Hi
Do any of you suffer from urticaria as a symptom of your sjogrens syndrome.
Also, is it important to be under a specialist for sjogrens syndrome.....and have follow up appointments
Thank you
Hi Molly,
No, I don't think Sjogren's causes hives in and of its self. I think most of the time it's an allergic reaction to something in the environment, medication or food we come in contact with.
Yes, I would agree a rheumatologist is a good doctor to co-ordinate your care. This would include periodic follow up appointments. I see mine every 6 months unless something comes up and he wants to come back sooner.
Pooh
I see my rheumy and neuro every 3 to 4 months, my ophthalmologist used to be every 6 months but now we just moved it to once a year, my dentist is every 6 months, and other docs as needed to monitor my other medical conditions. I think it is important to follow up with your specialist(s) when you have sjogrens!
Just my opinion.....
I have had very small patches of urticaria and I have blamed it on my sjogrens. I will get it on the area below my neck on my upper back in the fleshy part. I can reach my arm up and over and itch the darn things. I would also get it on my lower lumbar area. These are the two areas that would bother me the most.
I have also had a very severe reaction to my first IVIG product and since then the minute I start to itch I take a benedryl. If this doesn't calm it down I take a Xyzal which is an antihistamine that is a second cousin to Zyrtec and doesn't cause as much sleepiness. It works well but is rather spendy.
It is very common to have skin issues with autoimmune diseases. The immune system is so involved in the allergic/histamine release and autoimmune response. They literally go hand in hand. It seems that most people with autoimmune disease will have allergies, asthma etc. Respiratory sensitivity to fragrances is also very common. These fragrances can be animal, vegetable or mineral. In other words, plants, perfumes, pesticides or anything related to fertilizing or pesticides, car exhaust, gasoline, etc. The list goes on and on. Irish ;D
Many thanks for your replies. Very grateful indeed.
I find that when I am not feeling great the urticria will be troublesome - but as you have explained - it is probably just my immune system playing up as it would with sjogrens.
Thank you again - hope that all are doing okay...Best wishes Molly
molly, If you are having troublesome rashes/hives, it would probably be wise to see a dermatologist. I had a bad skin thing that would show up on my arms and really caused me tremendous grief. I finally got in to see a derm when in a full blown attack and he did biopsies which showed both bacterial and fungal infections in the rash. Also, the rash was diagnosed as Bullous Pemphigoid. I was so surprised about the whole ordeal but at least I found out what it was. It is now much improved with my every other day prednisone dosage. Good luck. irish ;D
Irish, Sorry that you have had such a hard time of your urticaria. Mine has been around ever since a really bad blow up of it about 6 years ago.....It was A&E and then a dermatologist......and then a lupus specialist said it was probably connected to very mild lupus as people with lupus are more `allergic` - the initial, very bad blow up was thought to be urticarial vasculitis........but it has quietened and i take citirizene daily (Zirtek) but I do find that when I have what I consider to be a sjogrens flare - it will get worse....but it does make sense - as others have mentioned - that your immune system playing up could aggravate the whole thing.........I am not under any doctors for any of my mild problems but suspect that I probably should be.
Anyway - thanks again. I hope, Irish, that your urticaria is under control now.
Take care - many thanks.