Re: JOAN...cu symptoms

December 28, 2001

Hey....more things in common here. I had the flu back in 1999 and my

allergist at that time thought it very unusual that during the time I was so

ill with the flu that my cu symptoms were gone. He said he thought it should

be just the opposite. I am often around my grandchildren, colds, viruses,

bacterial infections....yet I have never caught anything from them. Because

I have such bad sinuses I always feel as if I have a head cold, and

sometimes wheezing and coughing, but it is not really a cold. I got this

symptom after the first yr with cu. It is related to the cu because when I

flare the sinuses are worse. I have had bronchitis a few times.

Yes, my symptoms have changed over the past 5 yrs. Some for the better, some

much worse. Fatigue is par for the course with my cu. It is somewhat better

since I began taking a multi-vitamin with iron, but I always feel tired.

Most of the time I cannot shave my legs because they are usually covered

with hives. Can't even scratch my legs or stand to have clothing rub them

when they are flushing. That really hurts. My joint pain was so severe a

couple yrs ago that there were times I couldn't even get up to go to the

bathroom without help, or climb our stairs. I still get the joint pain but

it isn't as bad now.

Do you have your ANA checked regularly? My Dr tests me for Lupus every 6

months...says it can take yrs for the Lupus to show up in lab results.

But even with an elevated ANA they don't call it Lupus or RA unless there

are other symptoms to back up the lab test.

Hugs, Elaine in IN

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December 28, 2001

I totally agree about the histamine when we are sick or hurt. That's the way

it's been for me. Yet, I hardly ever get sick either. I'm glad you have your

blood tests regularly. I do, but not because I think Lupus is ever going to

show up, and I don't think you have it either.

I mainly do it because 'other' problems or symptoms often come up and it's

easy to blame it on the cu, when in fact it could be a totally different

health problem that needs attention. For instance, earlier this yr the tests

showed a positive h.pylori for the first time.... got treatment and those

nasty, painful, and aggravating symptoms went away. Last blood test showed

Anemia and slightly high sugar. Was prescribed a multi-vitamin with iron for

the anemia and energy level and all over feeling improved within first week.

Have to watch my sugar intake..hope this doesn't end up being a problem. Now

those problems were more than likely caused by the cu, meds, etc., but they

are still a separate health issue and need different treatments.

I'm sorry you're having a flare-up now. It usually takes a week for me to

recover from one. I couldn't handle the Doxipen...it just made me too dopey

and lethargic to do anything the next day. Have you tried Benadryl for your

flares? I don't like taking it either but it doesn't affect me as badly as

the Doxipen.

Hope you're feeling better soon. Hugs, Elaine in IN

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December 28, 2001