I'm having a re-occurring problem that I don't know if it's even FM related or not, but I thought I'd start with y'all here who are actually living with FM.
At least every other day or so I'll get a small bump that could pass for a bug bite, very small and itches like hell. Scratching seems to make the bumps swell and even divide so the next thing I know I'll have 5 or 6 in an area. Sometimes the swelling gets as big as a silver dollar, but not always. The bumps and itching will last for over a week, and in my sleep I'll scratch myself (literally) raw and bruised. I'm at my wits end. I have the apartment people coming into spray although I can't see any bugs. I've even replaced a good deal of my furniture (it was past that point anyway..lol).
Has anyone had anything like this happen to them? Is it worth going to the doctor? I'm thinking of taking out stock in itch cream and benydryl..lol.
I'd sure appreciate any suggestions anyone can give.
Oh yes. Hives, psoriasis, rashes, all related to swelling/inflammation. Skin disorders are often caused by dairy and gluten intolerance/allergies or other food allergies (nuts). Another possible and related cause is candida fungus.
Do you have other symptoms besides muscle/joint aches/pains? Things like mouth sores, stomach irritation, sinus congestion?
Food reactions don't manifest themselves in the same way for everyone so Doctors tend to treat what YOU say is wrong. Thus hives/rashes are treated with anti-histamines and creams.
Find the cause and find a cure!
The best way to be tested for dairy/gluten/yeast problems is at enterolab.com.
Krikket, I do break out with itching areas frequently especially when I go outdoors... but then again, I am allergic to just about everything in the air, pollen, mold, fungus, dust, etc...and also have some food allergies. Thanks Rad, for the heads-up... I have been cheating a little with the breads... BBQ, you know! :^) Anyway, it lasts for about 2 minutes and goes away to come out somewhere else... I use benadryl gel or spray or aveena anti-itch cream... That relieves the itch until the little bumps go away. Right now, I have a rash that broke out about two weeks ago on my palm...but with packing and cleaning, I am constantly getting it wet and it has not healed...I am about to make an appointment with the dermotologist!
Thanks so much for y'alls help and words of advise. It's so difficult to know what's FM related and what's not. I have 3 areas now that are broken out, and think they're probably hives rather than bug bites. (I'm still glad they sprayed my place today, however..lol). i also have a lot of allergies and my stress level has been off the mark this week so I suspect it's all related. My flareup is still giving me some bad problems, and if I'm not any better in the morning am going to try to get into to see the rhumatologiest to get a shot of something. This is so nuts. I wanted to go to an FM support group tonight that was meeting near where I work, but decided I just wasn't up to it. Maybe next month.
Hope everyone has a good weekend...and thanks again...
Hi my name is makkadawn, I get mouth sores. All the time. doc calls them stress bumps. As for other lovely things I am blessed with is, I get hives from everything from meds, food, nerves....
Well, folks, get tested for allergies, if you haven't already...and watch what you eat, slab on your body or use to wash your hair...they all contain ingredients we can or may be allergic to. It's not an easy life being a Fibromite, but to get relief, we must prevail and read and educate ourselves as to what is out there that causes flare ups, hives or allergies. Unstress... relax... and breathe in! It helps to take a moment for yourself everyday, watch what you eat and keep tabs of the side effects of the meds you take including the supplements! Keep a journal of your symptoms...bad and GOOD days...it'll eventually give you a pattern of some things you do or eat or use. Good luck!
Dawn, I can relate to this too. Of course, I cut out all gluten, corn, dairy and sugar. That was the secret...listen to RAD!!! But I also went to the dermatologist and found that I was allergic to Prilosec that I take for reflux!!! The Dr. put me on Cetaphil for my skin (I even wash my hair with it, as my scalp has been broken out for years) and a few months ago I was terribly sick with lots of problems, breathing, etc. and they found out I was having an outbreak of yeast thruout my body! I had been using an inhaler and was not informed that I needed to rinse my mouth out afterwards! My lungs were terribly compromised and infected, so for a two week period I took two Diflucan a day, then weaned down to one and now whenever I have problems, I pop another one. The yeast had compromised my entire body! Meanwhile, the fibro acted up and I created bumps all over my body! I thought I was dying of cancer, so I put off the mammogram, and finally I did go to my doctor who knew about how fibro can act, and he explained that as we grow older our muscles separate, and fibrous tissue grows in between...creating the bumps. It is lots more noticable after weight loss, which happened to me after I stopped all the offending foods. That is when I was given Neurontin and then I slept all the time. Then I was given Lyrica and wowzee...I am feeling terrific again! Still have to pop a Tylenol once in a while, but the difference is incredible. The dermatologist gave me samples of antibotic salve and RX of a strong cortisone creme called Desonate. It is wonderful. Now if my scalp would finally clear up I would be a happy camper! It is likely from one of my other medicines that I take, my luck is...my antidepressant which is Lexapro! That will be checked out soon, but meantime...just know that you and the rest of this group are not alone in our quest for feeling better! Love, Mary
I don't know if this will help, but for me I see a big interaction between adrenal and thyroid systems, so that when my thyroid issues aren't being adequately treated, I get stressed out much easier, my asthma is worse, and I have hives, rashes, and general allergies much worse, my resistance is much lower, etc.
I've never met a doctor who recognized this interaction.
I recently read online, that the function of the thyroid gland, other than to produce thyroid hormones, is to cleanse the bloodstream of toxins, bacteria, viruses, fungus, by using its (hopefully) rich supply of iodine to decontaminate the blood. Iodine is a well recognized antiseptic, water purifier, and general detox agent. When this is not happening, due to lack of iodine or underfunctioning of the thyroid gland, the burden of defense passes to the adrenal system, which tends to produce inflammation as a result of its defensive activities.
The liver is another detox organ, so if you're living in a toxic environment, or are pursuing a toxic lifestyle, it can get overloaded and trigger stress reactions and allergies as well. I've had this happen when constantly exposed to mold at work. My doctor at the time never made the connection though.
I guess my advice would be to at least wonder if there's a thyriod issue going on.
There are nutritional supplements which can deal very effectively with ongoing stress and inflammation, as an alternative to prescription anti-inflammatory meds which often have nasty side effects. Vitamin C is my friend. Did I post my home remedy for stopping an asthma attack on this site?
