Help Erica get medical equipment

Hello, I’ve never been good at asking for help but I really need it.

Short version:

- I’ve had a condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or MCAS for around 5 years and had the biggest immune flare up of my life at Christmas.

- I’ve spent almost 2 months in hospital and need to create a safe environment to recover at home.

- For people like me, this means a highly specialised air purifier which costs thousands of dollars.

- I’ve lost a significant amount of income and can’t afford this on my own. I’d love it if you could help. Anything you can contribute would be highly appreciated ❤️

Long version:

I’ve struggled with a condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) for about 5 years now. MCAS is a broad spectrum condition where your mast cells essentially overreact to your environment and produce histamine. People can experience a wide range of symptoms but for me it’s throat swelling (constant feeling of being strangled) and anaphylaxis. I kept it under control using my diet and taking daily antihistamines as well as prednisolone or epipens in emergencies and honestly lived a relatively normal life. That was until the end of last year.

My body did not react well to being vaccinated unfortunately and coupled with a bout of food poisoning, I had the biggest flare up of my condition to date. I ended up spending Christmas in the emergency room. Assumed I’d recover and go back to normal within a few days but that didn’t happen. Telfast that previously my condition stable for years, was now something I was anaphylactic to. Every food I tried ended up causing a reaction. My mouth was constantly covered in hives and my throat was swollen. I ended up living exclusively on chicken for upwards of a month and lost 12kg in 4 weeks.

I managed to see two immunologists in January but neither of them were helpful or knowledgeable about MCAS. This was between numerous ambulance trips to the emergency room because I was having severe reactions to respiratory allergens (petrol smells, my cat using the litter box etc) but they were unable to help as well. They kept treating my anaphylaxis and then would send me home. I ended up sleeping in my mum’s car for a week (an incredibly hot summer week) during this time as I kept having reactions any time I spent more than a few minutes in my house. Eventually I was able to move back inside but could only sleep on the floor and had to wear an N95 at all times.

Are you exhausted reading this? Can you imagine living through this? I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone.

I also bought two different air purifiers during this time and had to return both. In fact one of them released a fruity smell that made the air quality and my symptoms much, much worse. I ended up pleading with my GP to find some way for me to be admitted to hospital. He referred me to a general specialist with admission rights.

On Thursday 20th of January, I saw Dr Muhammad Hashim at Mitcham Rd Consulting Suites. My mum explained my situation as I was extremely weak and within 10 minutes, he was on the phone to Box Hill Hospital organising my admission. At this point, I’m convinced Dr Hashim saved my life. Upon being admitted to Box Hill, I was treated for severe dehydration, critically low potassium levels and very unstable blood sugar levels. I was on IV fluids, potassium and glucose for the better part of a week. I was seen by an immunologist but he also was not well versed in MCAS.

After speaking with my doctors at Box Hill, we agreed I should be transferred to Cabrini Hospital to be seen by Dr Jeremy McComish, a leading expert in mast cell conditions, and now it’s my birthday a month later and I’m still here. Dr McComish has been extremely helpful in recommending treatments and though I’m still trying to find an oral tablet I can tolerate, I’ve received my first dose of Xolair (Omalizmub) and am on my way to stabilising my immune system.

Whilst I’ve been in hospital, I’ve managed to build up a list of almost 20 foods I can eat safely and have yet to have a severe reaction which has been in large part due to being in a controlled environment with filtered air. My doctor has said he’s happy to release me and continue my treatment as an outpatient but I can’t replicate this controlled environment at home without an adequate air purifier.

In the past two months, I’ve missed a lot of work and had to pay thousands in medical fees and insurance costs. I’m simply not in the financial position to buy the kind of hospital grade air purifier I desperately need and industrial air purifier suppliers don’t offer payment plans or financing of any kind. I really need help.

The specific air purifier that would be a good fit is called the IQAir GC Multigas. It’s specifically designed for people with severe allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities which I have. It’s usually $2900 but there’s a slightly used one available at a local supplier for $2650. I may need to customise the filters which would cost an additional $1250.

Any donation would be greatly appreciated. If you can’t donate, I’d really appreciate if you could share this. I never thought I’d be in this kind of position but I am. I’ve documented my whole experience on my Instagram stories if you want to see the reality of it (sick journey and sick journey pt2).

I tried to make myself look nice/happy in my photo but this has been an incredibly harrowing, isolating experience. The past two months have been filled with tears which probably didn’t help with the dehydration. That being said, there is finally some hope on the horizon. Please help if you can. Thank you ❤️