Chronic Hives...

[Jade83]

Hi Doctor...

I'll give you a bit of background history as I am sure my complaints are somehow related.

I have always had an intolerance to large amounts of diary.  I.e. I could never polish off a milkshake without feeling ill.  However, last year I began becoming unexplainably ill and after a Hydrogen Breath Test found out I was moderately lactose intolerant.  I found myself not being able to have ice cream, milk, cream, soft cheeses, milk solids in processed food, etc.  The response was dramatic and quite sudden!  Painful and very embarrassing.

This year, approx May, I began getting unexplainable hives and rashes.  I had done elimination of foods, changed to organic skin products and changed washing powder, etc.  I've seen a Naturopath and did gut cleansing.  I am still getting them and they are getting worse as well as spreading.  I do have a referral to an Immunologist but not until October.  I look awful 95% of the time and experience this awful complaint every day.  I do have naturally dry, sensitive skin and also suffer with moderate Keratosis Pilaris mainly on my arms and legs...but this hives business is awful!  I am reacting to anything and everything - not just one thing.  It can be as simple as a tag on my shirt, a cut on my hand, a hot shower/bath...anything!  Which makes me think it is an internal reaction - like a hypersensitivity.

To compliment this complaint I am now also suffering from constant acid reflux and have been placed on medication.

Frustrated with my GP and impatient to wait until October - I started googling to see if anyone else out there is suffering from similar complaints.  I came across articles in relation to H1 & H2 histamine receptors possibly being the cause of some athletes fainting after major exercise.  I also learnt that the H2 receptor can cause acid reflux.  H1 is responsible for common allergies.  H3 doesn't have a lot published about it - something more neuron related from what I can gather.

I don't exercise.  I have attempted to go for brisk walks but found myself suffering from red/hot legs and - what felt like -a million ant bites from the tops of my legs down.  I had have to race home in agony and soak myself in a cold bath for about 1/2 - 1 hr to settle it down.

I have noticed lately my heart is racing sometimes when I am in bed.  I did suffer from this a few years back around my wedding.  They suspected SVT - but found nothing and it was put down to stress and treated with beta-blockers temporarily.

I am 25 yrs old.  Too young for such complaints.  Can all this be related?  I feel like I am falling apart and my husband desperately wants children soon (as do I) but not when I am sick.  i don't want to be dependant on drugs while I am trying to fall pregnant.

Any suggestions to investigate?

[Jade83]

Hi, I found out approx 6-8 months after getting sick that I had Ross River Fever and Barmah Forest Virus at the same time. This caused everything from the severe hives/ viral rash, to severe migraines, GORD (reflux) to the point of being on morphine in hospital, tingling arms and fatigue(sleeping 15hrs/day) as well as a range of other weird symptoms. I found relief from GORD with a high dose of Somac (80mg/day) in conjunction with Ranitidine 300mg (over the counter Zantac). I couldn't even swallow some days. My throat would just work in reverse & bring in it all back up - felt like you were choking. Nexium didn't do much for me either. It's 2 yrs later now & I have finally weened off all medication - it takes time though. I'd recommend you have some viral studies of your blood just to be sure. not sure where you are but in Australia we have some mosquito carried viruses that are nasty - both of which mine were.  Have you had an endoscopy? I found I was lactose intolerant. I think they check the state of your oesophagus too. And a Barium Swallow Xray? This will identify if you have a valve issue at the top of your stomach & any major reflux issues. They found a small hernia in me. The rashes/hives went after about 8 months. I naturally have sensative skin - but appear to be back to normal. I was getting uticaria from anything from heat, cold, etc.  Spent a ridiculous amount on an immunologist to tell me this but a change in GPs is what ultimately diagnosed my viruses. Talk to your doctor about all this but if you're not getting much satisfaction maybe look at changing GPs. Sometimes you just need someone to think outside the square. Hope this helps & you feel better soon.

[AYW]

I have chronic acid reflux and hives for the past 20 years. I discuss this with my gastro doc many times as I have a terrible break out of hives each time I have a painful  acid reflux attack. He doesn't seem to care. Anyway, please let me know what you find out. I take medication on a daily basis for both. I just had another bout of both (hives first) following a cold/sinus infection. By the way, I was going to a well known mold specialist for many years. He told me that acid reflux/hives and mold allergies are very related. Unfortunately, he passed away so I can't go back to him.

[lwslp]

It is almost a year since your post, but I have had similar symptoms this year.  Unexplainable hives everywhere and at the same time I developed a lump in my throat, which I though was also hives.  After 3 months of triple dosing on various Rx antihistamines, one doctor finally listened to my complaint about the sense of a lump in my throat, and it was determined that I had acid reflux.  She prescribed an acid blocker, and it is a miracle.  No more lump and I can sleep at night again.  But best of all....THE HIVES HAVE ALMOST TOTALLY EXTINGUISHED! Now, whether they have just run their course or not, I don't know, but I am convinced there is a relationship between the acid reflux and the hives.