Ouch...

soutram · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: Montreal, Quebec

Hi,
Here is my recent adventure. I went to a spa this weekend with the boyfriend. We stayed at the hotel Friday night until Sunday morning. I ate at the hotel on Friday night and on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon I started the sweats, gas and then by the time we got back to the room I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in the ladies room and doubled over in pain. On Sunday, I had a cluster of mini boils/pimples/giant hives formed right under and on one breast.
On Monday I started to get itchy all over. The back of my head has hives, and I have scattered hives (a few here and there).
Tuesday morning, I got what looks like a burn/blister on my wrist (where you would wear a watch). It burned and stung badly. Very painful.
On Wednesday, another red mark with brownish blister formed right beside the other one.
On Thursday morning (today) two more formed on the other wrist. I have several places where it feels like more are starting and I am still itchy all over (comes and goes).
I went to the doctor today and she has no clue. The only thing she could tell me what that it is not impetigo. Thanks! She did acknowledge that I am bloated. I gave her the results from Enterolab and she just said, I guess it's official now, stay off gluten. What does she think I have been trying to do for the past four months.
She told me to put vitamin e on them and to relax. She did recommend that I get an appointment quickly with a GI. I have been trying to get an appointment but it is not easy. I did get an appointment with a GI surgeon, who has taken care of my father before. This appointment is only in October.
I made her give me a referral to a dermatologist too. She just kept telling me to relax but she didn't seem to understand that my "sores" hurt. They don't just burn, they are sore.
Ugh. Does this sound like DH?
Is there anything I can do to relieve the symptoms for now?
Thanks for listening.
_________________
Sue
Gluten free since May 2008

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4960 Location: Nebraska

Ugh! Sorry about all that. Sad

Are you feeling better today?

This thread might give you some ideas on how to relieve the itching.

And this link has some pictures of DH.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

soutram · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: Montreal, Quebec

I did check the pictures, I have been researching for days. I did have the classic symptoms of intense burning, itching, and the area is just really sore and painful.
I don't have the huge blisters it just blistered up and then went flat and brown right away.
I called today (with some help from a friend) and got an appointment with a dermatologist for Thursday at 3. The question is do I ingest more gluten (this time on purpose) and provoke more? I wonder....

I am feeling a bit better, the itching has come down a bit. I put on the vitamin e cream when it gets bad.
Thanks for asking.
_________________
Sue
Gluten free since May 2008

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4960 Location: Nebraska

No, I wouldn't eat more gluten. If it's really DH it'll be there for awhile. Make sure the dermatologist takes the correct samples. They should take a sample from skin next to the rash, not from the rash itself (I believe).
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

soutram · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: Montreal, Quebec

Thanks. I am so excited I go tomorrow to the doctors. I took pictures of the main flare up and now I have another outbreak on my side so I can show him that too. Never thought I would be so excited to go to the doctors. What gluten can do to us!!!
_________________
Sue
Gluten free since May 2008

soutram · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 46 Location: Montreal, Quebec

Okay so the doctor totally dismissed the photos and the scars/open sores on my wrists. He said that the blisters were too big for HD and that they don't appear on wrists, mostly on elbows. He said all my other breakouts are boils (some are the size of a pimple). He prescribed antibiotic cream as well as another cream with peroxide. He did say if the burns/blisters reappears come back and we will do a biopsy. Ugh...
SO that was my day.
_________________
Sue
Gluten free since May 2008

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4960 Location: Nebraska

Don't be too discouraged. It's hard to find a dermatologist that's willing to work with you. I'd say if you're not seeing any improvements (with the meds) within 1-2 weeks call him back. At the very least tell him the meds aren't working and you'd like to talk about the possibility of DH again.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain