Chronic Hives & Angioedema: A Personal Medical Journey
Question
Hives
Hello. I am 17 years old and have had some serious medical issues as of late. In September 2008 I suddenly developed chronic hives. After several medications and doctors I was finally referred to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. I bounced through doctors and got no answer. I had angiodema so bad that I was unable to walk or turn my body. I finally went back to my asthma and allergy specialist I have had since I was 7 and he started me on a shot that help with allergies witch happened to be around the 1 year anniversary of my getting the hives. Exactly one day after the anniversary the hives subsided. I am worried that it may be a coincidence because I was told by a doctor that it is normal for them to start and stop on the anniversary of their beginning. I finally went off the medicines (cyclosporine and prednisone) in the beginning of august and after not having a period for 7 months, I got it and have now had it everyday since (today is nov 21). I have been getting horribly large clots with bleeding and cramps. Before all of this I had bad periods that were irregular in their timing as well as their intensity in bleeding and pain. I got a sonogram today and she said that I needed to see a real gyno because I had some Issues: 1: She could hardly find my ovaries for a HUGE blob of what she said was like a "bag" of blood and tissue. 2:My left ovary was swollen and hidden. She said it looked like endrometreosis. My mom has PCOD and my grandmother had emdrometriosis. I REALLY need to know if the hives could be related and if they will come back even after I have surgery (if I do). Thank you sooo much! I am so afraid to get the hives again. I haven't been able to even go to school for 2 years because of my immobility due to the hives. Thank you again! Anne H.
AnswerHi Anne
Sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time. Ironically, I too, used to get hives several times a year and sometimes with periods and/or ovulation. Endo is a very weird disease, in that it can aggravate and invade strange parts of your body.
I also believe that you need to see a specialist, immediately. Look for an endo doctor that is a High Risk/Fertility Dr. Or just find one that is listed as Diseases of Women.
It is important that you find a good gyno...a good gyno will be the only person that can help you live a normal life and feel better...
I wish you a world of luck and soon to come comfort!
Martha
