jr2667

I have been suffering from symptoms of swollen hands/feet/arms/fingers, etc for the last 6 months or so. I have some hives, but mostly it is the swollen hands/feet that bother me. I tend to swell up after walking all day, or using simple hand tools around the house. The pain is severe and disrupts my sleep. The swelling tends to disappear within 24 hours of onset.

This just came on all of the sudden. I went to my GP doctor, he had no idea. He sent me to a rheumatologist, after bunches of tests he couldn't find anything. He sent me to an alergist. After 5 minutes explaining my symptoms he knew exactly what I had. He has only seen this condition a couple of times, so he does not have a lot of experience with treating it. He started me on OTC antihistamine a few days ago. So far no changes. He says if this doesn't work, we will try an RX version. If that doesn't work, we will likely have to try steroids. This is not a an option I would prefer.

I have also noticed that my GERD (acid reflux) has gotten worse when these symptoms started. I have had GERD for about 5 years, and have been able to control it 100% of the time with a single Prevacid prescription each day. When the symptoms of DPU began, my GERD seemed to get much worse. On several occasions it was so bad that I would throw up all night. MY GP doctor doubled my dose of Prevacid and added another drug to help control the contractions in my stomach, thus preventing the acid to pump into my esaphagus. They tend to work 90% of the time now, but on occasion I still have severe GERD. Has anyone else with DPU experienced an increase in acid reflux? I have read where some people are given antacid meds to help prevent DPU. I wonder if my antacid drugs are trying to battle the DPU and thus are losing their effect on the GERD?

I also have a history of Thyroid Cancer in my family. My mother had her Thyroid removed due to cancer. I have read some threads that suspect Thyroid issues as a possible cause of DPU. Does anyone have any info related to this?

Any advice on the best medicines to try would be greatly appreciated. My alergist says he will research this condition further and try to come up with some options. I would like to have some info to give him during my next appt.

For now I try to stay away from those activities that flare up my condition. That means pretty much everything except sitting on the couch (but I have to be careful not to sit in one position very long or my @$$ swells up). This is no way to live, there has to be a cure for this condition. I am not looking forward to a life of sitting around doing nothing for fear of swelling/pain. I have a workshop at home and enjoy DIY projects as well as woodworking. I haven't been able to pick up a tool lately without paying for it. Okay, enough whining, just had to get that off my chest.

Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated.