Think I made the wife very sick

[Ken Hill]

Thursday evening, she came into the shop and helped me sweep and clean up shavings. My air handler was on and we have done it many times together but she actually carried a tub out and dumped it, basically way more exposure to teh dust then normal for her. Friday mornings he woke up and thought she was having a panic attack, chest hurting and rapid heartbeat. She came home from work friday and went downhill fast. By Christmas day, she had 104 temp, coughing, vomit etc. I tried to get her to take a Benedryl just incase but she said it was more flu like. This morning she woke up much better, no fever since mid day yesterday and had an appetite.

I started working on another bowl and within 45 minutes, she was back to bad coughing and exclaimed that she could smell the wood and was back to the chest issue. She wont go to the doctor, I have all but forced her to go but she is stubborn. This marks teh 1st day in 16 years she has called in sick tow ork if that tells you anything.

She finally took a Benedryl and withing a few minutes started having relief in her chest.

No one else here as any issues, no one at her office has been sick.....am I correct in thinking she is or has had a bad reaction?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Ken - everything you listed sure points to that as being a problem! Only safe thing to do is to go to the Doc and get checked out! I hope she feels better soon!

[Greg Just]

Were you turning an exotic wood or something new wood that you had not turned before? Sounds like a bad allergic reaction. Hope she if feeling better.

[Brian Kent]

Yes, I think that you are right that sawdust made it difficult to breathe - along with a respiratory flu-type illness. Sawdust doesn't give you a fever, but once there is respiratory distress, sawdust can really hurt you. It also can keep you clogged up and slow recovery.

My 2 cents - give her a break from sawdust for a couple of weeks or months until she is completely clear, and step up the precautions to keep the sawdust out of the house - better door seals, air filters, fans that take airborne dust outside.

[Ken Hill]

I turned mainly white oak and cherry thursday. I turned red oak and spalted maple saturday and sunday but she was already down at that point.

Its been about 40 minutes on the Benedryl and she wants me to go get her a pizza...good sign LOL

[steven carter]

I am certainly NOT a doctor, but sure sounds like an alergic reaction, I am glad she is better after the Benedryl! Keep her away from helping haul the shavings.

[Ken Hill]

Nomally she will walk out and tell me what she has to say and back inside, I reckon she was feeling helpful that evening. I feel bad for her, but everyone here is used to asking me about being in the shop due to chemicals being used or if I am powder coating etc.

I'm heading to get her a pizza before she gains 70 pounds....she is obviously turning a corner as there isnt a safe piece of food here right now LOL!

[Bill Wyko]

I had turned a wood called Tigrillo. The second the dust hit the air, it stopped me from breating almost instantly. I had to run outside. You've got to be very careful with exotic woods, or any wood for that matter. I also have an allergic reaction to Oak too. Be careful my friend and I hope she is better soon.

[Jim Burr]

Kinda my specialty! Most allergic reactions don't cause a fever, so the dust may have triggered an underling condition, bronchitis, pneumonia...several other goodies. The fever could be caused by a histamine response that the dust triggered too. Get her well and moving around to keep those lungs clear. Also vacuum the house real well and wash any clothes that may have dust on them. As we age, our sensitivity to allergens increases and resistance decreases. It sucks, but that's life! I know you had your Trend or other breathing protection on...right!?

[Peter Elliott]

Ken, most likely a allergic reaction by inhalation of wood.. A lot of people are! Also, she must have ingested some dust (fine particles) for the vomit to occur. Typical signs/symptoms of a inhalation reaction would be: tightness of chest, swollen tongue, difficult to breath and more. The fever/vomit suggest ingestion. The fever could be both.

She could have the flu and not know it (it doesn't matter if you see it in others) combine with allergic reaction to dust..

If she has problems breathing when your turning or making wood dust - keep a 3M Filter Mask around if she has to enter the shop.
Keep benedryl handy if she does have a reaction and monitor the tightness of chest. Anything severe needs ER attention ASAP.
She can pass a point where OTC drugs will not help. Remember your New Market Days...

Hope it was just a one off occurrence and not a condition..

Give her our best!
Peter

Note: I was hoping Jim Burr would chime in... My post should be before his... it's his specialty...

[Joe Vincent 63]

Good luck with her feeling better. I can relate that it is miserable - for the past 6 weeks I've had a virus, actute bronchitis, and now pneumonia. It is absolutely horrible, especially in the mornings.

Hopefully she'll be fully healed shortly!

Joe

[Ken Hill]

It could be complete coincedence, I hope so haha. It could be as Jim stated a mix or it was just a jumping off point for an underlying illness.

Yes, I wear a mask but think I am going to order a Trend just for peace of mind for myself.

Peter, I lost a good friend years ago due to anaphylactic shock that killed him before anyone knew what was happening, he was 14. Hard to believe a Benedryl could have saved his life.

[John Keeton]

Ken, Jim and others have far more experience with this thing, and I would defer to them on the medical issues. I just pray that your wife recovers quickly and completely. Obviously, for whatever reason, additional exposure to dust in your shop would be a mistake.

[Ron Bontz]

Just a thought. I have some issues with some domestic woods myself. Walnut, my favorite wood of course, for some reason gets to me often. I had not had any issues with woods for quite a few years. Started having what I thought was allergic reactions, tight chest, shortness of breath etc, a few years ago. Went to a specialist to find out they were more asthmatic reactions. Also it could be something on the wood. Mold, hay and dust if stored in a barn with animals, etc.
So lots of variables. I work in EMS as well, and I have been seeing more respiratory infections, myself included, lasting 2-3 weeks. Real kickers. Tis the season. Hope you find out what's doing it. Best of luck.

[Ken Hill]

Well she kept the pizza in her, says she is weak but feels alot better. Funny how the benedryl worked, if she listened to me earlier maybe it would have helped earlier LOL!

Her brother has always had a reaction to deer dander, the wife developed it 6 or 8 years ago after showing no signs previous. We tell her we are going to use her each year to help track deer, but so far she has managed to be really busy come hunting season haha! It never ceases to amaze me at how the human body can react to different things.

[Ron Bontz]

Good to hear she is feeling better. The benadryl may, of course, make her sleepy as well. Take care.

[Jim Burr]

One other interesting do-dad...the winter season does not cause colds and flu! It's our lack of activity. The more we move, the better our lungs expel stuff, stuff that contains virus's, bacteria and so on. If you are of an older generation, you may have had your tonsils removed...it's not so common anymore since research shows they provided key bacteria to fight infection starting with inhaled pathogens. Without substantial movement, we only use 40% of our lung capacity...and it's the wrong 40%!!! Since we as a population are not as active during the colder months, these bugs have a better chance to find a new home in the bottom 70% of our lungs...the part least used when we are inactive, but the area where gas exchange takes place. It's best to move around all day! Clean the house, do some cooking...break it up so you're moving a bit all day long. Bundle up and walk the dog, stop by the neighbors place for a chat. Avoid morning air since cold air is dense...all the ugly particulates in the air settle to ground level. Better to walk around after the air warms a few degrees and the particulate layer breaks up a bit. Hope that helps and no...this is not a Respiratory physics class...just plain stuff I teach my patients. Happy to entertain questions and suggestions on a PM basis so as not to clog the bandwidth!

[Ken Hill]

I always figured cold weather forced more people inside where they share more air and germs spread faster.

[Peter Elliott]

Peter, I lost a good friend years ago due to anaphylactic shock that killed him before anyone knew what was happening, he was 14. Hard to believe a Benedryl could have saved his life.

Unfortunately, I see this more than often. I've have been there in person as well.. which is why "we" don't mess around with allergic reactions... grab and go to ER..

My best to your wife, Ken!
Peter

[Gary Max]

Ken everyone is unique and will react differently. True story--- a customer of mine is allergic to Cedar dust. She is so allergic that she can't even go into a pet store because of the dust. Keep a close eye on your wife next time she wonders out to the shop.

[Jim Matthews]

This perked up my ears some, even though I'm no turner.
My younger son has a history of allergy triggered asthma, and that's lead to me unplugging my woodshop.

We keep an Epi-Pen in the house, although we've never used it - I've had it in one hand as I dial 911, twice.
*****
I would be VERY interested to know what finally sorts out from this, to learn from the incident and avoid it myself.

Jim
Westport, MA

[Ken Hill]

Jim there is an epipen on my desk....way out of date. Reminder for me to get a new one

[Jim Burr]

Jim there is an epipen on my desk....way out of date. Reminder for me to get a new one

Ken...you are a good and caring man!! A study done in 2008 showed that expiration dates are a myth...that being said, unless you are a MD...always keep fresh meds in the house! You should see my first-aid kit...50 cal. ammo box and a doc could do surgery outa that sucka, although my license prohibits me from surgery and anesthesia.
Please!! do not take my advice as gospel! You must consult your family MD or ER doc for a diagnosis! It would appear that wifey need an allergy test (scratch test) to determine what is causing the reaction and to determine if an underlying condition exists! A slim part of the population wants to see their doc...think how poor Keller feels!!! In this case, it really is justified for a visit to ensure long term respiratory health!

[Ken Hill]

Jim, you will have a better chance at holding a beaver up to a bowl blank and turning then you will getting her to a doctor.

[Jim Burr]

Jim, you will have a better chance at holding a beaver up to a bowl blank and turning then you will getting her to a doctor.

Offer her lunch and drag her with horses to the doc!

[Ken Hill]

She seems to be doing better, she has her face stuffed in teh fridge, wondering exactly how much food we cooked for Christmas dinner haha!

[Gary Max]

Heck as long as you cleaned the kitchen.--------------:)

[Hayes Rutherford]

Ken, I viewed all the posts and sounds like your wife is doing better. Allergies can be a real PITA and dust can make a common cold ten times worse than it needs to be.

[Ken Hill]

Gary, cleaned and even installed her new range hood. We have been without one for 5 months. She said she would ask for one for Christmas and she got one LoL!

Hayes, she is doing better. She is sitting up watching a movie on her new Kindle Fire I got her for a Christmas gift. I will have to drive her to work but she says she is going...tough gal all the way around I figure.

[Jim Burr]

Gary, cleaned and even installed her new range hood. We have been without one for 5 months. She said she would ask for one for Christmas and she got one LoL!

Hayes, she is doing better. She is sitting up watching a movie on her new Kindle Fire I got her for a Christmas gift. I will have to drive her to work but she says she is going...tough gal all the way around I figure.

Ha!! I'm reading National Geographic on my Kindle Keyboard my daughter got me for Christmas! Still on the fence, real books are cool...but I travel a lot and the Kindle is really cool! Take mom for a walk Ken...keep those lungs cleared out!

[Ken Hill]

I made her go out to her Jeep to get her badge LOL. She is huffing, puffing and sweating but she is up!

[Steve Mawson]

Jim, you will have a better chance at holding a beaver up to a bowl blank and turning then you will getting her to a doctor.

Now that made me laugh, I can just see you roughing out a bowl with a pet beaver. Still funny as I type this. Made my day!!

[David E Keller]

Glad to hear she's feeling better! I don't know shinola about respiratory stuff, but I'd encourage you to look into the positive pressure helmets. I just got a trend pro for Christmas, and I think I'm gonna give some walnut a try... It's always given me a headache in the past, so I'm anxious to see if the new hood keeps that from happening.

[Ken Hill]

Now that made me laugh, I can just see you roughing out a bowl with a pet beaver. Still funny as I type this. Made my day!!

Beaver is a cool animal to spend time with. I shot them a few years back to build up images for my stock sales and they never did warm up to me. Being in the water and eye level with them made me nervous haha!

217386

[Jamie Donaldson]

Ha, I've been shooting them for several years also, as they dam up the overflow drains and irrigation pick-ups here on the property. They've just about clear-cut every tree within 100' of our 3 lakes!

[Harry Robinette]

Ken
I keep a couple mask OUTSIDE my shop if the wife comes in she can put one on or hold it up to her face when she comes in.She don't like the dust it makes her cough.

[Ken Hill]

Jamie they sure can cause some trouble no doubt!

[robert baccus]

I've had reactions to 5-6 woods. i feel for your wife-kinda scary. my last experience with it was a new one, especially with a domestic wood. i cut very green box-elder and it felt like a cross between flue and hangover. i was sick for a month but the wierd thing was it was the sap, not the dust killing me. i have since sanded and finished several vases and the dust is harmless to me. i ended up wearing a windbreaker and nitril gloves with sucess. that would be on the last vase of course.!!----------old fortester

[Ken Hill]

Robert that sounded pretty serious. She is up, showered and planning on heading to work. Between you and me she should be going nowhere. She is still really weak, has that deep dry cough but no fever, no chills etc.

I reckon we will see how the morning goes, she has the leave time, she should just take it and rest up. I am too old to go find another chick LOL!

[Chuck Gallup]

What your wife experienced is real.
I've experienced the very same thing.
I have not been sick a day since 1991.
I smoke.
Im a tough guy. I work in the heat, the cold, the snow, the rain and wind.
I was sweeping out the floor of a home we had built and I felt as though I was getting a cold.
The next day I was down and out....although I worked....I thought death was just around the corner.
Cedar was involved. I cedar part of your work?
Anyway....I spent a day recently remodeling an old building and it brought me down a notch.
Not sick like the flu but just as bad.
Here's my point...they say smoking is bad for a person. BS!
Wood dust from construction or old age is death.

My co-workers think its funny when a smoker dons a particle mask.
The threat is real but there are plenty of methods to minimize the danger.

[Donny Lawson]

I hope she feels better. Anytime I sweep or stir up alot of dust I use a dust mask. I get the heavy duty ones from Lowes. I think its $20.00 for 10 of them. It really helps.

[Jim Matthews]

How many days has this gone on?

There was a Russian dude (http://rt.com/news/fir-tree-man-shocks-doctors/) that just ignored the cough...
Kidding aside, if she's worse in the morning and better in the afternoon you're risking pneumonia (http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-symptoms).

I've had it, twice and wouldn't wish it on a dog.

[Jim Burr]

Ok Ken...been a few days, how's the boss doing? BTW, Got a box today, but let's see where mom's at respiratory wise.

[Ken Hill]

Better, still with the cough. Talked with a doc today who seems to think Broncitis. She will not go in to be seen....but if she is no better by tomorrow I am throwing a hissy fit. She stayed home again today but did laundry and stuff this afternoon, I made here do the stairs and carry the clothes, she wants to be hard headed she will either breathe deep or die trying.