Angiodema?? (swollen tongue, lips)

[momtocole]

Hi, I'm new here. Just about 2 months ago I began developing strange allergic reactions. They have occurred on my feet, hands, back of knee, upper thigh, lip and now tongue. I have gone to the doctor before and they said it was contact dermatitis. I have not figured out what I'm allergic to yet and am still waiting for a call back from the allergy department. Last night, I woke up at about 3am with a swollen tongue. It really freaked me out. I took 2 Benadryls and thankfully it went down almost back to normal within a couple of hours. When it happened on my lip, it swelled to the size of a grape and the Benadryl took FOREVER to kick in.

Anyway, I went to the doctor this morning and she said swelling like this (tongue, lips) is called angiodema. She said if I continue to expose myself to this allergen (whatever it may be) the next stage could be anaphylaxis.

I'm really scared. I have 2 little kids and I'm terrified of something happening. I can't avoid the allergen if I don't know what it is.:(

Please help.

Thanks,
Becky

[pedmund]

6/13/15 my 83 yr old woke up with swollen tongue and face. Been to ER every other day since and no one can finger out why. they thought it was hereditary angioedema, but ruled that out. He is in hospital as we speak. been to ER every day this past weekend. : ( very irritated. I had to beg him to stay in hospital for observation to try to figure out cause. They say it's not compromising airway though.

[rootb]

Last spring I began to have many of the same symptoms as many on these posts. Went to many doctors and allergists. To cut to the chase, everyone having these symptoms should be tested for Alpha Gal. This is a allergy to all mammal meat and by-products, caused by being bitten by the loan star tic. It is hard to identify because the symptoms come on multiple hours and even up to a day after eat mammal product. Your doctor will be able to diagnose with a simple blood test. It is tough to avoid all mammal by-products because it is hidden in so many foods such as over the counter breads that have meat conditioners added to keep bread fresh.

[RayHutch]

Hi, my name is Ray, I'm 62 years old and your symptoms seem very similar to mine. I started swelling in various body parts last November 2014. The swellings occur in my feet, wrists, lips, jaw, one side of my tongue once only thankfully, and usually last for about 24 hours. I was getting the swellings on a daily basis. I went to two doctors who were about as helpful as the proverbial, so I went to a Chiropractor / nutritionist who gave me some "Curcumin" tablets under the brand name of 'Pure Innovation". From the first day I took one capsule the swellings stopped. I took them for a week with no swellings at all, then stopped for one day at which time the swellings immediately returned so I took a capsule and the swelling abated fairly quickly. I then went for 3 weeks taking oner tablet daily and no more swelling. Then I fogot to take one tablet and about 0100hrs I started to swell. I took another tablet the following morning and the swelling again abated fairly quickly. Since then I have been taking one capsule each day and have had no more swellings. "Curcumin' is a natural product derived from the Indian herb Tumeric, and at a cost of $10 per week, it has been a god send to me. I'm replying in the hope that it may be of some assistance to you.

[mitchymitch]

Hello folks. I have also been suffering from similar symptoms. I'm a 45 year old guy from Minnesota, USA. Back in October 2014 I awoke to a very swollen right foot (inside the arch on bottom). I had NEVER had anything like this before.. it was alarming. It itched like crazy and went away after about 24 hours. Since then I have been getting the swollen tongue(only one half at first). I have also had the awesome experience of the swollen lower lip.. looks lie mumps (so embarrassing). I have had large hard itchy "wheals" on my butt cheeks.. right where my butt touches the chair while sitting. These all happen while sleeping. I have never had two areas of swelling at the same time thankfully. They all go away after about 24 hours. Ice does not help.. perhaps made my tongue worse one time. I have not been to a Doctor yet. I was excited about finding this forum because there is not too much on the net about this. This was all happening  in the last 4 months. I hate it. I have had the swollen lower lip about 3 times.. the tongue maybe 12 times. I got rid of all my soaps and got a new mattress and linen. I made a journal of all the "allergic reactions" and what may have triggered them. I thought briefly it was a nut allergy (still might be). I have never been allergic to anything. I had about 2-3 weeks without any reactions but a few days ago it started up again. I had 2 different acid-reflux episodes also in the last month. I have researched Acidosis, Amyloidosis, Hives, Allergies.. It seems like I have ALL these at once. I have a cat that goes outside occasionally and he is on my bed often. I thought maybe it was a tick related thing. I DO drink a LOT of soda, too much. I suspect that my PH level is way off and it may be ph/acid related. I also have some old lead fillings and I have a tooth that is pretty cracked up and should be pulled. Maybe it's the soda,  the nuts, or the dental stuff. I had surgery a few years back on my elbow and have a lot of metal in my elbow, Strangely, the only other time in my life I have had hives was immediately following my elbow surgery. I had INSANE wheals on my inner arm that looked just like 2 inch mosquito bites. The post surgery hives went away after about 6 months. I don't know what to do. I can't go out in public when my lips or tongue are all inflated and puffy. I would say 80 percent of my reactions have been on my lips or tongue. As I type this.. the right side of my tongue is swollen. I have always been a pretty stressed out guy but I have a hard time thinking it's stress related.
I hate this. There is a history of Lupus on my Moms side. I'm hoping maybe this helps somebody..

[darlena11]

Ours are called epi-pens here in the U.S. I have to carry one.

[leighrenee]

I too have swollen tongue. I have been diagnosed with grass allergies, and we live in fla so something is pollinating all year. the allergist that did the tests gave me an antihistamine that did nothing. so I am anxious to try some benedryl. I am also a nutritionist and yes changing your diet will help. no dairy, meat, processed foods and salt as that makes the swelling worse.
my new MD said I have acid reflux and I have not heard that can cause my allergic symptoms.........it is awful as I have a hard time eating and speaking..............ice chips on my tongue feel good but as soon as I stop the swollen tongue is still there
thank you.