chronic Angioedema - Allergies Message Board

tanggirl · 08-09-2005, 06:54 AM

I have had a constant swollen face for a year now. It started last fall I had just gotten out of the shower early morning and I had some hives on my stomach/neck area along with a slightly swollen face. The hives went away after a few minutes, my face stayed the same all day, the next morning around 3 AM I awoke with more hives on my stomach, when I went to look at them I realized I couldnt move my head, this is when to my horror I looked in the mirror. My face and neck were swollen to many times their normal size, it was very scary. I went to the emergency room where they pumped me full of steroids and benedryl and sent me home with a prescription for 5 days of more steroids, after several days the swelling went down. This all happened without the hives a few weeks later.....the swelling has never been as bad as the first time But it has never went down totally again, I have a constant swollen face, some days worse than others , not horrible but its not my face either. I have had all kinds of blood tests, allergy tests and even a CAT scan.....nothing shows up. Thankfully I dont get the hives and it does not seem to be dangerous but I really want my face back....also it seems to be affecting my weight, I cant lose and I seem to be gaining....I am getting depressed I want answers. Has anyone had anything like this? Also, has anyone ever tried the homeopathic remedies on [please do not post commercial websites - use the product name only] ? Any info would be grealy appreciated.

Emma_82 · 10-23-2005, 03:03 AM

Hi Tanggirl!

I have the same problem as you do. I have angioedema, which has become chronic. My face is often swollen and so is my stomache. I can't lose any weight, I gain it all the time, even though I don't eat that much. If you would like to change information with me, I'd be happy! I hope to hear from you!

Yours Emma

Mandarra · 10-23-2005, 10:53 AM

I have also diagnosed myself with angioedema, this is new for me in the last month. I take antihistamines every day and this seems to help. Do you know if this is dangerous to the throat area. I woke up once in the middle of the night with swollen lips and my throat felt swollen also, I'm afraid I will choke.
Mary

Emma_82 · 10-23-2005, 11:19 AM

Hi Mandarra!

Nice to talk with a person, who has similar problems! =) Throat swelling is always dangerous. I think it would be wise to seek medical help in throat swelling cases. What kind of other symptoms do you have? Is the swelling mainly in the face area and throat? Or somewhere else?

Emma

Mandarra · 10-23-2005, 05:45 PM

Hi Emma, this is all new to me. in September I had a very tiring day, I went to bed and fell asleep, around 2:00am I felt a sting on my upper side lip. I thought a bug bit me, but then it began to tingle and swell, I got up and to my surprise my lip was swollen, the next day the swelling went away, but on my way home from work I began to itch, I had hives on my upper legs, I had never had hives before and I'm 48! I took benedryl for the next couple of days and the hives and swelling went away. As soon as I stopped taking the benedryl the hives came back, then the lips began to swell again, always in the middle of the night. About a week ago I thought I would try and get off the antihistamines but the hives came back and in the middle of the night I got the lip swelling again, this time my throat felt tingly and weird, I don't know if it was swelling or just my nervous imagination, I wasn't wheezing or anything but it felt weird, I took benedryl again and waited until I felt better. I have a doctors appointment on the 16th of Nov. I'm taking Reactine ,it keeps the hives and swelling away....so far. I don't seem to see any swelling anywhere else, well maybe on my finger tips. I'm worried that the antihistamines will stop working and my throat will close up, I can't sleep for fear of this. Why does it always happen in the middle of the night?? I will go for allery testing I'm sure, but I really think that this is hormone related for me, my age and all. Do you think I should be worried about my throat tingling? I did see a doctor a few weeks ago, he told me to take the Reactine.

Mary