Chronic hives

[ashlea0304]

I have had chronic hives for over 5years. I have tried antihistamines...the only time they go away is when I have been pregnant with my two kids or on steroids both of which I cant stay or be on forever. I am at my breaking point...my eyes swell I get huge knots on my scalp and they itch like crazy. I just want to be normal again...I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for treatment/diagnosis etc....

[ashlea0304]

thank you all for your help. I saw a reproductive endocrinologist this week and he is going to run some test and see if he can find anything. I have been to allergist dermatologist etc. he def mentioned hashis. along with autoimmune testing again. thanks for your alls responses!

[KN1966]

For sure get your Antibodies checked for Hashis. My daughter and I both have it. The Summer I realized she had it too was when she came down with hives that would not go away. I did a ton of research and found this happens to a lot when their antibodies get so high. She spent that summer on Benadryl at 13yrs old. So she basically slept all summer. I knew 2weeks in with no answers from drs but with answers from my own research to get her tested. Of course they were high and when put on synthroid for her ( I take Armour) within the 3 weeks we saw a difference and they went away.

That was like 6 years ago. For me in the past couple of years I started coming down with hives at 9pm every night. Hormones and thyroid stuff no doubt but I switched to taking Zrytec (actually I by the generic Cosco version, so cheap and works) And it stopped my hives as I work to get my own antibodies down. Hope this helps!

[leilajax]

Have you been tested for Hashimoto's?  I, and some others on here have been known to get occasional hives due to Hashimoto's antibodies.  I recently saw a allergist who said that when he gets a patient with unexplained hives he automatically tests thyroid antibodies.  Have a TPO ab and Tgab test run.  It is a simple blood test.  I am undergoing extensive testing for Lyme disease as well and when I told my doctor that I feel better when pregnant, she said that antibodies often lower during pregnancy.  The reason is unknown, but obviously hormone levels play a part.  Could be why they go away during your pregnancies.  Other autoimmune disorders can cause hives and would explain why steroids work well for you, but since you are here on the thyroid board I would recommend thyroid testing first.  Also, if you have not done so yet see an allergist to rule out the obvious.