I know what you're thinking - what the heck is Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis (HUV)? It is a rare autoimmune condition/syndrome/disease where my body attacks my blood vessels. I use all three of these terms because it's so rare, there doesn't appear to be any agreement on it's classification. It initially manifests itself like a food allergy where I get swelling of the lips and hives - lots and lots of hives - hundreds of them at a time. For most people when they get hives, they'll fade with no mark in a few hours. Mine hang out for several days and leave a mark that looks like a small bruise. This is because the blood vessels are attacked and bleed out. If this goes unchecked, all my blood vessels - including those in my organs, eyes, connective tissue......can be permanently damaged.
Hashimoto's disease/ Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the thyroid gland is attacked by a variety of antibodies. Luckily, my thyroid is still working but is compromised. Currently, I take low level thyroid medication to reduce the strain on the thyroid and to see if it will help keep it working for as long as possible.
Type 1 diabetes is a an another autoimmune disease where my body attacked and destroyed the beta cells in my pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food
into energy needed for daily life. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this
form of the disease. I'm on an insulin pump where I get a continuous dose of insulin throughout the day and then take some more when I eat.
All of these involve my autoimmune system going out of whack. The hardest one of all for me is the recent diagnosis of Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis (HUV). There is little known about HUV but it is common for people who have it to have another autoimmune disease (I'm "very special" according to my doctors because I have two others). There hasn't been much conclusive research - doctors think it's genetic but what causes the body to turn the switch on/off for it to begin? There is no cure. Treatment options and medications are limited. Side effects from the medications have been difficult - nausea, upset stomach, insomnia, headaches, elevated blood sugars (not good for a diabetic)....... but, I'm working with a great team of providers and we're trying to figure out a way to manage the symptoms and get me back to a place where I feel healthy again.
