IC Allergies

[L. Thomas]

I was referred to an allergist for testing before total knee replacement due to a nickel allergy. The allergist did the entire battery of allergy test when I told him I had IC. I do have a few allergies. It seems I have IC and allergy flares in September-October and March-April.

At my follow-up visit with my urogynecologist I teased him and said my symptoms seemed to increase when I had to see him and I wondered if just the thought of my visit caused it. Then I asked if IC was related to allergies. He says there is a definite connection between allergies and IC. And he got a kick thinking that he caused my flares. He said he was glad he had researched the connection or he might have thought it too AND that allergy medicines that have antihistimines do help IC.

I am going to ask my allergist about allergy shots and histamine response. If there is a connection, I think I will have the allergy shots.

I was just wondering if anyone else was “in my boat”.

[futurehope]

I'm just finding out why I had reactions to dentist's visits and gyn visits. It's the latex. I had a mild allergy as witnessed by the red patches I get on my skin from Band-Aids. Apparently, an inflammation response can be happening internally as well. Add to that, your doctor is probably giving you an internal exam and touching already inflammed areas.

No wonder a visit to a gyn hurts! It's not your imagination.

[clouddrifter]

When I had my allergy test this past Tuesday (10/2/07), I would have sworn that Latex would show up as a positive b/c I too have reactions to band aids and latex gloves during pelvic exams. It came back as negative, but we're double checking with a blood test and I'm waiting for those results. I did, however, test positive for corn and my allergist pointed out that a lot of those gloves have corn starch on them! So, that's something to think about too.

[clouddrifter]

I was kind of wondering too... does the IC exascerbate allergies? or is it the other way around - does an increase in allergies exascerbate the IC? I am pondering the allergy shots as well, but it seems to me they are suddenly extremely bad! For instance, I can usually be around cats and dogs and visit pet stores and not really have any trouble unless they're long haired. and even then it has just been a mild reaction - my skin would be a little itchy or my eyes would itch. but today when i went into the pet store for ten minutes - it totally hit me hard! (see my prev posts) So I was wondering if having the allergy test triggered a worsening of the allergies. And if that is the case, then aren't the injections going to stir up the pot even further?
Maybe I'm just a strange case - haha - okay I know I am - but I'm just really scared of inflicting more pain and irritation upon myself.

[futurehope]

Only you can decide if you want to stir up the pot and get allergy injections.

If you walked into a pet store after having been exposed to allergens in the doctor's office, you may have exceeded what your body could handle.

With injections, the doctor works up GRADUALLY to a dose that he thinks will help you. It may take weeks.

My opinion is, I know it's the latex for me, without the skin or blood test, because 1) I can see the response to a Band-Aid 2) I now tell the doctors to use latex-free gloves and its helps keep my insides okay during a pelvic.

[born2swim]

Well, I do have a whole host of allergies:

Drugs: codeine, hydrocodone (and probably oxycodone... docs afraid to try it)

Seasonal: all types of trees, grass, most weeds, all hay (severe to hay... it gives me asthma)

Animals: severe asthma attacks to birds, guinea pigs, rodents, and some with cats/dogs

I am allergic to something in some bandaids, but not all bandaids. There is an adhesive that is terrible for my skin (I do buy the latex free ones). So, just because you get rashes with bandaids, it doesn't mean latex allergy. I can wear latex gloves without any trouble. Some bandaids cause a rash in a matter of a couple of minutes. I feel the itch and have to take it off. My figers are not as sensitive, but any place on my abdomen, legs, back, neck or face, I get massive rashes to certain bandaids.

Latex allergies are so severe it's not even funny. My doctor was telling me about a Latex allergy that they didn't know about before doing surgery one someone and when the anesthiologist put the breathing tube in (with latex gloves), the patient's mouth and tongue turned red instantly and swelled. It was an immediate and severe reaction. I know a doctor that had to retire due to his latex allergy.

My body is exposed to too many allergens all the time, but if I avoid the asthma producing ones, I am better. I can no longer have pets and I avoid being outside as much as I can (the beach is ok though!).

I have been on allergy meds for the last 8 years and I am running out of meds to try. Some work a bit off the bat then stop. So we up the dose, then they just stop working no matter what. My allergist didn't want to do shots because I am "too severe with too many allergies"... now that was weird to me because I know people with severe food allergies getting these shots...

Oh well. In a nutshell, allergies suck.

[sickofmybladder]

I had SEVERE allergies as a child (was hospitalized alot - sick all the time - etc.)- and was on allergy shots from younger than 2 years old - 12 years old - Then I was fine except for normal seasonal allergies. I have not had another allergy test since my baby years....but I do know the Visteral has been a huge help in my treatment (plus I haven't had an allergy attack this fall - extra bonus :) )

I too have been wondering if I should follow up with someone about the possible allergy connection -

[leelee88]

I to have a list of things I am allergic to. And I do know adding Hydroxine to my meds has givin me alot of relief with my IC symptoms:angel: