Itch, Itch, Scratch, Scratch: Living with Dermographia

Translated literally, dermographia is "skin writing". What dermographia means for me is incessant, maddening itching that manifests with unsightly welts and redness. The photo obviously isn't of me, but you can see an artistic rendering on this guy's back; the medium is SKIN and a MILD case of dermographia. Mine, sadly is MUCH worse. Basically, dermographia is an allergic reaction to ones own body. When the skin is stimulated, massive quantities of histamine are released causing the swelling, welts, heat and itching. Fabulous! I'm allergic to myself. Sheeesh leave it to me to come up with a way to be allergic to myself.
In years past, I have noticed periods when my skin would itch abnormally, and I remember always being able to make marks on my arms with the slightest scratch, but NOTHING prepared me for a full blown case of dermographia. I am currently taking 6-8 benadryl a day to try and control the transient bouts. While it may be reducing the frequency of the "spells", it doesn't seem to mitigate the severity. When an attack occurs, the itching will be so intense that scratching with the force to draw blood is not enough to relive the compulsion to scratch. I have bruising and scabs from recent occurrences. What triggered all of this? Maybe it was stress or some auto immune issue; maybe it is just my bad luck. I've done some research, and while some afflicted with this delightful malady eventually find that the symptoms subside or go into some remission, many never find relief. I am trying to adjust to a different antihistamine as benadryl has left me in a constant state of drowsiness. A drooling, zombie countenance is not attractive, but the alternative is I become a human scratching post! Now for the glass is half full, rosy glasses perspective on this; it is not deadly!
I will leave on that positive note!
Until we meet again,
Mystic

My Canis lupis familiaris

This is Misty, my 12 year old, long haired, red, dachshund. Please do not be fooled by her sweet countenance, this 'ole girl is a bitch in every since of the word. I do not begrudge her that title. She gave birth to triplets, went through a false pregnancy AFTER being spayed (the vet said it was all psychological...in other words, she is loony!) , and only a few months ago she lost her life long companions Sage and Hunter. In addition, I think she is starting to lose her eyesight, and she has put a few pounds on her girlish figure (frankly that makes me cranky too!).

Misty has always been the loud mouthed, diva of my pack '0 pups. Ask anyone who has knocked on my door, or has crossed the threshold of my home just how loud she is. Her bark is located somewhere on the sound wave spectrum that simply reads PAINFUL , and the repetition with which she produces that horrible din is all too frequent. She has also, very recently,become food aggressive; hummm come to think of it, I am pretty darn protective of my vittles too; I suppose she comes by that little trait honestly.

Now, you are probably asking yourself, why in the heck do you love that little product of Satan? Well, heck she brings me gifts! What mommy doesn't love gifts? I have received, geckos whose conditions range from gecko jerky to very alive and squirmy. I have been the benefactor of a lovely mocking bird, and just recently, I got a fur! Granted, the fur was still attached to its owner, a purtid, petrified rat, but my goodness it is the thought that counts right?

Oh, and I can't forget her daily jaunts in the backyard to seek out the stinkiest carcass or pile of organic refuse she can locate. Once identified as truly the most disgusting square inch of land I own, she will commence her ritual of rolling in it! Ahhhhhh she is my pride and joy!

Now, I have written this in jest; don't get me wrong, every word is quite true, but despite her quirks, noxious habits and dreadful din, I love that little nightmare, uhhhh I mean dog with all my heart. God love her; she is a mess, but she is my mess, and I can't imagine my world without her.
Cheers!
Until we meet again,
Mystic

Thank you to my dear friend Liz for sending this to me a few days ago. If you are a Hamlet, Shakespeare, Hugh Laurie, or Rowan Atkinson fan,(I am all four) you should get a kick out of this sketch. This is what happens when Bertie Wooster meets Mr. Bean wearing Elizabethan tights...



If you are not familiar with Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster in the BBC comedy Jeeves and Wooster, may I offer you a glimpse into some jolly good humor?

Ahhhh the Irony

I suppose it is a wee bit ironic that a blog whose title reads," Words, words, words" is noticeably sans verbiage. Truth be told, I have no real time to devote to a proper blog, but now that it has been created, perhaps I will be inspired to write from time to time.
Until we meet again,
Mystic