John
My wife has been a hypothyroid patient for the past 4+ years. She had a series of allergic attacks that included a sudden bright red rash over her entire body, burning sensation and tingling in feet and hands, sweating, swelling, vomitting and diahrrea. These occurred every month at or near her monthly cycle. They were never diagnosed, however in doing bloodwork they noted that she was hypothyroid. She was put on medication, and everything has been fine since - until last week. Some attacks appeared life-threatening in severity - four times she's been to the ER - once by ambulance. They subside after a couple of hours and some benadryl or epinephrin.(sp?) Last week she had another attack - less severe this time, but again within a week of her period. Blood work the next day showed normal thyroid - meaning the medication levels were okay I assume...In fact, some tests at the hospital during an attack showed normal levels too. She has many other usual symptoms of hypothyroid - weight gain, fatigue, depression, fuzzy thoughts, etc. Has anyone ever run across this type of attack combined with an immune disorder? It has not been diagnosed, however we find it strange that they almost ALWAYS occur within a week of her period. Since some progesterone is produced in the glands in question, couldn't this be connected? Our doctor has not really considered our thoughts on this seriously. She was told at one point she had lupus because of a positive ANA test - but they later retracted that without explanation, of course. Please help. 5 doctors have been no help, and she feels like a timebomb ready to go.... Please respond both here and to my email at JThomp6395@aol.com