Chronic Hives?

I have been suffering from rashes for the past 11 months. I have a defibrillator installed in my chest since 11/13. The biopsy of my rash revealed chronic hives from unknown cause. Could it be possible my body is allergic to something in this Merlin transmitter? I have been eliminating all possibilities causing rashes such as soaps and vitamin supplements to no avail. Anyone else out there have this problem or who have been diagnosed as an allergic reaction to the device in your body?

3 Comments

Hives

by Iowan - 2015-03-18 10:03:26

I had a surgery in January with full anesthesia, and the pacemaker implantation the end of February. I began having serious hives in mid-January through one week ago. In addition to the surgeries and medications that impacted my body, I had also switched to Kirkland Free and Clear detergent, which after a few weeks I googled and found some people had hives from using that.
So, I switched back to my normal detergent and like you stopped all medications (including the anticoagulants) and my hives have stopped.
I imagine I need to be on the anticoagulant, but the hive situation was too severe.
I was referred to an immunologist after the implantation, and all they said was I had internal hives reacting to "something in my body" and they didn't know what. So seeing the immunologist wasn't helpful to me.
I empathize with your situation and wonder if there is something else you are reacting to that you haven't figured out (such as too many meds and the detergent for me).

Response

by PoodleLady1 - 2015-03-18 12:03:04

I just recently stopped taking the vitamin supplements so assume not enough time has gone by for results. I also noted that my statin drug (atorvastatin) lists hives as a side effect. I did stop that drug for a two week period but since restarting the hives took off with a vengence. I again stopped taking it and notified my doctor so she can prescribe something else in the interim. I've had these hives for 11 months. In the past 4 months I've stopped several food items that were questionable, however, that made no difference. This is "why" I thought maybe the defibrillator in my chest could cause an allergic reaction and would be an item of least suspect. Thank you for your comments and concern! Oh yes, almost bought that same detergent at Costcos. Glad I did not.

Response to sunny

by PoodleLady1 - 2015-03-21 12:03:35

Yes, weeds dust and grasses. I know nothing about a antibacterial envelope. Hives are general and generate heavily around 5 PM or evening shower. I've stopped certain food items I read could be triggers but no avail. I suspected mattress pad and removed that. I've seen an allergist who doesn't want to do the test as he says we did it 4 yrs. ago. He stopped once I was positive to dust, weeds and grasses. Detergent is same as past 15 years Purex free/clear. No new hair products or dyes other than normal. I've had a standard poodle for 11 years and dogs past that time. No reaction. No wheezing, coughing or digestive issues. I was told to stop all supplements but after a week makes no diff. I return to the allergist early April. We will be having a big discussion about testing. Derm told me sometimes it's not covered by insurance and can cost $6000. I think my suffering documented by a doctor would make it a covered item if it is not. As far as food items, I stopped for 2 wk period such things as the 2 oranges I eat daily, poultry products, unsalted nuts, and white wine. Nothing made a difference as my reason of suspecting the device. Oh yes, I also stopped the statin drug atorvastatin because that lists side effect of hives. I've taken that med since about 4/14. This has been a little over a week. We'll see about that! Thank you for your kind remarks! Gives me a lot ot think about. I pray it's not the device. Can't imagine having to get that taken out!! Something else would have to be put in as I had cardiac arrest in 11/13.

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