Environmental allergies causing total body pain?

[lacey 3]

Hello friends. I had allergy testing last year, and am pretty much allergic to everything (grass, pollen, weeds, mold, pet dander you name it).

My doctor says this isn’t true...but I know my body and when the allergy levels get high, my entire body hurts (back, knees, fingers, toes). 

I’m in Colorado, and everything is in bloom. Winter is my time of relief.

Does this happen to any of you? If so, what do you do for it? It makes me so tired. Thank you!

p.s.

I have been tested for rheumatoid, fibro, etc. All negative...just Celiac

[cyclinglady 1,089]

Do antihistamines help?  

[lacey 3]

Unfortunately no. I take natural ones due to the side effects of over the counter antihistamines...(early onset Alzheimer’s if taken on a regular basis). ? It’s just such a strange issue...wondered if anyone else experienced the same!

[Gemini 836]

3 hours ago, lacey said:

Unfortunately no. I take natural ones due to the side effects of over the counter antihistamines...(early onset Alzheimer’s if taken on a regular basis). ? It’s just such a strange issue...wondered if anyone else experienced the same!

Lacey........Benadryl or any other antihistamine does not cause early onset Alzheimer's.  There is a genetic component to that and it is pretty rare, compared to the version that strikes people in their 80's and 90's. 

I have allergies myself and, while it does not cause widespread body pain, it causes fatigue and right now for me, hives.  The minute the weather gets humid, no matter the season, I pop with a few hives.  Thank God it is in a small area and not all over.  Mild but totally annoying so I know your aggravation.  None of my individual allergies are severe but as I am allergic to a lot of things like yourself, it can be just as problematic.

If you have never tried allergy shots, I would highly recommend giving them a try.  They worked wonders the first time around for me when I was younger but the effect can wear off over a period of years.  I am doing my second round right now but they have not been as effective....which can happen.  I am older and have more stress in my life right now.

I take a teaspoon of children's Benadryl every night before bed to control the hives.  That's a much better scenario than going on Plaquenil or steroids. I am going to start taking Quercetin again as we are going into Spring as that is highly recommended by most functional medicine docs. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory/anti-oxident that is supposed to help allergies. There are not many options for allergies even now, unfortunately.  I hope you find some relief but don't doubt yourself.  I have also been told that by docs but they only know what they have learned in medical school...which isn't much more than matching meds to symptoms these days.

[cyclinglady 1,089]

@lacey

It sounds like your symptoms are not “allergy” (mast cell) related, since antihistamines are not helping.  The doctor who performed the allergy test, what did he/she recommend?  You are correct that some recent studies have show that first generation antihistamines (e.g.Benedryl) that cross the blood brain barrier have been linked to dementia, but second generation antihistamines (e.g. Claritin or Zyrtec) do not cross the blood brain barrier and are thought to be safer.  Of course, with every medication, even OTC, you must weigh the risks vs. benefits.  For me, my body covered in hives and itching like crazy,  makes my decision much easier.  I take the antihistamine, but I use the second generation versions (both H1 and H2 since my GI tract is also affected).  I am also under the care of an allergist.  

 

@Gemini

Consider reconsidering your  nightly Benedryl dosage for hives.  There has been some concern over those that cross the blood brain barrier, especially in older adults (like me).  I do agree that there is probably a genetic component (like celiac disease), but why mess with a potential known trigger?  Have you tried the second generation versions?  

https://wa-health.kaiserpermanente.org/antihistamine-increase-risk-dementia/

Actual study:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2091745?resultClick=3

 

 

[Gemini 836]

I took a look at the studies and, while they do have some merit, there isn't enough there to convince me just yet.  It can take a long time and many studies to actual prove, beyond a doubt, that long term use of Benadryl may cause dementia in some.  That is kind of hard because many things can cause dementia and doctors never look for the cause........they just diagnose.  However, since I am still having minor problems with hives that never completely go away unless the weather is dry (humidity and damp are THE cause that make me go pop), I thought maybe I am getting used to the Benadryl now and it is becoming less effective.  I take the minimal children's dose and do not want to up the dosing as it will make me drowsy so I went out and bought a bottle of children's Zyrtec.  I have only been taking it for 3 days and the few hives I had are now gone.  BUT....the weather here is warming up and there is still a lot of snow to melt, which can be problematic for me so we'll see how well it goes.  Wouldn't it be nice if Zyrtec got rid of stress also? 

[cyclinglady 1,089]

On 3/26/2018 at 1:22 PM, Gemini said:

I took a look at the studies and, while they do have some merit, there isn't enough there to convince me just yet.  It can take a long time and many studies to actual prove, beyond a doubt, that long term use of Benadryl may cause dementia in some.  That is kind of hard because many things can cause dementia and doctors never look for the cause........they just diagnose.  However, since I am still having minor problems with hives that never completely go away unless the weather is dry (humidity and damp are THE cause that make me go pop), I thought maybe I am getting used to the Benadryl now and it is becoming less effective.  I take the minimal children's dose and do not want to up the dosing as it will make me drowsy so I went out and bought a bottle of children's Zyrtec.  I have only been taking it for 3 days and the few hives I had are now gone.  BUT....the weather here is warming up and there is still a lot of snow to melt, which can be problematic for me so we'll see how well it goes.  Wouldn't it be nice if Zyrtec got rid of stress also? 

Dang, Gemini.    I have to stand corrected about anticholinergics (e.g. Benadryl). A new study released states that only certain types of anticholinergics might cause dementia.  

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321632.php

Sigh.  So hard to keep up and I am not even trained in anything medical (except for CPR and First Aid!)

 

[squirmingitch 617]

Aw Gemini! I am glad the Zyrtec is working & hope it continues to work with the coming weather. Yes, antihistamines can become less effective with continual use. Good thinking to try something else.

[Gemini 836]

On 4/27/2018 at 12:48 AM, cyclinglady said:

Dang, Gemini.    I have to stand corrected about anticholinergics (e.g. Benadryl). A new study released states that only certain types of anticholinergics might cause dementia.  

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321632.php

Sigh.  So hard to keep up and I am not even trained in anything medical (except for CPR and First Aid!)

 

Oh, Thank God!  Something finally works in my favor.    But it makes you think about all these drugs they throw people on for very little reason and this is what can end up happening.  Scary.

[Gemini 836]

On 4/27/2018 at 6:49 PM, squirmingitch said:

Aw Gemini! I am glad the Zyrtec is working & hope it continues to work with the coming weather. Yes, antihistamines can become less effective with continual use. Good thinking to try something else.

Today it was 72 degrees here and the trees are starting to pop and the early pollen is already here from grasses.  I was out today and suddenly realized that I was not miserable and my eyes were as normal as they get for me.  I almost hate to say it out loud but could the Zyrtec really be working?  I am also doing sublingual allergy drops and have for 2 1/2 years now so maybe it is kicking in and my stupid, overactive immune system is being beaten into compliance?  Saints be praised but I will reserve judgement until the trees let go and all that green pollen rains down on us.  Then, I will know for sure.  

t 

[cyclinglady 1,089]

13 hours ago, Gemini said:

Oh, Thank God!  Something finally works in my favor.    But it makes you think about all these drugs they throw people on for very little reason and this is what can end up happening.  Scary.

I am glad that the new antihistamines are working!  ?

[squirmingitch 617]

16 hours ago, Gemini said:

Today it was 72 degrees here and the trees are starting to pop and the early pollen is already here from grasses.  I was out today and suddenly realized that I was not miserable and my eyes were as normal as they get for me.  I almost hate to say it out loud but could the Zyrtec really be working?  I am also doing sublingual allergy drops and have for 2 1/2 years now so maybe it is kicking in and my stupid, overactive immune system is being beaten into compliance?  Saints be praised but I will reserve judgement until the trees let go and all that green pollen rains down on us.  Then, I will know for sure.  

t 

Ohhhhhhh I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!! We just got finished with our miserable yellow/green gunky mess pollen abomination. My doggy has environmental allergies along with food allergies. For several years now I've had her on a dollop of yogurt every day & 3/4 of a 10mg Claritin. I shouldn't say anything lest the Gods punish me but so far this year...........

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Gemini 836]

I had no idea you could give Claritin to a dog!  Great idea!  Some suffer as much as we do.  

[cyclinglady 1,089]

49 minutes ago, Gemini said:

I had no idea you could give Claritin to a dog!  Great idea!  Some suffer as much as we do.  

My first labrador had allergies.  Her vet prescribed Benadryl (generic).  She did not develop dementia!  

[squirmingitch 617]

You can give dogs many of the antihistamines we humans take. I did try her on Benadryl & it did nothing for her -- didn't even make her drowsy. Just goes to show you, just like us, they have different reactions based upon the individual. I might as well give her a sugar pill as to give her a Benadryl. My girlfriend who has dogs 10 times the size of mine, gives them 1 measly Benadryl & they take a nap. Go figure! My dog can not have the tiniest amount of steroid or she gets literally "sick as a dog" for days on end! Poor thing can't even keep water down. So NO steroids for her -- EVER! 

[Gemini 836]

15 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

My first labrador had allergies.  Her vet prescribed Benadryl (generic).  She did not develop dementia!  

  Although, I shouldn't be so quick to laugh.  Dogs, if they live long enough, can develop dementia type symptoms.  They can become confused and almost forget how to do simple things that they do as dogs.  It's rare, though, as most do not live long enough for that to happen. The one good thing about shorter life spans......