Ongoing allergic reaction... and horrible horrible hives...

Hello!

I am back yet again for any advice people might have.

I've posted twice in the past, once as I was curious as to whether people thought I might have lupus (ongoing fatigue, headaches, general malaise, ESR floating between 20 - 25, CRP floating between 25 - 35). The second post was because last week I became covered in hives and thought maybe that's also a sign...

Well since then it's only got worse, I was put on antihistamines, then more antihistamines, then steroids and antihistamines as the hives have continued to get worse. On Friday I ended up at hospital with my face swelling - and I now have an emergency epi pen. As the doctors thought maybe I've developed an allergy, I have been staying away from my flat (we have pet birds which tentatively could be a cause?) - I tried going back to my flat but got a rash across my face, which could be coincidence?

I'm a very anxious person at the best of times so I've been very stressed about it, as well as feeling unwell... Hives are agonising!

Currently I am on fexofenadine, chlorphenamine and prednisolone - and the hives go down in the day time but re appear (often with a bit of facial swellong) when I go to sleep (anywhere between 3am and 6am) then I take the medication at 6am and the cycle begins again...

Has anyone had anything similar? Any suggestions? I have quite a long wait to see an allergist, but have managed to get an appointment with a dermatologist next week. The doctors have explained that I cant stay on steroids forever and I am a bit worried as the hives don't seem to be giving in at all.

As a side note - my doctor took blood tests just after the hives started and found that my ESR went down (14), my CRP went up from what it was (35), but also that my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is very slightly raised (5.25).

I just wondered if anyone had any insight or advice!!!

PS I will return to my flat on Thursday, as the birds are going for a holiday at a bird boarders in case it is them causing it.

[miccika1]

doesn't sound like anything lupus related to me

[Hidden in reply to miccika1]

Oh maybe I shouldn't have posted here - I just knew a lot of people had advice on the hives last time. Hope I'm not annoying if I am in the wrong place.

[miccika1 in reply to Hidden]

Not annoying at all. It's a valid question.

[Jmiller623]

Although people with lupus tend to have sensitivities and do swell, it doesn’t typically present so suddenly and severely as what you’re experiencing. I do get full body swelling inside and out when I take/eat something not agreeable with me but it resolves in 3 days with avoidance. Not to say that something autoimmune is not going on with you but I’d focus more on what you’re reacting too. Angioedema/face swelling suggests an allergy/immunology problem such as c1 esterase deficiency.

Your best option is to ask your doctor for a referral to an allergist/immunologist for complete allergy testing. It might also be good to see a dermatologist and have the hives biopsied if they don’t respond to antihistamines.

Sorry you’re feeling unwell. Keep us up to date with your progress! ❤️

[KayHimm]

Adelaide - don’t feel bad about posting. Many things involving the immune system can seem similar. I really think, as JMiller said, that you need to see an immunologist. They are able to determine what you are allergic to and to determine if there is an autoimmune component.

Your symptoms are scary. Glad you have the épi pen. But you need follow up.

Keep us posted.

K

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone! All the advice just assured me I am going the right things.

I've got a dermatologist appointment next week, and I am on the waiting list for an allergist so fingers crossed they'll give me some answers.

Thanks again!

[KayHimm in reply to Hidden]

That is terrific. Both the dermatologist and allergist will help you. Allergists are immunologists.

You will probably have testing to determine what you are allergic to.

Good luck and report back.

K

[Roanna]

Adelaida, so sorry for your hives. I went through hives for a few years after I was put on a lupus med. The dermatologist I went to biopsied one of the hives and told me I had urticaria, no idea of what caused it though. This was 25 years ago so hopefully they can do more than just what I got for a diagnosis. My hives settled somewhat with antihistamines. I thought I was allergic to one of my meds and the Drs told me that wasn't possible. Turns out I was allergic to it (Plaquenell). When I had to stop it due to chemo for my kidneys, the hives went away. I have often asked about going to a Allergists but have always been told that they don't test for everything, they test what you believe you are allergic to. So get a list going of everything you believe it could be and bring it with you. Some items fall in the same category so you only need the one test. Good luck, I know exactly what you are going through.