I have strange symptoms and need diagnosis
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 January: I have strange symptoms and need diagnosis

Gadzooks

Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 09:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi..I'm having some strange symptoms and I was wondering if anyone out there would know what it could be.

About 7 days ago I had a mild sore throat, I thought it was the beginning of a cold, but it turned into a light dry cough and then a more pronounced cough, but still dry. No mucus. No nasal drip. Today I noticed a rash like symptom. It happened very quickly within minutes my arms, back of legs, back of hands and chest were covered with what looked like a bunch of mosquito bites, then about an hour later the rash was gone.....3 hours later the rash was back on one arm.....what could this be?

Could it be a viral infection or something more serious? Worried.

Babyruth

Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 09:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
My first thought is that you've experienced an allergic reaction to something. The raised bumps you described are probably hives, which can be indicative of a strong allergic response.

The cough could be due to an airway reaction, also potentially serious, or could simply be an unrelated virus. Have you been wheezing or having chest tightness?

There are several possibilities to explain your symptoms. I would recommend you be seen by your physician soon for a proper diagnosis. And then come back and let us know how you are. ((((Gadzooks))))

Jmm

Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 10:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Was there any fever with this? My first thought was possibly Roseola - although more common in children it is not unheard of in adults.

There is a picture of the rash at http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00452 . Look at this and see if it might be what you're dealing with.

I do agree with Babyruth - you need to see your doctor, you could be contagious.

Gadzooks

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 12:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi guys,

Well, the rash is back. I had it at 5 pm then it completely cleared up and then it came back on my arm about 4 hours later....now it's back on my chest. It's really odd. Why does it come and go like that? I did not have any fever, no pain, not tired, no headache...just a dry cough. I'm thinking it must be some kind of reaction. I'll see what happens tomorrow. Ugh!!!!

I'm never sick....so I find this bothersome.

Car54

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 03:12 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gadzooks, try to notice...before the rash starts are you having contact with something specific...
a surface, a material...food...

Are you still coughing or was that just in the beginning?

Resortgirl

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 05:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Gadzooks!

It sounds like an allergic reaction to me. I am allergic to nuts and to raw beef. If I ingest in miniscule amounts I get similar symptoms to yours. The dry scratchy throat and hives. I usually take benedryl if that happens. It's been a long time since I've eaten a large amount of either, because I'm really careful, but would probably have to seek medical help if I did.

Good Luck!!

Schoolmarm

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 06:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gadzooks...are you taking any medications? This sounds like EXACTLY my reaction to certain antibiotics. It's hives, if there is no coloration involved. Some of them look like regular mosquito bites, some of them get really big. Itch like crazy.

Take benedryl or sinus/allergy/tylanol.

If this is an allergic reaction, and it CERTAINLY sounds like one, you will need to see your doctor and try to figure out what it is.

By the way, if it was caused by meds, you will get reoccuring hives until the meds are completely out of your system. It took me about 5 days for the reaction to start to the meds and over a week for them to go away (without the antihistimine, anyway)

Your doctor needs to know about this.

If you don't figure out what your allergic too, you may end up getting a more severe outbreak. I get an immediate swelling in the airway (can't breathe) with tingling fingers and tongue, and swollen tongue when I eat seafood.

I had a severe tearing in the eyes reaction just the other day as I drove over a bridge near Twinkie's house. So bad that I couldn't see. Thank God I got over the bridge without an accident. I don't know what it was, but I pulled over and got my eyes so that I could see again. Unfortunately a police officer stopped to see if I was ok. How embarrassing! I hope that it was a reaction to Twinkie's cats (usually that doesn't bother me that much) and not the fox fur on my new coat.

I have many different types of allergies...seafood, mold, pollen, animal dander (mild) and several categories of anti-biotics. I do NOT take allergy shots or meds on a regular basis. I take steps to avoid my allergens and I don't let my allergies get in the way. I used to take allergy pills everyday, but I've found that I don't need them, and I didn't like the cost and side effects. Allergies are NOT that bad to live with, however.....the hive reaction is SERIOUS, and you will need to see your doctor.

Webkitty

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 06:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gadzooks, I agree it sounds like an allergic reaction (the rash and the dry cough) but a rash can be indicitive of any number of things. I strongly suggest you see your doctor.

Squaredsc

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 07:12 am EditMoveDeleteIP
again sounds like an allergic reaction, but call your doctor!! about 5 yrs ago i was breaking out in hives and called the doctor, of course with each appt the hives disappeared(sp) but they kept trying different meds and combos of meds till it finally went away. and they mainly thought it was due to stress. but call your doctor.

Schoolmarm

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 09:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Yes, Squaredsc, is right...allergies are intensified with stress. Also, at least with me, they are "cumulative". If the ammount of dust that I can tolerate is at a max and a cat jumps in my lap, then it's triggered. Or if it is soggy and moldy and then I get bit by a mosquito, it's triggered.

Those of you at RGs saw how bad that one bug bite was....and I think it was becuase I was out in the woods with lots of tree pollen.

As a child, I used to break out in hives many weekends. Well, in hindsight, I believe that it was due to the "fish on fridays" school lunches. If I got excited or stressed, they would pop out again. Now that I don't eat fish, I don't get hives....except when a substitute doctor misspelled an antibiotic and gave me one in my group of allergies!

Try Aveeno in the tub if the itching is driving you nuts.

And again, benedryl will make the hives go away, but you need to find out what caused the reaction.

Wargod

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 11:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I break out in a rash and get the itchy, dry throat with certain cleaners, bar soaps, detergents, and on and on, lol.

But I agree with those up above...check with your doctor...there's so many things that can cause allergic reactions that its improtant to find out what it is that causes it before it gets worse.

Ocean_Islands

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 11:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I suggest you see a doctor. Internet posts should not be relied on for a diagnosis.

Weinermr

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 11:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gadzooks,

Just to second everyone else's comments. Please see a doctor as soon as possible. You could be reacting to any of a number of things, either food, medication, something in the air or your environment.

And lastly, not to sound crass or unfeeling, you could be contagious, so please see a doctor to protect those around you as well. Take care.

Twiggyish

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 03:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
You should see a Dr.. but I'm highly allergic to things, too. Marm, I get that tearing and burning in my eyes, too. I use eye drops with antihistamine. It's the only thing that helps.

Queenfish

Monday, January 06, 2003 - 06:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
not trying to scare you or anything cause God knows I am no doctor but It could be a number of things some not serious and others very serious. Go to the doctor. NOW.and let us know.

Gadzooks

Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 01:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Gang,

Thanks for all the messages. I didn't get to a doctor yet. The hospitals and clinics are overflowing with all kinds of contagious people right now....so I don't want to go unless my symptoms get worse. I think I know what I have after some research....it is called Urticaria (hives) which happens after a respiratory infection (which I have) and after taking over the counter cough syrup (Benylin...it has several ingredients that could be causing the reaction...red dye). I had a breakout this afternoon after going outside (cold triggers the histamines in the skin). I have stopped taking my cough syrup and hopefully the rash will stop, if not I will definately go to the clinic.

Yuhuru

Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 06:27 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gadzooks,
Even though you've stopped taking the medication you body may continue to react to it.

I developed an allergy to penicillin, and I didn't realize it. I took two doses and had a reaction. The pharmacist clued me in that I may be allergic and I stopped taking the meds. My body continued to react for several weeks. the docor prescribed steriods a couple of times, but the reaction continued. Finally, I saw an allergist who got me off of the steriods(safely), and prescribed three different antihistamines. I ended up taken them for a couple of months. The allergists explained to me that sometimes the body reacts like the snowball effect. It just keeps on reacting even though the offender may be gone.

Basically, you should get to the doctor. There will always be somebody in the office with something contagious.

Hives can become very painful. It may be worth the risk of catching a cold to get some help with stopping the hives.

Squaredsc

Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 10:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
gadz, if you don't want to go to the clinic then just phone your doctor and they will tell you whether or not they want to see you. call!!! don't diagnose yourself unless you have a medical degree. sorry that sounds harsh but i don't want anything bad to happen to you, even though i don't know you.