URTICARIA AND ANGIO ODEMA

[M. BALA]

I AM SUFFERING FROM SEVERE URTICARIA WITH ANGIO ODEMA FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO LOCATE THE TRIGGERING FACTOR. HOPE I CAN GET SOME HELP FROM YOU. I GOT YOUR WEB SITE THROUGH MY SON AND I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS OPPURTUNITY AND GET SOME TREATMENT IF POSSIBLE. AT TIMES THE ATTACKS ARE QUITE SEVERE AND I GET SWELLING OF MY FACE, LIPS,NECK AND HANDS. SOMETIMES MY ANKLES ARE ALSO SWOLLEN. I GET HIVES ALL OVER THE BODY TOO. I WAS TREATED WITH ALL KINDS OF ANTI HISTAMINES AND STEROIDS FOR SEVERE ATTACKS. THE URTICARIA WAS SUPRESSED FOR SOMETIME AND REAPPEARS. I EVEN TRIED HOMEO TREATMENT FOR SOMETIME AND THE RELIEF WAS TEMPORARY. I AM QUITE DEPRESSED AND DISGUSTED. I TRIED ELEMINATION OF FEW FOOD PRODUCTS BUT NO USE. IT IS NOT SEASONAL AND OCCURS THROUGH OUT THE YEAR. I TAKE THYROID FOR MY THYROID DEFICIENCY, TENELOL 50 MG 1 TABLET A DAY, AND SEMI DAONIL FOR MY SUGAR. I STOPPED TAKING ALL THESE MED. FOR A WEEK TO TEST WHETHER MY URTI IS TRIGGERED BY ANY ONE OF THEM. BUT THE ATTACKS WERE SAME LIKE BEFORE. I LIVE IN INDIA AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO COME TO US FOR TREATMENT. PLEASE SUGGEST SOME TREATMENT WHICH I CAN TRY HERE. MY DAUGHTER IS A GYNAECOLOGIST AND SHE TOOK ME TO A NUMBER OF SKIN SPECIALISTS HERE. YOU CAN ALSO SUGGEST SOME DOCTORS OR CLINICS IN INDIA AND I CAN VISIT THEM. I WILL BE EAGERLY WATING FOR YOUR REPLY. THANKING YOU AND MUCH OBLIGED
M.BALA

[malaka]

You're not alone. Search the archives on this board and you'll find many people who have the same thing.

I've only had severe Urticaria for about 8 months. I still haven't found what causes it, although I think it is dairy related. Anyway, I have been avoiding all dairy (milk) products and taking Zantac and Zyrtec regularly for the past 2.5 months without any major attacks.

You may want to try a TRUE elimination diet. You mentioned that you tried eliminating a FEW foods. That won't work. If you really want to find the cause, you must follow a strict elimination diet and then slowly add new foods. There are many sites on the internet that can help you setup this diet.

Good luck...!

[emtinsc]

Like you I have had the hives with my thyroid problem, except I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Most Doctors don't understand the suffering you go through with Chronic urticaria and angioedema. And most will tell you that your hives have nothing to do with your thyroid, well ask them if it isn't true that if you have one autoimmune problem that you usually have several? But I may have someone who can help you. Dr. Allen Kaplan, From the National Allergy and Asthma, and Urticaria centers of Charleston SC. I live in Spartanburg SC and have to travel 3 1/2 hours to see him. He is an expert in urticaria, sees patients from all over the world and can help you!! Trust me, he is really helping me through this. To find out more about them, just look up the National Allergy and Asthma and Urticaria centers of Charleston SC and that website will tell you where they are located, how to contact them for an appointment, and then you can look up Dr. Allen P. Kaplan and it will tell you all about him and his expertise in urticaria. No where is too far to travel for your health. He may only need to see you once and then do follow-ups over the phone and through your regular allergist or doctor. Just ask them how you could afford to come to them, they should be more than happy to help you!!! Good luck!!

[shawnyboy]

most likely it's an allergic reaction to something. You could be allergic to anything. Most obvious certain food. However, most people and even doctors tend to forget other causes. Such as allergens in the air and even clothing. For example, if you live near a high traffic area. The air will have alot exhaust fumes. That could make you have an allergic reaction same as food. Also clothing, even 100% cotton clothing. The dyes in the clothing could make you have an allergic reaction. It sounds unusual but it's no joke.

[HAIRDOER]

Sorry to say that I have the same thing and No I am not allergic to anything. If it were simply an allergy, then antihistimines would help. It is more of an immune problem like an autoimmune disease. That is why more people like me have to go on immunosuppressants. I have been on some 18 different kinds of antihistamines and nothing gave me any releif. I get them year round no matter what I eat or do seems to make a bit of difference. I get pressure hives too so I have to be carefull of what I do and what I wear. I wake up with a new batch everyday or new ones develop throughout the day. I cannot go on long walks or do any excersise that might fatigue any muscles or I will pay the price with more swollen places.
I wish I have answers for you but I am on the road to extreme measures after everything else has failed. My next step will probably be plasmepheresis in combination with cyclosporin. I did the cyclosporin alone and finally got relief after 3 months but started have severe side effects and had to quit. I was hive free for two weeks but was too sick to enjoy it.
Since you have Thyroid issues maybe you just need to get the medicine changed or adjusted since that alone can be the cause of your hives. Hope you find a solution soon. It is not a fun road at all and no one can live in a bubble. Good luck to ya!