Mad Libs
much madness is divinest sense to a discerning eye
under the heading of TMI 
28th-Jan-2008 02:52 pm
Sometime this weekend I developed an incredibly itchy rash. Went to the doc today. She said it looks like hives--an allergic reaction. I'm not generally allergic to much, with the exception of poison oak and ivy, and this ain't either one of those. It's all over me. Okay, so far, not on my feet, hands or face, but pretty much everywhere else. Over the weekend I tried oatmeal baths and benadryl. No use. Today I got a shot of steroids and a shot of benadryl, plus slathering myself with Caladryl. The Caladryl at least is having some impact. Reduces the itching to something I can handle. But so far there's no reduction in the actual rash and it's still spreading. I'm hoping that sooner or later the shots will really kick in. But they did make me about pass out on my keyboard this a.m. So I went back to bed.

I started re-reading Patricia Briggs' Mercy series. I'm trying to figure out just what I like about them and how she does it. And I haven't read Iron Kissed yet and wanted to get up to speed with the first two again before I did.

Anybody want to report on good books read this month? I also just got a copy of Flora Segunda by Ysabeau Wilce. It's nominated for the Andre Norton Award and sounded fun.
sauntering
Comments 
28th-Jan-2008 10:03 pm (UTC)
Good books read? I just started one--Path of (something) ;P
28th-Jan-2008 10:03 pm (UTC)
I had that before. I got a rash about two and half years ago. They had me on steriods, and benadryl and an antibiotic. Finally went to a dermatologist who told me that it was indeed poison ivy! blah!

I hope you feel better soon!

I'm reading Libba Bray's Th Sweet Far Thing
28th-Jan-2008 10:07 pm (UTC)
Just got done with Jim Butcher's "Captain's Fury". It was AMAZING!!!!
28th-Jan-2008 10:47 pm (UTC)
OMG I just re-read the Mercy series for that very same reason!

you are one of my soul sisters. It's official.

So sorry about the rash girl....but if it helps any, I get hives all the time for no damned reason and they are misreble!
28th-Jan-2008 11:08 pm (UTC)
so how long do your hives last in such a case? Any recommendations you have?

Of course we are Kindred Spirits. I knew that the moment we met.

Di
28th-Jan-2008 11:46 pm (UTC)
I seem to break out when I'm stressed. Last year I had them for three weeks. My Dr was completely baffled and ended up putting me on a strong dose of steroids to get them back under control. However, most of the time when I break out in a matter of minutes for no apparent reason, I take Benadryl and they'll be gone in 24 to 36 hours.

They are a pain in the A$$!
28th-Jan-2008 11:52 pm (UTC)
....I just ran to look in my medicine cabinent and the specific drug that worked was called Prednisone. You might want to ask your Dr about it because it wasn't until I'd been on it for a couple days that I had any relief from the hives which had spread over my entire body just as yours seem to have done. If yours are anything like mine, they'll just get worse and worse until they are arrested.

AK!

:::hugs Di:::

I'm sorry!
29th-Jan-2008 11:07 pm (UTC)
Yep. I think that's what they shot me up with. It's a little better now, but still itchy as hell.

Di
28th-Jan-2008 11:09 pm (UTC)
I've ... uh ... already read a dozen* books this month, and I've started trying to keep current in reviewing what I read. I did miss the first few books I read this month, but I've mostly been keeping on track since. Knock on wood. Aside from Iron Kissed, my top recommendations from that list are:

- Captain's Fury (The Codex Alera, book 4) by Jim Butcher. I would also recommend Butcher's Dresden books. Sample chapters can be found on his website.

- Child of a Dead God (The Noble Dead, book 6) by Barb & J.C. Hendee. Samples from all six books in this series can be found on their website (The Saga [books], series 1).

- The High King's Tomb (Green Rider, book 3) by Kristen Britain. Sample chapters from all three in this series can also be found on her website.

By the way, I recently read somewhere that Briggs has been contracted to write at least four more Mercy Thompson books. Yay!

* Being a fast reader and having a 30 minute commute on the metro/subway twice a day has its perks.

Edited at 2008-01-28 11:13 pm (UTC)
29th-Jan-2008 11:07 pm (UTC)
Yep, and also three Anna and Charles books I believe.

Di
29th-Jan-2008 12:10 am (UTC)
I just finished "The Metatemporal Detective" by Michael Moorcock and was highly amused. And "Flora Segunda" was love. Twas one of many really good YA novels I read last year.
29th-Jan-2008 03:28 am (UTC)
I keep meaning to check out Patricia Briggs. You recommend, yes?

Right now I'm reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It started slow but it kept me up past my bedtime last night so I've got no complaints. I'm a little over halfway through. Two caveats: it flops back and forth between first and third person AND it's the first book in a trilogy. Neither of those bother me, but they might others.

Sorry about the hives. If you don't mind my asking, what blood test did you have done a few days ago? I remember reading you had to take a pill before the test ... I'm wondering if your hives aren't related.

29th-Jan-2008 11:08 pm (UTC)
most definitely read her stuff. All of it. Not just the urban fantasy stuff.

Di
29th-Jan-2008 03:32 pm (UTC)
Yikes, sorry about the hives! Here's hoping they clear up quick.

I've been reading and re-reading short stories this month. Mostly, I've been sticking to "Bes of (insert year)" for science fiction and fantasy. I've also been going over personal favorite short story and novella authors, like Vonnegut and Stephen King. It's been way too long since I've actively pursued books of short stories, so it's a nice change-up.
29th-Jan-2008 09:51 pm (UTC)
I second The High King's Tomb, by Kristen Britian. Her other two books are great too
Anonymous
30th-Jan-2008 03:25 am (UTC)
The Skewed Throne, which I am re-reading since the first time I think I just inhaled it. I am waiting for book 2 to come in, so I figure I can brush up on the first book. Really great story, highly recommended.

Also reading the newest Stephen King, Dumas Key. It is really interesting. I am not far into it yet (I am reading it aloud to my hubby in attempts to get him to read more), but its got a different intensity and flavor than the SK books he has put out in the past few years. I am not far enough into it to be sure yet, of course, but it feels very personal, and the narration is simply captivating. I highly recommend checking it out.

Also read a great book called Skin, which was a twisty mystery, and a book of short stories - Winter Moon - that I am really enjoying. I've read the Lacky story, and about half the c e murphy, but have not started the Tanith Lee yet. (never read any of this author, so I am excited!) Inbetween, I re-read some Neil Gaimen shorts for fun.

I always have several books going at once, all over the house, car, my purse and work because I never know when I will have the chance to read!

1st-Feb-2008 05:22 am (UTC)
I get hives when I get too much exposure to the laureth or laurel sulfates in common shampoos and soaps. Might that have something to do with it?
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