555.htm and this: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6720a4.htm make me think I might just wait things out.