[grets]

I have been getting hives all over my body for about 6 months now, maybe longer. They are getting worse.

Also started a light blood flow, not a period, I went through menopause at least 6 years ago. I keep thinking this might be the medications I'm on, reacting to each other?

Anybody every have this?

The hives can be a spot, like one little welt across my face, or it can be welts all over my body... everyday.. all day long.

The bleeding is usually quite light, but I have blood clots, that fall into the toilet.

HELP.

[DrBill100]

Medications are a common cause of the hives you refer to. It could be a result to drug interaction or a reaction to any one. That is an excellent place to start. Usually the first question the doctor will ask.

Can you recall if the hives appeared near the time you began a specific medication or perhaps changed prescriptions, even switch to a generic?

I would check with the prescribing physician, but the more information you can provide the better the chance of tracing the cause.

[grets]

Dr.Bill, that would be too easy. I don't remember the exact time either of these started. I do know, for awhile I thought it nerves, because I have a tendency to get rashes when upset or nervous. I had surgery in June, after suffering for 6 months, to have spinal column cleaned out in one area and two discs fused together. I was told that if it had been delayed any longer, I would have lost the use of my arm. I guess these two problems, started sometime around the onset of the pain from this.

[DrBill100]

Of course it's possible that the hives have nothing to do with the medications. The fact that you have a history of rashes from stress (nerves) also should be considered.

It is often difficult to determine the cause of rashes, hives etc but they can often be controlled by medication without determining etiology.

As example, I recently broke out with an extensive subdural rash condition that itched, became more inflamed and spread with scratching. No medication involved. No apparent precipitating cause. Saw two doctors, neither ever figured it out the "why" but prescribed a "pill" that cleared it up and thus far, it has not returned.

Rather than guess about cause, I'd recommend talking to your doctor and bringing it under control.

[grets]

Dr. Bill, you didn't mention the bleeding. Did you overlook it? I am thinking this might be associated with the hives. Not having a menstrel period for at least 6 years, it shocks me, that this too is happening. I also wanted to point out, that originally I did think it was just nerves, but even if I am calm, relaxed, happy, I still break out. Some of them start as a burning and when I look, I will have a big red patch on my arm, leg, shoulder, you name it.
I do intend on seeing the doctor, but depending on what you say, maybe I won't stress more, waiting on the appointment. :)

[DrBill100]

Post menopausal bleeding can be related to medications but please do not assume that is the cause.

Your complaints require a medical examination, knowledge of your medical history and current medications. I expect that your doctor will be able to address this with dispatch but I wouldn't feel comfortable venturing even that the two conditions are related.

Wish I could offer more comforting information but please keep that appointment and hopefully it will be cleared up in short order. It can be noted that post menopausal bleeding is usually benign, according to Mayo Clinic.

If you get a chance, please check back and let us know how it works out.

[grets]

Thanks Doctor Bill