HELP! Autoimmune Urticaria?!!
  Ive been soooo very happy to have gotten my migraines down to only once a week or so, and usually of lesser severity than they were. Apparently though, my body has just decided it was time to try some different form of misery for awhile: HIVES!  I woke up with welts all over my arms and legs a couple of days ago, and just figured it was a reaction to a bug bite, or a new soap or something. I went out and bought oatmeal soap and some Benadryl, and hoped for the best. No such luck Its now progressed to swollen eyes, huge welts everywhere, and if it follows the same pattern as outbreaks I've had in the past, I'll be visiting the emergency room with a closed up throat at some point. For the moment, Benadryl is keeping the worst at bay, but I suppose I'll be visiting a doctor for something stronger soon.Ive been through this several times. The first at about age 8, again at about age 12, then (I think) 16, then briefly in college, then finally at about age 30....15 years ago. Each outbreak lasted from 6 months to 2 years   The severity seems to have gotten a bit worse each time, too. Ive been tested, and no allergy has ever been identified. Several doctors have suggested its a reaction to stress (yes...at age 8 I was under plenty of stress, so this makes sense) but I cant figure out anything that is really stressing me at the moment.Anybody here ever have this problem? |
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| Wow~~~ Laurel... I am so sorry! I have never heard of hives lasting that long. The only time I had dealings with hives was when my daughter was about 6 ~~she woke up in the morning with terrible hives, I rushed her to the doctor and he gave her an epi shot but she was so bad..( so swollen and hivey......eyes, lips, fingers, toes, pads of her feet, she couldn't walk)..it took about 4 days for her to look and feel better... So sorry!!! Please keep us posted and hopefully there are medical experts who will respond, who can shed some light as to what is happening with you....  |
| My brother got them once when he was young. They came on from eating something with artificial red food coloring in it! |
| Yes, many times. If benedryl is not cutting it, you need epinephrine. Especially that they're progressing - they CAN go to your tongue, throat, organs....seriously, go to a doctor right away. |
| oh no! Are you sure it's not shingles? |
Sheepieshake: Oh no...poor kiddo! Ive had them on the soles of my feet too..so miserable!  rdf: I'm looking for a local Dr. who specializes in this (its months to get in to a dermatologist here), but your probably right...I guess any GP can proscribe the epinepherine. Barney: I don't think so. Its exactly like all my other hive outbreaks so far. The hives always seem to start wherever clothing is touching my skin, then spread from there. They are more like big (palm sized) welts than like chicken pocks. Ive been wearing my 6'2", 300# husband's clothing around the house, so that nothing is actually touching me  I look kinda like the Pilsbery Doughboy's hung-over girlfriend. |
| That really bites!!! I hope you get over this outbreak soon. And no further progession. |
| I hope you are doing better--I don't have any experience with hives so I can't help but want you to know that I will be thinking of you. |
| Geeeesh. I hope it's something minor that resolves quickly for you. |
| OMG!! Laurel I had to laugh at your post, because I had welts for the first time ever on Friday, and my reaction was exactly ..."NOW WHAT?!" I've been having problems with swollen lips & eyes for over a month. It comes & goes and I have also developed asthma for the first time ever. I can't work out what is triggering it, I think I have it pinned down to either Olive Oil or metal (cutlery)?! Maybe fruit. I think Ibuprofen kicked it all off with my first swollen face incident, although I've never had a reaction to that & I rarely take it. The doctor said there was no such thing as a skin prick test and I have to work out what's causing it myself... but I'm stumped. Lots of people have told me there are tests, so I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow. The doc gave me antihistamines but they wear off in the evenings and don't always work because I'm still getting swollen lips. The welts were on the back of my legs at the top. Since they went down, every time I have an itch my skin comes up in hives. It will be interesting to hear how you get on. Do you have an allergy to washing powder? |
| I'M sorry but if your doctor said there is no such thing as skin prick allergy testing, he should not be practicing medicine. That is very, very basic knowledge - my children and I have all had it done at least once. Sounds like it's time for you both to go to an allergist rather than a GP. FWIW, my allergist says at the first sign of hives and you need epinepherine and ER evaluation in case you need further treatment immediately. |
Hint of Mischief wrote: OMG!! Laurel I had to laugh at your post, because I had welts for the first time ever on Friday, and my reaction was exactly ..."NOW WHAT?!" I've been having problems with swollen lips & eyes for over a month. It comes & goes and I have also developed asthma for the first time ever. I can't work out what is triggering it, I think I have it pinned down to either Olive Oil or metal (cutlery)?! Maybe fruit. I think Ibuprofen kicked it all off with my first swollen face incident, although I've never had a reaction to that & I rarely take it. The doctor said there was no such thing as a skin prick test and I have to work out what's causing it myself... but I'm stumped. Lots of people have told me there are tests, so I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow. The doc gave me antihistamines but they wear off in the evenings and don't always work because I'm still getting swollen lips. The welts were on the back of my legs at the top. Since they went down, every time I have an itch my skin comes up in hives. It will be interesting to hear how you get on. Do you have an allergy to washing powder? I'm sorry to hear you're having this problem too Cassie . There IS a "prick test"...I've had it...but here's the thing: with hives like mine, what can sometimes happen is that the "pricks" (the poke with the needle itself, not the allergens being tested) can provoke hives...so all I get is a positive on EVERY single poke!!!! Personally, I'm going to pass if my new Dr suggests it this time, but maybe it'll work for you. I have no clue what causes mine, but Ive met other people who have been able to figure theirs out by a process of elimination. Start keeping a food journal right away. An olive oil allergy would suck! How did the Dr. come up with the idea of cutlery??  One of my possibilities to consider is that I may be reacting to something from our new beekeeping setup...not the bees, as they haven't arrived yet, but I was handling the hives (Ha...just realized that's kinda funny! ) the day before my first welts appeared. Our beehives were purchased used...so its possible there was something on them that I reacted to. |
| Hmmm, are you allergic to bees? Do you think remnants of their stingers or something could be on your bee equipment? And I had to laugh at your description on being the Pillsbury Dough boy's hung-over girlfriend.  |
barney1 wrote: Hmmm, are you allergic to bees? Do you think remnants of their stingers or something could be on your bee equipment? And I had to laugh at your description on being the Pillsbury Dough boy's hung-over girlfriend. Swollen eyes, swollen lips, general puffy redness, and a 4X shirt...its an accurate description  I don't really know about a bee allergy. I've only been stung (by a bee, as opposed to a wasp) once ever, and yes, I reacted, but not with hives. The sting swelled a lot, and I did go to the hospital...but my memory of the whole incident is pretty vague, since I was like 5 years old at the time. I only handled the hives on the outside of the boxes, anyway, so my husband thinks a more likely culprit could be something in the dust covering them...mouse droppings, for instance |
| Just to be on the safe side..and with your history, if I were you, I would ask the doctor for a perscription for a couple of epi shots BEFORE the bees come. I am sure you know the first allergic reaction is mild compared to subsequent reactions.....so......................... I hope you are feeling better real soon!!!!! |
sheepieshake wrote: Just to be on the safe side..and with your history, if I were you, I would ask the doctor for a perscription for a couple of epi shots BEFORE the bees come. I am sure you know the first allergic reaction is mild compared to subsequent reactions.....so......................... I hope you are feeling better real soon!!!!! We've actually decided to solve several potential problems at once (my poss. allergy and our large bear population) by keeping our beehives at a friend's house. She wants the bees for her gardens, and my husband will just go over there to look after them. Even though they live nearby, because of the geography of the area, they rarely get bears. Ugh...I was up all night with hives last night. My project for today is to find a Dr. to go see, who knows something about this. |
| I hope you find a dr who can help you today. |
| I had a more successful trip to the doctor than I imagined. I went armed with a list and kick a*$ attitude and came out with 5 prescriptions He gave me one for an epi-pen which is a shot of adrenalin which I must carry with me at all times, another month of fexofenadine and my usual meds. I asked about the prick/scratch test and he said he doesn't believe in it really, but that he could refer me to the specialist. I decided I have nothing to lose, and called for my appointment today, the earliest of which was June 23rd, so I booked it. I came up in hives down the backs of my legs again last night, I felt like I was on fire. I also had asthma and itchy wrists & torso. Still can't work out what's causing it.. at the moment I'm thinking maybe red onion or tomato, as I've cut out olive oil. How are you doing Laurel? |
| Well, I think I've pinpointed the "pattern" of my daily hive outbreaks. They start around 8-9 pm, and gradually worsen throughout the night, leaving me to either wake up in the night in bad shape, or in really bad shape in the early morning. The trick seems to be to take an antihistamine at about 9 or 10 PM. that way, I get to sleep though the night. I woke up this morning with no hives, which was a huge relief! My eyes are slightly puffy, but as long as I don't look in a mirror, its ok One possibility for an allergy...polyester. I got these wonderful fluffy pajama pants for X-mas, that I tend to wear around the house, since our house is always a bit drafty in the winter. I'm starting to wonder...since the hives always seen to start on my legs, and always in the evening...  So, we put all synthetic blankets, couch throws, and my poor PJs away. It would be SO nice to have a simple, clear-cut solution!I really hope you are able to get yours sorted out Cassie! Good job on the KA Dr. appointment attitude  I'm scared to death of going, since I've been though this so many times in the past and been basically told that its all "in my head" Now, I do think the Dr.s were right about stress being a factor...but, the most sensible thing one of them ever said, was that I probably DO have a allergy, but that I only react this strongly to it when stressed out. I've more than done my time in therapy and I'm ready to figure out the damn allergy this time! |
| I * AM * IN * HELL * My appointment with an allergy/immunology specialist is on Thursday morning, BUT, in preparation for testing, I am not permitted ANY medications for 72 hours previous, and have been off of the corticosteroid (Predisone) as well as the non-steroid anti-inflammatories for 3 days already for the same reason. I'm really not sure I can do this I survived the last few days by taking benadryl (which only lessens the hives a bit, but also puts me to sleep), but now what do I do? Ive tried:baking soda baking powder oatmeal baths calamine lotion ice packs pathetic whimpering Nothing helps! Im covered in hives, (and I do mean covered...seriously), my hands and feet are swollen, my knees are swollen up so bad I can barely bend them, my lips and eyes are swelling rapidly (its not too bad in that area yet, thankfully), and my headaches, which had been mercifully banished by the steroids, are back as well. I woke up in fairly reasonable shape this AM, and had had hope I would make it through the no meds thing ok, but over the past hour or so its all gone to hell. Please...does anybody have any non-med hive remedies not listed above? My Dr said that if I reach the point where I am in danger (ie: having breathing problems etc) that I should go ahead and take my meds or go to the hospital for a shot (quicker acting than pills), but its not quite THAT bad yet. 2 more days like this???  |
| Is it the itch? This may sound really weird, but when my brother and I were small and had chicken pox, my grandma had us go outside in our bathing suits and put shaving cream on our bodies. The 'zing' of the shaving cream would numb our skin... Not sure if that would help you, but it's worth a shot! |
| Oh you poor thing. How awful. Sorry, no ideas from me. |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: Is it the itch? This may sound really weird, but when my brother and I were small and had chicken pox, my grandma had us go outside in our bathing suits and put shaving cream on our bodies. The 'zing' of the shaving cream would numb our skin... Not sure if that would help you, but it's worth a shot! Hmmm...interesting! We don't have any shaving cream (at least not the foamy kind) in the house, but Ill ask Scott to pick some up. I think most topical home remedies work mainly by just cooling the skin down and giving a visual reminder not to scratch rdf (member here) suggested the baking powder, and while it does help the itch a bit, WOO does it sting! |
| oooh, sorry - sounds like you've scratched yourself raw. Yes, there's a sting for sure if your skin is raw! I'm sorry you're still going through this. I sure am worried about it going to your throat or tongue though. Be careful and don't let that happen. I don't remember if you carry an epi-pen? I hope so. I won't post the picture here but suffice it to say, I have scratched so bad over the last couple weeks that although my hives are down, the bruises all over my arms and legs look like I've been pelted with hail. |
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| OH NO! I am going to go get Gma's book of remedies. I'll report back. In the meantime, I hope things calm down a bit for you. I feel so bad for you. |
rdf wrote: oooh, sorry - sounds like you've scratched yourself raw. Yes, there's a sting for sure if your skin is raw! I'm sorry you're still going through this. I sure am worried about it going to your throat or tongue though. Be careful and don't let that happen. I don't remember if you carry an epi-pen? I hope so. I won't post the picture here but suffice it to say, I have scratched so bad over the last couple weeks that although my hives are down, the bruises all over my arms and legs look like I've been pelted with hail. This would explain why it is sort of helping my hands, but hurts like hell on my legs! I cant ever seem to remember not to scratch the legs...I actually think I scratch them in my sleep! The bruising sounds awful...are you sure that's from scratching? Ive read somewhere where they say hives that leave bruises behind them are different somehow from normal hives...I took note of that (and plan to ask the new DR about it) because it happens with mine on occasion. |
ravenmoonart wrote: The bruising sounds awful...are you sure that's from scratching? Ive read somewhere where they say hives that leave bruises behind them are different somehow from normal hives...I took note of that (and plan to ask the new DR about it) because it happens with mine on occasion. Hm, you know I just assumed it was from scratching so hard. I have an appointment tomorrow so I'll ask then. I'm not entirely convinced my diagnosis of an allergic reaction to a new medication is correct and will be following up with the other info you gave me....we'll see! |
| Ha...between Raquel, Cassie and me, we'll wring some info out of these darned doctors yet! On a related, and very frustrating note, I'm very bothered by the fact that I cant answer so many of the DR.s questions. I simply cant remember how long any of my previous hive outbreaks were (except the most recent...in my early 30s), and there is no one currently in my life who knows either. I have NO family history to give, since I was adopted as a baby, and I cant even offer up any old medical records from my childhood, as I was adopted yet again as a young teen. I have only vague memories, and no medical records before the age of 13. Yes, by the way...this is probably why most Dr.s seem quick to conclude that I have emotional problems causing my hives, and want to send me to a therapist I am looking at the possibility of contacting my "original" father to ask some questions, but, boy, is that ever a last resort! At that point I probably will need therapy . I'm thinking there must be some way to track down my old records, at least, but I don't have a clue where to start! |
ravenmoonart wrote: Ha...between Raquel, Cassie and me, we'll wring some info out of these darned doctors yet! On a related, and very frustrating note, I'm very bothered by the fact that I cant answer so many of the DR.s questions. I simply cant remember how long any of my previous hive outbreaks were (except the most recent...in my early 30s), and there is no one currently in my life who knows either. I have NO family history to give, since I was adopted as a baby, and I cant even offer up any old medical records from my childhood, as I was adopted yet again as a young teen. I have only vague memories, and no medical records before the age of 13. Yes, by the way...this is probably why most Dr.s seem quick to conclude that I have emotional problems causing my hives, and want to send me to a therapist I am looking at the possibility of contacting my "original" father to ask some questions, but, boy, is that ever a last resort! At that point I probably will need therapy . I'm thinking there must be some way to track down my old records, at least, but I don't have a clue where to start! I looked at GMA's home remedies. She suggests "a bath in tea" to help hives, and eating root vegetables for "internal healing". That is all it says... |
thanks Lori  Id be happy to try the bath in tea...heck, Ill bath in just about anything these days! My bathtub has never gotten such a workout before! But, if potatoes were the answer, Id have been cured ages ago! Or maybe they mean some more exotic root veggie?  |
ravenmoonart wrote: thanks Lori Id be happy to try the bath in tea...heck, Ill bath in just about anything these days! My bathtub has never gotten such a workout before! But, if potatoes were the answer, Id have been cured ages ago! Or maybe they mean some more exotic root veggie? Ok-- called my Aunt Nancy. Grandma made them eat carrots and beets. But more than than those they ate cabbage, because GMA said it makes the skin sweat--- and helps release toxins. I guess another Aunt had hives, and they followed this "routine" --- Bath in tea- and then a dinner of the above. In two days the hives and rash were gone. She had been in misery for weeks prior to the treatment. Who knows... maybe worth a try??? |
| Well, for those of you with a hive problem...Ive tried every non-medical treatment suggested, and the winner is: Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap My husband brought me home a bar of this yesterday, and it actually takes away the itching, burning and stinging for nearly half an hour!!! I know this doesn't sound like much, but all the others only work (if at all) for a max of 10 minutes or so. Half an hour was long enough to allow me to fall asleep after a long cool shower with a lot of the soap. This morning is not as bad as yesterday, although I have way more hives, they are not in such bad areas of the body as yesterday's crop. Some places are just much, much worse to have hives! The worst yesterday was my hands. the palms were covered in hives, and the whole area swelled up like little baseball mitts. Today its just my legs, torso and back, which is much easier to live with.2 more days...I can do this!  |
ravenmoonart wrote: Well, for those of you with a hive problem...Ive tried every non-medical treatment suggested, and the winner is: Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap My husband brought me home a bar of this yesterday, and it actually takes away the itching, burning and stinging for nearly half an hour!!! I know this doesn't sound like much, but all the others only work (if at all) for a max of 10 minutes or so. Half an hour was long enough to allow me to fall asleep after a long cool shower with a lot of the soap. This morning is not as bad as yesterday, although I have way more hives, they are not in such bad areas of the body as yesterday's crop. Some places are just much, much worse to have hives! The worst yesterday was my hands. the palms were covered in hives, and the whole area swelled up like little baseball mitts. Today its just my legs, torso and back, which is much easier to live with.2 more days...I can do this! Are you changing all of your bedding each night and putting on fresh everything on the bed just before you get into the bed while you are broken out? You can put a little vinegar in the rinse cycle to break down the soap. In the olden days that was the trick with cloth dippers. |
| I'm so sorry you are having such a terrible time! I've not had hives since I cut out Olive Oil and wheat free pasta- BUT I'm still getting the Asthma. I'm off to the doctors on Monday to try and get an inhaler or something. I've got my hospital appointment next week to find out more. I'm still on the antihistamines, but I'm also topping up the doseage every evening too. I'm now taking 2 different 24 hour antihistamines a day |
Hint of Mischief wrote: I'm so sorry you are having such a terrible time! I've not had hives since I cut out Olive Oil and wheat free pasta- BUT I'm still getting the Asthma. I'm off to the doctors on Monday to try and get an inhaler or something. I've got my hospital appointment next week to find out more. I'm still on the antihistamines, but I'm also topping up the doseage every evening too. I'm now taking 2 different 24 hour antihistamines a day I was having that problem too (the diminishing returns on the antihistamines). I found that going off of them for a few days (while I was on the steroids) put me back at the point where they worked again. At this point, I seem to be becoming immune to any given drug within about a week . I suppose rotating them will be my only recourse, although Ill be asking the new DR if he has a better suggestion. I don't know about you, but for me the problem with constantly upping the dosage on antihistamines was that I don't become immune to the sedative quality of them! Unconsciousness has some definite appeal these days , but I do need to be somewhat functional!Good luck with the inhaler..hope it helps! |
| I'm taking the non-drowsy ones during the day. Mistakenly took the wrong one this morning though and my day has been a blur so far |
| Laurel is today the day of your test? I keep itching when I see this post, I hope you get some answers soon! |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: Laurel is today the day of your test? I keep itching when I see this post, I hope you get some answers soon! Yup! I'm sitting in a coffee shop right now, waiting for my mother to meet me and go to my appt. with me (yeah...Im a big baby! )7 days off of steroids, and 72 hours off of antihistamines...I am a MESS I'm actually embarrassed to be out in public. I look like a SciFi genetics experiment gone wrong. I think people are choosing tables as far from me as possible .My greatest fear right now (and its enough of one that I almost had a panic attack last night when it first occurred to me) is that the DR will insist I stay off of the meds while waiting for the test results. They have to wait and see if you react to allergy tests, right? I sincerely don't know if I could go even one more day. I woke up with a migraine this AM as well, proving, I guess, that the steriods really are (were) keeping those at bay as well. Well, wish me luck. |
| ******************************************** ***  GOOD LUCK *********************************************** |
| OH no! I hope the Dr can figure something out. |
| Well...I guess I have my answer...its...weird Apparently, I have an autoimmune disorder, meaning my body's immune system is attacking itself. That's not the weird part though...If I understood the Dr correctly, I'm sort of allergic to my own blood!? He did a test, where he took some blood, extracted the serum, then injected it into my skin (along with 2 controls to test against). My skin reacted just as strongly (meaning VERY,VERY strongly..Dr. said it was the most intense reaction he'd ever seen) to my own blood serum, as to pure histamine. The good news is, this is supposed to be treatable with a couple of new medications. I have to go see (oddly enough) an eye DR. 1st, as one of the meds has possible bad eye/vision-related side effects. In the meanwhile, at least Im allowed to take antihistamines again (at about quadruple the dose from before! ) so I'm already starting to look and feel like something vaguely human again!  |
| Wow. I have never heard of ANYTHING like that! |
| What is it called?! I'm glad it's treatable....that's just shocking! |
| Crazy. I hope that the new stuff works. |
rdf wrote: What is it called?! I'm glad it's treatable....that's just shocking! Just Autoimmune Urticaria. Its relatively, but not wildly uncommon. Its treated similarly to Lupus...but is fortunately nowhere near as scary. Unlike Lupus (which my adoptive Grandmother had) your immune system doesn't attack any of the internal organs. If the meds the Dr. is putting me on now don't work, he said we should consider immune-suppressants...like you take after an organ transplant. I think that sounds a bit scary...but I guess we'll have to see if its necessary. |
| So glad you at least know what you are dealing with and know that relief is possible with medication. I have never heard of it--WOW! Wishing peace and relief for you! |
| Have you come across this resource yet? http://www.urticaria.thunderworksinc.com/pages/faq.htm I'm still diagnosed as an allergic reaction to Celebrex. But, I've had uticaria from other allergic reactions (including allergy shots), and I do have another pregnancy-related auto-immune issue that could be related...so I am definitely going to follow up and request the ASST test. WOW. |
Wow, glad you got some answer. And really pretty interesting that this DR even thought to test with an injection of your own blood - that was good thinking! I like that when a Dr thinks!  Nice you can take antihistamine meds now (again) too - to get you through until you can try a real treatment. BTW - which drug did he/she recommend? |
got sheep wrote: Wow, glad you got some answer. And really pretty interesting that this DR even thought to test with an injection of your own blood - that was good thinking! I like that when a Dr thinks! Nice you can take antihistamine meds now (again) too - to get you through until you can try a real treatment. BTW - which drug did he/she recommend? Ive got prescriptions for a bunch of different things! Cetirazine-an antihistamine...basically Zyrtec, but Im taking it at 4 times the over counter dose Doxepin- Oddly enough, an antidepressant...has a side effect of helping with hives...maybe this will cheer me up, too? Rantadine- I havnt picked this one up from the pharmacy yet, and Im not sure what it does Previcid- a medicine for acid reflux...again, has a side effect of helping w/hives Napraxon- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory...this one is for my headaches, not the hives I may be going on something called Plaquinel (sp?)... which is a drug for malaria (???) again, also helps with this sort of hives, evidently. This is the one I have to see the eye Dr for first. If all else fails, there's the immune suppressant (I dont know the name) No more Predisone for me as the Dr. said I was pretty well over my limit. So..maybe I'll lose this extra weight now???? Im sorta bummed this AM, as even back on antihistamines, Im still in fairly bad shape I was doing ok last night, but this morning my whole face swelled up like a balloon Its not as uncomfortable as the hives are...but I have a fair tomorrow!!!! I cant go looking like this! I can just hear the small children now..."AAAAAHHHH Mommy! CLOWN LIPS!!!! AAAAHHH!!! " |
| Incidentally...Ron, if you would like, I don't mind if this thread got re-titled with Autoimmune Urticaria, if you want Google to lure in some itchy, cranky guests to read it! |
| FYI, my doc took me off the Zyrtec and replaced it with Xyzal as it's particularly indicated for hives. I have a much better response to it than I had to the 20mg Zyrtec twice a day. You might ask about that. Other than I am still on the prednisone, we have a very similar course of treatment. Instead of Doxepin I take Atarax (same class of drugs) and instead of Prevacid I take Protonix (also same class). Rantadine is just Zantac - more reflux medication. Naproxen's OTC brand name you might know is Aleve, Rx brand is Naprosyn. I am so much better than I was a week ago I can't even begin to tell you. So hang in there, this really should knock it down for you. |
rdf wrote: FYI, my doc took me off the Zyrtec and replaced it with Xyzal as it's particularly indicated for hives. I have a much better response to it than I had to the 20mg Zyrtec twice a day. You might ask about that. Other than I am still on the prednisone, we have a very similar course of treatment. Instead of Doxepin I take Atarax (same class of drugs) and instead of Prevacid I take Protonix (also same class). Rantadine is just Zantac - more reflux medication. Naproxen's OTC brand name you might know is Aleve, Rx brand is Naprosyn. I am so much better than I was a week ago I can't even begin to tell you. So hang in there, this really should knock it down for you. yep - beat me to all that drug stuff.  About the Xyzal - that's the only one I'm not familiar with - is it known by another name?. Is it prescription as well? - just curious. I know we have been seeing more doctors starting to use Zyrtec and the like for allergic reactions (more minor, annoying than life threatening) for patients the last few years. Used to be it was benedryl all the time. |
| Good old over-the counter Benadryl is still more effective for me than almost anything else. It just knocks me pretty much out. So, Ive downgraded from "clown lips" to "Angelina Jolie look-alike" heh, no need for plastic surgery here! |
ravenmoonart wrote: Good old over-the counter Benadryl is still more effective for me than almost anything else. It just knocks me pretty much out. So, Ive downgraded from "clown lips" to "Angelina Jolie look-alike" heh, no need for plastic surgery here! well, at least you are getting something positive out of it. and benadryl is killer on me too. Just 25 mg and there better be a bed nearby, cause in about 20 minutes I'll be crashed. |
| Title changed. The Prevacid is also to protect your tummy from the Naproxen, which can be harsh. Naproxen takes about 3 days to reach a good therapeutic level in the blood stream. It has been a wonder drug for me. (It used to go by the name of Naprosyn). Over the Counter you can get Aleve which is "naproxen sodium" (a faster acting version of naproxen). |
got sheep wrote: rdf wrote: FYI, my doc took me off the Zyrtec and replaced it with Xyzal as it's particularly indicated for hives. I have a much better response to it than I had to the 20mg Zyrtec twice a day. You might ask about that. Other than I am still on the prednisone, we have a very similar course of treatment. Instead of Doxepin I take Atarax (same class of drugs) and instead of Prevacid I take Protonix (also same class). Rantadine is just Zantac - more reflux medication. Naproxen's OTC brand name you might know is Aleve, Rx brand is Naprosyn. I am so much better than I was a week ago I can't even begin to tell you. So hang in there, this really should knock it down for you. yep - beat me to all that drug stuff. About the Xyzal - that's the only one I'm not familiar with - is it known by another name?. Is it prescription as well? - just curious. I know we have been seeing more doctors starting to use Zyrtec and the like for allergic reactions (more minor, annoying than life threatening) for patients the last few years. Used to be it was benedryl all the time. It's relatively new, same class as Zyrtec. http://www.xyzal.com/ ravenmoorart - I think when you take the doxepin, you'll find you won't need as much benedryl. It will help knock you out so you won't itch as much, and when you don't itch as much you won't have as much swelling....and on. |
| I couldn't find this thread for days I thought I was going mad I was taking Plaquenil last year, I chose to come off it after I cut out wheat from my diet, as that is what was causing my arthritis. Sorry to nag but have you tried an elimination diet yet? I can't tell you what a huge difference cutting out wheat made for me  Sending positive vibes your way!! |
| Arrgh!! I went to the hospital yesterday for a skin test, but didn't get one. The doc asked if I had hives right now.. and I don't. He asked of I had any pictures.. and I don't He said he will write to my doctor to request that he sends me to an allergy specialist. I was in his office less than 2 minutes. I missed the football for nothing Today I went to have an asthma test. You breathe into a thingy and if the score is under 70% then they give you a pump. Well, I scored 75 and I feel better today than I have in months.. even after scoffing trigger foods before the appointment. I'm off to see my herbalist. |
| Hey, Laurel, are you feeling any better yet? Are the meds working?! Sorry to hear that you're going through so much, Cassie... I hope you can come to a solution that will help you, too! |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: Hey, Laurel, are you feeling any better yet? Are the meds working?! Sorta-kinda Im certainly better off than I was! Every day I still have a few hives, and an area or two that is swollen...just not everywhere like before! Today my hands are super swollen though, which is going to make working (I have to do framing today, in preparation for the weekend) a pain. I go to the eye Dr. next Thursday to get an exam to see if I can take another medication called Plaquinel (sp?). If I understood the Dr. correctly, the Plaquinel addresses the autoimmune directly, as opposed to just treating the symptoms. Its a scary medicine though, with bad potential side effects, so I'm a bit apprehensive. Cassie...I don't understand why they wouldn't test you if you didn't have hives currently??? That doesn't make sense! Good luck with the herbalist! |
| Ok...I'm now getting discouraged. Yesterday the swelling and hive got worse as the day went on, and my Dr. called to tell me that the other tests that they did came back, and now I am apparently testing positive for a thyroid problem. My immune system is attacking my thyroid, as well as my skin, joints, etc. So...more medicine. He also had me up the dosages of all of my antihistamines (Im take 3 different ones) so I'm now taking something like 6 times the normal dose, along with a med for my headaches, and another that reduces the itch when hive do occur. All that...and today I'm covered in hives and my whole face is swollen I only started the higher doses last evening...so maybe it'll take a bit for that to help? If this keep escalating, I'm not sure what the heck I'm going to do. I cant go on the Plaquinel till Ive seen an eye Dr, and my appointment for that is next Thursday.On a positive note, one lovely side-benefit of all the antihistamine I'm on is: Mosquito bites don't effect me at all! Evidently the little bit of histamine response that their bit causes is totally swamped by the meds  Anyone who has ever lived in Alaska can tell you...this is a huge perk!!! |
Wow. Welcome to the Thyroid and Plaquenil club  Is there anything else that I have that you would like too? My herbalist says she can put something in my herbal mix to help with the asthma, she has made a mix with plenty of natural antihistamines as well as the usual stuff, so I'll see how that goes. Get this... she says that cooking olive oil (which is not the way it is supposed to be eaten) changes the structure and that's what is causing the reaction. Which totally explains why I didn't react the other day before I went to the doc, because I just poured it over the pasta once it was cooked Hope you feel better soon Laurel |
Hint of Mischief wrote: Wow. Welcome to the Thyroid and Plaquenil club Is there anything else that I have that you would like too? No thanks, you can certainly keep the asthma! This morning I'm doing much better, which is good, because in 15 minutes I have to go set up for a fair. I had visions of myself trying to hide my swollen eyes behind dark glasses like a movie character after a beating Glad you get to have olive oil in some form  Hang in there! |
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