Re: New Member with Severe Chronic Urticaria

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynette, A big warm welcome to the group. I am glad you have found this

group as no one should have to suffer alone. I hope you will find ways to

track down your true cause here. I know a few people that will share dental

testimonials with you, a few have found birth control to be the culprit.

There's thyroid, hormones lots of other stuff. I hope your doctor has

prescribed you an epipen to carry (or 2) and I hope you know you can look

for support here and maybe get a question or two answered. Love,

~Alena's Mom

New Member with Severe Chronic Urticaria

> Hi everyone. I can't believe I'm just now finding this group. I've

> had hives since early December 1999, diagnosed as " idealogical "

> chronic urticaria. I currently take 2 Zantac, 2 Allegra, 2 Zertec

> and Nasacort to control the hives. Nevertheless, I have a severe

> angiodemic breakouts approximately once a week. I always have spots,

> just the severity changes on a whim.

>

> I've done the elimination diet, changed soaps, etc. to see if those

> were the cause. My allergist told me that I was just making myself

> crazy, I'll never find the reason. All the preliminary blood work

> and labs were done when I was first diagnosed a year and a half ago,

> nothing was found.

>

> Last Friday, during a severe breakout I finally decided that my

> doctor had to see me NOW, when it was severe, so I " forced " myself

> into his office. Now he sees the severity I've been talking about,

> almost admitted me to the hospital as I had 50% lung capacity due to

> the angiodema. Apparently, when I say I don't feel well during these

> breakouts, there was a reason ;o). Fortunately, they shot me up with

> adrenaline and my breathing became easier. My doctor then ordered

> another " different " blood test and a 24-hour urine sample. I'm

> waiting for those results now.

>

> I wondered why the 24-hour urine sample -- so I looked it up in the

> Internet and found something called " Cushings Syndrome " . It's

> basically a hormonal disfunction with the adrenal glands, similar to

> that of the thyroid. Thing is, only a 24-hour urine sample would

> find this syndrome. The symptoms of the syndrome also explain some

> other things that have been going on for an even longer amount of

> time, which other doctors ignored (fatigue, heart palpitations, loss

> of weight, elevated blood pressure...). These doctors blamed the

> recent birth of a child and " getting older " on these symptoms.

>

> To a recent poster who brought up her pitutiary tumor -- there's some

> info about that also causing some problems, including hives as a

> symptom.

>

> Anyway, I hope I can help anyone out there either with info I've

> gleaned by myself, sympathy (I've got lots of that!!!!!!!), or just

> lend an ear. Also, I hope to find out theories I haven't heard

> before. There is NEVER too much information!

>

> I read with interest the Dental Distress theory. I've been needing

> work done on my teeth for a couple of years and have put that off for

> different reasons (mainly $$$). That's an avenue I haven't

> considered!

>

> Thanks!

>

> Lynette

>

>

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following link:

> urticaria-unsubscribeegroups

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

> This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria

(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide

cyber-family.

>

> We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle

with Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be taken

as medical advice. Always consult your health professional before trying

anything new.

>

> Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post with

a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not wish to

read such postings.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello and welcome, Lynette. Sounds like you're a shocker - anaphylatic

shock. You definitely need to carry a couple of epi-pens (emergency shots of

adrenaline) with you at all times. You should also consider getting a medic

alert bracelet or necklace. You really need to get the symptoms under

control when they are this bad. Anaphylaxis can progress very quickly and is

a life-threatening emergency.

I was the one who posted about the pituitary tumor. I have since been tested

for autoimmunity (which was positive), have multiple autoimmune disorders,

and with the length of time I've suffered with CU (13+ years), we've ruled

the tumor theory out.

Some things to consider:

Cushing's Syndrome: Many of us have some experience with this from taking

prednisone. The biggest tell-tale symptom is what is commonly called

" moon-face. " The face becomes very round and swollen looking. Have you taken

any corticosteroids (prednisone, medrol)? A really good website for more

info is: http://cushings.homestead.com/

Dental connection: Dental infection has been linked to several disorders,

including autoimmune problems, and we have had maybe a dozen or so people

now who have been cured of their CU after discovering a bad root canal or

other problem. Teeth can affect the whole system, so definitely look into

that. Digital xrays can see stuff going on that regular xrays won't,

including some infection.

Hormones: Some people are actually allergic to their own hormones. Do you

find your symptoms follow a pattern, occuring or worsening at certain times

of the month? Are you taking estrogen? Also, several people here have found

that taking synthetic thyroid hormone (eg synthroid) has helped their

symtoms.

Histamine containing and releasing foods: There are several foods that

either contain histamine or cause the body to release histamine. If you're

interested in learning more, let me know and I'll re-post info for you.

Salicylates: Some of us have a sensitivity or allergy to salicylates -

that's the active ingredient in NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.). Again,

there are a lot of foods that contain salicylates, so if you find that your

symptoms are aggravated by taking aspirin or other drug containing them, you

might want to try a elimination diet for that. Again, I can re-post info on

that if you'd like.

Hope you can find some answers soon.

Air hugs,

Jackie

Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

[Guest guest]

Hi Zion, When you say you have tried everything, I am curious, have you

tried things in combination? Has the dosage been high enough? Often CU'rs

dosages are higher. Also I am wondering have you had any root canals done?

I am attaching an interesting article Jackie posted yesterday you might find

helpful. If you have any questions post them and hopefully someone will

have an answer or an article to refer you too. Love, ~Alena's

Mom Re: New Member with Severe Chronic Urticaria

> Thanks for the speedy reply. I have tried everything

> accept the Predisone. I want to find a connection with

> the hormones, the throid and the hives. I think there

> is a definite connection. Thanks, Zion

> --- Ersan and Ilgar wrote:

> > Hi Zion, A big warm welcome to the group!!! I am

> > sorry to hear you have

> > been suffering for so long. Another member in this

> > group I believe has

> > suffered 41 years. It is just sad. I am sending

> > along three articles that

> > maybe will be of help to you. I have a very limited

> > knowledge of the link

> > between thyroid and CU. I believe the discussion

> > has been circulated before

> > about race and CU and I believe you are not alone

> > being black and having CU.

> > Is the pred the only drug your doctor has offered

> > you? Have you tried the

> > zyrtec/zantac combo or atarax? There are many

> > others in the group that may

> > be able to make some suggestions. But do know this,

> > you are not alone and

> > you have found a wonderful support group. Love,

> > ~Alena's Mom

> >

> >

> > J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2000

> > Nov-Dec;10(6):342-5

> >

> > Successful treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria

> > associated with

> > thyroid autoimmunity.

> >

> > Gaig P, -Ortega P, Enrique E, Richart C.

> > Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital

> > Universitari de Tarragona

> > Joan XXIII, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona,

> > Spain.

> >

> > The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity is high in

> > patients with

> > chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), but in few

> > selected patients the

> > possible clinical benefit of levothyroxine sodium or

> > antithyroid

> > drugs has been studied. The objective of the present

> > study was to

> > confirm the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies in

> > patients with CIU

> > and to investigate the clinical response to

> > levothyroxine sodium or

> > methimazole. Antithyroglobulin and antiperoxidase

> > antibodies were

> > measured in 170 consecutive patients with CIU.

> > Twenty-five (14.7%)

> > had an antithyroglobulin or antiperoxidase antibody

> > levels > 180

> > lU/ml and all but three were women. Twenty patients

> > with CIU and

> > thyroid autoimmunity were treated with levothyroxine

> > sodium if

> > hypothyroidism or normal thyroid function were

> > present (18 patients)

> > and with methimazole if hyperthyroidism was detected

> > (two patients).

> > Clinical response was evaluated by a clinical score.

> > Autologous serum

> > skin test before treatment was performed in 18

> > patients with thyroid

> > autoantibodies. Urticaria resolved rapidly in two

> > patients with

> > Graves' disease. The clinical response of urticaria

> > to levothyroxine

> > sodium treatment was good in 15 patients and partial

> > in two, whereas

> > only one patient showed no improvement in clinical

> > score (p <

> > 0.0005). No changes in the antithyroglobulin or

> > antiperoxidase levels

> > were detected. Five patients reported adverse

> > effects. The autologous

> > serum skin test was positive in 10 patients and

> > negative in eight.

> > After successful treatment the test was repeated in

> > six patients,

> > proving negative in four and significantly

> > diminished in two. We

> > concluded that patients with CIU and thyroid

> > autoimmunity benefit

> > from treatment with levothyroxine sodium or

> > antithyroid drugs.

> > Antithyroid antibodies and positive autologous serum

> > skin test in

> > these patients could be markers of autoimmune

> > disease with several

> > target organs.

> >

> > PMID: 11206934

> >

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > Ann Acad Med Singapore 2000 Jul;29(4):528-30

> >

> > Treatment of chronic urticaria with thyroxine in an

> > euthyroid patient

> > with thyroglobulin and microsomal antibodies.

> >

> > Koh CK, Hew FL, Chiu CL.

> >

> > Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,

> > University of Malaya,

> > Malaysia.

> > INTRODUCTION: The association of chronic urticaria

> > and thyroid

> > autoimmunity is not well recognised and the

> > potential use of

> > thyroxine in the treatment of chronic urticaria in

> > patients with

> > thyroid autoimmunity is even less well known.

> > CLINICAL PICTURE: We

> > report a case of chronic urticaria in an euthyroid

> > patient with

> > evidence of significantly elevated levels of

> > thyroglobulin and

> > microsomal antibodies. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME:

> > Treatment with

> > thyroxine has brought about clinical remission of

> > the chronic

> > urticaria but no change in the thyroid antibody

> > levels could be

> > demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic

> > urticaria should be

> > screened for evidence of thyroid autoimmunity. A

> > closely monitored

> > trial of thyroxine therapy for those who have

> > thyroid autoimmunity

> > can be rewarding.

> >

> > PMID: 11056786

> >

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> >

> > Rev Med Interne 2001 Mar;22(3):232-7

> > [Chronic urticaria and Hashimoto-Hashimoto's

> > thyroiditis: report of 6

> > cases].

> >

> > [Article in French]

> >

> > Delevaux I, Andre M, Tridon A, Aumaitre O.

> >

> > Service de medecine interne, CHU, hopital

> > -Montpied, BP 69,

> > 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.

> >

> > PURPOSE: Chronic urticaria is a common skin

> > disorder. The cause is

> > rarely determined. Autoimmune diseases, particularly

> > autoimmune

> > thyroiditis, have been implicated in the occurrence

> > of chronic

> > urticaria. METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of

> > patients with

> > Hashimoto's disease and chronic urticaria. RESULTS:

> > In our

> > department, six patients had presented chronic

> > urticaria associated

> > with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: four patients, of

> > which three treated

> > with L-thyroxine were euthyroid, the other two were

> > hypothyroid.

> > Hashimoto's thyroiditis had been diagnosed for three

> > patients during

> > the investigation of chronic urticaria. Three

> > patients developed

> > chronic urticaria though they were treated with

> > thyroid suppression

> > for Hashimoto's disease. Two of them had a dramatic

> > improvement with

> > opotherapy. One patient who was euthyroid without

> > treatment improved

> > with hormonal therapy. The fourth patient had a

> > partial remission

> > with thyroid hormones and was cured with

> > corticotherapy. CONCLUSION:

> > The mechanism by which thyroid autoimmunity is

> > associated with

> > urticaria is poorly understood. A cross-linking of

> > IgE receptors of

> > mastocytes induced by antithyroid antibodies may be

> > a cause of

> > histamine release. Hormonal therapy may be a potent

> > event for the

> > clinical improvement by the suppression of chronic

> > thyroid

> > stimulation. Assay of thyroid hormone and

> > antithyroid antibodies

> > should be performed in patients with chronic

> > urticaria. Discovery of

> > Hashimoto's thyroiditis with chronic urticaria

> > requires thyroid

> > hormone replacement not only in hypothyroid but also

> > euthyroid

> > patients.

> >

> > PMID: 11270265

> >

> >

> >

> === message truncated ===

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply. I do not have root canal

concerns. I have the z + z combo. I definitely think

my CU is connected to mensapause and my throid

hypotheroid. Yes, I have tried all the meds.Nothing

works. Zion

--- Ersan and Ilgar wrote:

> Hi Zion, When you say you have tried everything, I

> am curious, have you

> tried things in combination? Has the dosage been

> high enough? Often CU'rs

> dosages are higher. Also I am wondering have you

> had any root canals done?

> I am attaching an interesting article Jackie posted

> yesterday you might find

> helpful. If you have any questions post them and

> hopefully someone will

> have an answer or an article to refer you too.

> Love, ~Alena's

> Mom Dental Distress Syndrome

>

>

http://www.icnr.com/DentalDistressSyndrome/DentalDistressSyndrome.html

>

> This is long, but some very interesting info here.

> Definitely worth

> checking out....

>

>

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on

> the following link:

> urticaria-unsubscribeegroups

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

> This list is in the service of those who suffer from

> Chronic Urticaria (hives). We strive to support and

> lift each other as a worldwide cyber-family.

>

> We share whatever needs to be shared to help one

> another in our struggle with Chronic Urticria.

> Information provided in this forum is not to be

> taken as medical advice. Always consult your health

> professional before trying anything new.

>

> Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic

> Urticaria, we post with a prefix of NCU -. This is

> done out of respect for those who do not wish to

> read such postings.

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- Hi Zion, welcome...I am 43, have had chronic hives since I was

about 7 years old. In the last 5 years I have been doing better. I am

very sensitive to dairy products, I also have environmental triggers.

I am afro american. I take atarax, actually the generic brand

hydroxine, occasionaly nasal spray. When I used to get them bad I

would get a cortisone shot and/or prednisone. I have angio at times

also. I had my hives under control but it seemed my lips would still

swell up awful, found out it was a blood pressure medicine I was on

that was contributing to it. I am off the blood press. med, my lips

still swells occasionally but not as often and not to the degree it

was when I was on Zesteric/Zestril. Good luck you will learn alot

from this group, I have never really met anyone who had chronic hives

until I stumbled upon this site..

In urticaria@y..., Enid Pickett <zionep@y...> wrote:

> Hello Everyone, I am a new member with chronic hives.

> It is more than forty years with this suffering. I

> want to ask if anyone has a throid condition that is

> called hypothroid. I am also menapausal and this has

> resulted in severe daily breakouts. The severe daily

> breakouts have been for over a month or so. My Drs.

> want me to start Predisone but I refuse. I am looking

> for any other member that has a similar condition and

> my last question is: How many of you in the group are

> African American? I am and I have never met anyone who

> had hives as badly as I do. Please help. Zion.

> --- jedicord@y... wrote:

> > Hi everyone. I can't believe I'm just now finding

> > this group. I've

> > had hives since early December 1999, diagnosed as

> > " idealogical "

> > chronic urticaria. I currently take 2 Zantac, 2

> > Allegra, 2 Zertec

> > and Nasacort to control the hives. Nevertheless, I

> > have a severe

> > angiodemic breakouts approximately once a week. I

> > always have spots,

> > just the severity changes on a whim.

> >

> > I've done the elimination diet, changed soaps, etc.

> > to see if those

> > were the cause. My allergist told me that I was

> > just making myself

> > crazy, I'll never find the reason. All the

> > preliminary blood work

> > and labs were done when I was first diagnosed a year

> > and a half ago,

> > nothing was found.

> >

> > Last Friday, during a severe breakout I finally

> > decided that my

> > doctor had to see me NOW, when it was severe, so I

> > " forced " myself

> > into his office. Now he sees the severity I've been

> > talking about,

> > almost admitted me to the hospital as I had 50% lung

> > capacity due to

> > the angiodema. Apparently, when I say I don't feel

> > well during these

> > breakouts, there was a reason ;o). Fortunately,

> > they shot me up with

> > adrenaline and my breathing became easier. My

> > doctor then ordered

> > another " different " blood test and a 24-hour urine

> > sample. I'm

> > waiting for those results now.

> >

> > I wondered why the 24-hour urine sample -- so I

> > looked it up in the

> > Internet and found something called " Cushings

> > Syndrome " . It's

> > basically a hormonal disfunction with the adrenal

> > glands, similar to

> > that of the thyroid. Thing is, only a 24-hour urine

> > sample would

> > find this syndrome. The symptoms of the syndrome

> > also explain some

> > other things that have been going on for an even

> > longer amount of

> > time, which other doctors ignored (fatigue, heart

> > palpitations, loss

> > of weight, elevated blood pressure...). These

> > doctors blamed the

> > recent birth of a child and " getting older " on these

> > symptoms.

> >

> > To a recent poster who brought up her pitutiary

> > tumor -- there's some

> > info about that also causing some problems,

> > including hives as a

> > symptom.

> >

> > Anyway, I hope I can help anyone out there either

> > with info I've

> > gleaned by myself, sympathy (I've got lots of

> > that!!!!!!!), or just

> > lend an ear. Also, I hope to find out theories I

> > haven't heard

> > before. There is NEVER too much information!

> >

> > I read with interest the Dental Distress theory.

> > I've been needing

> > work done on my teeth for a couple of years and have

> > put that off for

> > different reasons (mainly $$$). That's an avenue I

> > haven't

> > considered!

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Lynette

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Jackie, Thanks for the infor and moral support. I am

not on any hormones for my menopause.. I do think my

thyroid are contributing to my CU also.. If there is

any info you have about the thyroid I would greatly

appreciate it. Respectfully, Zion

--- Jackie Vaughan wrote:

> Hello and welcome, Zion. Are you taking hormone

> replacement therapy? There

> are cases where women are sensitive or allergic to

> their own hormones, and

> if they take estrogen after menopause, it just makes

> things worse. This

> could explain why so many women seem to have a

> worsening of symptoms during

> certain times of their monthly cycle. Also, thyroid

> problems are a

> contributor to CU, so I think you're on the right

> track.

>

> I've had some really nasty bouts of CU, with times

> in between where I can

> keep them under control. My adult hives (also had CU

> throughout my

> childhood) started 13+ years ago just before a

> second surgery for

> endometriosis, which put me into menopause. I was

> covered in giant plaques,

> had major angio, and was going into anaphylatic

> shock ( " shocking " ) several

> times a day. During the course of treatment, one of

> the things we tried was

> taking me off estrogen. I was happy to, since

> estrogen causes migraines for

> me, and I was getting strange symptoms (see my post

> from yesterday about it)

> with the headaches. In my own case stopping estrogen

> didn't help the CU, so

> I eventually ended up on high doses of pred for 2

> years to get things under

> control (I don't blame you for refusing pred). I

> have daily hives, but for

> the most part I can keep them under control with an

> H1/H2 combo. But every

> so often I go into a cycle where they get completely

> out of control, and I

> end up back on prednisone to control symptoms of

> shocking. These cycles last

> anywhere from a few months to a few years, then

> everything calms down again.

>

> I hope you can soon get your CU back under control.

> Keep us posted.

>

> Air hugs,

> Jackie

>

> Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

>

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

> http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply. I am finding support with this

group. I would to find out as much as possible.My Drs.

are limited in their thinking and only want

Prednisone.

I hope you have success in your search for controling

this. Thanks again, I thought I was all alone, until I

found this support group. Hang in There...Zion

--- ladydi35_@... wrote:

> --- Hi Zion, welcome...I am 43, have had chronic

> hives since I was

> about 7 years old. In the last 5 years I have been

> doing better. I am

> very sensitive to dairy products, I also have

> environmental triggers.

> I am afro american. I take atarax, actually the

> generic brand

> hydroxine, occasionaly nasal spray. When I used to

> get them bad I

> would get a cortisone shot and/or prednisone. I have

> angio at times

> also. I had my hives under control but it seemed my

> lips would still

> swell up awful, found out it was a blood pressure

> medicine I was on

> that was contributing to it. I am off the blood

> press. med, my lips

> still swells occasionally but not as often and not

> to the degree it

> was when I was on Zesteric/Zestril. Good luck you

> will learn alot

> from this group, I have never really met anyone who

> had chronic hives

> until I stumbled upon this site..

>

> In urticaria@y..., Enid Pickett <zionep@y...> wrote:

> > Hello Everyone, I am a new member with chronic

> hives.

> > It is more than forty years with this suffering. I

> > want to ask if anyone has a throid condition that

> is

> > called hypothroid. I am also menapausal and this

> has

> > resulted in severe daily breakouts. The severe

> daily

> > breakouts have been for over a month or so. My

> Drs.

> > want me to start Predisone but I refuse. I am

> looking

> > for any other member that has a similar condition

> and

> > my last question is: How many of you in the group

> are

> > African American? I am and I have never met anyone

> who

> > had hives as badly as I do. Please help. Zion.

> > --- jedicord@y... wrote:

> > > Hi everyone. I can't believe I'm just now

> finding

> > > this group. I've

> > > had hives since early December 1999, diagnosed

> as

> > > " idealogical "

> > > chronic urticaria. I currently take 2 Zantac, 2

> > > Allegra, 2 Zertec

> > > and Nasacort to control the hives.

> Nevertheless, I

> > > have a severe

> > > angiodemic breakouts approximately once a week.

> I

> > > always have spots,

> > > just the severity changes on a whim.

> > >

> > > I've done the elimination diet, changed soaps,

> etc.

> > > to see if those

> > > were the cause. My allergist told me that I was

> > > just making myself

> > > crazy, I'll never find the reason. All the

> > > preliminary blood work

> > > and labs were done when I was first diagnosed a

> year

> > > and a half ago,

> > > nothing was found.

> > >

> > > Last Friday, during a severe breakout I finally

> > > decided that my

> > > doctor had to see me NOW, when it was severe, so

> I

> > > " forced " myself

> > > into his office. Now he sees the severity I've

> been

> > > talking about,

> > > almost admitted me to the hospital as I had 50%

> lung

> > > capacity due to

> > > the angiodema. Apparently, when I say I don't

> feel

> > > well during these

> > > breakouts, there was a reason ;o). Fortunately,

> > > they shot me up with

> > > adrenaline and my breathing became easier. My

> > > doctor then ordered

> > > another " different " blood test and a 24-hour

> urine

> > > sample. I'm

> > > waiting for those results now.

> > >

> > > I wondered why the 24-hour urine sample -- so I

> > > looked it up in the

> > > Internet and found something called " Cushings

> > > Syndrome " . It's

> > > basically a hormonal disfunction with the

> adrenal

> > > glands, similar to

> > > that of the thyroid. Thing is, only a 24-hour

> urine

> > > sample would

> > > find this syndrome. The symptoms of the

> syndrome

> > > also explain some

> > > other things that have been going on for an even

> > > longer amount of

> > > time, which other doctors ignored (fatigue,

> heart

> > > palpitations, loss

> > > of weight, elevated blood pressure...). These

> > > doctors blamed the

> > > recent birth of a child and " getting older " on

> these

> > > symptoms.

> > >

> > > To a recent poster who brought up her pitutiary

> > > tumor -- there's some

> > > info about that also causing some problems,

> > > including hives as a

> > > symptom.

> > >

> > > Anyway, I hope I can help anyone out there

> either

> > > with info I've

> > > gleaned by myself, sympathy (I've got lots of

> > > that!!!!!!!), or just

> > > lend an ear. Also, I hope to find out theories

> I

> > > haven't heard

> > > before. There is NEVER too much information!

> > >

> > > I read with interest the Dental Distress theory.

>

> > > I've been needing

> > > work done on my teeth for a couple of years and

> have

> > > put that off for

> > > different reasons (mainly $$$). That's an

> avenue I

> > > haven't

> > > considered!

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> > > Lynette

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi, Zion. There's been a lot of good info posted previously on thyroid and

CU. As I dig them out I'll re-post them for you. The first (below) was

posted by Barb earlier this month.

Air hugs,

Jackie

Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995 Dec;96(6 Pt 1):901-5

Resolution of chronic urticaria in patients with thyroid autoimmunity.

Rumbyrt JS, Katz JL, Schocket AL

National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Disease, Denver, CO,

USA.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune disease has been implicated as a cause of chronic

urticaria, and anti-thyroid antibodies have been found in patients with

chronic urticaria. Because some patients with chronic urticaria and

autoimmune hypothyroidism have had clinical resolution with thyroid hormone

replacement, we investigated the effect of thyroid hormone in euthyroid

patients with chronic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity. METHODS: Ten

euthyroid patients with refractory hives were treated with thyroxine. Seven

patients had elevated anti-thyroid antibodies at baseline. Thyroid function

and anti-microsomal and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels were monitored

during treatment. If a clinical response was achieved, thyroxine was

discontinued and restarted if symptoms recurred. RESULTS: Seven patients

with elevated anti-thyroid antibodies reported resolution of symptoms within

4 weeks. Three patients without elevated anti-thyroid antibodies did not

respond. Five patients had a recurrence of symptoms after treatment was

stopped, which resolved after treatment was restarted. Thyroid-stimulating

hormone levels decreased in all patients with a clinical response. No

correlation between clinical resolution and anti-thyroid antibody levels was

seen. CONCLUSION: Thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid patients may be

associated with chronic urticaria, and treatment with thyroid suppression

can result in clinical remission.

PMID: 8543747, UI: 96133469

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ann Dermatol Venereol 1995;122(6-7):413-6

[Chronic urticaria and autoimmune thyroid diseases].

[Article in French]

Collet E, Petit JM, Lacroix M, Bensa AF, Morvan C, Lambert D

Service de Dermatologie, Hopital du Bocage, Dijon.

INTRODUCTION. Chronic urticaria results from multiple interactive causes.

For certain authors dythyroidism is significantly more frequent in patients

with chronic urticaria, often associated with other autoimmune disorders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. This study included 45 patients with chronic urticaria

(29 men and 16 women, mean age 45.6 years). All underwent clinical

examination for thyroid disease with assay of free T3 and T4, ultrasensitive

TSH and antimicrosome and antithyroperoxidase antithyroid antibodies.

RESULTS. Among the 45 patients, 8, all women, had an autoimmune thyroid

disease: Graves' disease (n = 1), juvenile chronic thyroiditis (n = 1),

autoimmune disease n = 6). All had goiter but most had no clinical sign

suggestive of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Other clinical features or

laboratory findings suggested autoimmune disorders in 3. DISCUSSION. These

results suggest that a complete thyroid examination with hormone assay,

especially in women, should be performed in patients with chronic urticaria.

TSH and antiperoxidase antibodies appear to be the most sensitive and

specific assays in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Comments:

Comment in: Ann Dermatol Venereol 1996;123(2):124

PMID: 8526423, UI: 96099539

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Int J Dermatol 1997 Mar;36(3):187-90

The association of chronic urticaria and angioedema with autoimmune

thyroiditis.

Turktas I, Gokcora N, Demirsoy S, Cakir N, Onal E

Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Allergy, Ankara, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: An increased frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis is seen in

patients with chronic urticaria and angioedema (CUA) and it has been

hypothesized that autoimmunity may be playing a role in the pathogenesis of

CUA. The aim of this study was to learn the extent of autoimmune thyroid

disease in a series of patients who presented with CUA. METHODS: Thyroid

function tests and thyroid autoantibodies were measured by radioimmunoassay

and immunoradiometric assay respectively in 94 CUA patients and 80 age- and

sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Eleven patients (11.7%) were found

to have thyroglobulin antibodies (TGA) and nine patients (9.57%) thyroid

microsomal (TMA) titers ranging from 150 to 1340.37 and from 165.73 to 8000

IU/mL respectively. Both antibodies were detected in three control cases

(3.7%). The association was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Six of 11

patients had thyroid dysfunction and the other five cases were euthyroid.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results justified the use of TMA and TGA for the early

diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis in combination with CUA. The higher

frequency of these antibodies in our patients, along with results from

previously published data, suggest that this entity may reflect an

autoimmune basis in some CUA patients. Thyroid function tests are not enough

to rule out thyroid disease, and thyroid antibody tests should be carried

out in all patients with CUA.

PMID: 9158998, UI: 97302751

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

Thanks for your info. I will continue to research this

connection with CU and thyroid levels. I would

appreciate any infor your have. Thanks again. Zion

--- Jackie Vaughan wrote:

> Hi, Zion. There's been a lot of good info posted

> previously on thyroid and

> CU. As I dig them out I'll re-post them for you. The

> first (below) was

> posted by Barb earlier this month.

>

> Air hugs,

> Jackie

>

> Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

>

>

>

> J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995 Dec;96(6 Pt 1):901-5

>

> Resolution of chronic urticaria in patients with

> thyroid autoimmunity.

>

> Rumbyrt JS, Katz JL, Schocket AL

>

> National Jewish Center for Immunology and

> Respiratory Disease, Denver, CO,

> USA.

>

> BACKGROUND: Autoimmune disease has been implicated

> as a cause of chronic

> urticaria, and anti-thyroid antibodies have been

> found in patients with

> chronic urticaria. Because some patients with

> chronic urticaria and

> autoimmune hypothyroidism have had clinical

> resolution with thyroid hormone

> replacement, we investigated the effect of thyroid

> hormone in euthyroid

> patients with chronic urticaria and thyroid

> autoimmunity. METHODS: Ten

> euthyroid patients with refractory hives were

> treated with thyroxine. Seven

> patients had elevated anti-thyroid antibodies at

> baseline. Thyroid function

> and anti-microsomal and anti-thyroglobulin antibody

> levels were monitored

> during treatment. If a clinical response was

> achieved, thyroxine was

> discontinued and restarted if symptoms recurred.

> RESULTS: Seven patients

> with elevated anti-thyroid antibodies reported

> resolution of symptoms within

> 4 weeks. Three patients without elevated

> anti-thyroid antibodies did not

> respond. Five patients had a recurrence of symptoms

> after treatment was

> stopped, which resolved after treatment was

> restarted. Thyroid-stimulating

> hormone levels decreased in all patients with a

> clinical response. No

> correlation between clinical resolution and

> anti-thyroid antibody levels was

> seen. CONCLUSION: Thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid

> patients may be

> associated with chronic urticaria, and treatment

> with thyroid suppression

> can result in clinical remission.

>

> PMID: 8543747, UI: 96133469

>

>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

>

>

> Ann Dermatol Venereol 1995;122(6-7):413-6

>

> [Chronic urticaria and autoimmune thyroid diseases].

>

> [Article in French]

>

> Collet E, Petit JM, Lacroix M, Bensa AF, Morvan C,

> Lambert D

>

> Service de Dermatologie, Hopital du Bocage, Dijon.

>

> INTRODUCTION. Chronic urticaria results from

> multiple interactive causes.

> For certain authors dythyroidism is significantly

> more frequent in patients

> with chronic urticaria, often associated with other

> autoimmune disorders.

> PATIENTS AND METHODS. This study included 45

> patients with chronic urticaria

> (29 men and 16 women, mean age 45.6 years). All

> underwent clinical

> examination for thyroid disease with assay of free

> T3 and T4, ultrasensitive

> TSH and antimicrosome and antithyroperoxidase

> antithyroid antibodies.

> RESULTS. Among the 45 patients, 8, all women, had an

> autoimmune thyroid

> disease: Graves' disease (n = 1), juvenile chronic

> thyroiditis (n = 1),

> autoimmune disease n = 6). All had goiter but most

> had no clinical sign

> suggestive of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

> Other clinical features or

> laboratory findings suggested autoimmune disorders

> in 3. DISCUSSION. These

> results suggest that a complete thyroid examination

> with hormone assay,

> especially in women, should be performed in patients

> with chronic urticaria.

> TSH and antiperoxidase antibodies appear to be the

> most sensitive and

> specific assays in patients with autoimmune thyroid

> disease.

>

> Comments:

>

> Comment in: Ann Dermatol Venereol 1996;123(2):124

>

> PMID: 8526423, UI: 96099539

>

>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

>

>

>

>

> Int J Dermatol 1997 Mar;36(3):187-90

>

> The association of chronic urticaria and angioedema

> with autoimmune

> thyroiditis.

>

> Turktas I, Gokcora N, Demirsoy S, Cakir N, Onal E

>

> Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of

> Allergy, Ankara, Turkey.

>

> BACKGROUND: An increased frequency of autoimmune

> thyroiditis is seen in

> patients with chronic urticaria and angioedema (CUA)

> and it has been

> hypothesized that autoimmunity may be playing a role

> in the pathogenesis of

> CUA. The aim of this study was to learn the extent

> of autoimmune thyroid

> disease in a series of patients who presented with

> CUA. METHODS: Thyroid

> function tests and thyroid autoantibodies were

> measured by radioimmunoassay

> and immunoradiometric assay respectively in 94 CUA

> patients and 80 age- and

> sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Eleven

> patients (11.7%) were found

> to have thyroglobulin antibodies (TGA) and nine

> patients (9.57%) thyroid

> microsomal (TMA) titers ranging from 150 to 1340.37

> and from 165.73 to 8000

> IU/mL respectively. Both antibodies were detected in

> three control cases

> (3.7%). The association was statistically

> significant (P < 0.01). Six of 11

> patients had thyroid dysfunction and the other five

> cases were euthyroid.

> CONCLUSIONS: Our results justified the use of TMA

> and TGA for the early

> diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis in combination

> with CUA. The higher

> frequency of these antibodies in our patients, along

> with results from

> previously published data, suggest that this entity

> may reflect an

> autoimmune basis in some CUA patients. Thyroid

> function tests are not enough

> to rule out thyroid disease, and thyroid antibody

> tests should be carried

> out in all patients with CUA.

>

> PMID: 9158998, UI: 97302751

>

>

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

> http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

> Histamine containing and releasing foods: There are several foods

that

> either contain histamine or cause the body to release histamine. If

you're

> interested in learning more, let me know and I'll re-post info for

you.

>

> Jackie

>

>

> Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

>

> Jackie,

I read this earlier post and was curious about your lists of

Histamine containing and releasing foods. When you get a chance,

would you please post it? I sure am learning a lot from reading all

the messages here. I've visited many groups on the internet in my 5

years online, but this group here is the nicest, warmest bunch of

people I've ever seen on the net! Thanks for all you do,

~Jayne

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp