Allergic reactions: Has anyone had an increase in... - PMRGCAuk

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Allergic reactions

Slosh profile image
45 Replies

Has anyone had an increase in allergies since being on Pred?

I've never really had hayfever or other allergies but have become increasingly allergic and have had two scary incidents in the last two weeks

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Slosh profile image
Slosh
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45 Replies
Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell

I have been on pred since Oct 18 and havnt noticed any increase in allergies but I am sure there will be others along that have had this. What are the two scary episodes you have had?

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toYellowbluebell

Last Monday went into the office - feeling really well.

Started with hayfever that would not let up - so took and anti-histamine and within half an hour started to get a tingly mouth, tongue felt swollen, vision a bit off - weird feeling. Then an excessively dry mouth . Also had stabbing pains in my kidney area? Went to A & E and they said it sounded like a re-action to the anti-histamine. Next day I had such sore joints.

Tonight after dinner - my feet started itching. I had been walking in the garden barefoot (grew up in Africa) moving wood to go to the dump, weeding and deadheading roses. After dinner I had the same symptoms exactly.

But thinking back at the beginning of the year I had quite s few episodes like this but milder. Thought my electrolytes were off.

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply toSlosh

Tingling mouth and tongue is near always a sign of an allergy/reaction of.some kind. Kind of ironic that the reaction was to the thing you took to stop the allergy symptoms. You should check what the active ingredient was in the antihistamine as there are different types and you need to know what exactly you are allergic to. Obviously as SJ has said people do develop allergies. No doubt in the morning you will have more responses.as.most members are tucked up in bed now

Suffererc profile image
Suffererc in reply toSlosh

I have had strange reaction to anti hist. Given for continual nausia. Knocked me out cold, but also left with with tingling hand legs and feet. Don't take them anymore. Ps don't know if they made the nausia any better was out cold

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toSuffererc

Oh dear! I'm now wondering if it was the anti-histamine. Because had the same re-action last night with no anti-histamine. But I suppose when you start reacting it can be anything.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Yes definitely in the third year of Pred. Hay fever type symptoms and itches, also noticeable food sensitivities. Eyes very irritable. What happened to you?

in reply toSheffieldJane

Ditto

Celebrant profile image
Celebrant in reply to

mee\ too

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Found this:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1...

in reply toSlosh

Thanks!!

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toSheffieldJane

Did it get better?

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply toSlosh

No this is my present state. Odd though, with all this rain you’d think itchy sore eyes etc would abate. I save GP for the big things. Just read your attachment eek!

Hi Slosh

What type of Pred are you on? Coated or Uncoated? Did they give you any treatment in A&E?

Keep the packet that contained the antihistamines for reference.

Have you started any other Meds at the same time as the Pred?

If you get another reaction go to A&E immediately. Return to your GP on Monday as this needs further investigation quickly.

MrsN

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Thank you. Un coated at the moment. Does that make a difference?

in reply toSlosh

I was just checking as the coating may have been an issue but you’re on plain so that’s ruled that out.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi,

Like YBB I never had any allergic reactions on Pred (4.5years) - and as you’ve been on it for a long time it seems strange for it to suddenly start now.

You do seem to have had a lot of different things going on since you’ve been on this forum - I wonder is it Pred or is it your illness? Your immune system is still compromised.

Whatever it may be, methinks another visit to the doctor is required.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toDorsetLady

All sort of started after having pneumonia in SA last December.

Although when I first started on Pred I used to get an itchy tingly feeling on my face.

Yes you are right about my immune system - with the thyroid and psoriasis as well.

Now having heart investigations as well.

Like many on here - I was always so robust before PMR.

I was on 7/6 (alternating) in Dec when contracted pneumonia - I have only just managed to get to 7 again since beginning May. Trying to start the 7/6 but not doing too well with that.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toSlosh

Sorry to hear about heart problems - think you’ve got enough going on without adding in more! Poor you.

I would be inclined to stick at 7mg for a little while if you are struggling to reduce - now is obviously not the right time.

I know we ( and the doctors) are always taking about reducing, but sometimes you can’t. You need what you need - just stay where you are. In a few weeks you may be able to do but for now - just forget the taper and concentrate on other things.

Do hope you get other issues sorted soon.

Take care.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toDorsetLady

Thank you. I must say that now I feel a bit scared in general.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toSlosh

I know how you feel, but hang on in there, things will get sorted. It just seems sometimes it’s one thing after another doesn’t it? 💐

Pollyanna16 profile image
Pollyanna16

Hi, Yes about 6 years ago, 5 years into PMR, I had an anaphylactic reaction to an antibiotic for severe toothache within minutes of taking it. Ended up in hospital for a few hours in France so cant use that one anymore.... trying to remember how to spell it!! Amoxicillin! Got it!

Also 2 episodes from wasp stings so now carry an Epi pen. Used to be rather impatient with people who fussed about wasps etc 🙄. Bad luck Slosh x

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toPollyanna16

Hahaha - ditto was always impatient with two of my children that got hayfever. Is it KARMA - teehee

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toSlosh

That must have been so scary for you!

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toPollyanna16

Problem is I don't know what it is.

Pollyanna16 profile image
Pollyanna16 in reply toSlosh

No it is a real worry. I know I blamed it all on steroids at the time which may be totally irrational 🙄

Yellowbluebell profile image
Yellowbluebell in reply toPollyanna16

If you had a reaction to amoxicillin then you can not take any penicillin based antibiotics. Make sure you inform doctors etc

Pollyanna16 profile image
Pollyanna16 in reply toYellowbluebell

No worries, all sorted. Rather a nuisance 😬

Marcy47 profile image
Marcy47

I have bad Hay Fever this year, never had a problem before. In my 4th year on Pred, reducing from 7 to 6.5 for the second time of trying.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toMarcy47

Sounds like me - 2 1/3years on Pred - also second time going sound alternating between 7 and 6.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

For normal allergies, pred should suppress them as it suppresses the immune system generally.

If you are having scary reactions - you need to see medical advice urgently and insist on follow-up. It is very rare, but it is possible to react to pred.

Anti-histamines are a big group of medications and some people react to some and not others. It could be one of the fillers in the tablets - not the drug or other substance.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toPMRpro

Thanks - I don't think I'm reacting to the Pred but think I may have developed Pred induced allergies to things in my environment.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toPMRpro

I'm so scare to try anything now. Yesterday it was definitely something in the garden. I was barefoot and about 1-2hrs after my feet were so itchy and red. Then the other symptoms started.

Omanain profile image
Omanain in reply toPMRpro

This is what I have found. I am usually allergic to dust mites and some pollens but it has not been a problem while I have been on pred.

Noosat profile image
Noosat

I've had itchy scalp occasionally

Slosh profile image
Slosh

Could a very dry mouth be Pred dose related. It has lasted the whole day. So bad that if I don't constantly drink water I feel like I can't swallow.

Sorry for the moans.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSlosh

Are any other "bits" dry? Eyes, lady bits and so on? Another joy of autoimmune disorders can be sicca (dry) syndrome which may also be due to another a/i disorder Sjogrens syndrome.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toPMRpro

Eyes a bit - but not loads. Yip - lady bits - but 62.

Also it subsided after the first episode on the 4th but I did up my Pred for two days from 7 to 10 and then 8 for one day and back to 7 - as I was worried about a flare. Didn't have a dry mouth the day after first episode on the 4th - until last night when I had the next 'allergic reaction' Only took 6mg on Thursday night.

Oh please not another autoimmune disease!

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toSlosh

Could it be adrenals?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSlosh

Not typical as far as I know except it could cause dehydration - and that could have a similar effect. Needs looking at though.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply toPMRpro

Thank you PMRpro for your valuable comments. I will mention it to my doc. I am now having what I call a flare - heavy weak arms/legs, shaky a bit breathless and slightly sore joints took 8mg at 11 last night to mitigate (probably should have taken 10). Anyway took two more this am.

I’m watching The Allergy Fix right now! There’s an allergy epidemic right now that has researchers are wondering why the allergy numbers are rising all across the world. Interesting to say the least.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Thank you.

EMF's?

Glyphosate?

What are they saying?

in reply toSlosh

People living on farms in general have few allergies, and the Amish? None. They haven’t changed their lifestyle in 200 years. They’re thinking cows “dust” provide many helpful microbes(?). Also saying food sensitivities are being confused with actual food allergies. Introducing popular allergic foods early on (6 mos old) rather than waiting until child is 3 yo looks very promising for peanuts. And on and on it goes. Free videos online if you have the right app. I’m watching CBC on TV right now.

Slosh profile image
Slosh in reply to

Thank you.

BettyE profile image
BettyE

I recently had three wasp stings within a fortnight. Last time I was stung was nearly fifty years ago but exactly the same reaction. Big hot patch followed by ever extending swelling( mid calf to instep ) unbearable heat and itching and taking more than a week to clear. This is described as " large local reaction apparently. Anti histamines well tolerated.

I am also allergic to penicillin and this is logged on my notes, I know, so I was surprised, having heard repeatedly on the Corvid news updates that those allergic to penicillin should not have the vaccine to be told by the NHS caller offering me an appointment that this only applied to those with an EpiPen . As far as I know these are not offered to patients like me, we are just offered an alternative prescription.

I have written to my GP telling her of my decision to, for the time being, refuse the vaccine. Will report back here if I get a reply.

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