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

[laserg]

I first experienced swelling of my scrotum 3 1/2 years ago when I was 48. I thought I had injured myself cycling. The swelling occurred just before bedtime and my mid-morning it had dissipated. About three months later my lower lip began to swell right after I woke up. Within and hour it was extremely swollen and I went to the emergency room. The attending ER said it was a reaction to my blood pressure med, lisinipril, which I had been on for over two years. They gave me NOTHING and tried to admit me. I left in the afternoon after the swelling subsided. I have had at least 3 or four more episodes (took an epipen shot for one while traveling in San Francisco) during the past 2 years before this past week.

On Monday morning I had a slight swelling of my lower right lip, I took a couple of benadryl and it seemed to go away. On Tuesday morning my lower left lip started to sell so I injected myself with an epipen and it seemed to work, however the swelling continued into Wednesday and traveled in a complete circle around my mouth. Wednesday night I began to get a dry cough deep in my lungs. Over the course of the night I felt it move up my lungs and by Thursday morning it was in my throat which began to swell - totally weird. It was as if a virus was literally walking up my lungs in 6-8 hours to my throat, I could feel it moving, my uvula was huge. I took two more benedryl and the swelling went down. My chest cold became more sever Friday after I developed a mild case of hives on my neck Thursday night (never had those before). Saturday and Sunday I just had a chest cold and cough. On Monday my scrotum swelled for the second time ever. By Tuesday night that went away. Friday morning I had some irritation on the left side of my tongue and at noon I ate some chocolate and half my tongue swelled. I just took two more bebdryl and it doesn't seem to be getting worse.

What the hell is going on? I have been incredibly healthy my entire life until this started three and a half  years ago. Not allergic to anything except penicillin In January I climbed Telescope peak in Death Valley, (11,049 ft) with no problem. I am 51 and looking for any ideas/suggestions. Thanks.

[Veronicadavis]

yup it went 100% away when i was pregnant and came back with in one day after i had my baby ughhhhhhh

[Veronicadavis]

how bad does your swelling get?  i get it on one side of the tongue or tonsils never both sides/whole thing.  I take benadryl and wait.  I used to go to the ER, but now I just wait it out.  Im just curious if yours is extremely worse.  I hate this it's so scary

[Veronicadavis]

wow your 2 stories hit home for me.  I stress very easy( i've been working on it and it has gotten way better) and I played competitive tournament softball my whole life up until 18yrs old.  I am now 29 and it started about 2 years ago.  The only time I went into remission is when I was pregnant.  100% gone and came back within 24 hrs of giving birth.  I have recently started my baby on an all organic way of life and am now convinced I should do the same.  Thank you .

[Veronicadavis]

Isn't it weird how it only happens to one side of the tongue? That happens to me and also one tonsil.  I've had labwork and specialty appts, but nothing can be determined besides I have an allergy.  As a previous gal posted it completely 100% stopped when I was pregnant and for me it came right back the next morning after I gave birth.  Hormones? I don't know it is frustrating and happens randomly all over my body from swelling to welts.

[Veronicadavis]

Same exact thing happens to me to a T.  Tongue, tonsils, walking on rocks, huge burning hard welts, finger tips swell, and yes went completely away when i was pregnant and as soon as she came out that next morning it started up again.  I would really like to keep in touch so we can hopefully find the cause out.  I can only narrow it down to hormones I can't see it being anything else.  It is soooo frustrating.  My insurance ends in 2 days looking for new insurance.  Labs and specialist appts. haven't helped besides the fact that they say I have an allergy. duh