Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.
At last I took some photos of my itchy rashes. They have been diagnosed as Amyopathic Dermatomyositis, but I am looking into excess mast cells as the underlying problem. I have a history of dermographia (skin writing), sensitive skin, heat&exercise induced urticaria, and nickel allergy. Taking Claritin threw my MC into sudden remission, so I'm sure mast cells are to blame in the gut mucosa too.
Upper back and neck, the "Shawl Sign"
Shoulder, migrated away from this summer's "V Sign"
Outer Thigh, the "Holster Sign"
Forearm
Lower Bicep
Forehead
Right hand -- "Gotron's Papules" and swollen, red cuticle area. "Ragged cuticles and prominent blood vessels on nail folds"
Whew! . . . That was close. I was afraid we were going to lose our "G" rating.
Seriously, you definitely have a convincing rash. I've mentioned before that my hands looked pretty good after I was well into the recovery phase, but thinking back to before I changed my diet, I can remember having those "Gotron's Papules", and similar cuticle problems. (Or course, I didn't have the foggiest idea what they were, at the time — if you hadn't mentioned them, I still wouldn't know what they were). My cuticles sometimes looked pretty rough, and I often had painful skin splits near the distal corners of the nails (that I had to treat with Bag Balm, or they would become even more painful), but I don't recall ever having more than one or two of the papules, and even that didn't happen very often.
I've forgotten how long the article I read about using above-label (up to 4X label quantities) antihistamine doses said that it normally took to control such a rash, but I'm thinking it was weeks or months (rather than days). Maybe the problems with your hands will also disappear as you whip the rash and any other residual MC symptoms into submission.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Oh Zizzle, I have nothing to contribute except my sympathy.
Your rash looks a bit like one my mother got a couple of times. Hers appeared only on the lower half of her body and was intensely itchy. She just about lost her mind before it resolved. She saw several doctors for treatment but never did get a diagnosis.
I sincerely hope you get relief quickly.
Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
Oh, Zizzle, I feel for you. Our rashes look similar, but you certainly have it over a larger area than I do. It looks unbearable.
You might consider increasing the Claritin to two dosages a day. That, in combination with the cortisone cream and of course, a low-histamine diet, has reduced my rash to a few small areas. I'm hoping it eventually goes away completely. I hope yours does, too.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
I've been taking my claritin dose in the evening, and boy do I feel it when it starts to wear off. I've thought about doing Benadryl at night and Claritin during the day, or alternating Claritin with Allegra, but if it's just as safe and effective to take Claritin twice a day, I would prefer that. Honestly it's been my miracle so far for the MC, and I tolerate it so amazingly well. Not even dry mouth like on Allegra!
Zizzle! I have read many posts about your rashes but didn't realize you had so many. And they all itch? I hope you can find some big time relief soon but glad to hear other MC issues are okay.
And I so hope you don't get one on the buttocks. It's no fun (as we all know with MC D) to walk around scratching our rears all the time. lol!
Take care,
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Zizzle wrote:if it's just as safe and effective to take Claritin twice a day, I would prefer that.
I saw my PCP today and told him that I was taking 2-24 hour Claritin tablets a day and he didn't bat an eye. My blood pressure was high for me, 130/80, and I told him that it was probably due to the antihistamines. He said the blood pressure was fine; the antihistamines were working on a larger issue and he wasn't worried at all about it.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
It's 1:20 am and I'm awake. The rash is on fire, especially on my arms, and l'll wake up with petichiae and bruises if I try to sleep (and scratch all night). Taking Benadryl now. Sigh. Ate homemade GF chicken noodle soup and artichokes with vinaigrette for dinner. I have vinaigrette often with no issues.
Gloria, I'll try the 2x Claritin. Thanks. Would love a spike in BP!
I wish this was all the rash there is to see. My biggest rash area is my lower back and buttocks, which now have purple bruises too from all the butt scratching! The only rash that doesn't itch is my hands. Even the forehead itches!!!
Wow, Zizzle - I feel for you big time!!! Sending positive vibes across the country from Colorado that things will calm down so you can get rest.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Well, after a rough night, I'm taking the bull by the horns so to speak. I'm going downstairs in my building on Monday morning to visit one of the area's best chinese herbalists and acupuncturists. I did some research on Chinese medicine for DM, and they seem to have a lot of success with herbs. I have an appointment the following week with my dermatologist. I'm also doubling my antihistamines at night. Wish me luck!
Zizzle
i got a shiver when i saw your photos- ika curumba gal! how have you managed to work etc
as one who believes in acupuncture, it may not cure you overnight BUT - it will give you insight into the origin ie what part of the body is causing it, AND the treatments will reduce the inflammation and intensity.
go easy on the chinese herbs, start with really small doses.
in both cases (herbs and acupuncture) it may get worse before it gets better as it draws out the toxins etc.
(which is why most people give up as they think it is not working)
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Thanks Gabes.
That's all good to know. When my integrative medicine doc tried acupuncture for the rash, he said he had to "make it angry", and boy did he!! I looked like a ball of fire, and that was when I had 50% less rash than I do now. I wonder if I should have an Epi-Pen on standby? . I really think Chinese Medicine has something to offer me, and I totally understand "no pain, no gain" if that's the case. This chinese doc is less expensive that my IM doc (She's $180 for the first visit, and $95 for subsequent visits -- he's more than double that. Insurance pays a small share). Plus she's so convenient! (in my building, what are the chances!?). I can't wait!!!!!
Our rashes look similar, but you certainly have it over a larger area than I do. It looks unbearable. 
. I really think Chinese Medicine has something to offer me, and I totally understand "no pain, no gain" if that's the case. This chinese doc is less expensive that my IM doc (She's $180 for the first visit, and $95 for subsequent visits -- he's more than double that. Insurance pays a small share). Plus she's so convenient! (in my building, what are the chances!?). I can't wait!!!!! 
