I had had several allergic reactions to blood pressure meds. Put on one that was supposed to be well tolerated, Norvasc. I am still experiencing swelling of face, lip, tongue (mild to moderate). I've noticed that I also have extreme anxiety with these episodes. Anyone know what's going on?
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Q: can anxiety cause an allergic reaction, swelling of face and tongue?
Answers (22)
4/24/08 4:57am
To my knowledge there is no evidence that anxiety can cause an allergic reaction. An allergy refers to a sensitivity to specific substances. I would hazard a guess that your anxiety is associated with the reaction rather than the cause of it.
On your behalf I did check Norvasc on drugs.com and the symptoms you describe are listed as 'a serious side effect' for which it is recommended you seek medical treatment. Please click here to read the information.
Hope this helps
6/24/10 6:53pm
I feel that anxiety does cause an allergic reaction. I have had swelling of the face and tongue several times when I was about to attend a function that I was anxious about and did not want to go to. Then, when my father passed away and I was called to the phone by the hospital nurse at 12:30 at night, by the time she finished talking to me my tongue was so swollen I could hardly speak to my brother. I was more than anxious that time, I feel that I was actually in shock. I have had allergy tests and I am not allergice to any foods.
2/12/11 1:50am
You are right... same things has happened to me twice in the last 6 months in times of extreme strees. I had a very weird reacttion,... I have sinus problems also so what i had was a flush feeling... an extreme sense of panic,then i cant breath through my nose,...my head feels like its going to explode... Then my eyes start to swell..badly, within 10-30mins it gets worse. I feel extremly anxious and frantic this time was worse because i actually got full body hives everywhere extremly itchy! But as soon as i take the benedryl the reactions go away within an hour. then when i see that the swelling goes down i feel reassured so i panic less then it goes away.One of the weirdest things thats happened to me out of nowhere !!! ????
2/27/11 12:40pm
Gosh, I am so puzzled, I am an educated and rational woman in my 30's. So here I am thinking that I have some form of allergy. But have had testing and could not find anything. Has anyone here tried anti-anxiety medication and technically cured their "allergy"/ maybe anxiety, curious?
3/ 2/11 5:46pm
It's nice to know I'm not alone. I just started experiencing the face swelling and the other more severe symptoms described, but have had mild hives from stress since I was a kid. I'm 39 now. I even get a runny nose and sneeze. I am a psychology grad student and have studied psychopharmocology. This is my theory. Stress causes the body to produce histamines. Histamines make us feel anxious, but it is also the hormone that causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. I'm thinking that as we experience acute (sudden) stress, the histamine levels are reaching a threashold that triggers the allergy-like symptoms. There are anti-anxiety meds that are actually antihistamines, e.g. Vistaril. I'm not going to run out and start taking anti anxiety meds, but rather plan to get back into the gym. The histamine response to stress is triggered by the autonomic nervous system. I have found no better way to regulate the autonomic system than good old fashioned exercise.
This is just a theory, but since the doctors don't seem to have a handle on it yet, it's a place to start. If you want to research it, look for 'histamines and stress' 'antihistamines and anxiety' 'histamines and allergies (swelling, etc.)'. Good luck to all of you. This is a pretty bothersome thing to deal with. What promped me to do the Google search that brought me here was reading an anxiety provoking email. By the time I got through it, my face was starting itch. By the time I got up to look in the mirror, I looked five years older.
3/19/11 11:03am
Hello :)
I am just turning 40. I have had these sort of reactions throughout my life. I had my first reaction when I was 14. I was at basketball practice....racing the other players up and down the court. The reaction started by extreme sneezing and itching eyes as if someone threw sawdust in my face (actually hurts). Then I get severe edema (swelling) of the eyes, lips and nose. The swelling stays for a day or so. My mom never gave me benadryl....she didn't know any better. We went to an allergy doc and he was stumped. They all thought it was something I ate before exercise or the air (pollen, dust etc.) BUT the only common factor that I KNEW was there and figured out......was STRESS!!! exercise and stress!! So the doc said I had exercise induced asthma that turns into analphylaxis. BUT......I had two reactions without exercise. I was 22. Out with the friends past curfew, so I had to figure out how to sneek in my house, but I had to pee really bad, so I squated in a bush outside my house.......and sure enough.....there came the sneezing and the swelling!!!! The next time.....There was this annoying guy that was telling my a LONG story.....I was then running late to a class that I had a test in. I started to panic.....and there came the sneeze!!!! For years I carried around an epipen. I had about 15 reactions in my life. Anyway......everyone that was close to me still to this day says......Don't stress her out.....she will turn into the hulk!! lol!! I stayed away from any running. I exercise by doing the stairmaster, swimming and rollerskating and I never had another reaction. It's been 15 years since I had a reaction. For the first time I ran on the treadmill for 10 min. and no reaction......but I was stress free. I also have reynauds syndrome. That also has a common factor of stress and the bodies response. I DEFINATELY think it has to do with the autonomic nervous system......like a malfunction of the bodies responses to the nerves and stimuli? I am glad to see that there are others out there......gotta love the computer. :))) Hope this helps someone. Take care all! Sue
3/19/11 11:19am
I wanted to add. I dug on the internet last year. I was looking for an expert in this area. There is a doctor at Harvard University that studies these sorts of reactions. I tried to find an e-mail and couldn't get through to him and I gave up. I would love to be part of a case study or something. I went my 40 years of life not knowing exactly what my problem is. :) If it could help people in the future.....I would be thrilled!! So....if there is anyone?? contact me at sue.alie@hotmail.com Thanks again!!
12/31/11 4:24pm
I am on the way of curing this anxiety problem. I have been on several anxiety meds, and each one has made me worse. I have found out today that It is a certain chemical in your brain that you are deficient in when you have anxiety. I took the written test to see which chemical I have less of. Go to Eric Braverman's website. You should be able to take the test there. Then he will tell you which meds are safe for you, and also has natural herbs to take.
4/25/08 1:58pm
Hi Lindam,
Anxiety probably does not cause allergic reactions, but an allergic reaction can sure cause anxiety!!
If you have a known allergy to certain meds, then it is possible your doctor needs to look at what you are taking and look into alternative formularies that won't affect you adversely. While online sites are great resources for information, they should never take the place of your doctor's advice and care.
You can read more about Norvasc here in the drugs database. An allergic reaction is a rare but serious occurence and you should tell your doctor about these symptoms and ask him if you should continue taking the medication. Also make sure you tell your doctor everything you are taking even over the counter medications and vitamins or herbal remedies. This could include common items like aspirin, or motrin, ginseing extracts, anything you are taking that is not food. These all could have a profound effect on your tolerance of the prescribed medications.
I hope this helps somewhat. Please stay in touch and let us know what the doctor determined was the problem. There might be someone else out there experiencing the same issues and your experiences will help. Also let us know how you're doing!
Vicki M
4/26/08 2:15pm
I have no experience with swelling related to medication but I felt compelled to respond because I feel like I get anxiety-related swelling in my face (lips, eye area, throat), feet and occasionally on other parts of my body. I can't find anything to confirm that anxiety may be the cause of this, but the "outbreaks" always follow periods of high anxiety. The swollen areas get slightly red, itch and ache. If anybody knows anything about what this may be, I'd like to know.
11/10/09 7:46pm
This is anecdotal only, but it appears that in my case as well, anxiety causes swelling. The reason that I'm reading this column is that I have the most severe case of angioadema - skin swelling of face around the eyes, hand, and genitals. I also have a hive-like rash on my hands and upper legs. This follows some devastating health news of my child. In the past I seemed to notice some swelling following periods of stress (anxiety or physical), but I never had news like this.
12/14/09 6:28am
I thought i was going mad. In January of this year I experienced a similar thing. I was writing exams. The swelling was in my face and on my right leg. Thursday of last week I startint getting the 'feeling' I am getiing thrush, went to the pharmacy, got some creams. Friday night my hands started swelling, my nose, inside and out, my lips, my cheeks and above my eyes was red.. Saturday morning my tongue was swollen. Went to the doctor and he said its an allergic reaction to something I ate. I know I did not eat anything extraordinary. The only 'thing' that is the same from january and now is my stress level. Everyone thinks I am being a drama queen, telling them it's because of stress.
12/14/09 6:32am
Just want to add something, when the swelling subsides, there is dead skin on the places where it was swollen, it looks really bad like I have been burnt with hot water and now the skin comes off
12/14/09 11:45am
That's interesting about the skin. When my swelling subsided I also had extra skin. It didn't seem dead, but it appeared that it was stretched so it became wrinkled and loose around the eyes most noticably. I looked 10 yrs older for awhile. After two weeks the effects disappeared.
5/23/10 11:48am
i have severe swelling of face and neck and have no food allergies and am convinced it is a mind body connection where the toxic thoughts get stuck and cant be released,the body calling attention to soemthing u need to look at. u can conatct me at vivienwe@aol.com. i am not a health provider just a person who has this swelling fpr no apparent reason. i have gone thru allergy tests and my only allergies r shellfish, dust and my house is not at all dusty.
5/23/10 11:50am
i have severe swelling of face and neck and have no food allergies and am convinced it is a mind body connection where the toxic thoughts get stuck and cant be released,the body calling attention to soemthing u need to look at. u can conatct me at vivienwe@aol.com. i am not a health provider just a person who has this swelling fpr no apparent reason. i have gone thru allergy tests and my only allergies r shellfish, dust and my house is not at all dusty.
6/24/10 7:17pm
You are not being a drama queen. If you read my comment above from Marie, you will see that I have gone through stressful situations and also had a swollen face/tongue reaction. Until we are published in a medical journal, the medical people do not seem to believe us. Marie
11/29/09 3:36pm
I've been suffereing from bouts of facial pain and swelling for over 20 years (I'm now 41). In my early twenties i ended up seeinga neurologist about it and they could not find any physical cause of the pain and swelling. I given up complaining about it but have noticed over the years that it does seem to be triggered by anxiety - my eyes and cheeks become especially puffy and I become very self conscious. I've tried relaxation techniques and meditation which does help. So glad i found this web site - I thought I was the only person who suffered from this strange anxiety symptom!
12/28/11 6:16pm
I am so glad that others have the same symptoms as I do. I have had severe anxiety for over 6 yrs now, And did not know I had it till this past yr. I have been going out of my mind cause my sypmtoms from this had got worse, pain in the cheeks and redness and swelling, my eyes have been puffy. and since I have had all this swelling, i have sagging skin now.. It is from anxiety, and I wish I had known a long time ago that This is what I had. Cause now I look awful!
12/29/11 4:13pm
Its really good to hear other people suffer from this too. I get this really bad pressure inside my head, mostly in the front (around my nose, eyes and feel it on the roof of my mouth. Then it causes this weird feeling in my mouth like its going to swell shut but i look in the mirror and it looks normal. Then it makes me anxious and my throat starts hurting and it feels the same way. I'm sick of having to live on my anti-anxiety pills when I get this way, cause it seems to be occuring more often lately. I do feel stressed (as in things just arent working in my favor + christmas. If anyone feels like they need to chat with someone who is going thru it, maybe by talking to someone who is living thru the same pain and frustration could help. Feel free to email me at elz_jre@yahoo.com anytime. I would love to talk to anyone who may need to chat or get things off their chests.
12/29/11 4:14pm
Its really good to hear other people suffer from this too. I get this really bad pressure inside my head, mostly in the front (around my nose, eyes and feel it on the roof of my mouth. Then it causes this weird feeling in my mouth like its going to swell shut but i look in the mirror and it looks normal. Then it makes me anxious and my throat starts hurting and it feels the same way. I'm sick of having to live on my anti-anxiety pills when I get this way, cause it seems to be occuring more often lately. I do feel stressed (as in things just arent working in my favor + christmas. If anyone feels like they need to chat with someone who is going thru it, maybe by talking to someone who is living thru the same pain and frustration could help. Feel free to email me at elz_jre@yahoo.com anytime. I would love to talk to anyone who may need to chat or get things off their chests.
5/10/08 1:41pm
I personally have noticed that in times of high anxiety (good and bad) that my upper lip swells severly and only goes away with antihistamines. I have delt with this for 5-10 years. I have always believed it is an allergic reaction to anxiety. However, don't try to get a doctor to fit it into their box, it won't happen.
12/ 7/09 5:41am
My son who is 23 years old had been getting only upper lip swelling since he was 12 years old only during the night of his exams. I had been taken him to doctors but still no one ever had believed me that it is due to exams fear and stress! They all said it was allergy and treated with antihistamine medication. Sometimes he get this swelling of upper lip and we don't take him to see doctors and with ice cubes it goes away. It is not insect bites but only happend the night of his exams! Because tomorrow we are having an appointment with an allergy doctor, so I said I'll read about it in the internet as I may could confense the allergy doctor of my point. Can any one having the same thing reply and tell me their point too.
3/ 4/10 10:13am
My husband has been suffering from swelling of the upper lip and one side of his face for over a year now. He is 49. Antihistamines also take the swelling down eventually. He looks like Will Smith in the movie "Hitch". His upper lip gets HUGE and the right side of his face swells beyond normal proportions. We thought it was food allergies, but it seems to take place when he is very stressed, and spends long nights at his job and on the computer for the volunteer work he does.
4/24/10 7:47pm
Interseting to see many similar people with the symtom of facial swelling at night, periodically I will wake up with what looks like a duck beak for lips and my eyes are hideous.....almost closed, after a couple of years of this occurring periodically I am no closer to identifying it, I am 47 yr old male with a professional job, when the swelling does seem to occur it is made worse by late nights on the computer or lack of sleep, has happenned after driving for many hours then sleeping, it almost seems efected by my mood.......I hate it but cant find a quack who has been of any use other than emptying my wallet....telfast seems rthe best cure of the symtoms but they dont go away immediately, I do have a suspicion that whenever I have a viris such as a flu it is a side effect that occurs wherever a stressful or tiring situation exists, any comments or comparative stories welcomed.
5/ 5/10 3:31pm
I know when I wake up my eyes are very puffy and sometimes my face feels a bit swollen as well... Also, recently have been experiencing swollen lips in the morning. I am highly allergic to mold and dust mites and was told by my MD that this can be a sure sign of a reaction to the allergens.. especially if you wake up with them as dust mites are numerous in quantity in bedding.. I ordered allergy free bedding (extremely expensive) that does not allow dust mites to penetrate. I will wait for them to arrive and see if there is a difference. Also, I have two air purifiers going at night and right now getting the air conditioner system checked for both particles. I do know my eyes are always effected and my face sometimes get flushed....and now weird hive like lines (sorta hives) but more like lines and criss cross stuff on my skin.. yes, sounds weird but it happens.. again mostly at night but more recently during the day.. I do believe my stress level either can trigger or excasperate the symptoms as adrenaline starts to flow and make everything worse in your body...
And I also have a senisitivity to the computer as afterwards my hands and feet are numb and tingingly... electric stuff effects me.. My body is very sensitive to so many environmental things that I have begun to see a holistic MD who is giving me supplements, vitamin C drips and stuff like that.. I know that keeping my anxiety at bay and eating healthier, lots of water and going to this MD has helped.
Hang in there.
M
12/31/11 4:11pm
In reply to your comment. I do recommend you go to the website of eric. braverman. He deals with the chemicals in the brain. there are 4 different ones. and If you are deficient in one of them, you need a medication that will bring it into balance. He actually has natural herbs that will do the same thing. so Go to his website. It will help
6/24/10 7:20pm
I am not sure how I am supposed to do this but the following is a copy of a comment I posted above:
I feel that anxiety does cause an allergic reaction. I have had swelling of the face and tongue several times when I was about to attend a function that I was anxious about and did not want to go to. Then, when my father passed away and I was called to the phone by the hospital nurse at 12:30 at night, by the time she finished talking to me my tongue was so swollen I could hardly speak to my brother. I was more than anxious that time, I feel that I was actually in shock. I have had allergy tests and I am not allergice to any foods. Marie
4/19/11 2:01pm
This is amazing to see so many with the same issue. I've had these symptoms (severe at times) for almost 15 years. When I've mentioned it to my doctors, one actually accused me of hitting myself in the face while she was out of the room. I guess she thought I was a drug seeker? My eye swells shut and my lips have gotten so swollen until they are shiny, and actually bleed. It's very embarassing to look that way in public (which makes my symptoms worsen). Now, I can feel the tingling and itching coming on and taking Claritin or Benedryl, along with a small dose (.5 mg Xanax) I can catch it before it becomes too severe.
I have a B.S. in Psychology and am working on my M.S. degree. If it hasn't been done by the time I go for my Doctoral degree; I will do my entire research on this. We suffer, and doctor's laughing at our condition is humiliating and must be stopped.
It's obviously a true (and very feasible) chemical reaction to stress.
6/ 4/08 9:51pm
I have a lot of food allergies, and recently have had a lot of anxiety.. I too have the alergic reacion feelings.. lips, eyes, hands, tongue, and throat.
5/ 3/09 5:25pm
I am a healthcare provider, and although there is no documentation (that I have seen) that says that anxiety can cause lip swelling, I am living proof that it can.....In times of very high stress, I will get a "prodrome" similar to that of herpes simplex (cold sores). At first I thought that the stress was causing me to "get" a cold sore, and stress is known to bring on an outbreak an herpes, so I would take my Valtrex and it would pass.......I eventually realized that it passed too quickly for the Valtrex to have had time to work, but it went away and I was happy.
Recently, I experienced my first real panic attack (or group of attacks). One particular night my top lip started first and my bottom lip followed with significant edema. I was concerned that I was having an allergic reaction and I took benedryl and I applied some ice. The edema did go down but for several days if I got upset or worked up again, the swelling returned. I have found that the reaction behaves a lot like hives (urticaria). If you rub your lips or stimulate them, the swelling is worse or it can return after the "attack" has subsided. Often times people who have hives can "create" them by scratching or rubbing the skin. Another thing that I have found that will help is the application of ice. I hold a peice of ice in a napkin and just blot the area (don't rub it back and forth b/c this stimulation and aggrivate it) and I take an antihistamine- benedryl is best if you can afford to get sleepy).....I have decided to see my doctor about trying some medication b/c this has recently worsened.....I think it is because I have had some medical issues and have been fixated on what if this????? or What if that?????
If anxiety is a problem for you, you should see your healthcare provider!
6/16/09 6:19pm
hello,
did you guys also experience nasal congestion or breathing problems during the lip swelling episode?? My swelling of upper lip appears to occurs during nasal congestion...
7/29/09 12:04am
I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for a little over 3 years now. I am currently off meds due to a recent pregnancy and out of the blue my bottom lip started swelling. I too thought I was having an allergic reaction which of course spiked my anxiety. But for a week now, my bottom lip is just puffier that it used to be. Today I started having an anxiety attack and I noticed it was "feeling" and getting puffier. The swelling seems to be on the inside of my lip and is not very noticable to the average person. However, my mom and husband have said they can tell, but they think I should be happy since I had lips on the small side to begin with. It has been a fairly uncomfortable and stressful week (worrying about the swelling, which probably is making it worse) but I am getting back on meds and HOPE the swelling goes away!!
8/22/09 10:14am
Hi - I am a retired Engineer and I too believe that I am living proof that anxiety causes lip and facial swelling. I have been experiencing this for about 7 years, and recently it is happening often. Some little thing will happen, or someone will say something that bothers me, and within minutes I can feel either my upper lip or bottom lip begin to swell. I don't know how to stop this and it is embarrassing!
Today my cheeks and under one eye are swollen as well. I am scheduled for allery testing in October, but I don't think the tests will be positive. I take novo-hydroxizin (25 mg) for a couple of days and the swelling subsides.
10/14/09 12:59pm
I too have had swolling of the face and lips. also my foot is swollen now. I have consulted the doctorthey simply ask what has changed. The only thing that has changed is my job and it is important to me that I suceed therefore I am very anxieous about everything I do. However when it happens are you finding anyway to cope with it, heat seems to make it worse so I can not have a bath have tried ice not sure if this works I just need to manage it so I can get on with my life.
Thanks
11/15/09 11:18am
Wow - I am so glad I found this forum - I was starting to think I was crazy!
I am a dental hygienist and have had three episodes of extreme stress & anxiety followed by an episode of extreme facial swelling.
As I write my left ear is twice its normal size, red and painful & hot. I had an extremely stressful week of trying to hold on to my job & defending myself against two co-workers who were falsely accusing me of things I didn't do & say.
Earlier this year I was having stress in my marriage & had some dental work done. I was extremely stressed & anxious. The doctors in my practice and also a periodontist they referred me to had never seen anything like it. My gums became black (necrotic) around the crown prep, my whole cheek & face on that size swelled up was hot & painful to touch.
The worst case was about a year before that. I drove home crying was really upset after a terrible incident with a former employer who worked me like a dog then refused to pay me. I feel anxious over confontation and we had an extremely tense meeting. I cried the whole drive home and when I got home just had a shower and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning, my entire face, cheeks was swollen, painful & hot to touch. By the afternoon my face was extremely swollen and my husband took me to the ER. They did a litany of tests (MRI, Cat-Scan) and blood samples - everything was normal the only think elevated was my amalyse levels (created in parotid gland in cheeks and my cheeks were swollen). Even my corticosteroid levels were normal. They put me on a morphine drip and two specialists reviewed me and couldn't come up with any answers so they discharged me. I went home and took some pain meds and had a shower and was able to massage my face. I also bandaged my face and used icepacks and the swelling eventually started to subside but I was swollen & in extreme pain for three days. At the height of it (when we went to the ER) my face & neck was so swollen I was starting to have trouble swallowing and was getting scared.
I would love to be contacted if anyone is doing research in regard to physical reactions to extreme mental & emotional anxiety.
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12/ 3/09 5:16pm
I've been suffereing from bouts of facial pain and swelling for over 20 years (I'm now 41). In my early twenties i ended up seeinga neurologist about it and they could not find any physical cause of the pain and swelling. I given up complaining about it but have noticed over the years that it does seem to be triggered by anxiety - my eyes and cheeks become especially puffy and I become very self conscious. I've tried relaxation techniques and meditation which does help. So glad i found this web site - I thought I was the only person who suffered from this strange anxiety symptom!
3/ 3/10 2:54am
I too have been dealing with this facial swelling that to everyone including myself is a mystery. In my case this usually only happens after I have been crying even if only for 10 minutes. In December I ended up in the hospital ICU because one of my eyes was completely swollen shut and the other was very close along with swelling in my cheeks. I was even having problems breathing and this they say was because there was minor swelling in my chest. The emergency room doctor told me I was "literally allergic to stress" and it had to do with the level of histamines being released when I cried or became severely stressed. However the many doctors who saw me during this 3 day ordeal could not agree and just advised that I see a specialist at a different hospital and diagnosed be with angioedema which technically is just the definition of swelling below the skin. After several x-rays, MRI's, tests, benadryl and anti-biotics and other meds I was released with no real answers because everything other than the swelling was normal. This is becoming truly scary for me because no one can always control or hold back tears (I'm a 24 year old woman) and this disorder seems to be progressing. Just this weekend while on a cruise with friends in the Bahamas, I had a major disagreement with my best friend of 22 years and of course because alcohol was involved I definitely could not control my tears, so for the last day and a half of my trip I had to wear sunglasses everywhere! Last year I sought the help of a therapist because of my anxiety and after a crying session in his office he too thought I should see a specialist and we would joke I was allergic to myself. It wasn't until this past December an actual ER doctor even put it in my mind that I could literally be allergic to stress.
Where is Dr. House when you need him? SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!
5/23/10 11:45am
i get swelling from anxiety. i am right now on predisone and have the symptms others have but what u had seems to be related to ur dental work because my partoid gland got blocked once from a routine cleaning and caused extreme swelling. u can conact me at vivienweisman@mac.com. i am a filmmaker and writer not a healthcare practioner but would love to hear more. it seems like it is a mind body connectiona and swelling linked to big head or toxic emotions stuck in the body and wanting to be realeased but get stuck. that is my take for now.
5/23/10 11:51am
i get swelling from anxiety. i am right now on predisone and have the symptms others have but what u had seems to be related to ur dental work because my partoid gland got blocked once from a routine cleaning and caused extreme swelling. u can conact me at vivienweisman@mac.com. i am a filmmaker and writer not a healthcare practioner but would love to hear more. it seems like it is a mind body connectiona and swelling linked to big head or toxic emotions stuck in the body and wanting to be realeased but get stuck. that is my take for now.
1/26/10 9:15pm
I am not sure whether or not anxiety causes allergic reactions but can say for certain that if you experience edema (water retention) can do so. I have been experiencing water retention in my face, hands, and lower legs. When the episodes become elevated, the anxiety can become very intense. My doctor has explained this to me as the edema stressing the adrenals which release hormones causing the anxiety. He now has me on 100mg of Aldactone 4 times a day and it has helped tremendously but am still having problems.
I hope this helps someone.
4/27/10 12:06am
oh my i wonder if thats part of my problem. ever since i had my second son three months ago, i have exaggerated allergic reations to things that have always botherd me as well as painful swelling down my left side in times of extreme stress.. I also am overweight with many edemas and wonder if there may be a link. thankyou
7/16/11 9:18am
I am dealing with a tongue swelling right now which led me to this site. I have been experiencing facial swellings since the birth of my 2nd child, 20 years ago! I did go to an allergist who did the usual testing to find I showed no signs of an allergy. However, he did one more test where they drew my blood, "spun" it and shot my own blood back into me. I broke out in a huge hive in the same spot! It had been explained to me that when you are pregnant, one of your two immune tracks temorarily shuts down, so your body does not regect your pregnancy. After I gave birth to my daughter, my came back on in overdrive! So now whenever I have a sickness or one coming on....I tend to swell. I am not currently feeling sick however, but have had an incredibly stressfull week and this is the second swelling this week I have experienced. I will take a benadryl today, as I am not working, but that is a problem for me most days. I also have prednisone on hand for days such as these but it is very slow to work. I do find that if I drink coffee as well, it helps bring the swelling down. I don't have an answer as to why this would help but it seems to. I fully believe that stress can cause these reactions. I do believe that stress can add to them too. But it seems to me, in most cases, people are stressing out before they ever get the swelling. The doctors used to believe I was allergic to every medication they gave me because I would swell. But they were giving me the medication because I was sick, which actually does cause my swellings. Would love any and all information I can get my hands on regarding this subject. Anyone dealing with this understands the need to find a resolution. Feel free to email me at mcnifr@hotmail.com
6/ 7/10 11:49am
Norvasc is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Norvasc relaxes (widens) the blood vessels (veins and arteries), making it easier for the heart to pump and reducing its workload. Norvasc is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain).
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6/ 7/10 1:45pm
Norvasc is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Norvasc relaxes (widens) the blood vessels (veins and arteries), making it easier for the heart to pump and reducing its workload. Norvasc is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain).
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3/ 7/11 7:31pm
YES, YES, YES !!! I have had 5 bouts in the last 3 years; the last episode resulted in Anaphalxasis and an E.R. visit ... I had gone only 2 weeks before, with a badly swollen face, to my doctor, who gave me a predinisone shot and allergy medication. (I coud connect NOTHING to the previous incident)
I now carry an Epipen, because after allergy tests through the roof, I am apparently allergic to nothing.
The allergist told me, "It is highly likely nerves and I advise you to carry an Epipen at all times!" Sorry, but YES, nerves can cause sudden facial and tongue swelling.
3/22/11 9:51pm
I had many, many allergy tests also. The only common factor when i had a reaction was nerves, anger, and frustration. Every doctor I went to was stumped, but they did give me an epi-pen for the reactions. I really wish there were more studies about this. It's nice to see that I'm not alone though!
4/ 1/11 2:01pm
Hey there.Myself had now had 2 bouts of extreme anaphalyxis landing in ER also.Can you tell me if yours started with a extreme running stomach followed with swollen hives and itching and swollen upper lip and then vomiting.My body then sweats up and i go into shock.Both times a was playing the game Call of Duty Black Opps and the way i maybe work myself up in the game let my anxiety run sky high not knowing myself causing these reactions.Both times i was at home playing the game.
4/ 9/11 10:57am
I am 29 years old and I have experienced unexplained episodes of swelling since I was 7 years old. Just yesterday I was diagnosed with Hereditary Angioedema. This is a disorder of the blood that lacks a necessary protien the body uses to regulate hormone levels. Tbis disorder can cause swelling in hands, feet, tongue, throat, face, eyes and lips. Try and see an allergist and immunologist. This can be life threatening and be aware that their are only 200 diagnosed cases in the USA. The FDA has only approved 3 drugs that can prevent and or control attacks. Local hospitals may not have it on hand. PS steroids do not work it may seem to however attacks will continue to happen. All parents with similar diagnoses should have children tested.
5/10/11 3:41am
This is truly amazing I have recently started having these same symptoms! And now that I look back on it it does seem that I have been over stressed about work situations and financial problems. Thia seems to also be triggered by severe exhaustion and dehydration. I have also been seen by an allergist and apparently I have no known food allergies. I have now had 4 episodes in the past 6 months and I have increased my stress levels dramatically in this time. I also carry an epipen everywhere I go and hope I never have to use it. I am glad to see I'm not alone out there.
5/15/11 11:03pm
Today is May 15th 2011 and i am sitting here with swollen lips and right side of my face. My entire cheek is swollen. I have been dealing with this for over 7 years and have spent near 30k in doctor visits,blood tests and allergy tests to no avail. I am extremely frusturated and cannot figure this out. The doctors are stumped as well. I am glad i am not alone in this but feel for each and ever one of you. If anybody has any suggestions please feel free to email me at week30@rocketmail.com
Thanks!
5/21/11 8:45am
Hello, I've had stress-related episodes of swellings in different parts of my body for about 12 years now. They are always triggered by stressful episodes or circumstances - the first time I was in the process of moving out of my flat & my upper lip almost trebled in size, at other times (once after an unpleasant visit to my in-laws, generally when I'm stressed out from work) I got swelling in the area around my eye or my nose, and also in other soft tissues around my body. I get this 2 or 3 times a year, mostly my upper lip, not huge sweelings, a bit like cold-sore but without the blisters, I feel run-down and it's gone after a week. Yesterday I had the most unpleasant episode so far, I got a tickle in my throat, started coughing, then the coughing got worse and I was gasping for breath. I felt like my throat was swollen, but it got better after half an hour and by the end of the day it was gone. I've got to get my doctor to prescribe me some corticosteroid, just in case it happens again...
5/30/11 4:32pm
I started having my lips swell and become sore after I started blood pressure pills. I went to my doctor and he put me on another medication. However, I am still having the same problem with the new medication. I am beginning to think it is
caused by stress. It seems whenever I go out with a particular friend, I end up
with my lips becoming very swollen and sore, with scabby sores. I have noticed
it the last 3 times I have been with them. We have been friends for years, but have just noticed this in the last year. Am I going nuts or what?? This friend is
very hyper and does often cause me anxiety.
6/18/11 12:32am
Hi all. I too have experienced loads of swelling in my entire face, hands, wrists and feet over the last couple of years. As a Holistic Health Professional it was extremely frustrating to say the least and very embarrassing coming to work looking like the elephant man! I now haven't' had a problem with it for about 5 months after looking at it from many different angles and being honest with myself about the changes that were happening in my life at the time being a new father. In other words, my professional opinion is, my body's reaction to change (i.e. STRESS) was inflammation. Wherever my body wanted it! The answer is not in a ‘pill for an ill'. Your body is not lacking Benadryl or any ingredient found in an over the counter anti-inflammatory product. Any inflammation is your body's immune system working hard in response to some sort of stress within your body. What has changed within your life from ‘normal' within the last period of time you have experienced this?
I've written an entire blog about my experience on primalmovement dot com dot au, click on blog and search for the article of the same name.
Hope it helps some of you out!
Brad
8/19/11 7:03am
I know this is a very old question, but I'm seeing somewhat current responses and so decided to chime in too.
I've had to do a lot of reading about this on my own. It turns out that the body removes histamine from the blood through metabolism by adrenaline (and also methionine and some enzymes, but that's another issue). Perhaps this is why it works so well to get an epinephrine injection when experiencing anaphylaxis.
Anyhow, it's not uncommon for me to have *bad* anxiety during an allergic reaction to something, even if the other allergic symptoms are mild. Sometimes, that's my only symptom. My allergist has experienced a few other cases like this.
So what may be happening for you is what does happen for me: I encounter an allergen, which prompts release of histamine, which the body then recognizes as requiring it to quickly produce more adrenaline, which causes a spike in my anxiety for a bit (until the excess adrenaline is used up through the biochemical reaction with the histamine).
It is aggravating to see how many doctors and even allergy specialists just think the anxiety is due to being "scared" of the symptoms. For goodness' sake, it's not necessary to chalk it up to emotion when there's a known biochemical response involved.
Good luck.
9/16/11 3:26pm
Has anyone else been tested for Mastocytosis? Wow, this is amazing to hear so many similar stories. I'm guessing there are also more symptoms such as tachycardia and blood pressure issues for the majority of people with the swelling. I have been having issues for quite some time. I wake everyday with a swollen face and hands, pulse of 140+ and hives. I'm slightly underweight (can't gain no matter how much I eat) and I rarely drink. I don't do any recreational drugs. I also get periods of loose stools, nausea and vomiting during in what I call episodes. I also get hives after the shower and the flushing spells with severe stress. To make matters worse, I get chronic sinus infections and the antibiotics are already becoming ineffective after years of fighting infections and then related pneumonia, etc. Well, my symptoms were severe enough land me in the ER. They ran tons of tests. I was previously hyperthyroid but my levels were completely normal at that time. The hyperthyroidism resolved on it's own (well after trying meds and having an allergic reaction I was on nothing), which is odd itself but that's another story. Anyhow, all of my tests were fine with the exception of a 24-hour urine test that was kept in a jug on ice. They measured my histamine levels over that time period in the hospital and this is what the result was: Reference range <387, my result 16,0000. That is WAY off. I didn't even know about these results until a few weeks ago. The Neurologist I see (for POTS) had forgotten to go over the results. When I called, the nurse said it had to be a false positive or I'd be more sick. Say what????? I have been damn miserable for a long time and have been VERY sick. The nurse said that my results indiciated Mast Cell Disease, specifially Mastocytosis. I've been seeing a Psychologist forn a few years for PTSD. If it weren't for that, I would have been labeled as "Anxious" or a hypochondriac and they were definitely looking at me as if I were anxious and trying to chalk my issues up to that. It makes me sick that people are so invalidated and just passed off as though the medical field doesn't have holes and undiagnosed illnesses. I haven't yet seen a Dr. to discuss the results of the test but by God, I now an answer that makes sense. It's about time I feel validated. It's a shame that we seek help for an issue that is serious too us and then to not be taken seriously? What an insult. I have a lot of faith and respect for the medical field but I sure hope it gets a new attitude!!!!!!
9/22/11 12:25am
I have had eye-swelling since I was 5 years old. It happened everytime I lost a tooth, they'd be swollen shut the next morning and it'd go away in 24 hrs. The doctors always joked that the Tooth Fairy must be beating me up in my sleep. As I aged, it progressed into full facial swelling, even my scalp & neck. I would also get a rash on my scalp, neck, upper torso, and thighs. They did a biopsy on the rash, no conclusion. They did benadryl, steroids, allergy tests, etc for my swelling.. nothing. Episodes happened a few times a year in grade/high school with no tooth loss to predict them with anymore. I had anxiety issues since I was a toddler to the point where I couldn't go to the bathroom and would have to go to the hospital. I had much trauma from a baby til my early 20s. Good stressful & bad stressful situations have sparked episodes. The worst one I had did involve tongue swelling and I had trouble swallowing, I was terrified. My periods, catching colds/viruses, or sometimes crying/having breakdowns can spark episodes. I am in my mid 20's now and episodes are much less severe. However I'll get partial swelling more often now but only in one eye or one part of my lip. I often sleep with icepacks on my face - I believe it only helps because of the placebo effect (I trick myself into thinking I can actually control or help it.) I went to therapy for anxiety & depression for a few years and am now able to live a normal life and face my fears more head-on though it is a daily battle. They have tried to link the swelling to my rheumatoid arthritis or my vasculitis but came up inconclusive. I believe these things are directly related to stress. Moving away for college sparked a flair up. Unavoidable confrontations sparked flair ups. The kind of trauma I underwent growing up forced me to be braced at all times, so often it would be days after a traumatic event that an episode would come..almost enough time for me to forget... and then as soon as I relaxed even a little, it's like my body would release and I would swell up. It was like a post-stress reaction of some sort almost because I would force myself to be 'okay' just to make it through certain things. Everything I force myself to overcome now, even in just my daily life, seems to make me stronger mentally which seems to make these episodes weaker within me. Plus I have removed myself from many sources of trauma. However with general anxiety, a trip to the grocery store can sometimes induce anxiety, I just have to consciously face each moment and not think too much and it gets better. I think I was such a sick child because of everything going on at home, that even though I couldn't speak up, this was my body's way of screaming for help. I believe this can apply to anybody and ANYTHING, big or small, that creates panic within their system. There is such a thing as a hypersensitive person and it goes hand in hand with anxiety if you think about it. It is not a bad thing and can be a blessing if you learn how to channel it in this crazy world. For real sometimes I feel like the princess and the pea with this crap, but you know yourself best - don't let anyone make you out to be a drama queen. Soothe your internal dramas and I think a lot of these symptoms will lessen. The mind and body are linked... and a lot of time your body does the talking. Listen to it. If anyone would like to email me and talk more I am still in search of answers and hearing other people's stories. I have not had the resources to go to doctors in many years. I have other health issues I think tie in as well that I can hopefully get treated in the near future. For now I am happy to be able to reach out over the internet and do my own research until the day I can go back to a doctor regularly. Please please email me if you are interested in sharing research! lexxi.leigh.gloude@gmail.com
11/30/11 2:10pm
Hi am a 25yr old lady and on the 7 september i took a drug called pantassa and with in an hour i was in a+e struggling to breath and my tongue swelled so big it was stuck outside my mouth, i am still in hospital i have been in intensive care and th high dependancy unit as im having these swellings everyday i was even put on a indrenilin infusion, but they cant understand why it keeps happening. As it was nearlly 3 months ago. A doc came to me yesterday and said it could be due to anxiety and that i needed a physchologist i was gob smacked as when the swollen happens im not stressed im just lying watching tele or having a shower ect. i didnt believe him at first i just thought he was trying to get rid of me, but maybe he was right i am confussed. i am having some tests tomorrow to see if he can support his theory so i will get back to you all after. for the first time in 3 months im starting to feel positive after reading this THANKS
11/30/11 2:12pm
Hi am a 25yr old lady and on the 7 september i took a drug called pantassa and with in an hour i was in a+e struggling to breath and my tongue swelled so big it was stuck outside my mouth, i am still in hospital i have been in intensive care and th high dependancy unit as im having these swellings everyday i was even put on a indrenilin infusion, but they cant understand why it keeps happening. As it was nearlly 3 months ago. A doc came to me yesterday and said it could be due to anxiety and that i needed a physchologist i was gob smacked as when the swollen happens im not stressed im just lying watching tele or having a shower ect. i didnt believe him at first i just thought he was trying to get rid of me, but maybe he was right i am confussed. i am having some tests tomorrow to see if he can support his theory so i will get back to you all after. for the first time in 3 months im starting to feel positive after reading this THANKS
12/30/11 9:45am
I am glad I found this forum. I have not had anything too terrible, but the last few months have had a few episodes where the area above and below my eyes became puffy or a bit swollen. This happened recently a few times...once after a walk on a very windy day (not sure if this kicked up allergens...the reaction happened the next morning) and another time after I applied some anti-aging serum in the morning. When this happens, my eyes do feel itchy and get red and I sometimes feel some itching (very mild) of the ears, nose, etc. Sometimes I don't get "itchy" until after I go and see that my eyes are puffy and I start to freak out and then I experience the other symptoms.
This morning around 3:30 a.m. I awoke to what felt like a little but bite on my cheek. It got itchy and a little red, but nothing terrible and nothing that I have not had in the past. But due to the extreme anxiety I've been having the last few months, my anxiety levels went into overdrive. I came online and looked up hives to see if that could be what I had. I read about people getting hives on their lips, etc. I swear to you, within just a few minutes, I had a little bump on my upper lip. I've gotten those before and they go away and I never think anything of them (and they do seem to come on when I'm stressed), but because of my intense anxiety right now, that just sent my system into overdrive and I started feeling as if my upper lip was swollen a bit. Nothing drastic, it just looked like it might have been a bit swollen. The thing that is frustrating as well is that these things always happen when my husband is at work and I have nobody to "show" it to to see if I am over reacting out of anxiety or if there is a real concern. The little bump is pretty much gone now but I cannot really tell if my lip is swollen or puffy or not. Sometimes I look at it and it seems it is just a little, other times it looks normal.
I am convinced that it is my anxiety level and stress that is doing this to me. I find it odd that right after reading about hives and people getting them on their lips, that suddenly I had a little bump on my lips and this was hours after I had the little itchy irritation on my cheek. I think the power of our minds if probably overwhelming and can cause us to exhibit the very symptoms we fear.
For me, recently, I was doing a lot of reading on allergic reactions because of hearing a story about someone in my family who was having reactions, and I also started a new job that is stressful for me (though I enjoy it, it's a lot of pressure)...this after being under what I would consider severe, unrelenting stress for about the last 3 years or so. The most stress and character attacks that I have ever been under in my life. Also experiencing the death of someone close in the family this past year. Up until now, though I have struggled with anxiety throughout the years on and off, I have never had it this bad. I have also never had reactions like this before. The only times my eyes would get puffy would be the 2 times in years past that I got pink eye from having a sinus infection. Other than that, I don't normally get allergic type reaction. I do have nasal/sinus allergies, but other than that, none that I know of.
It's really an unpleasant feeling to begin to fear everything and not know what is setting off the reactions. The only things I can come up with is stress. Because there doesn't seem to be any common denominator, other than stress, that is causing this.
12/31/11 4:21pm
The symptoms u are having is because of anxiety. My eyes have been puffy for awhile and i didnt have the problem till after I started the anxiety symptoms, Burning under the skin, puffiness of the cheeks, redness, my eyes got puffy. they are more puffy in the mornings and since they have been that way, now i have droopy eyelids. I have found out today actually that we have anxiety because of a chemical deficientcy in the brain. I have been suggested to go to Eric Braverman's website and see what he suggests to take, I have took the written test of his and found out that i am deficient in the chemical GABA, and also in serotonin, Gaba is the first one i deal with, I am sure you can take the written test on his website and find out which chemical you are deficient in. He has lists of what to take once you find out which chemical you are deficient in.
12/31/11 4:14pm
For all those who are having the swelling problems. It is caused by anxiety. And Anxiety is caused by a chemical in the brain that you are deficient in. I suggest you go to eric Bravermans website, He deals with the chemicals in the brain. There is an actual test you can take to determin which chemical you are deficient in. Then after you figure that out, There are either herbs you can take or certain medications you take for the chemical imbalance. He lists them on his website.
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I have recently been put on Norvasc and have been suffering from extreme allergic reactions, i stopped taking it for a day and my doctor told me to continue because it wasnt the Norvasc....I have since then gotten swelling in my abdomen, neck, throat...i have had two ear infections and my eyes are constantly BEAT RED, i wanted to thank you for your insight because it makes a lot of sense to me now that it could in FACT be the Norvasc, I plan on re-consulting my doctor in a few days about it but i was wondering if you had any insight or knew of anyone else suffering from this side effect?
thanks