Hello, just a little update in the hopes someone somewhere can relate to my issues this past week, and perhaps give me some insight (not a diagnosis!) of what on earth could be going on with my body! I am going to list my symptoms on the days I had them so if you manage to get through this, you are a super star to stay the least.
When I first posted it was early Monday, and I had woken up with a horrendous outbreak of hives on my upper arms, neck and face which had also caused angiodema of my eyes, ears and cheeks ( severe swelling ) which also left a lovely blotchy rash under both eyes and around my right eye too making me look battered and bruised! The dr didn’t seem too concerned just that its been a massive allergic reaction to something. (Have since realised it isn’t allergy related). Dr recommended some antihistamines and sent me on my way on the advice that if it didn’t improve to come back.
Tuesday woke up again to even more hives in the same places but this time also on my upper right back. The hives all over the sides of my neck physically felt like golf balls under my skin when I gently felt them. The facial swelling wasn’t as bad as the Monday but I feel this is because I had slept very propped up to prevent it. Felt generally tired all day but this is nothing new ( will briefly elaborate at the end )
Antihistamines not helping whatsoever and still waking with new outbreaks of hives / lumps and bumps. By Thursday my neck lymph nodes where totally swollen and behind my ears very tender and sore.. a bit of a sharp pain in them. Started with painful joints, hands particularly felt very stiff and sore and also legs and arms etc.. generally achy. Went back to dr who referred me to immunologist and requested some urgent blood tests which I was able to have that day. Dr prescribed some much stronger antihistamines which started to work quickly and my rashes have disappeared as of writing.
Blood results were available on my patient access app this weekend noting Two ‘abnormal’ results which are Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and Mean corpusc. haemoglobin(MCH) which are both slightly raised however the gp has marked these as satisfactory.
I feel incredibly strange, very tired, not much of an appetite and quite achy in places I didn’t think could ache- sharp stabbing pains. Back of head is stabby, behind ears, different joints, fingers etc.
the only thing different about me is a tiny tiny tattoo I got a couple of weeks ago and then developed a run of the mill cold the day after - a gift from my kids! But a part from this nothing I can think of. I have always had issues with being achy and picking up every cold under the sun but the past few months I’ve been unusually lucky regardiNg viruses etc. also, when i was around 13 I developed a horrendous inability to walk or use my hands etc after a cold.. needed lots of tests and intense physio to help me recover. I’m wonder If this is an immune response. Just going out before the wind was hitting my face and felt like little needles.. so strange and unusual for me and I can’t help but worry there is something being missed.
I am so sorry for the length of this, i really thank you if you read this all!