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[FannyAnnie72]

Hi all

As the subject header suggests, it's all about the itch    Nearly three years ago, I visited my GP as I wasn't feeling particularly chipper so asked for an FBC (full blood count).  I also queried the levels of my hormones as having older friends going through the menopause, I seemed to share quite a few symptoms.

Anyhoo, results came back and nothing major to report.  A low-'ish thyroid but nothing to worry about (he said).  I then asked how my oestrogen levels were and asked if they could potentially show whether I was or was not on the PM.  Yes, says he, to which I commented "could that be due to the fact I'm on the Mini-Pill?".  Yes says he again, and I was then informed that the only way 'we' could get a clear result on the level, would be for me to stop taking it then get re-tested.

I decided that it was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained, I wasn't in a relationship and that this may give me some answers to my low mood, weight gain and generally feeling a bit pants.

Came off the mini-pill and two months later I saw a period, couldn't cope with the whole messy business so started taking it again.
The female GP I saw at that time said that she had many patients who had stayed on the mini-pill throughout their menopause and that it didn't pose me a higher risk to do so.  However, shortly after stopping the mini-pill I developed an itch around the calf area.  I took some antihistamines which seemed to relieve it, but a few days later it was back.  This progressively got worse (A LOT WORSE!) when some months later I would wake up with swollen eyes, lips, difficulty breathing plus the horrendous body-wide spread of hives.

Fast forward and many allergy tests later, I was informed I had Chronic Urticaria with Angiondema and eventually given the green light to go ahead with an injectable medication to suppress my immune system as they couldn't find any direct cause and my immune system was going a bit bonkers (in March 2020... I know, right at the beginning of lock-down!!).

It was a godsend to say the least, I was hive free for the first time in about 18mths and given that I'm a single woman there was no choice to take time off work.

Two treatments on and we (including the health professionals) were praying that this time it had worked as the first cycle didn't.  But in the meantime, I needed to know what the heck could be causing this.  I found that it is well documented for women in PM (and certainly in a certain age bracket) to suffer with this.  I have read in peer reviewed articles that the change in our hormones can send the system into a bit of spin, finding a lot of things intolerable (heads up ladies, our bodies/brain doesn't just start to scorn other humans, it can scorn itself!)

Anyhoo, it hasn't worked again so am awaiting an appointment with specialist to (hopefully) take another cycle.  Have or are any of you suffering with this?  I have browsed the forums and seen that quite a few are so it would be interesting to see it from your perspective and perhaps our professionals on the site as to whether they have any definitive information on this condition.

Take care of you 

F-A

[Wrensong]

Hi F-A  if you haven't already seen it, you might like to have a look at a recent thread started by Jaylow entitled Re: Utrogestan, urticaria, swelling.  It also has some links on histamine intolerance you may be interested in if you haven't already come across them in your own research.  I think Jaylow may also have started another thread on the topic since then if you want to have a look at her profile.  I hope you manage to get the problem sorted.

[FannyAnnie72]

Bless you and thank you so much Wrensong!

[CLKD]

A drop of oestrogen may cause the body to become dry: inside and out; skin, eyes, deep in the ears, vagina, anus ........ since a little girl I've had an itching under my fibs, inside the body.  Told it was imagination and to date there's no known cause.  Worse if I have cold symptoms.  I feel like I want to get under the lower rib cage to get at the itch 

Itching on top of the skin I can cope with.  Let us know how you get on?

[Wrensong]

No problem F-A.  I really hope you manage to get to the bottom of it.  I spent a lot of time researching histamine in peri a good few years ago before HI seemed to be widely acknowledged as a thing & also saw an Immunologist.  But my symptoms were luckily not as extreme as yours & Jaylow's, though sorry to say they did go on for several years which made peri even more of a challenge as you're unfortunately finding for yourself.  Light at the end of the tunnel is that postmeno they've all but gone.
Wx

[FannyAnnie72]

No problem F-A.  I really hope you manage to get to the bottom of it.  I spent a lot of time researching histamine in peri a good few years ago before HI seemed to be widely acknowledged as a thing & also saw an Immunologist.  But my symptoms were luckily not as extreme as yours & Jaylow's, though sorry to say they did go on for several years which made peri even more of a challenge as you're unfortunately finding for yourself.  Light at the end of the tunnel is that postmeno they've all but gone.
Wx

Hey Wrensong,

It's a beautiful day here for May Bank Holiday and despite my hives, I was determined to sit out the back even if it meant covering myself in high factor sun cream, ice packs and water sprays!!!  It is absolutely driving me to the brink!!!

I have seen an immunologist who also cannot find the cause, neither can my skin specialist.  I'm wondering if it is due to PM then perhaps HRT might help?  Who knows.. I'm just afraid that it could bring on a whole host of new problems as I know HRT is not a one-size fits all medication.

Due next month for my next consultation to see if I return to having the injectables I have been on for a year, I just know I have no quality of life right now with this.  It dictates everything I do or even think about doing and it really is quite debilitating and exhausing 

Take care of you xx

F-A

[CLKD]

Low grade itching is certainly tiring.  My dog suffered: scratched constantly, turned out that she had fox mange  so required regular deep skin baths: smelled like creosote  .  MayB get an appt with a menopause clinic 2 C if they have advice?  Or look at Louise Newson's website and ask the question there?  Certainly the itching deep in my ears is continuous 

[FannyAnnie72]

Low grade itching is certainly tiring.  My dog suffered: scratched constantly, turned out that she had fox mange  so required regular deep skin baths: smelled like creosote  .  MayB get an appt with a menopause clinic 2 C if they have advice?  Or look at Louise Newson's website and ask the question there?  Certainly the itching deep in my ears is continuous 

Hey CLKD..

I'm in the best place to get an appt with Meno Clinic (thankfully) but what they can do is another thing.. oh to be a dog!

[CLKD]

They may have more knowledge than GPs/Gynaes ?

I have a low grade itch all over today  . 

[Wrensong]

Hi F-A, so exposure to sunlight worsens your hives.  I used to find that, esp on my upper chest - the bony area from collar bones downwards used to drive me mad with itching in the sun.  Cooling off in the sea was sooo soothing.

I'm afraid I can't remember how much my allergy issues had declined by the time I started HRT a few years postmenopause, so can't help with your wondering whether HRT would help.  But if you've read Jaylow's posts on the allergy issues you'll know she's been on HRT & I think suspects an association with aspects of/changes to her regimen.  If you're in a position to have a consultation with Dr Tina Peers or Newson Health, I think that might prove helpful.  Perhaps depends on how much you felt the info in the links to their articles might be relevant for you.  I believe RebJT has posted that she's seen Tina Peers.

Due next month for my next consultation to see if I return to having the injectables I have been on for a year, I just know I have no quality of life right now with this.  It dictates everything I do or even think about doing and it really is quite debilitating and exhausing 

I feel for you & Jaylow & RebJT's posts on the problem also show what a horribly debilitating & disruptive problem it is.  Maybe a PM to one or other of those members might help you decide on next step if you haven't chatted to them already.  I think now you've made more than 10 posts you should be able to send PMs.

Keep posting, don't be alone with the worry of it.
Wx

[CLKD]

Some medications can cause sun sensitivity.  Dad wasn't allowed to sit in the  when he was taking a certain anti-depressant.  I was told to avoid the  during radiation treatment, I had to wear a large sun hat. 

[Jaylow]

I replied on my post before reading yours, it’s so awful isn’t it. Another thing I’ve thought of trying is continuous hrt. I still have periods but I’m wondering if it’s the fluctuation of hormones that may be the problem rather than being too low or high in one or another hormone.
What was the stuff you’ve been having injected?
I’ll take any relief but these things feel like a band aid, I’d really like to know how to stop the cause.
Please keep us updated and so will I.

[Jaylow]

Wrensong - did your symptoms ease off slowly as you went through meno? Or was it more of a sudden ending?

[Wrensong]

Gradually Jaylow.  Glad to know you 2 are in touch.
Wx

[FannyAnnie72]

I replied on my post before reading yours, it’s so awful isn’t it. Another thing I’ve thought of trying is continuous hrt. I still have periods but I’m wondering if it’s the fluctuation of hormones that may be the problem rather than being too low or high in one or another hormone.
What was the stuff you’ve been having injected?
I’ll take any relief but these things feel like a band aid, I’d really like to know how to stop the cause.
Please keep us updated and so will I.

I absolutely want to know the underlying issue rather than cost the NHS of these injections which are £500 per shot!  I want to help myself ffs and stop this sh*t happening.. so frustrated today and this weekend having no life at all