iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrlllll tcfdohsc dttests. First was the “itchy skin” test, also known as the scratch test, where
a nurse scratches your back with a pin that contains small amounts of
allergen and watches for a reaction. It turned out that I was allergic to—
wait for it—everything! That includes horses (which might explain my ir-
rational fear of them), dogs (although I’ve had dogs most of my life, while
the cough had just started), trees (all of the ones native to California),
and grass (strangely, I was more allergic to grass than I was to histamine).
I was started on Singulair®, Xyzal®, and a steroid nasal spray, but they
did not help the cough. The second test was called a barium swallow, in
which you drink a whole bunch of chalky liquid so the doctor can image
your esophagus. (Side effect: white poop!)
I received a diagnosis of a small sliding hiatal hernia with spontaneous
reflux—in other words, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), com-
monly known as acid reflux.
I was actually relieved to have a diagnosis! Finally, I had an answer, al-
though I was still puzzled as I didn’t have any of the typical symptoms of
GERD we’d learned about in pharmacy school.
I started on Aciphex®, an acid-suppressing medication used for GERD,
and followed up with a gastrointestinal specialist. He said, “Take two a
day for a few months and call me for refills.”
Soon after beginning Aciphex®, I actually developed symptoms of
GERD—and the cough persisted. I decided to discontinue the Aciphex®.
Instead, I implemented anti-reflux dietary changes and began to sleep in
a more upright position. I also started taking Pepcid®, another medica-
tion for reflux, Mylanta®, and Tums. I believe these medications further
contributed to a change in my gut flora.
Later that summer, I traveled to Poland with my family and experienced
almost daily food poisoning with severe diarrhea for two weeks—another
strike against my gut flora. After my return to the US, I began to notice
hair loss, but I dismissed it on the belief it was all in my head (no pun
intended). A few months later, I underwent my annual physical exam.
September
Thyroid antibodies = 2,
TSH = 7.
Normal T3 and T