Hw many had allergies 1st before their Rheum disease?

[cavalier]

This may have been discussed before but I was wondering if folks would be so kind to respond if they have allergies that existed ahead of their Rheum. diseases?

I saw a Immunologist doctor who is also a Allergist & he feels having allergies puts one at risk for higher odds of a autoimmune disease that due to the immune being sensitized & overworked in dealing with allergies this makes for the immune to not be able to handle well keeping up it’s defenses for opportunistic bacterias to take up shop & also due to the upregulation from the allergies just sets up the tipping mechaisim to eventually develop what is called a autoimmune disease.

My good friend who has Lupus when i mentioned this said she had allergies ahead of her Lupus has terrible allergies & my neice who has Fibrom. had allergies early as a child. I had allergies starting in my late 20’s long before my SD & falling to Lyme.
So I got to thinking how many others fit this mode?

This doc does not doubt that bacteria infections have set up shop he just says the immune was kept so busy in dealing with years of allergies it only makes sense that this is one avenue of how this whole domino thing can come about he feels it maybe possible to get better control of the SD & Lyme as well as my immune IF I can lower my allergy reactions & lessen some of my inflammatory markers. He took alot of blood to get profiles for my immune & can help if we can get the case built for IVIG along with AP & wants me to see a hematologist in regard to my high cardio lipin as he fears the 81 mg’s of aspirin is not enuf & this specific doc is supposed to be good in helping this. He knows what AP I am on Doxy, Rifampin, Zith & LDN and supplements.
He is not trying to undo that, but what else we can consider in addressing this – he just feels I dont have good control yet on the SD or my allergies – which I am still having some struggles with.

I dont know yet til 2 wk’s pass this was just yesterday what the panels will show but I am still floored over the time he spent 2 hr’s with me & I was not charged like some do per minute for his time just standard insurance office call co-pay he is rated the top Immunologist in Memphis area – have never seen a Immunologist & I felt might as well as I have been struggling with my allergies these last couple of weeks – that time of year.

At any rate I am curious as to what the numbers of folks who had allergies ahead of their Rheum diseases would be what the %’s are? As I said it takes nothing away from Dr Brown’s work as he fully agrees that the immune just gets overworked & cant handle it all and things get by the overworked immune but he feels the allergies over time contribute to this domino affect.
Tx for answering in advance my curiousity. 🙂
Jill SD, Lyme & bartonella

[BG]

Jill,

I have had allergies since childhood that get worse the older I get. I also have a mild form of asthma. All three of my children have allergies and my daughter has had exercise induced asthma since childhood. Allergies are present on both sides of my family of origin as are various autoimmune related conditions.

I saw an immunologist about the allergies and asthma many years ago. I am now supposed to see an infectious disease specialist who is also an immunologist because there is something wrong with my immune system and I have numerous chronic infections, only two of which have been positively identified, but I haven’t been able to do it yet. They want to determine what caused the granulomas in my lungs and what is causing chronic lymphopenia as well as other things. I definitely have a connective tissue disease but I also have chronic infections that need to be identified and controlled.

Because of all of this and the confusion over my diagnoses for so many years, I had my DNA analyzed. The results show I have a genetic predisposition for scleroderma, SLE, RA, etc., celiac disease, colitis, and membranous nephropathy as well as other conditions. If I remember correctly, all of the conditions mentioned above can involve a genetically predetermined delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. Delayed type hypersensitivity reactions was the type of allergic reactions confirmed by the allergist/immunologist I saw many years ago.

Hope this helps,
Barb

[cavalier]

Barb – am sorry to read this. Unfort. we have some similarities – my Mom had chronic poorly controlled asthma that had her in the hospital numerous times and she died from a blood clot at age 59 her inflammation was high. I have some of those same high inflammatory markers. She had thickened skin & it really showed to me in her feet and hands as i was so struck by how different they looked & it happened fast in changing. Of course we never knew if she had any connective disease confirmed as lord knows I was never diagnosed til I figured it out & sought out the specific tests.
3 of us sib’s have allergies, 3 of us have asthma mine is by far the mildest. 3 of us sib’s have low thyroid & I have SD confirmed, one sib has sjogrens like i do, mine is 2ndary.
And our kids our offspring have allergies too younger than I did as kids.

If nothing else there is a suspectiblity along with stress and other triggers but I can see where the immune gets into that chronic overdrive state from dealing with allergies & gets worked into a hyper inflammatory state to then as my immunologist said it just cant police everything well anymore as it’s job is too big – eventually opportunistic bacerias are allowed in & the whole cycle just sets the stage for what is called into that umbrella of Rheum or autoimmune.

Who did the DNA testing & thru what lab if you know? I find that interesting. My concern is trying to get my 2 sons to get their allergies better controlled they are now grown men who is tough as we get used to dealing with issues.
It does help. I am considering going to NW in Chicago for a more complete work up for my SD – why is there is not the indepth expertise here & I have progressed in some new ways & need to get a better idea of really where some of this is at by someone who sees the disease more than here.
I have come to the conclusion of there not being someone good to monitor me here & now have been told independently by 3 different docs to go out of town for a good evaluation. I have learned more from NW’s site & info in how to better make use of meds like Cozaar for slowing down fibrosis, since i have BP – the darn norvasc just made my GED worse – I found on NW’s info indeed for SD patients it will increase the GERD symptoms this was back in Dec. so I have felt I learned more from a far than from any doc I have seen here & so I feel go back to my home state as maybe I can learn more of where I am at.

The whole chain of events comes back to the immune system & allergies that developed in my 20’s. Constant infections & viruses are part & parcel of my life and they are tiresome also a reminder of my immune & it’s status. We did some more intensive bloodwork waiting for answers back on.

I hope you can get some answers.
I do want to know how many Rheum. diseases had allergies 1st.
Just a yes or no the poll to me could prove to be interesting in what came 1st. The immune is so intergral in getting better & AP is very much a part of that but you need the immune to start to do it’s job again at some point in my undoctored opinion. 🙂

Best – Jill

[richie]

Hi Jill
I was switched to Cozaar about 6 months ago from Zestril due to the fact some kidney numbers were a tad high -I too have BP issues —well after 3 months or so kidney numbers back to low normal and BP has never been lower –like 115 over 75 which I have never had !!!! –I use a local trusted internist who keeps an eye on things –my theory being a rheumatologist is not equipped to treat many of these symptoms due to scleroderma –Although going to a world class facility like NW certainly is a positive move !!!!!
richie

[BG]

Jill,

I wasn’t able to get (and could never afford) a DNA test through a medical provider so I got one done through 23andMe. It’s surprisingly thorough and the results are based on up-to-date research. I’m also enrolled in the Personal Genome Project at Harvard. I learned about the quality of work done by 23andMe through that project. The Personal Genome Project uses DNA analysis and research conducted by 23andMe and vice versa.

Barb

[cavalier]

Ritchie & Barb – It was 8 months ago i made the switch to Cozaar – I made this change based on the info I listened too from Dr Varga at Northwestern who ironically is a Rheumie, but far more progressive & intergrative than any I have seen here definitely a difference. His basis is to slow the fibrosis he also uses other existing meds’ that have proven to slow fibrosis – another is statins that is monitored – something my Cardio didn’t want to prescribe even knowing the basis despite my high cholestrol. My BP has been the best it has been thru all of the many other BP med’s since being on the Cozaar too I just think it agrees with me & I am grateful as small as that maybe to you I was & am not getting that kind of help here. For me it made sense. I had to ask for it but based on the why, my GP & Cardio both agreed but they were not offering it til I gave them the info. He has some other ideas as well, that could be something to consider but I have learned more about the disease from their info & pictures including my face for changes that have come on recently to indicate also progression of the darn SD – that My Rheum’s just dont realize nor do my other docs here – I am on AP & I can imagine if I wasn’t but I need to good work up & as I said all 3 of my doc’s 2 PCP’s who know the community here & my Immmunologist- allergist doc have agreed I need to travel to get that. Honestly I dont want to travel & have put this off for months but I am uneasy about the continued progression that I cant keep ignoring & wishing it will abate. I dont know why Ritchie it is not slowing down or holding as I was expecting it too. It’s been a year but I told myself my line in the sand was a year to access then & decide if i need to travel to get some idea – I have also some questions on my heart & there is some changes there too – so … not a thing one wants to do but i feel they are not just into methotrexate & plaquenil only as the Rheums here are & not open to anything else neither ironically have any proof to slow down progression yet will argue that other things are not proven 🙄 . My immune is a factor & they have a whole team like Mayos does that will give me that eval. Cardio, Kidney, gastro, Rheum & Immunologist. I am not abandoning AP but I also think why not take their expertise and get a better idea of where I am at. Based on some progression is why I feel to cover my bases and get some stats etc on me.
It’s been a bit complicated by other tests results & it is sort of like unraveling a knot.
I SURE wish it was straight forward and at some point it may get to be that way soon I hope am not complaining just want to face things head on.

Barb – thanks for the info i have heard of this test – but never heard of anyone doing it or how complete it is – was it helpful to any of your doc’s in treating you? It is around 200 some was it?

Best – Jill SD etc.

[cavalier]

Speaking of the immune & bacterias etc – this is interesting – http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/2012/20120823ulevitch.html –
Team Receives $22.5 Million to Shed Light on the Immune System
LA JOLLA, CA, August 23, 2012

[BG]

Jill,

Thanks for sharing the research info. Very promising!

I haven’t had a chance to share the results of my DNA analysis with my doctors yet but I know it will be helpful to them. The cost of the test is now $299. They don’t test the whole genome at this point in time. They just test part of the genome for certain diseases, traits, etc. Also, they don’t provide any counseling so if something unexpected or disturbing is revealed, you’re on your own to work through it with your doctor, a therapist or whatever.

Barb

[cavalier]

Barb – a GP mentioned this test to me I looked at it but I stalled as I never heard of it nor anyone doing it – plus i felt OK nothing worse than a test but no one to tell you what to do about it frustrates me to no end – I was not sure he a good guy would know what to do with the info if you get my meaning – now perhaps a immunologist it would mean something too so will ask him his opinion about this. I had honestly forgotten about this test as my small brain cant keep up sometimes.
Tx for the reminder.

Jill

[A Friend]

@cavalier wrote:

This may have been discussed before but I was wondering if folks would be so kind to respond if they have allergies that existed ahead of their Rheum. diseases?

I saw a Immunologist doctor who is also a Allergist & he feels having allergies puts one at risk for higher odds of a autoimmune disease that due to the immune being sensitized & overworked in dealing with allergies this makes for the immune to not be able to handle well keeping up it’s defenses for opportunistic bacterias to take up shop & also due to the upregulation from the allergies just sets up the tipping mechaisim to eventually develop what is called a autoimmune disease.

My good friend who has Lupus when i mentioned this said she had allergies ahead of her Lupus has terrible allergies & my neice who has Fibrom. had allergies early as a child. I had allergies starting in my late 20’s long before my SD & falling to Lyme.
So I got to thinking how many others fit this mode?

…………….At any rate I am curious as to what the numbers of folks who had allergies ahead of their Rheum diseases would be what the %’s are? As I said it takes nothing away from Dr Brown’s work as he fully agrees that the immune just gets overworked & cant handle it all and things get by the overworked immune but he feels the allergies over time contribute to this domino affect.
Tx for answering in advance my curiousity. 🙂
Jill SD, Lyme & bartonella

Jill, my guess/vote would be that yeast/fungal overgrowth along with its fostering and making our bodies a breeding ground for unfriendly organisms is one of the “biggies” that predisposes us to developing chronic illnesses. I’d never had a typical woman’s yeast problem, but had been given many RXes over the course of a couple of years (and never knew about probiotics at that time), so I hadn’t a clue that this could possibly be the reason I had turned into a lifeless vegetable. Dr. William Crook’s books and recommendations really were helpful in turning this around — but after such an experience, I’m not sure if we ever leave it entirely behind us. His work and books live on, but he died a few years ago. Know the Cause newsletter (free) with Doug Kaufmann and his book and other writer/contributors, I heartily recommend for education on this subject. If anyone subscribes/receives it, I recommend highly reading the articles written by Dr. Lynn Jennings, and think she is awsome. Past issues are archived on the site.

Best,
AF

[BG]

Jill,

Explanations of the various types of hypersensitivity reactions can be found via the following links:

http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/ghaffar/hyper00.htm
http://www.slideshare.net/specialclass/hypersensitivity

Barb

[BG]

My DNA analysis from 23andMe stated the STAT4 gene is responsible for my genetic predisposition to scleroderma. The same gene is responsible for my genetic predisposition to SLE and RA but I have other genes that protect against RA but not scleroderma and SLE. SLE, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis are among the conditions I’m showing signs of per my physicians.

Citations reported by 23andMe supporting this analysis:

Rueda B et al. (2009) .

[cavalier]

Barb – I find this incrediably interesting – albeit with the wish that none of us have to deal with these issues.

Dr C. who has me on the AP and treats for Lyme other infectious diseases is who suggested this back in May I just have had so much out of pocket expenses & wondered what it would do since I already had the 2 positive SCL- 70 tests & I did the lab thru Maryland with Dr S. for bacterias beginning of March – which I am still waiting for – I sort of felt possibly wrongly that once I had the lab report back from Dr S. it would pinpoint for sure whihc bacteria for treatment but it brings back the whole chicken & egg thing as my immunologist said recently the fact that my immune was dealing with allergies made my immune less efficient in warding off bacterias we normally encounter. Getting a more indepth picture of my immune could be helpful to some doc’s. I will ask the immunologist if it would help to complete the picture for him. This is why i went to the Immunologist was trying to get a picture of the immune as I dont seem to be as responsive as i should be to the ABX etc.

Tx – Jill SD, Lyme & Bartonella

[A Friend]

@BG wrote:

My DNA analysis from 23andMe stated the STAT4 gene is responsible for my genetic predisposition to scleroderma. The same gene is responsible for my genetic predisposition to SLE and RA but I have other genes that protect against RA but not scleroderma and SLE. SLE, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis are among the conditions I’m showing signs of per my physicians.
Citations reported by 23andMe supporting this analysis:
Rueda B et al. (2009) .

[BG]

AF,

I do hope my experience helps someone. I believe genetic research will be immensely helpful in guiding prevention as well as treatment in the very near future.

Something to be mindful of: It’s extremely important to talk about genetic findings as differences instead of weaknesses though because in genetics, what can increase one’s susceptibility to one or more conditions can protect one from developing other conditions.

Also, since you brought up Linus Pauling’s work, I thought I’d share another finding of my DNA analysis. I am a carrier of the genetic condition hemachromatosis (excess iron buildup in the tissues/organs) I don’t have hemachromatosis myself, I just carry one gene for it, but if my chidren’s father also carries a gene for it, or has two genes for it, then my children may have it and should be tested for it so that they can prevent organ damage over time. One of the things someone with hemachromatosis must avoid is excess Vitamin C (oral consumption as well as IV infusion, especially IV infusions) because excess Vitamin C increases the buildup of iron in the organs and can lead to serious health problems fairly quickly. When discussing this with my father’s doctor, she informed me it’s common in the area where I live because of the high concentration of people of northern European descent. I am 57 years old and absolutely no physician has ever mentioned it before or tested me or anyone else I know for it. It can lead to very serious health consequences later in life, after age 40 or 50, including dementia and organ failure so I consider failure to test for this a serious form of malpractice. I tried to get my adult children to get tested for it but because their doctors have never mentioned it before, they don’t think it’s necessary.

Barb

[Author]

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