Re: looking for info and advice

January 2, 2002

Dear Tricia,

I'm sure you will be hearing back from many others (more knowledgeable than I), but one thing I wanted to mention to you is that, according to my doctors, hives that last for less than 6 weeks are not considered chronic. That means they could go away as mysteriously as they arrived and you may never find the cause. As far as testing, I don't think they'll do much before the 6 weeks, just try various medications to try and keep him comfortable. If you do some more investigating on you own, you may come up with something he ate or was exposed to that may have caused this; any different medications, viruses, illnesses, etc. I'm sure others in the group will be more help.

Good luck.

Tami (NJ)

January 2, 2002

Dear Tricia,

I'm sure you will be hearing back from many others (more knowledgeable than I), but one thing I wanted to mention to you is that, according to my doctors, hives that last for less than 6 weeks are not considered chronic. That means they could go away as mysteriously as they arrived and you may never find the cause. As far as testing, I don't think they'll do much before the 6 weeks, just try various medications to try and keep him comfortable. If you do some more investigating on you own, you may come up with something he ate or was exposed to that may have caused this; any different medications, viruses, illnesses, etc. I'm sure others in the group will be more help.

Good luck.

Tami (NJ)

January 2, 2002

based on my own experience my advice would be to try to eliminate everything except green vegetables and water. no milk. no sugar. very light carbs. again - plenty of water. stay totally away from spices, sauces, food with iodine (fish). hopefully your skin tests will give you a food allergy indication. cut his nails down as far as possible. by all means use prednisone as a very very last resort. has he ever had (food) allergies/reactions before? look through previous posts on this board and make sure the doc rules out everything - and dont be bashful - demand dont ask.

hope this helps

ps. during my early stages of urt. claritan worked (somewhat) for me.

January 2, 2002

Hi Tricia and Ann,

Yes, I was referred first to a dermatologist and then to an allergist. In my

opinion, my allergist has helped me the most. Hope your son finds relief

soon!!

Cara in Ohio

January 2, 2002

Hi Tricia,

Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One thing I

do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually doesn't work

alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call this the

Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very well.

I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help. I'm not

sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions. The

people on here are wonderful!

Take care, Ann

>

>Reply-To: urticaria

>To: urticaria

>Subject: looking for info and advice

>Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

>

>Hello to all,

> My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four weeks,

>with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

>Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

>really suffering with this.

> The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back and

>legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in laundry

>detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

>with no improvement.

> The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we go on

>January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him relieve

> the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

>dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

>things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

>should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

>

Ann

" I get by with a little help from my friends. "

_________________________________________________________________

Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

http://www.hotmail.com

January 2, 2002

Oh my, If I eliminate all of those foods from his diet, he won't eat!!

He is a fussy eater, big on carbs, not so much a fan of veggies...can I

start by eliminating one thing at a time to see if something specific is

the cause? How quickly would the hives go away if I hit on the right

food? The poor kid scratches until the hives are bleeding, and he

is covered in scabs. Thanks for the advice so far, I do appreciate

it. Does anyone else here have kids that are suffering from this

problem? Tricia

va1s@... wrote:

based

on my own experience my advice would be to try to eliminate everything

except green vegetables and water. no milk. no sugar. very light carbs.

again - plenty of water. stay totally away from spices, sauces, food with

iodine (fish). hopefully your skin tests will give you a food allergy indication.

cut his nails down as far as possible. by all means use prednisone

as a very very last resort. has he ever had (food) allergies/reactions

before? look through previous posts on this board and make sure the

doc rules out everything

- and dont be bashful - demand dont ask.

hope this helps

ps. during my

early stages of urt. claritan worked (somewhat) for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you do wish to unsubscribe then

you can click on the following link:

urticaria-unsubscribe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This list is in the service of those

who suffer from Chronic Urticaria (hives). We strive to support and lift

each other as a worldwide cyber-family.

We share whatever needs to be shared

to help one another in our struggle with Chronic Urticria. Information

provided in this forum is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult

your health professional before trying anything new.

Any posting that is off the main topic

of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a prefix of NCU -. This is done

out of respect for those who do not wish to read such postings.

January 2, 2002

Oh my, If I eliminate all of those foods from his diet, he won't eat!!

He is a fussy eater, big on carbs, not so much a fan of veggies...can I

start by eliminating one thing at a time to see if something specific is

the cause? How quickly would the hives go away if I hit on the right

food? The poor kid scratches until the hives are bleeding, and he

is covered in scabs. Thanks for the advice so far, I do appreciate

it. Does anyone else here have kids that are suffering from this

problem? Tricia

va1s@... wrote:

based

on my own experience my advice would be to try to eliminate everything

except green vegetables and water. no milk. no sugar. very light carbs.

again - plenty of water. stay totally away from spices, sauces, food with

iodine (fish). hopefully your skin tests will give you a food allergy indication.

cut his nails down as far as possible. by all means use prednisone

as a very very last resort. has he ever had (food) allergies/reactions

before? look through previous posts on this board and make sure the

doc rules out everything

- and dont be bashful - demand dont ask.

hope this helps

ps. during my

early stages of urt. claritan worked (somewhat) for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you do wish to unsubscribe then

you can click on the following link:

urticaria-unsubscribe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This list is in the service of those

who suffer from Chronic Urticaria (hives). We strive to support and lift

each other as a worldwide cyber-family.

We share whatever needs to be shared

to help one another in our struggle with Chronic Urticria. Information

provided in this forum is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult

your health professional before trying anything new.

Any posting that is off the main topic

of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a prefix of NCU -. This is done

out of respect for those who do not wish to read such postings.

January 2, 2002

He has never had food allergies before, it is a mystery to us so far..

va1s@... wrote:

based

on my own experience my advice would be to try to eliminate everything

except green vegetables and water. no milk. no sugar. very light carbs.

again - plenty of water. stay totally away from spices, sauces, food with

iodine (fish). hopefully your skin tests will give you a food allergy indication.

cut his nails down as far as possible. by all means use prednisone

as a very very last resort. has he ever had (food) allergies/reactions

before? look through previous posts on this board and make sure the

doc rules out everything

- and dont be bashful - demand dont ask.

hope this helps

ps. during my

early stages of urt. claritan worked (somewhat) for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you do wish to unsubscribe then

you can click on the following link:

urticaria-unsubscribe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This list is in the service of those

who suffer from Chronic Urticaria (hives). We strive to support and lift

each other as a worldwide cyber-family.

We share whatever needs to be shared

to help one another in our struggle with Chronic Urticria. Information

provided in this forum is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult

your health professional before trying anything new.

Any posting that is off the main topic

of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a prefix of NCU -. This is done

out of respect for those who do not wish to read such postings.

January 2, 2002

Is a dermatologist the right place to go, or should I be looking for an

allergist? Tricia

Ann Angelsinthechoir wrote:

> Hi Tricia,

> Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

> Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One thing I

> do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually doesn't work

> alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call this the

> Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very well.

> I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help. I'm not

> sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions. The

> people on here are wonderful!

> Take care, Ann

>

> >

> >Reply-To: urticaria

> >To: urticaria

> >Subject: looking for info and advice

> >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

> >

> >Hello to all,

> > My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four weeks,

> >with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

> >Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

> >really suffering with this.

> > The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back and

> >legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in laundry

> >detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

> >with no improvement.

> > The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we go on

> >January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him relieve

> > the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

> >dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

> >things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

> >should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> > Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

> >

>

> Ann

>

> " I get by with a little help from my friends. "

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> http://www.hotmail.com

>

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following link:

> urticaria-unsubscribe

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

> This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria

(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide cyber-family.

>

> We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle with

Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be taken as

medical advice. Always consult your health professional before trying anything

new.

>

> Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a

prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not wish to read

such postings.

>

January 2, 2002

Is a dermatologist the right place to go, or should I be looking for an

allergist? Tricia

Ann Angelsinthechoir wrote:

> Hi Tricia,

> Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

> Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One thing I

> do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually doesn't work

> alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call this the

> Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very well.

> I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help. I'm not

> sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions. The

> people on here are wonderful!

> Take care, Ann

>

> >

> >Reply-To: urticaria

> >To: urticaria

> >Subject: looking for info and advice

> >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

> >

> >Hello to all,

> > My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four weeks,

> >with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

> >Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

> >really suffering with this.

> > The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back and

> >legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in laundry

> >detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

> >with no improvement.

> > The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we go on

> >January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him relieve

> > the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

> >dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

> >things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

> >should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> > Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

> >

>

> Ann

>

> " I get by with a little help from my friends. "

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> http://www.hotmail.com

>

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following link:

> urticaria-unsubscribe

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>

> This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria

(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide cyber-family.

>

> We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle with

Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be taken as

medical advice. Always consult your health professional before trying anything

new.

>

> Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a

prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not wish to read

such postings.

>

January 2, 2002

Hi Tricia,

I'm not sure what to tell you, I had appointments with both. The

Dermatologist did a lot of good for me, she was the one that got me started

on the meds zyrtec and zantac. The other doctors kept mentioning that I

needed to be on the H1 and H2, but she was the one that did it! I'm not

sure if anyone else here had seen a dermatologist, I would say, keep the

appointment and see what they have to say, but I would definitely mention

the Z/Z combo. Hope this helps.

Ann

>

>Reply-To: urticaria

>To: urticaria

>Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

>Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 13:31:02 -0500

>

>Is a dermatologist the right place to go, or should I be looking for an

>allergist? Tricia

>

>Ann Angelsinthechoir wrote:

>

> > Hi Tricia,

> > Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

> > Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One

>thing I

> > do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually doesn't

>work

> > alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call this

>the

> > Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very well.

> > I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help. I'm

>not

> > sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions. The

> > people on here are wonderful!

> > Take care, Ann

> >

> > >

> > >Reply-To: urticaria

> > >To: urticaria

> > >Subject: looking for info and advice

> > >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

> > >

> > >Hello to all,

> > > My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four weeks,

> > >with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

> > >Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

> > >really suffering with this.

> > > The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back and

> > >legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in laundry

> > >detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

> > >with no improvement.

> > > The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we go on

> > >January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him relieve

> > > the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

> > >dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

> > >things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

> > >should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> > > Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

> > >

> >

> > Ann

> >

> > " I get by with a little help from my friends. "

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Join the world?s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> > http://www.hotmail.com

> >

> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following link:

> > urticaria-unsubscribe

> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> >

> > This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria

>(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide

>cyber-family.

> >

> > We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle

>with Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be

>taken as medical advice. Always consult your health professional before

>trying anything new.

> >

> > Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post

>with a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not

>wish to read such postings.

> >

January 2, 2002

Hi Tricia,

I'm not sure what to tell you, I had appointments with both. The

Dermatologist did a lot of good for me, she was the one that got me started

on the meds zyrtec and zantac. The other doctors kept mentioning that I

needed to be on the H1 and H2, but she was the one that did it! I'm not

sure if anyone else here had seen a dermatologist, I would say, keep the

appointment and see what they have to say, but I would definitely mention

the Z/Z combo. Hope this helps.

Ann

>

>Reply-To: urticaria

>To: urticaria

>Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

>Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 13:31:02 -0500

>

>Is a dermatologist the right place to go, or should I be looking for an

>allergist? Tricia

>

>Ann Angelsinthechoir wrote:

>

> > Hi Tricia,

> > Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

> > Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One

>thing I

> > do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually doesn't

>work

> > alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call this

>the

> > Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very well.

> > I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help. I'm

>not

> > sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions. The

> > people on here are wonderful!

> > Take care, Ann

> >

> > >

> > >Reply-To: urticaria

> > >To: urticaria

> > >Subject: looking for info and advice

> > >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

> > >

> > >Hello to all,

> > > My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four weeks,

> > >with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

> > >Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

> > >really suffering with this.

> > > The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back and

> > >legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in laundry

> > >detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

> > >with no improvement.

> > > The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we go on

> > >January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him relieve

> > > the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

> > >dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

> > >things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

> > >should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> > > Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

> > >

> >

> > Ann

> >

> > " I get by with a little help from my friends. "

> >

> > _________________________________________________________________

> > Join the world?s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> > http://www.hotmail.com

> >

> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following link:

> > urticaria-unsubscribe

> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> >

> > This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria

>(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide

>cyber-family.

> >

> > We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle

>with Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be

>taken as medical advice. Always consult your health professional before

>trying anything new.

> >

> > Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post

>with a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not

>wish to read such postings.

> >

January 2, 2002

Ann/,

I have been to an allergist, allergy specialist, GP, endocrinologist and

dermatologist. Many of the tests (Lupus/rheumatoid arthritis/thyroid) cross

the specialty lines. I am totaly frustrated because their efforts are not

coordinated and my resords are scattered across the state of Pa. I am

trying a new approach and this may benefit you, . In a daring more,

I wrote a letter to a surgeon who removed a small benign cyst in my breast

asking for her help. I was so impressed with her manner, effectiveness in

treating me and quick/personal communication that I wanted a referral from

her. I even mentioned that I realized this was not her specialty and that

if she did not feel comfortable making that recommendation, I would

understand. The qualification for the doctor I am looking for is this:

Has to coordinate efforts with other specialists.

Must obtain, review, explain and share all results with me.

Must have the stamina to keep searching for a cause.

Must have interest in me as a person, not a chart.

Must like a challenge with a frustrating disease.

Should be familiar with immunology, but not a requirement.

Must be the Sherlock Holmes of doctors.

I faxed her this letter and she called me back within 20 minutes. She

suggested a group of doctors at the Pheonixville Hospital here in Pa. There

is an immunologist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist and allergist all in one

practice and they share the same medical chart. I am going to schedule the

first available appointment possible with them and see where this takes me.

I think , you need to find an internest who will do the same

coordinating activities for you because these hives will take you places you

have never been before (and don't want to go). Until you know the source of

the hives (and few of us do), many doctors will be involved. You will need

your test results and it is impossible to get them all if you are seeing

various doctors.

I hope this helps.

in Pa.

>

>Reply-To: urticaria

>To: urticaria

>Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

>Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500

>

>Hi Tricia,

>I'm not sure what to tell you, I had appointments with both. The

>Dermatologist did a lot of good for me, she was the one that got me started

>on the meds zyrtec and zantac. The other doctors kept mentioning that I

>needed to be on the H1 and H2, but she was the one that did it! I'm not

>sure if anyone else here had seen a dermatologist, I would say, keep the

>appointment and see what they have to say, but I would definitely mention

>the Z/Z combo. Hope this helps.

>Ann

>

> >

> >Reply-To: urticaria

> >To: urticaria

> >Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

> >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 13:31:02 -0500

> >

> >Is a dermatologist the right place to go, or should I be looking for an

> >allergist? Tricia

> >

> >Ann Angelsinthechoir wrote:

> >

> > > Hi Tricia,

> > > Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

> > > Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One

> >thing I

> > > do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually doesn't

> >work

> > > alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call this

> >the

> > > Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very

>well.

> > > I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help.

>I'm

> >not

> > > sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions.

>The

> > > people on here are wonderful!

> > > Take care, Ann

> > >

> > > >

> > > >Reply-To: urticaria

> > > >To: urticaria

> > > >Subject: looking for info and advice

> > > >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

> > > >

> > > >Hello to all,

> > > > My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four

>weeks,

> > > >with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

> > > >Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

> > > >really suffering with this.

> > > > The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back

>and

> > > >legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in

>laundry

> > > >detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

> > > >with no improvement.

> > > > The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we go

>on

> > > >January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him

>relieve

> > > > the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

> > > >dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

> > > >things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

> > > >should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> > > > Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

> > > >

> > >

> > > Ann

> > >

> > > " I get by with a little help from my friends. "

> > >

> > > _________________________________________________________________

> > > Join the world?s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> > > http://www.hotmail.com

> > >

> > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > > If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following

>link:

> > > urticaria-unsubscribe

> > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > >

> > > This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria

> >(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide

> >cyber-family.

> > >

> > > We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our

>struggle

> >with Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be

> >taken as medical advice. Always consult your health professional before

> >trying anything new.

> > >

> > > Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post

> >with a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not

> >wish to read such postings.

> > >

January 2, 2002

Hi ,

How have you been?? I am impressed with you e-mail, this helps a great

deal, even to us who have seen tons of doctors, thanks!!

As far as getting copies of everything you have done, it is VERY important

that you do so, because you don't want tests unneccessarily repeated, if I

had a test done, the next time I go to his office, I ask for a copy

immediately. I'm hoping this will prevent me in having to pay astronomical

prices for medical records again. My sons first batch of medical records

costed $320.00 and the parts that are microfilmed will cost $510.00, but we

will need to have these on hand so I will need to get the money together!

Thanks for sharing that great letter with us, I will keep this on hand for

when i need it!! Take care-Ann

>

>Reply-To: urticaria

>To: urticaria

>Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

>Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 19:11:48

>

>Ann/,

>

>I have been to an allergist, allergy specialist, GP, endocrinologist and

>dermatologist. Many of the tests (Lupus/rheumatoid arthritis/thyroid)

>cross

>the specialty lines. I am totaly frustrated because their efforts are not

>coordinated and my resords are scattered across the state of Pa. I am

>trying a new approach and this may benefit you, . In a daring

>more,

>I wrote a letter to a surgeon who removed a small benign cyst in my breast

>asking for her help. I was so impressed with her manner, effectiveness in

>treating me and quick/personal communication that I wanted a referral from

>her. I even mentioned that I realized this was not her specialty and that

>if she did not feel comfortable making that recommendation, I would

>understand. The qualification for the doctor I am looking for is this:

>

>Has to coordinate efforts with other specialists.

>Must obtain, review, explain and share all results with me.

>Must have the stamina to keep searching for a cause.

>Must have interest in me as a person, not a chart.

>Must like a challenge with a frustrating disease.

>Should be familiar with immunology, but not a requirement.

>Must be the Sherlock Holmes of doctors.

>

>I faxed her this letter and she called me back within 20 minutes. She

>suggested a group of doctors at the Pheonixville Hospital here in Pa.

>There

>is an immunologist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist and allergist all in

>one

>practice and they share the same medical chart. I am going to schedule the

>first available appointment possible with them and see where this takes me.

>

>I think , you need to find an internest who will do the same

>coordinating activities for you because these hives will take you places

>you

>have never been before (and don't want to go). Until you know the source

>of

>the hives (and few of us do), many doctors will be involved. You will need

>your test results and it is impossible to get them all if you are seeing

>various doctors.

>

>I hope this helps.

>

> in Pa.

>

> >

> >Reply-To: urticaria

> >To: urticaria

> >Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

> >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 13:34:32 -0500

> >

> >Hi Tricia,

> >I'm not sure what to tell you, I had appointments with both. The

> >Dermatologist did a lot of good for me, she was the one that got me

>started

> >on the meds zyrtec and zantac. The other doctors kept mentioning that I

> >needed to be on the H1 and H2, but she was the one that did it! I'm not

> >sure if anyone else here had seen a dermatologist, I would say, keep the

> >appointment and see what they have to say, but I would definitely mention

> >the Z/Z combo. Hope this helps.

> >Ann

> >

> > >

> > >Reply-To: urticaria

> > >To: urticaria

> > >Subject: Re: looking for info and advice

> > >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 13:31:02 -0500

> > >

> > >Is a dermatologist the right place to go, or should I be looking for an

> > >allergist? Tricia

> > >

> > >Ann Angelsinthechoir wrote:

> > >

> > > > Hi Tricia,

> > > > Sorry that your son is suffering with these terrible little buggers.

> > > > Hopefully they will disappear before any testing will be done. One

> > >thing I

> > > > do know from this forum and my own experience, Zyrtec usually

>doesn't

> > >work

> > > > alone, the doctor will sometimes prescribe Zantac. We here call

>this

> > >the

> > > > Z/Z combo which are H1 and H2 blockers and they work together very

> >well.

> > > > I'm sure others will chime in here with their experiences and help.

> >I'm

> > >not

> > > > sure what else to tell you except hang in there and ask questions.

> >The

> > > > people on here are wonderful!

> > > > Take care, Ann

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >Reply-To: urticaria

> > > > >To: urticaria

> > > > >Subject: looking for info and advice

> > > > >Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 14:53:24 -0000

> > > > >

> > > > >Hello to all,

> > > > > My 7 year old son has had hives for the past four

> >weeks,

> > > > >with no relief. Benadryl didn't work, and Zyrtec isn't either.

> > > > >Hydrocortisone creme takes the edge off of the itching, but he is

> > > > >really suffering with this.

> > > > > The hives are on his chest and stomach, and some on his back

> >and

> > > > >legs. None on his face or in his hair. We thought a swich in

> >laundry

> > > > >detergent might have done it, so we switched back to our old brand,

> > > > >with no improvement.

> > > > > The pediatrician has referred us to a dermatologist, and we

>go

> >on

> > > > >January 9th. I guess I am looking for some advice to help him

> >relieve

> > > > > the itching in the meanwhile, and I am wondering what the

> > > > >dermatologist should be looking for...are there specific tests or

> > > > >things he should be doing to discover the causes? What food items

> > > > >should I try to eliminate, to see if this is a food allergy?

> > > > > Any advice is appreciated...Tricia

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > Ann

> > > >

> > > > " I get by with a little help from my friends. "

> > > >

> > > > _________________________________________________________________

> > > > Join the world?s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> > > > http://www.hotmail.com

> > > >

> > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > > > If you do wish to unsubscribe then you can click on the following

> >link:

> > > > urticaria-unsubscribe

> > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> > > >

> > > > This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic

>Urticaria

> > >(hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide

> > >cyber-family.

> > > >

> > > > We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our

> >struggle

> > >with Chronic Urticria. Information provided in this forum is not to be

> > >taken as medical advice. Always consult your health professional before

> > >trying anything new.

> > > >

> > > > Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post

> > >with a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do

>not

> > >wish to read such postings.

> > > >

January 2, 2002

sorry your son is going through this... quite frankly.. it sucks. but he is

not alone. as far as eliminating one food at a time this is very very

difficult but you can try. someone else had the idea of eliminating a group

of foods and then moving on. this may be a great idea. but realize you need

to be stringent about the foods and you need to give it 3-4 weeks at a pop.

also realize that any elimination from SAD (standard american diet) could be

helpful in that less free radicals are taken in and this alone may give him

some relief. if he is itching until he bleeds then i think you may be able

to convince him to give it a try. finally, in the mean time, aveeno oatmeal

baths are great, and i also take an rx cream called fluonicide. ask the

doctor if this may be appropriate. im a little unorthodox the way i take it

but it helps me. whenever i feel the itchies coming on - when i get out of

the shower (while im still wet) i put a light coat of the stuff almost all

over my body. for me it has worked wonders and has helped keep me moist.

hope this helps

January 2, 2002

Hello and welcome, Tricia. Glad you found us, but sorry you had to. It's bad

enough to deal with this stuff as an adult, but kids suffering with this is

sad. As someone else already mentioned, the 'magic' cut-off for it to be

considered chronic as opposed to acute urticaria is 6 weeks. Getting close,

though...

The majority of CU patients (and those with related illnesses) are treated

by allergist/immunologists, I believe. A large number also see

dermatologists. Either is probably fine, since literature aimed at both

specialties covers CU in depth.

Regarding possible allergies: First, one important question: Can

take aspirin, iboprofen, or other NSAIDs? If he gets sick from them,

salicylate sensitivity may be the problem. A LOT of food naturally contains

salicylates. If you want more info about that, let me know.

Are 's symptoms constant, or are the hives worse some days than

others? Does he have other symptoms - upset tummy, constipation/diarrhea,

marks left by the hives, anything else? Food allergies can also manifest

with gastro symptoms, but then again so can other conditions. Is he

'triggered' by anything - heat, cold, pressure, anything at all that you've

noticed makes him worse? Allergy skin testing is contraindicated in

idiopathic CU, as you can get false results, and in some people it can throw

them into shock. Try keeping a diary, noting his symptoms each day: number

and size of his hives, other symptoms he has (even if you don't think they

are related to the hives), what he has eaten, what he has been exposed to

(even going outside in the cold or heat can be a trigger), meds taken,

EVERYTHING. With CU, the patient (or in the case of CU kids, the parents)

has to be his own detective.

Diet - There are a couple of good sites with info on elimination diets:

http://www.fpnotebook.com/ENT3.htm

http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Allergy/gamlin.htm

One easy (?) way to find any hidden food allergies he may have is by trying

the cave-man diet. Feed him only allowed foods on this diet for about 6

weeks, then slowly re-introduce other foods back into his diet, one at a

time. This allows you to pinpoint any foods that may aggravate his symptoms.

The cave man, also known as the Paleolithic diet is simple: Only eat what

was available to the early hunter-gatherers. All other foods should be

avoided.

Do Eat: Meats (hormone free if possible) and Fish, FRESH fruits, FRESH

vegetables and nuts (in shell).

Do Not Eat: Grains, Beans, Potatoes, Dairy, Sugar, anything that is

processed.

Some of the worst " allergy " foods are actually foods that contains

histamine. Histamine is what causes hives - it is released by mast cells. An

excellent site that offers info on what foods contain histamine is:

http://allergies.about.com/library/weekly/aa071000a.htm

Hope there's something in here that will help!

Air hugs,

Jackie

Life is tough, but I'm tougher.

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January 2, 2002