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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on April 24, 2008, at 19:18:56
In reply to HIVES!, posted by Poet on April 24, 2008, at 18:32:02
Ouch!
How frustrating that they can't pinpoint the cause. Although I suppose it's more important that they can address the symptoms. How long until you can expect some relief?
Posted by Poet on April 25, 2008, at 10:43:56
In reply to Re: HIVES!, posted by Dinah on April 24, 2008, at 19:18:56
Hi Dinah,
The doctor said between five and 10 days. He wrote the RX for the steroid with a refill, but I should call him before I have it filled again.
The pharmacy was closed before I could get my prescriptions so I'm heading over there in a few minutes. My right eye is almost completely swelled shut this morning.
I don't have a clue as to what caused the hives. I was patch tested for all known chemical allergents about 10 years ago and all came up negative.
I've been scratching and now have scabs, I hope the antihistimine kicks in right away before I scratch my way to an infection. This just plain sucks.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2008, at 15:03:39
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Dinah, posted by Poet on April 25, 2008, at 10:43:56
Could it possibly be some sort of bite from an unknown insect? Any new meds, new foods, even new clothes? Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on April 26, 2008, at 16:07:33
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Dinah, posted by Poet on April 25, 2008, at 10:43:56
Posted by Poet on April 27, 2008, at 13:42:02
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Poet, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2008, at 15:03:39
Hi Phillipa,
The doctor had no idea of what caused this. He didn't think it was an insect bite, I haven't seen any bees or wasps, yet, just flies.
I'm using the same laundry detergant, shampoo, facial products as always.
This morning my eye was almost swollen completey shut. I can't take this.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 27, 2008, at 13:46:32
In reply to Are you feeling any better? (nm) » Poet, posted by Dinah on April 26, 2008, at 16:07:33
Hi Dinah,
No improvement other than I don't itch as much. My eye was almost completely swollen shut this morning. I hope the steriods kick in soon because I look like a monster from a 50s movie. On top of it my headhunter wants me to interview somewhere this week. I told her maybe Thursday, hoping this will have cleared up by then. I can't go on an interview with hives, scabs and a giant swollen eye.
Poet
Posted by Dinah on April 27, 2008, at 14:26:56
In reply to Re: Are you feeling any better? » Dinah, posted by Poet on April 27, 2008, at 13:46:32
Oh no.
Yes, that would kind of sap self confidence. :(
I'll send antiswelling vibes your way.
Posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2008, at 18:47:18
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Phillipa, posted by Poet on April 27, 2008, at 13:42:02
Poet think it should have kicked in by now. Any meds? You can develop an allergy from something anytime even if you didn't have one previously. Maybe a dermatologist??? Phillipa
Posted by seldomseen on April 28, 2008, at 3:15:54
In reply to Re: Are you feeling any better? » Dinah, posted by Poet on April 27, 2008, at 13:46:32
Is it a generalized itching or just around your head?
If it is just around your head I would seriously consider getting a new hypoallergenic pillow. Do you sleep on your right side?
I suspect your eye may have progressed to an infection and you may need an antibiotic to help with that.
I will also add that if you are on an oral steroid, watch for the freak out. Steroids send me into orbit.
I hope you feel better soon.
Seldom
Posted by Poet on April 28, 2008, at 11:43:56
In reply to Re: Are you feeling any better? » Poet, posted by seldomseen on April 28, 2008, at 3:15:54
Hi Seldomseen,
I am on an oral steroid, the doctor wrote a refill, but the pharmacy won't fill it without his authorization so I will have to call the clinic if this mess hasn't cleared up. I didn't think about an eye infection, you have a good point there.
My pillow should be hypoallergenic: it's one of those foam ones that coforms to my neck and head. I'm washing the bedding right now in scent free detergent.
The itching is just on my head and right face where the hives are. It's better so the antihistimines must be working at last.
I thought I was only on meds through tomorrow, , but I looked at the bottles and it's through Friday, so I can't call the doc until then if I need a refill or new meds.
And of course I have a job interview Thursday afternoon. Argh.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 28, 2008, at 11:45:38
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Poet, posted by Phillipa on April 27, 2008, at 18:47:18
Hi Phillippa,
The hives aren't spreading anymore, so hopefully the steroid is working. Though my eye is still swollen half shut. I'm on meds through Friday so if I still look this bad then I'm calling the doctor. A dermatologist is a good idea, the glitch is I need a referral so I have to start with the primary doc first.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2008, at 12:23:15
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Phillipa, posted by Poet on April 28, 2008, at 11:45:38
Poet well that's better. So an Hmo or whatever. Well if not better I would call before Friday you have an excuse the job interview. And what seldom said. You could ask if it might be an infection too is it red in the white area? Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on April 30, 2008, at 16:34:11
In reply to Re: HIVES! » Phillipa, posted by Poet on April 28, 2008, at 11:45:38
Your interview is tomorrow, right?
Posted by rskontos on April 30, 2008, at 17:32:42
In reply to How are they doing? » Poet, posted by Dinah on April 30, 2008, at 16:34:11
I have had a similar thing for the last two months and my dermo finally figured it out to a fungus. Go figure. He did two cultures and finally biospied a patch. But steriods did not make it go away, made it somewhat better but I got a new outbreak. Benadry helped but did not make it go away. The antifungicide is the only thing that takes away the itch and is finally making the hives/rashy stuff go away. And that biospy hurt as he took it from my scalp. And no the pain shot in my head hurt too.
Anyway, I do understand,
itchy rsk
Posted by Poet on April 30, 2008, at 19:10:04
In reply to How are they doing? » Poet, posted by Dinah on April 30, 2008, at 16:34:11
Hi Dinah,
I am covered with ugly purple scabs and luck is with me as my headhunter called and said they "fell in love with another second interview candidate today" and hired them. Okay with me, I would not have been up to it.
If I still look like this Friday, I'm calling the doctor.
Poet
Posted by Poet on April 30, 2008, at 19:13:59
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet, posted by rskontos on April 30, 2008, at 17:32:42
Hi rs,
That's really interesting as my T (who has no medical training) said she thought it looked like a fungus. She'll be thrilled if she was right, but I'm not thrilled if I've been treated with the wrong stuff. I'm on the steroids through Friday and going to call the doctor then and ask if I should be scabby and itchy still. Though I don't looke forward to a fungus test if that is what this ick is.
Yours in itching, Poet
Posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2008, at 21:14:39
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » rskontos, posted by Poet on April 30, 2008, at 19:13:59
Poet ummmm just finished watching a segment of Dr. Phil seems there is almost an epidemic of MRSA all over. Methyl Resistant Staph Auryous Sp? Any little bumps like a pimple they say could be it and biopsy recommended. Google MRSA see what they say and if it resembles it at all. I had a spider bite last summer. One of the cautions of the docs on the show was not to accept a dx of a spider bite to have it biopsied as could be MRSA. Also the show is on the internet Dr Phil. Not trying to scare you but I am going to stop biting my cuticles so no open wounds. Love Phillipa plan to google it myself.
Posted by rskontos on May 1, 2008, at 11:23:58
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » rskontos, posted by Poet on April 30, 2008, at 19:13:59
Yeah Poet, we can start a Itching Society, although I am not sure if we would get volunteer members LOL.
I am not sure if a biopsy is the only way to test for it as I am sometimes wondering if my dermo is one of those docs that forgets people feel pain. Anyway, last night I had another sudden rash on my face and had to take an emergency benadryl. Since I was on the anti-fungicide meds I was not taking benadryl. It stopped the itch and the rash is gone this morning. I personally think once your immune system gets one of these it takes a while to get rid of it meds or not.
At least that is what the PA for this dermo said. It has also temporaily caused me not to be able to use sunscreen. At least two kinds of sunscreen I get an immediate rash. This was not a problem before. She said that that sometimes is a side effect when a rash takes over makes the skin very sensitive but hopefully is just temporary.
If it is any consolation fungus' are the last thing because this are very unusual. Lucky me and possible you. The med has been for the most part side effect free except it gave me a rash like a heat rash (only not itching, just in appearance) for the first three or four days but took care of the itch and the rash was only on my shoulders below my neck, weird huh, and it was hot, no bumps, and then it suddenly went away and has not been back except for that thing yesterday. So again go figure.
What a pain. Good luck.
rsk
Posted by rskontos on May 1, 2008, at 11:35:31
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » Poet, posted by Phillipa on April 30, 2008, at 21:14:39
Phillip, that is caused by bacteria. Mine were cultured twice for bacteria to see if that was what I had and no for bacteria. My dermo made the lab re-do the lab results for error both times. No errors. I also looked at the photos and mine did not look like that. Nor have I been in the hospital or used antibotics lately which are two possible causes. MRSA is staph infection. It can be nasty though. I am sure Poet's doctors thought of this (Let's say I hope they did). Bacteria is usually the first culprit to be blamed.
I had a biopsy done. My was a fungus. It doesn't say they itch though and this is the main sympton for both of us. And in scalp and hairline.
rsk
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2008, at 12:43:59
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » Phillipa, posted by rskontos on May 1, 2008, at 11:35:31
RSK sorry guess was overreacting as that news story was scarey. Yes it started in hospitals now is also in the community. Pimples are suspect. I didn't know that. Glad you were cultured. Phew. Sorry again. Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on May 1, 2008, at 18:38:54
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » rskontos, posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2008, at 12:43:59
No No don't be sorry. It is scary. So much is these days. But then who knows what really is behind the cause and root of all that is croping up these days. I mean my stuff just started and my dermo is one of the best in my area. He has been head scratching during this. And he still wasn't sure the meds would work. After I had been on it for about 4 days he had his pa call to check. And I said I guess it is working at least on the itching it had stopped. So they thin k it is working. At least for me, the itching stopping was a HUGE relief. You know you never realize how bad a constant itch can be and how it can increase over days and drive you crazy. I am not looking to forward to it ever coming back!!!
rsk
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2008, at 19:54:42
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » Phillipa, posted by rskontos on May 1, 2008, at 18:38:54
Wouldn't a fungal infection be caused by a dark damp place? Philippa
Posted by Poet on May 2, 2008, at 16:23:34
In reply to Re: How are they doing?Poet » Poet, posted by rskontos on May 1, 2008, at 11:23:58
I am going to ask if it might be a fungus or somekind of bacteria infection. I've had hives before, other people I know have had them and for us they have never become purple itchy scabs. My father is a retired pharmacist and he saw my face today and said "I've seen that before and it's not hives."
So Monday I give it another shot and hopefully this time they will get it right. I'm going to brave it to water aerobics tomorrow and warn the class that I can't be splashed in the face. I don't want to know how chlorine will burn my face. Maybe I should skip the third class in a row, but it's my only exercise. I hate this.
More Monday.
Poet
Posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2008, at 20:04:57
In reply to Doc appointment Monday morning, posted by Poet on May 2, 2008, at 16:23:34
Poet sorry in my opinion this has gone on too long. You mention water aerobics and my ex got a staph infection in a hot tub at a YMCA. If I were you I wouldn't wait. What did your Dad say to do? Love Phillipa
Posted by Poet on May 3, 2008, at 10:31:18
In reply to Re: Doc appointment Monday morning » Poet, posted by Phillipa on May 2, 2008, at 20:04:57
Hi Phillipa,
I did do water aerobics and managed not to get my face wet, but I am dead tired. My father isn't at all sure what this is other than he knows it isn't hives. I'm thinking fungus, I did do some major gardening two weeks ago and maybe something in the soil/dead leaves I cleared out had some kind of fungus that can affect humans. I'm off the steriods today so if they were making it worse I should be less scabby I hope.
I'll definitely post what the doc says on Monday.
This just stinks.Poet
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