<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Sep 19 Lynn Worden wrote:
>What concerns me is the DH and it's apparent similarity to eczema.
>I started having joint pain and mood disorder.
>I don't know if my eczema was actually misdiagnosed DH, and what the
differences are.
>Can anyone clue me in?
 
My history is very similar to yours.  The *short* list:   I had extreme
colic as a baby;  became asthmatic at age one;  spent three weeks in the
hospital at age 5 with severe itching "hives" the doctors couldn't diagnose;
 flare ups of "eczema" lifelong;  chronic constipation (alternating with
diarrhea) increasing with age;  gas and distention;  pain particularly in
arms and legs, which got worse the older I got;  memory, confusion,
depression began in late 30's;  diagnosed with fibromyalgia (Dr. #1) and/or
chronic fatigue syndrome (Dr. #2) at age 40;  IBS at age 45 (Dr.#3).   My
maternal grandmother had severe gastrointestinal problems that began at the
birth of my mother;  late in life she became senile and spent the last years
of her life in a nursing home unable to recognize family.  Both my maternal
aunt and uncle died from cancer of the esophagus.    My mother's only
"symptom" has been periodic diarrhea.    My health deteriorated until
....... earlier this year (age 49) during my annual physical, I casually
remarked to my Dr. about the itching bumps on my face (also had them on
elbows.)  As he was walking out the door he said he'd refer me to the
dermatologist (the referral was for adult acne!.)   Well, you guessed it!
 The dermatologist took one look at my elbows and immediately did a biopsy.
 Two weeks later I learned I had DH.  That was in May.  Since then, my
oldest daughter has been diagnosed celiac (intestinal biopsy.)     I decided
not to take Dapsone (mainly because of all the other medications I take -
and hope to get off of someday.  I believe celiac disease has contributed if
not caused the bulk of my health problems.)   I opted for the GF diet.
   Almost immediately I began feeling  better overall.  I'm being patient
with the DH knowing it can take awhile to go away.      I can't help with
the differences in DH and eczema.  It seems mine was probably DH all along.
   Hope this helps in your search for answers.
Linda Vogue
Salem, OR