I just stumbled upon this site and I’m already finding it informative. about four years ago I had an accident – a ground level fall on ice that left me with some damage in my Thoracic vertebrae – around T-6 – T-8 region. I had about 3 months of physical therapy 3 days a week with NO improvement. The symptoms were a stabbing pain that radiates around my RT side along my ribs, across my RT side chest, and then vertically up and down my sternum. I had an MRI without contrast, and the Ortho Surgeon said the condition was not worthy of surgery. about 6 months after the fall I experienced flu-like symptoms, with a dramatic increase in my Asthma symptoms (I’ve had an inhaler on had for years) and symptoms of dermographism (sp?) or geographism (I’ve been told both by various Dr.s). I began to itch from head to toe and when I scratched I would get a rash / welt that would go away after 20 – 30 minutes. I could write on my arm with my finger. The Dr.s seemed totally complacent about the whole thing, although I did end up in the ER twice over that weekend, having Prednisone shots, antibiotics, and prescriptions for Zyrtec and Advair. My Athsma never did return to it’s previous level, and I use my inhaler (Proventil) sometimes 2-3 times a day, and the Advair every day. The Zyrtec is down to once every 2-3 days. The welts are much less conspicuous and I can no longer write on my arm with my finger ;). I had used a flea spray in the house just before all of this started but my DR.s have never remarked about that, so I don’t really know if it was related or not. I see an allergist / pulmonary specialist about every six months, and by reading many of the other posts here I can thank my stars that my situation isn’t worse. I really do appreciate finding this website – I will be making regular visits here!!