I came off of Enbrel the first part of June to switch to another med. On father's day I started with a few whelps under my arms and they stood up and got bigger and bigger til they all joined. I went to my regular dr. and he put me on a medrol dose pack. Before I finished those I broke out again but different areas. This time I had a few on my back and a few on my stomach but huge ones in my head and back of my neck and behind my ears and I had these small bumps all over my face. This time he uped the dose of steroids. Before my RA dr. would let me start on something I had to get cleared through a allergist. I kept telling them it was my body attacking itself but they of course don't listen to you. They put me on a different antihistamine and so far so good. Good luck.

I have all kinds of allergies and sensitive skin so hives and I have been hanging out together for a long time. I seem to feel itchy more often lately usually in the evening or in bed. I'll feel a general itchness in various spots and I'll feel stinging pinpricks that also itch. The stinging pinpricks usually occur if I've ingested something that I'm senstive or allergic to. Whether I know why I'm itching or not I always reach for a Benadryl or two - I carry them with me wherever I go.

My liver enzymes went way up from some of the drugs I was taking like MTX - many of the meds we take for RA and other things are hard on the liver so I'm wondering if the hives and itchies have anything to do with the liver (I also have fatty liver).

So yes you definitely have my sympathy...hugs jilly

I totally understand.

You really should try the supplement Quercetin with Bromelain which has completely stopped my hives. It works with your histamine reaction. Quercetin is found in grapes. I recommend it with bromelain because bromelain is anti-inflammatory and you can usually find the combo...the higher the dose the better. Quercetin also fights cancer so it's a win win.
Hugs,
sarah

I get hives really bad..they have been as big as dinner plates sometimes...they also leave nasty bruises for about a week after they go away...I had hive problems for around five -six years before i was told I have R.A..my drs could never figure out why i was getting them ...Imagine my surprise when i found out that hives can be a a warning for other serious problems..like R.A...I tried all the alleregy drugs...and everything else ..but finally i gave up..I just live with them now..and try not to scratch them..lol. good luck and hope they go away soon

Kim

Thanks for all the input! Disneyfan, I suffered w/ my hives for more than 2 years before my RA diagnosis just like you.
I've been doing some online research the past couple days and discovered I now have what is called Pustular Psoraisis. It developed after a severe hive outbreak on the back of one leg that included the crease behind my knee... that's where the pustules developed and I've been feeling like #$@* for 3 days now... at least I know what it is and that it is indeed RA related. Man, this disease is a bitch!

My mom has had bad hives breakouts for over 2 years. Tonight was the worst with pain in her legs and swelling. She is on 2 different allergy medicines and a nerve pill but nothing seems to work. She was diagnosed with RA and we need to take her to an RA specialist. I did not know RA could cause hives. Does anyone have any medication that has worked to get rid of the hives and alleviate the arthritis? I want to have a plan of action when I go this week to the doctor with her. I hope this will alleviate her pain!!! Thank you!

My 2 year old has hives as well but obviously not arthritis. She has not come out allergic on any tests and I am at my wits end at this point. she is on medication and is alleviated for a few hours or so. I thought her vaccines may have caused them but does that make sense?

I used to get hives daily. Funny thing, I never made the connection to the RA. After reading this post, it makes sense. I used to break out the minute I woke up and would have to take an allergy pill right away. Ever since I started treatment, I don't get them. I can go a whole day without the allergy pill not get hives, only asthma problems. Probably could have been the RA. Isn't that something?