Worried 2 weeks after exposure to eucalyptus, still side effects, not sure what to do

[c0mfortably_numb]

see latest post for current update


I know this may sound stupid, but I've been suffering with bronchitis and chest pain for 2 weeks. I'm not working right now, so I don't have health insurance, the walk in clinic I went to gave me antibiotics which didn't help much.

So I was reading in a few natural health books that I have, that eucalyptus oil added to a pan of steaming water will make you breath easier and help with the coughing.

Later that night I felt a cold tingly feeling (like what you get from muscle rubs) in my feet, in my nose, in my throat, in my hands basically everywhere. Also I reused that pan that same day after washing it, so I was unsure if it was possible I ingested any :001_unsur I called the poison hotline later that night because I researched online that eucalyptus can be toxic if ingest, but the poison hot line told me not to worry.

So this is about 4 days later and I still have some of those feelings, I had to go to the ER over the weekend because I still have the Bronchitis and chest pain. I also explained to the ER doctor my encounter with the eucalyptus and how I still feel funny from it and they to said not to worry, it will run it's course. But I am worried that I still have these symptoms 4 days later....

Anyone else ever had an adverse reaction to eucalyptus?

 

[amphead]

Look up phenol, menthol poisoning on google. I believe they are the active ingredients.
I am not a doctor, just a concerned head-fier.
I hope you pull through!

 

[The Pieman]

I am from the place where eucalyptus originates, I have never heard of a negative reaction to it. Are there other ingredients mixed with that are causing the grief.

Simon

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pieman /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am from the place where eucalyptus originates, I have never heard of a negative reaction to it. Are there other ingredients mixed with that are causing the grief. Simon

I'm finally feeling a little better, but the stuff I used said it was pure eucalyptus essential oil. I definitely won't go near the stuff again lol, not sure if I should ever reuse that pan (it was a good stainless steel pan) I scrubbed it and soaked it in vinegar and threw it in the dishwasher's pan cycle.

As for my bronchitis I still have a cough but not as bad, and the chest pain is still there. When I was at the emergency room they said I had something called costochondritis which is some kind of swelling of the chest wall. I called my regular Dr. back to follow up and all he told me was if the chest pain doesn't go away I need to go back to the ER, I can not afford to go back to the ER so hopefully I'll just get over this.

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

About 2 weeks ago, I inhaled eucalyptus to try and aid my chronic Bronchitis. I also at this point am still wondering if I ingested any from reusing the pan later that day (stainless steel).

In any case since the exposure my eyes have been dry and burning, my feet are like blocks of ice, I have a slight burning sensation in my nose and mouth. Right now I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks and there still ice cold. And on top of all this still have the Bronchitis.

I was in the ER last week and I told them what's going on and they said it needs to work through my body and not to worry, I called and spoke to my doctor and he told me not to worry also. I just don't think I should have these symptoms this long, and don't know what to do.

Should I waste time going back to the ER or am I just worrying to much? I just don't want to have any permanent damage from this stupid miserable mistake, all I was trying to do was make my self better and all I did was make my self a lot worse

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0mfortably_numb /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was in the ER last week and I told them what's going on and they said it needs to work through my body and not to worry, I called and spoke to my doctor and he told me not to worry also. I just don't think I should have these symptoms this long, and don't know what to do.

When did you call your doctor last?

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samgotit /img/forum/go_quote.gif When did you call your doctor last?

Sorry I typed that out to fast, I called and ended up going in there about 3 days ago. He just put me on another round of Antibiotics for the Bronchitis, Amoxicillin. I was on Cipro about 3 or so weeks ago. He just agrees that I'm sick, he didn't say anything as to why my feet are so cold.

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0mfortably_numb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry I typed that out to fast, I called and ended up going in there about 3 days ago. He just put me on another round of Antibiotics for the Bronchitis, Amoxicillin. I was on Cipro about 3 or so weeks ago.

I think at 3 days now you should call again and be a little more proactive (read: semi-jackass

).

Write down all of your symptoms and how long you've had them. When you get your doctor or his nurse on the phone, read the entire list off.

Just curious: do you have asthma?

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samgotit /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just curious: do you have asthma?

Yes I do, also the main reason for the ER trip, I been having really bad chest pains. They did an EKG and chest x ray, they said I have Costochondritis (swelling of the chest wall)

I wrote down a list and read it off he more or less just stood there, he is more worried about some GI issues I been having since last year, and loosing 94 pounds.

I'm unemployed and just got to where I can see a doctor occasionally through the county. The ER trips are going to cost me big time, but just don't know what to do, I have to see the doctor they tell me to go to, I can't just switch.

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0mfortably_numb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes I do, also the main reason for the ER trip, I been having really bad chest pains. They did an EKG and chest x ray, they said I have Costochondritis (swelling of the chest wall) I wrote down the list and he more or less just stood there, I'm unemployed and just got to where I can see a doctor occasionally through the county. The ER trips are going to cost me big time, but just don't know what to do, I have to see the doctor they tell me to go to, I can't just switch.

I am not a DOCTOR! But I was just plopping around some some research databases and saw a few interesting abstracts:

Quote:

Eucalyptus is known as a potential cause of cutaneous diseases due to contact with oil or pollens, and of respiratory allergic diseases due to exposure to pollens. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in which symptoms appeared to be exacerbated by Eucalyptus pollens and by ingestion of an infusion containing Eucalyptus. Specific IgE were positive for Eucalyptus pollens and negative for common aeroallergens. Our report shows that Eucalyptus may elicit asthma and rhinitis with an IgE-mediated mechanism both by inhalation of pollens and by ingestion of herb infusions, and suggests that care should be taken in administering herbal medications in asthmatic subjects.

So it seems possible that the eucalyptus may have been an issue (even though many with asthma use it as a remedy). What can't be said from this is if the early exposure is still exasperating your condition??? Or if it even had any effect on you at all. You had problems before you used the eucalyptus. This needs to be discussed with your Doc.

This is nothing but a little bit of info you could give to your physician. Let him work it out and write down all questions you have before you see him.

Here's another abstract you may find useful:

Quote:

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a well-recognized clinical entity that frequently mimics asthma and is characterized by inappropriate adduction of the vocal cords during inspiration. The pathogenesis of VCD has not yet been defined. The only previous report suggested that respiratory irritants may trigger paradoxical motion of the vocal cords. OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a 46-year-old woman with VCD precipitated by eucalyptus exposure. METHODS: A masked flexible fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopy was performed to confirm whether VCD occurred with eucalyptus and not with other known respiratory irritants. The patient underwent inhalation challenges consisting of water, ammonia, pine oil, and a combination of eucalyptus (dried leaves) and ammonia. Two independent observers before patient challenge could not identify eucalyptus. RESULTS: Vocal cord dysfunction occurred within minutes of exposure to eucalyptus. This is the first report to prospectively document that a specific irritant, eucalyptus, can precipitate VCD. Negative skin prick test results, total IgE level, and negative IgE eucalyptus-specific antibodies support a nonimmunologic mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: A new pathogenic mechanism for this clinical entity is supported by our observations. Furthermore, a nonimmunologic mechanism in which respiratory irritants may induce VCD is suspected. Future studies to elucidate this mechanism need to be performed in individuals with irritant-specific VCD.

Whatever it is, it sounds like it sucks. Hope you get better.

 

[MD1032]

I thought eucalyptus was a tree. How did you inhale it, and why? I've never heard of such a practice.

 

[ken36]

Don't worry. It will get better.

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD1032 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought eucalyptus was a tree. How did you inhale it, and why? I've never heard of such a practice.

It is a tree, but they extract oil from the leaves. It's used in a lot of stuff IE: cough drops, some sports rubs, etc...

It sounds stupid now, but from what I read in numerous alternative health books and online it supposed to be good for Asthma and Bronchitis sufferers. They tell you to add several drops of oil to boiling water and to breath in the steam.