Don't know where to begin, Medication poisoning?

[zanahorias]

A year ago I was 40 pounds lighter, very active - had two things happen. 1: think Early Preg loss. June I tore a ligament in ankle. Stille forced 2 be actv on it, & didn't stop until I developed knee trouble and this pocket of fluid well above the site of injury on my lower calf - started developing shocks in my shoulders, then debilitating pain in my left shoulder and upper back. Subsided on own.  Depression set in = zolft, but didn't help. Doc did 2 things - gave pap for bc & said uterus a little big -not unheard of - had 3 big kids prev. Then for depres. put on Lamictal - Octobe. Weight up sharply clear fluid retention. December, my bp raised & put on Hydrochlorot. 2,3 days & had flushing on legs, then itched insanely - NO bumps. I'd scratch it'd quit & would start on another area - occurred cyclicly 1x day. Susp.  Lamictal, stopped, but not the diuretic - cont. to swel. 3 wks of waiting for wash out relief - 0-
went back to the doc w/ huge swelling & devloping serious difficulty breathing sporad. & severe heartburn. Put on Zantac, ran stool sample. All neg. Put me on Flagyl just in case of a gut bact and had horrible gas from it. Heartburn gone.Still the rash, sent me to allergist. Standard scratch tst, all neg. Doc threw up  hands and said ?? go to a  rheumatologist, maybe Lupus. Said no way - NO butterfly rash, I have NO joint pain. Didn't see her a month, until swelling peaked. Took off hydrochlorot,put on Diazide. Rash reduced to < tingling, < itching cyc. 3 days and hit full on. Depressd, said go back on Lamictal -did for six weeks. Now @ present, & I just became ill with a stomach bug- stopped all meds. Itching better than ever. THen hit me like a truck 1 day, vision blurring (frgt mention that) pressure behind forhead, asthma, reflux. Now been off of meds for a week. Entire time (cumulatively) my abdomen feels full and menstrual  ache, spotting per. mid-month. Feel need 2 urinate and can't, hurts if have interc.
No clue.
Plzhelp ;-(

[zanahorias]

I only had so much room, and I failed to mention that I've had an echo, and my functions checked. Everything is normal. I did see an allergist, diagnosed me with dermographism. I saw a new doc yesterday, actually, and he sent me back to basics. I've had problems with asthma stemming back from childhood. He thinks I have the symptomatic form of the condition with a histamine component. He drew a lot together, and agreed he doesn't think we're looking at something autoimmune. No offense, but I wouldn't agree with you about the rheumatology referral. No one should suggest that until Coombs and ANA data have been sought. - the skin biopsy is not a bad idea though.
THanks

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There clearly has been a comprehensive evaluation done with referrals to multiple specialists.

I agree with the allergy and rheumatology referral.  If there continues to be suspicion of an allergy, a second opinion can be made at a major academic medical center.

A dermatology consult can be considered.  Given the difficult of the diagnosis, a skin biopsy can be considered.

If there is continued swelling, I would ensure there is no problems with the heart or kidneys.  Obtaining an echocardiogram and blood and urine tests to evaluate kidney function can be done.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[zanahorias]

Wanted to add -
The pets untested for allergy in my house are a Blue and Gold Macaw and Aquatic turtles in several large tanks.