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Posted 6/19/2008 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have been dealing with chronic hives since 12/07, been to 4 dr's and all the allergy testing (all neg).  Finally referred to infectious disease dr who ordered tons of blood work.  ANA screening was Positive, ANTI RNP/SM was positive, then ANA titer came back at 1:1280 (speckled).  Currently waiting for appt with rheumy.  Was wondering if anyone else has had hives as symptom of lupus.  I have recently figured out that if I take enough trazadone to get good nights sleep they clear up during the day but start to come back around 4:00pm.
Posted 6/19/2008 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
When my lupus symptoms started (in 2002), I had hives and extremely itchy skin. The hives came out whenever I was exposed to sun. The itchy skin and rash were awful. Prednisone was the only thing that helped me with the hives and the itchy skin. I really had to try hard not to scratch. My arms, legs, chest, stomach, back, neck, etc. were all red and itchy. Are you taking prednisone?
Posted 6/19/2008 4:03 AM (GMT 0)

    Jamell

   Just want to welcome you to the site.......I am New myself and hopefully you will find it as helpful as I have........Everyone here is helpful and always there to Listen and offer great advice.  I have a major issue with hives myself......all over and some days much larger then others........VERY itchy and get much worse when in the sun. 

  The only thing I found that helped was prednisone also.  My suggestion to you is to keep a diary......Keep track of things you do.......foods you ate....being in the sun etc.  and keep an eye on the hives........on the days they are much worse go over what you did and or ate.......illiminate and slowly bring things back 1 at a time......it may help you discover what may be causing them.  Also it is a great idea to keep a diary of other symptoms etc. to take with you to your Rheumy appt..........It can be very helpful in deciding what meds may or may not help you.

Good Luck

Cheeki

Posted 6/19/2008 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to the board. This is a great place to be. I use big ice packs and put them  in a bath towel, It really helps for me. Try going to a skin DR. Also try clairton.That helps me to

Good luck

Posted 6/19/2008 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome.........Been to dermatologist who can't do anything to help.  Been given 4 pred packs and about 6 steroid shots.  Have not been on daily dose of prednisone........really dont want to.  There is nothing that makes them worse, I have them everyday...I have noticed that if I take enough drugs at nite to get a good nights sleep they are tolerable and minimal the next day...........but by 4:00 they start popping out again.  I would like to hear from people who have been on daily prednisone (I know that's what the rheumy is gonna give me.........I go 7/2/08)  I am sooooooo afraid of blowing up that I am almost willing to put up with the hives.  I know that is usually the first form of treatment, so would really like to hear how people are handling it and how it is affecting them.   Thanks again for all the info...........
Posted 6/20/2008 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
If by "blowing up" you mean the weight gain issues that often accompany prednisone use... There is good news! You are thinking about it *before* prednisone treatment. Prednisone can make some changes to your metabolism - it slows down the normal processing of carbohydrates - and it causes HUGE cravings for carbohydrates. So there is an important secret to keeping the weight issues under control -- from the very beginning, cut way back on those "bad" carbs. That means white food (sugar, bread, pasta) and all the snack stuff -- most "prepared" items -- need to be avoided. Keep the good carbs - which are basically the fruits and vegetables - make sure you get enough protein and fiber - and that'll help you out a lot! Good luck,
Posted 6/20/2008 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jamell, Welcome to the forum. Do you have other symptoms that are being treated by the prednisone??? I had hives for a long time too. They intensified with stress/fatigue. I'm not sure how bad your hives are . . . but mine weren't bad enough to want to take prednisone for them, so I'm not much help. Blessings!
Posted 6/20/2008 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
thanks lynnwood and alwaysrosie................My hives have been HORRIBLE...........from literally head to toe covered in red welts with the constant itch that accompanies them. They are very debilitating...........not to mention ugly! I feel people are looking at me wondering what they will catch if they get too close. I am a bit confused though, because I dont really have any other symptoms other than looking forward to a nap every day. With my titer so high, something else has to be affected.........and I am scared to think what.
Posted 6/21/2008 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
I'm actually intruding on the Lupus forum (sorry) as I have Ulcerative Colitis but I saw the chronic hives post. I have had chronic hives on and off for several years. The only thing we've been able to figure out is that they come up when I am having anxiety. Benadryl works but only temporarily. I eventually got a steroid shot and took over the counter Zyrtec until the cycle broke. I finally got put on Lexapro and haven't had them since. My doc says it's a common thing with auto immune diseases. Good luck - I know they are miserable!
Posted 6/21/2008 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jamell,

 

I have hives like you describe also.  It is part of the history my docs are using to finally figure out what is wrong with me. 

 

I have only found two things that work.  1.  Aveno oatmeal baths help while in the bath and for a short while after.  2.  When we cleared mine up the last time I was on 2 antihistamines and tagament.  I took atarax, zyrtec and tagament, they didn't go away right away, but when they finally cleared up they were gone for several years.  I'm going on that treatment again after a skin biopsy of them to see if it helps dx me.

 

take care,

Debbie

Posted 6/22/2008 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. I am new today my second day. I'm glad I saw this page on hives. I told my Dr. and Rheumy about my hive and both told me it is from my lupus . I only know of one other person with Lupus and I don't see her often. I get hive when I get upset. The first time I got them was at mothers funeral 11 years ago. I had Lupus for 2 1/2 years then. Now , when I start felling the hives I tell my self to relax. It works most of the times. If they don't go away I take a Benadryl and cool towel or bath. I'm alergic to Aveeno products. I just got over a severe rash on my face and neck for their suntan lotion. Take care everyone. uni-corn
Posted 6/27/2008 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
That was my 1st sign of lupus over 20 years ago.My dermatologist was treating them.He said it was lupus 3 years before the specalist did.Mine was so bad i looked like one big hive.Even had them on my tongue.Lol it got so bad i had the doctors home number to call him when i was on my way to the hospital.I think a dermatologist is the best doctor to treat them.They went away after awhile and i have never had them again.
Posted 8/8/2016 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have not been diagnosed with lupus yet but have Ana of 1:640 and symptoms that are being worked up? I do have unexplainable hives on my arms? Anyone know anything about this? Or is this lupus related?
Posted 8/8/2016 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I had that issue also and the only thing that stopped it and gave me my life back was plaquinel and yes it can be related to lupus. From what I was told it is a rare symptom of lupus
Posted 8/8/2016 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
I just want to know if I have lupus?? Are there other blood tests that the dr can do to confirm the dx? He did more blood work today! Hopefully I can get some clear answers! Thanks!
Posted 8/8/2016 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you can get a diagnoses but it's one of the hardest diseases to diagnose. There are lots of test the can run to check. Unfortunately it usually isn't confirmed till it starts to advance. In early stages it doesn't show high levels so it makes it hard to say 100% yes.usually start by treating symptoms and monitor blood every few months
Posted 8/9/2016 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Does it eventually show in other test if it's lupus? At some point so they can know for sure?
Posted 8/9/2016 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Lupus is diagnosed by having 4 of 11 symptoms, only one of which is blood work. There is not a single test that can either confirm or disprove the diagnosis. Check out the Diagnosing Lupus link below. Lupus can present differently in each person, hence it is very hard to diagnose. Often diagnosis is confirmed by how we react to medications.

Plaquenil is generally the first medication used if they suspect Lupus, it is considered a disease-modifying drugs because it seems to slow the progression of the disease.
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