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Help needed for hives and allergic reaction

Posted By Middlebunny (Jersey City, NJ, 07302) on 06/02/2009

Help Needed: Allergic Reaction/Chronic Hives

For the past month, I have had hives/itching and really need to find some way to resolve this condition as soon as possible. Although the itching just started at the end of April, I have been dealing with several illnesses over the past few years. Before I provide details regarding the allergic hives/itching condition, here's a brief medical history:

inoperable Right optic meningioma treated with a series of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy from August-September 2007
Hair Loss/Thinning - assumed to be related to an auto immune condition triggered by the radiation therapy
Increased occurrence of Eczema in new locations post radiation: forehead, upper arms which eventually resolved about 8 months post radiation
Loss of taste sensation - resolved 3 months post radiation
Fibroid Tumors - 75% removed during abdominal myomectomy on 4/14/09 (more than 10); however, removal of all would have jeopardized the uterus.
Severe Anemia - discovered during April 2009 hospitalization for abdominal myomectomy and treated initially with Iron Infusion and several injections of Procrit (injections terminated due to onset of post surgical complications - see below). I was not previously aware that I was anemic.

About 2 weeks after my fibroid removal surgery (myomectomy), I was rushed to the hospital with heart palpitations, throbbing fingers, itchy palms and feet, and full body hives. This was diagnosed by ER doctor as a possible allergic reaction to either the Iron Infusion I had more than a week earlier or one or more of the medications I had been on since the surgery (percocet or nicoderm). The ER doctor recommended Benedryl and the cessation of all my medications: no percocet, advil, nicoderm. I saw the GYN who performed the fibroid surgery again on 4/30/09 and he discontinued the Procrit shots that I had been receiving to help with the Anemia. I saw an Internist on 5/5/09 who put me on Prednisone and Hydroxizine. This helped control the hives and compulsive itchiness. On 5/12/09, the Internist advised my blood tests from 5/5/09 showed extremely high Iron levels and suggested that this could be the cause of the allergy. Since it seemed that it wasn't the Nicoderm, the Internist OK'd me to start using the nicotine patch again. She also advised that I had a Vitamin D, Calcium and electrolyte deficiency and suggested that I begin taking 4000 IU Vitamin D and 1200mg calcium daily. Although a milder form of the itching has continued and I have had several recurrences of the hives, the Prednisone/Hydroxizine seemed to help. Unfortunately, it became obvious that the Prednisone/Hydroxizine had their own set of side effects: insomnia, hyperactivity, nervousness and compulsive behavior. Since I hadn't had a decent night sleep in over a month and had become a hyper, compulsive, neurotic mess, I discontinue those medications as of 1 week ago. I also started taking 10mg Ambien before going to bed. The Ambien seems to help; however, it will take a while for the Prednisone to leave my system. I saw a Hematologist 2 days after stopping the Prednisone/Hydroxzine who agreed that I shouldn't go back on those medications and should use Benedryl to control the periodic/recurrent break-outs of hives. He also advised that I was severely iron deficient so it is unlikely that I am allergic to iron. He believes the initial high iron level reading from the blood tests on 5/5/09 may be the result of my body's delay in absorbing the iron from the IV Iron infusion I had in the hospital. He thinks the more likely culprit of the allergic reaction is either Percocet or Nicoderm. As of 5/27/09, I have once again stopped using the nicotine patch but continue to have hives that appear and fade several times a day. The itchiness is always present but isn't as intense as it was initially. In addition, I continue to endure the itching. I took Benedryl several times over the weekend but didn't see any noticeable improvement. Since the on-set of the hives/allergy, I have had some relief from bathing with Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda and Borax added to the tub. Unfortunately, this only offers temporary relief and I am not sure how more of the itching I can take. I feel like my skin is crawling. It has been over a month and I really need to get my life back. Can you suggest anything that will help?

Replied by Middlebunny (Jersey City, New Jersey, Usa) on 09/05/2011

It is me again. I'm posting an update as it might benefit someone suffering from Urticaria/Chronic Hives. While I am by no means cured, I am able to control my hives with two over-the-counter drugs. I take one 10mg Zyrtec and one 20mg Pepcid AC twice a day and this seems to control the hives. I haven't given up on locating a natural solution to this problem; however, the Zyrtec/Pepcid combination is a lot better than Steroids which made me hyper, angry and led to a 30lb weight gain.

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