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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

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Posted on Thu, 11 May 2017
Question: I have what appears to be chronic idiopathic urticaria with intense itching - I have had it continuously for the last 7 months. It has worsened over time and now I have swelling at the base of my neck on both sides above the collar bone. The tissue is soft - no hard lumps beneath. At the same time, I have what appear to be bruises in my groin area (on both sides).
I need help but none of the multiple doctors I have seen can offer me any firm diagnosis and/or treatment.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Give some more informations please

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking in HCM

I can understand your concern

Can you give me some more info about what examinations you have already done and what treatment too that have not helped you?

Chronic Idiopathic urticaria might be from autoimmune diseases.

Have you done the tests for these diseases?



Thank you

Dr.Jolanda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (25 minutes later)
To my knowledge, I have not undergone testing for an auto-immune disease. I have seen an allergist who ruled out any allergy as the cause. I have seen two different dermatologists and the "best guess" from one of them has been that I have chronic idiopathic urticarial. I have tried several different over the counter and prescription anti-histamines and they have not effect as far as I can tell.
I have been taking 50 mg doxepin for more than ten years (for recurring hives) and that has been very effective. With my current problems I have increased the doxepin to 75 mg for two weeks but that had no effect on my current problems as far as I can tell. Also, my internist had be get off a couple of my regular prescriptions for several days to see if those meds were at fault but that had no impact as far as I could tell.
What tests would I need to undergo to determine whether or not I have an auto-immune disease? What disease or diseases are more likely? What would be the likely treatments?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Immunosuppresors can be used

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

There are several autoimmune disorders which have a lot of antibodies but the most encountered are as follows:

Systemic Lupus Erytemathosis
Vasculitis
Connective tissue diseases
Hashimoto Thyroiditis
Poliangitis microscopic
Psoriasis
Wegener Granulomatosis
Polimyositis
Goodpasture syndrome
Scleroderma etc

One of the above that may cause chronic idiopathic urticaria is Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

Some of the blood tests you should do are as follows:

ESR
CRP
ANA
ANCAp
ANCAc
Anti phospholipid anticorps
AntiTPO
TSH
FT3
FT4

The treatment depends on the etiologic factor which means on the disorder that has cause the disorder.

In general however the treatment of autoimmune chronich idiopathic urticaria antihistamins and steroids have not shown much effect.


Immunosuppressive medications are other treatments that can be use.

You can talk with your doctors for the above and probably they order them for you to do.

Wishes

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (36 minutes later)
Does this advice extend to the unexplained bruising in my groin area?

Is there one or two diseases that you would be the most likely and therefore the first to consider?

Thank you for your advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thyroiditis and poly-angitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Based in my experience and the most common diseases that should be evaluated are:

Hashimoto Thyroiditis and

Microscopic poly-angitis

I strongly recommend you to do all the above blood tests.They are very important in diagnosis.

If one of them come positive the treatment should be with immuno-suppressors

The bruising in your groin area might be from the continuous itching and desquamation of the skin in that area.

I wish a fast recovery for you

Dr.Jolanda
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Jolanda

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 2904 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Brief Answer: Give some more informations please Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for asking in HCM I can understand your concern Can you give me some more info about what examinations you have already done and what treatment too that have not helped you? Chronic Idiopathic urticaria might be from autoimmune diseases. Have you done the tests for these diseases? Thank you Dr.Jolanda