Hives while flaring?

[723crossroads]

I've been flaring for a month now I'd say and I am getting hives like back when I was diagnosed in 2011. Just small on my leg and so itchy! Anyone else get them when they flare? Is this a normal thing for crohn's?

 

[Jennifer]

I used to get them back when I was a child during a flare. You mentioned that you may see a dermatologist a while back, were you able to start seeing one yet? Can you show it to them? They should be able to prescribe a cream to help reduce the itching.

Since you're having so many EIMs involved with your flare has your GI considered treating you with any meds at all besides Entocort (I know you're not on it yet but you mentioned talking to your GI about going back on it in another thread)? I know you're concerned about certain side effects, mind if I ask why you're avoiding medications just to avoid the "possible" side effects?

 

[723crossroads]

I had kidney cancer and am just in remission and the Dr.s say I am at risk of developing other cancers. Plus I am very sensitive to meds and have kidney issues I have to be careful of. I haven't gone to Dermatologist yet. I am a big procrastinator with Drs. I know. I am sick of going if you can relate.I have hjad so many teast and appts, I swore I'd never go back after the cancer and then crohns hit.

 

[afidz]

I get hives on my arms, the backs of my legs and my fingers. What I have is called dermatitis and I have seen a few other people on here with the same problem. There is a link between Celiac's disease and dermatitis, but as far as I know there has not been a link made between Crohn's and dermatitis, but I think its very possible. There are a ton of creams, ointment and foams that you can be prescribed to treat it if thats what it is. I personally just deal with it at the moment, but when I was using the prescribed stuff it did wonders and my skin cleared up pretty quickly.
We have all been sick of dealing with doctors, hospitals, tests and what not. But unfortunately, its not something any of us can really avoid. By not seeking medical care when needed, you can get a lot sicker and then its harder to come back from. The way I see it, do it now are do it 10x more down the road. But thats just my personal approach.
Hope you get your flare under control soon and start to feel better. :hug:

 

[723crossroads]

Thanks afidz!!! I finally called my gastro and am going to have the pillcam done. I am just afaid of them finding something I don't want to know. Sometimes it's easier to have no diagnosis again. I was diagnosed in 2011 through a colonoscopy, so why do they insist on more tests now because my lower tests showed nothing in Feb. But this recenet bout of stomach problems kust really started bad about 6 weeks ago or so.

 

[Jennifer]

Inflammation can come on suddenly and at anytime. Best to treat it sooner rather than deal with a whole bunch of problems later as Afidz mentioned. I had tests done in April that showed everything was fine then less than two months later I was in the ER and being admitted for a partial bowel obstruction from inflammation coming back at my resection site. Point is it doesn't matter when you had tests done last, fact is you're having symptoms now and need to have more tests to find out what's going on.

If you're having the pill cam make sure they give you the fake pill first in case you do have a narrowing as you don't want the real pill to get stuck and have to have it surgically removed.

Also during flares you should have scopes done once a year (you haven't had one since 2011). Once you're in remission then you have scopes done around every 2-4 years as maintenance to at least screen for colon cancer and make sure everything is doing well inside.

 

[723crossroads]

I had a colonoscopy in Feb this year and catscan. They showed nothing. But i wasn't having flare up then. Just D.
I am going to have the pillcam. They are mailing the script today. I called them. I will have them do the fake pill first and thankyou for letting me know about it. I had no idea!!!