I have been dealing with symptoms going on 2 months. Started as a hives here and there, althoug at the time i didnt know what they were. I then experianced a swollen tongue. A few days later a swollen lip. I went to the ER and they perscribed pregnisone. While on the steroid, I woke to being COVERED in hives, along with a swollen eye and top half of my face. I was sent to an allergist. They put me on another tappered does of the steroids, Zyrtec, Zantac and Singulair. As I tappered of the steroids, about 10mg a day but still taking the other over the counter meds...RELIGOUSLY, I developed this unbearable pain in my chest. My son and boyfriend both have suffered from heart burn and they assumed thats what I had. I took TUMS but no relief. This attack lasted about 8 hours. It made my mouth water and could not sleep. I noticed that this episode brought on the hives in fuill force. Upon a follow up, the allergist sadi it could be hives in my esophogas or a side effect from the steroids. I am now off all meds except for the Zantac. I still have a few breakout of hives here and there, but its managable. Whats not is these reoccuring chest pain episodes. The zantac doesnt seem to help or tums..
I am reluctant to go back to the dr.s, they cant seem to figure out whats wrong, meanwhile its breaking my bank with all of the co-pays and deductibles..are the 2 related? Is it possible to have hives in my esophogas, should I use my epi-pen if i experiance another painfull episode?
Im desperate for relief!!!!
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I have suffered from chronic idiopathic urticaria and angioedema for nearly 5 and 1/2 years. The only thing that helped for a few years was prednisone. But in the past 2 months I have had very little problems, and hate to even admit remission for fear of "jinxing" myself. The reason for change? Unknown. But I'll take it. Currently taking just one cetirizine every evening. Only one angioedema episode and faint hives here and there in 8 weeks. I have tried in the past with no success: claritin, ranitidine, doxepin, hydroxyzine and benedryl and allegra. Double and triple doses, even. The saddest thing is that people don't understand, and routinely say, "what did you eat?" If it was that easy, I would not have had to see so many different doctors,...
Wrock99,
Thanks for sharing. Your experience typifies many patients I have seen. Many trials of medications may precede success. Sometimes I'm convinced the success has more to do with a spontaneous improvement of the disease. There is so much we still don't understand. Unfortunately we don't know ahead of time what medication will be effective in a particular individual. I often have to resort to prescribing combinations of long-acting antihistamines followed by slow taper of the medications once control has been achieved for several weeks.
I am so glad you are experiencing a remission period. You are right, many people don't understand how you feel or know what to say when flare-ups occur. But often they mean well.
Some interesting research is being done with Xolair injections, currently indicated for the treatment of severe asthma. The drug is extremely expensive but has benefited some people with difficult to control urticaria and angioedema.
Best Wishes,
J. Thompson, MD