need an answer from anybody in the group who might know.

March 8, 2005

Hi Ken:

I'm pretty new to this list (and to RA), but my doctor tells me that hives are

usually a sign of an allergic reaction--you may be having a belated reaction to

one of your meds. I had a similar experience with Plaquenil--I was doing great

with it and MTX for about six months when suddenly I developed a sunburn-hives

like rash all over my torso. My doctor took me off the Plaquenil, and about a

month later I was fine (it took that long for it to get out of my system). The

other possibility is stress: have you had any stressful events in your life

lately (either positive or negative)?

[ ] need an answer from anybody in the group who might know.

Greetings! This is squarehead ken, and I have a problem...all of a sudden, for

no reason I can figure out, I am developing what looks like hives in a small

area on my back, and on my chest! I haven't changed my diet significantly,I take

morphine sulfate, and oxycodone, on a regular basis...I also take humire weekly,

instead of every two weeks...my V.A. rheumy said to...what do you think might be

causing it! Could it be that I shoud go to once every two weeks on the humira?

Do you think that perhaps I should lay off the pain meds? Can anybody tell me

what I should do to at least stop the itching from the hives? I don't know what

to do, which is why I am asking you all for your ideas....God bless you all, and

thank you for all the support you have given me in the past! love,

ken

---------------------------------

Celebrate 's 10th Birthday!

Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web

March 8, 2005

Hi Ken. Hives (Urticaria) have been observed in approximately 1% of

patients on Humira.

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/humira_wcp.htm

Those figures are probably based on taking Humira every 2 weeks. The

% may be higher since you're taking it more frequently.

Morphine sulfate also lists urticaria as a side effect:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/morph_ad.htm

And the same with oxocodone:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/oxyasa_ad.htm

It can be difficult to pinpoint which med is causing the problem.

Aloe vera gel and oatmeal may help. Aveeno and Neutrogena both have

and itch relief product that contain menthol that may help. You

doctor may prescribe a topical cream that may help.

I hope you find out what's causing the hives.

a

On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 08:14:42 -0800 (PST), kenneth samuelsen

<squarehead52@...> wrote:

> Greetings! This is squarehead ken, and I have a problem...all of a sudden,

> for no reason I can figure out, I am developing what looks like hives in a

> small area on my back, and on my chest! I haven't changed my diet

> significantly,I take morphine sulfate, and oxycodone, on a regular basis...I

> also take humire weekly, instead of every two weeks...my V.A. rheumy said

> to...what do you think might be causing it! Could it be that I shoud go to

> once every two weeks on the humira? Do you think that perhaps I should lay

> off the pain meds? Can anybody tell me what I should do to at least stop the

> itching from the hives? I don't know what to do, which is why I am asking

> you all for your ideas....God bless you all, and thank you for all the

> support you have given me in the past! love, ken

>

> ---------------------------------

> Celebrate 's 10th Birthday!

> Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web

>

March 8, 2005

Ken, don't know how much help this will be but I have been taking 80 mg of Oxy 3

to 4 times a day. Most nights I would be up itching from head to toe but mostly

my back and legs. I also developed tiny little white pimples in various places.

I recently switched to the Fentanyl pain patch and the itching has stopped. I

had the same itching previously when I was on Morphine and Demerol. Sorry you

are having this problem.

Hugs

June

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March 9, 2005

Dear Ken,

I am probably the 100th person who has responded, but I am always late

reading my E-mails. I too, itch like crazy, sometimes a rash, sometimes

nothing

until I scratch it sore in my sleep! I take Atarax (Hydroxyzine Hcl tab 10

mg)- it is a common " motion sick " pill, but really works for itching. I use to

start out with it 3-4 times per day, and then use topical benedryl to help

in between. Now I just take 1 pill at bedtime and it works. It also makes me

pretty sleepy, but if I take it for a few days, on the 3-4 times per day

regimen, the sleepiness wears off. Just like all our meds, it usually takes

awhile to get used to. Please do not stop any instructions from you Dr. This

is a a Rx'd medication, but it really helps me, hope it helps you!

Gentle Hugs,

Carol M. in CA

March 9, 2005