This is new for me

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

I just came back from San Francisco. Great trip, but Gluten hell. I have been glutened since the split pea soup before I left. I tried my best but it kept sneaking in. but this time I am itching like crazy. I have these little blister like bumps all over. not tons of them just one every here or there, one on the top of my hand, my neck, my calves, ankles, face, between fingers, waistline, and I can't make them stop. I am pretty sure they are DH, they look just like the pictures, but I didn't go to the dr. They started with the glutening. I try not to scratch. I don't know if that spreads it or makes it worse. I have been really religious the last 3 days with my diet. ( I glutened myself on accident). I am just wondering how long it takes them to go away or at least stop itching, and is there ANYTHING that I can use that will make it stop? Crying or Very sad

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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 2132 Location: Maine

Fifi- Sorry you are having such a bad time! If the blisters are DH it can take a long time for the itching and blisters to subside. For me, the itching calmed down after about 3 wks GF, but I still have occasional new lesions crop up and occasional bouts of itching. It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years for DH to disappear.

I would see a doc about these because it could just be a coincidental rash of another sort. I'd hate to see you suffering with something that could easily be treated.

As far as what helps the itching. Obviously, no gluten. For me cold packs helped some. Never place an ice pack directly on your skin, wrap it in a dry cloth like a towel so you don't damage your skin. When it was really bad I would use Lanacaine cream on the small areas that itched really badly. You can not use Lanacaine on large areas of skin. I did not personally find that cortisone creams helped much at all.
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Steph

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

It's funny because this time I didn't get a lot of D (some) the gas and swelling and sleepiness...I am just scared the dr's are gonna not say DH and misdiagnose that like they did with cd. My Doctor had me me have a celiac panel done a month ago and I still haven't gotten the results because he has to get someone to translate them for him. so will he know DH???? He hasn't told me that, but I got all the other results fro that day. they told me those results are still pending. Pending translation. He has them he just doesn't know what to do with them.
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 2132 Location: Maine

The reason I suggested a doctor's visit is more to rule out something else. If you have DH the only thing that will help ultimately is a GF diet, but if the rash is due to something else, they might be able to give you something for it that would help.
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Steph

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 12531 Location: WI, USA

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

Thanks, I understand. I'm just frustrated with doctors and feel safer with myself. I didn't mean anything bad by it. I'm sorry if I offended you. I didn't mean to go on a rampage. Embarassed

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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

It was my 6 month celiac panel to see where I was at. My GI did the first one and my Internal Medincine did this one.
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 12531 Location: WI, USA

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 12531 Location: WI, USA

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

I just found out that Rush University has a whole adult Celiac program. I am going to call them and see if they take insurance and if it is cost effective for me to go there. It is worth the drive if they can check it all out at one time and diagnose the whole person.
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

Not laid back, drugggged. The doctors figure if they keep me drugged I can't question them.
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 4059 Location: Washington State

I second the recommendation to see a doctor. There are many skin rashes that are itchy and bumpy (impetigo, for example) that are not DH, and require treatment with antibiotics. Your regular doctor may want to refer you to a dermatologist for diagnosis if it is DH, but at least he could rule out other obvious conditions.

Sorry for the glutenations and itchy owies.
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-Colleen

Diagnosed 8/05 via bloodwork and biopsy
11-YO son diagnosed 11/05 via bloodwork and biopsy

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 2132 Location: Maine

Fifi- If you were worried about offending me, no problem. I wasn't offended in the least, I just wanted to be sure you understood why I suggested a doctor's visit. I sure hope you get all these things figured out. We all know here how frustrating it can be.
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Steph

Fifi · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 288 Location: Wauconda, IL

Thanks for understanding. I love you guys!
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GF BD 1/4/2008
Rosanne

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 2132 Location: Maine

Just to amend a previous statement I made about a GF diet being the only cure for DH. There are drugs out there that can help with the symptoms. Dapsone is one. I guess my brain was on vacation for a bit. Still, even with meds, a GF diet is the ultimate control of DH. Sorry for any confusion I might have caused.
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Steph