Allergic Reactions Out of the Blue
 

I'm sure it's fairly common, but my body has started having reactions to some things just out of the blue. Example: I've taken ibuprofen most of my life. At several points it was the only way I could get out of bed or manage moving around during the day. A year ago I began taking an ibuprofen anti-inflamatory to try to alleviate some of my sore foot issues. I took it as prescribed for a month, then one day I took it and had gi-normous hives. I know that med was the cause. So, to make a long story short, was prescribed different ibuprofen anti-inflamatories 2 more times and every time developed hives with each episode escalating in intensity. I've also in the past 12 mo. become allergic to some foods (not tested, but immediately after eating X breaking out in hives).

My question is has anyone gone through this and ever been able to go back to taking/eating whatever it is that caused the reaction? Am I always going to be allergic to these things? I'm wondering if maybe some other imbalance could have caused me to react to the ibuprofen...

((((((PossumTrot),

I don't have any answers for you.

That's interesting about the ibuprofen though. I've been taking that for years. That's pretty much one of the few things that doesn't wreak havoc on my body and does give some relief.

My gastroenterologist did say a few years ago that he has a "feeling" that there's been so much damage caused by the ibuprofen that he doubts that he could successfully repair my hiatal hernia.

I was just remembering the commercial on TV where they say that 70% (??) of your immune system is in your digestive tract. Maybe your immune system just got fed up with ibuprofen and decided to revolt.

My sister-in-law didn't have any allergies at all until she became 50. Now she's allergic to tons of stuff. She has a hard time breathing in the Spring because of the different pollens and other tree and flower 'thingies' floating around.

It probably takes some of our bodies *TIME* to get allergic to 'stuff'.

I'd imagine that you probably are not going to be able to take the ibuprofen again. My understanding about allergies and hives (I have had hives from an eye ointment and from some physician's sample that the doctor gave me) is that you have to have the allergen in your system at least twice -- once to cause the sensitivity and the second and successive times to cause the allergic reaction. Now that your system is allergic to it, you probably won't be able to take it again.

It might be worthwhile to explore with an allergist exactly what in ibuprofen is causing the hives. It might be just a filler or something like that. Maybe if that did turn out to be the problem, you might be able to get your meds compounded by your pharmacist to exclude that particular filler or you might be able to switch to a different brand. I wouldn't try anything without the support of an allergist though -- hives can be life-threatening if they get into your throat and affect your breathing.

The other thing, too, is that there's so much research going on -- maybe there'll be a better drug or custom-designed drugs in the not-to-distant future. Got my fingers and toes crossed on that one ;)

Good luck. Hugs.

Barb

Thanks Barb. It really is not all that bad. I've had to turn to other things to get out of bed on the bad days, so I'm okay on that front. I was really just mostly curious if anyone knows why this happens. I sure would luuuurve to have some strawberries this year but since my bod has decided to be "thenthitiff" they're a no go. Maybe the key is in my digestive tract somewhere, I just have been preoccupied w/getting my burning feet not to be an issue that the allergic reactions have been on the back burner. Thanks

possumtrot

although i dont have any info re ibuprofen, yet I do know that people can develop sensitivities to foods, substances etc that can last a while and then stop. And yes, it is usually due to something triggering an immune imbalance

our acupuncture therapist has a specialized biofeedback desensitizing protocol that really helps with this

Another thing that seems to really help is DanActive liquid probiotic by Dannon Yoghurt. It boosts GIT immune system and populates with good flora. We use it daily in conjunction with their Activia yoghurt.

I've been a yogurt eater for a while now and recently started eating DanActive. I actually got excited with your post, Chemar, since it sounded like maybe I'm on the right track. I'll keep up with it but was quite frustrated today after breaking out in hives again. The only thing different was that for the past 3 days I've taken tylenol. grrrr It is really going to stink if that's on my no-go list with ibuprofen. Out of curiosity I asked the pharmacist if it would be worth trying Aleve instead, but he was very discouraging. So it looks like I'm going to have to find an allergist so I can get this resolved. Thanks for your suggestion!

my son gets hives from chlorinated water

he cant go in swimming pools and we have dechlorinating filters on our faucets