Question: I have had hives for the pass three weeks and have seen three doctors including an emergency room visit that required IV Solumedrol, Benadryl and Pepcid. This was given after being off prednisone for one day. I have ruled out food allergies. I do remember eating mushrooms prior to this episode. I also had false fingernails on which I though contributed to my hands itching. Could a fungal infection be the cause? All labs came back negative other than WBCs 11.4 and Vitamin D extremely low.

Thank you,

My older sister appeared to have the same problem. Prior to this she had a pituitary tumor and put on bromocryptine, progesterone for lack of menstruation and HCTZ for HPN. After she developed the hives and and was was prescribed the Methotrexate for indications of Lupus or RA. She took this medication for years (15) before a NP and Doctor, she visited at a clinic, had taken her off because they had seen no definitive results for presumed diagnosis once reading her medical records. Her pituitary tumor had gone away. She still continues to take the Prednisone though and it has been 20 years. She cannot go without it without suffering from severe pain and swelling.

I mention my sister because I to have had the mirena IUD which has progesterone. When I first received it (3 years ago). I noticed allergy like symptoms, such as; increased sinus drainage and lump in my throat, borderline HPN, and weight gain. My GYN did not suspect an allergy to it. Could I be allergic to the progesterone?

It is also interesting that I just received an e-mail from a friend of mine stating that she had midlife hives and was placed on HCTZ regimen which seemed to work. Have you ever heard of such? My blood pressure has be running high.

The last doctor I had gone to was an allergist/immunologist and he continues the regimen of prednisone prescribed from previous doctor and allegra and benadryl until I have my test results returned. He did not do a skin allergy test because he suspects these three: Thyroid problems, Lupus or RA. His reasoning is because I am still having hives with the high doses of prednisones and antihistamines. Once I have finished my last dose of prednisone he is going to stop it. I've watched my diet closely and there has been no change with eliminating foods.

I am asking these questions because I do not want to go through the same things my sister has gone through. It seemed as though her doctors continued to use medications to mask the problem instead of looking for the cause. Twenty years later she is still fighting to get off of prednisone and now has hyperglycemia an controlled HPN. Her case has been a mystery to all of her doctors.

Ultimately the questions are: could I be allergic to added doses of [progesterone? Could I have midlife hives?

Thank you,
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