Hello! I am a newbie to this forum, and so thankful to have found it. My name is Donna, and I live deep in the heart of Texas
I was always healthy, until age 33, when I suddenly became allergic to nuts. I have been carrying Epi-pens for the past 8 years, and never had to use one because I avoided nuts (Except during childbirth twice, apparently I reacted to the epidural)
Anyway, about 4 months ago, I started itching insanely, especially my hands and feet. These itching spells became more frequent and burning, like having my foot in a fire ant hill.
Then I noticed the weird hives. Not necessarily circular, but linear, and strange, and I noticed they often came after putting pressure on an area of skin.
I have been doing my own research (late at night with google at my fingertips) and have come to believe I have the dermatographism (hives) and it is due to too much histamine in my body (causing the itching)..
Not sure if I have histamine intolerance, MACD, or both, or neither. I have had years of baffling symptoms though, abdominal pain that waxes and wanes, migraines, degenrative disc disease, I believe it is all tied together??
I have also fairly low blood pressure (my docs never act like it is a big deal, they are always saying they wish they had my blood pressure) but it always concerned me that my blood pressure was low and my pulse was so high.
I have begun eating a low histamine diet for about 6 weeks, the symptoms have improved, however, I do recognize that stress seems to be a trigger for me.
One day, I wasn't eating much (scared to eat) and my blood sugar got real low. I am not diabetic, but know about hypoglycemia.
I kind of panicked, because I knew that I needed to eat, but was scared to eat anything because I wasn't sure of my triggers!A few hours later, I got bad itching and hives.
Same thing happened the other day, only the stressor was a mammogram and a dental appt in the same day!
I have not have the chance yet to read the posts in detail, so I may be telling you something you already know, but I want to mention it in case:
1) How to tell between Anaphylactic Shock and Panick Attack??
Maybe take your blood pressure??? The other day, I had a panic attack. After I had eaten something, I felt as though my throat were swelling, and it was getting difficult to swallow.
Suddenly, I began to get dizzy, my heart was racing, getting tunnel vision. I quickly took my blood pressure. I was astounded to see a reading of 137/85 which is extremely high for me. (I am usually around 100/60.)
So, I took it again, the other arm, same thing, it was high, I took it a 3rd time back on the left arm, and again got a higher than normal reading.
So, my conclusion was, that adrenalilne (from panic attack) made my blood pressure skyrocket. I had my epipen in hand and almost used it, I am very glad that I took the blood pressure first.
I have not asked the doctor yet, but I assume if you are feeling weird and your blood pressure is low, that would indicate anaphylactic shock, but if it is high, that would indicate adrenaline (false alarm, panic).
2) "Fat, sick and nearly dead" -- has anyone here seen that documentary?
The guy had chronic hives and histamine problems, and reversed it through "rebooting" his system by a juicing for 60 days. I am curious if anyone here has any comment on that, or has done it. I am going to try it, though probably not 60 days.
thanks for listening!
Donna