Hives

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I have a history of getting hives. Sometimes they are from stress, other times I'm allergic to something. For the past 4 days I've been getting itchy red bumps that seem like the start of hives. I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow. I think I might know what the allergen is but it is a buildup so it will also take a while to leave my system I guess. And o have been under a lot of stress the past year. I'm trying to stay calm and remember this will get better.

My big fear is that my boyfriend will dump me if the hives get really bad. We just celebrated our 1 year. I'm worried he will think I have to many health problems (I have endometriosis which has spread to cause digestive issues, allergies, and headaches). My last boyfriend told me I have too many health problems for any one to deal with

Please send prayers, pixie dust, and words of wisdom my way to help me get better and feel less worried. I really do appreciate it.

 

[ykmom]

Like you I have battled hives for many years. When they come they last about 8-12 months and life is miserable. Last week I was itchy all over and incredibly stressed out. Fortunately they never appeared. The last time I had them the thing that made them most manageable was perscription strength reactine in combination with perscription zantac. I hope your boyfriend will be supportive. Thinking of you and sending pixie dust.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Thanks for the kind words. Do you ever feel like your nerves are misfiring or something. I keep feeling itchy where there are no welts.

 

[minkydog]

Like you I have battled hives for many years. When they come they last about 8-12 months and life is miserable. Last week I was itchy all over and incredibly stressed out. Fortunately they never appeared. The last time I had them the thing that made them most manageable was perscription strength reactine in combination with perscription zantac. I hope your boyfriend will be supportive. Thinking of you and sending pixie dust.

I understand. I have had something called chronic urticaria (basically, "itching")for about 12 years. Sometimes with welts, sometimes not. Sometimes I feel like I'm crawling with lice. When it was at it's worst I took Allegra daily plus prescription strength Zantac, to turn off the release of histimine. I have taken Allegra daily for years, without side effects. Even with the Allegra I find myself mindlessly scratching my head, my nose, my ears and my neck. Once in awhile I decide I don't need the Allegra anymore--that lasts about 24 hours.

I have to say, chronic urticaria is not a big part of my daily existence. I don't pay much attention to it most of the time. If a boyfriend is telling you that you have "too many health problems", it's probably his dumb excuse for breaking up anyway.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Well the hives just showed up full force last night. Just saw the doctor and he said it is an allergic reaction, not stress. I'm starting on Prednisone tonight. The good thing is I had today off work.

The first time I had hives they lasted for 18 months, entire body covered in welts. It was miserable and didn't go away until I started on antianxiety meds. All of my more recent attacks seem to be allergy-based.

So far DBF is taking things in stride. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[quasar4legs]

Sorry to hear that you are getting hives, it can be so difficult to get under control.
My son had terrible bouts of hives as a little boy until we visited an allergy clinic, did a supervised elimination diet and discovered that he has an intolerance to food colorings and various additives and preservatives.

You might find it interesting to google Sue Dengate from the food intolerance network as her website and information is based on the research of the Allergy clinic at RPA hospital (Sydney, Australia).

I hope you can get some relief soon.
Quasar

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Made an appointment with an allergist today. The hives are about at a 4, so it could be worse. I'm just so frustrated!

 

[quasar4legs]

I hope the allergist is able to help, my son got his life back when we identified the triggers for his hives.

Sending you a big

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The good news is that the hives are under control with antihistamines. The bad news is I have hundreds of tiny blisters on my face. My face burns so much! I'm afraid to touch my face because when the blisters pop they bleed. I look awful!!! But I've had this before and it means that the toxins that caused the reaction are almost gone, so I just have to wait it out. At least I'm not itching!

 

[quasar4legs]

Glad the itching has subsided and hopefully it all clears up soon. When do see the allergist?

Quasar

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I saw the allergist on Thursday. He was really nice and I plan to continue seeing him. He thinks that me being sick, and being stressed, and being exposed to something I'm allergic to caused the hives. I'm on antihistamines for 8 weeks, and then I will go in for allergy testing. He said I have to get my body to stop releasing histamine before I can stop the antihistamine. He also showed me that I have a condition called dermatographism, meaning that scratching or injuring my skin causes hives to form. So the more I scratch, the worse the hives will get. I may never know for sure what my trigger is, but I'm happy the hives are under control for now.

 

[quasar4legs]

I'm glad you found an allergist you like, it's good to have someone that you feel comfortable with when dealing with these ongoing issues.
Here's hoping you won't get any more hives

Quasar

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Quasar, after your son got over the hives, did he ever say his skin was sensitive? I'm going crazy with every little itch, worrying the hives are coming back.

 

[quasar4legs]

Quasar, after your son got over the hives, did he ever say his skin was sensitive? I'm going crazy with every little itch, worrying the hives are coming back.

I think my son will always sensitive skin, we use no soap products in the house and I use laundry detergent recommended by our allergy clinic. There is only one brand of sun block that we use as he has had horrible reactions to everything else we have tried.

As a child if he didn't have the hives he had skin rashes but these days it is very rare.
I do think after a bout of hives his skin was always more sensitive and it seemed easy for it to flare up, especially if he spent time in the sun.

Although it took us a long time to identify his triggers now we find that provided he avoids too many food colorings, preservatives and salicylate high foods his skin stays clear.

Hang in there.
Quasar

 

[scottmel]

I had to comment on this post. Two years ago exactly I woke up with 2 hives. As the day went on they multiplied. Had a steroid shot which made my body explode with them. It was crazy looking. They lasted 9 days what finally broke them for me was hydroxozine. I will never forget the feeling of head to toe misery - had been to doctor 2x that week for shot and just general look at them. At final visit she gave me a script for these. I put one in mouth and within 5 minutes it was like someone poured ice water in me, I literally watched them melt away. That Monday I had an appt with the allergist and of course hives are gone now. he tested me for every allergen you can think of and came up empty. However he did put me on this huge amount of allegra, hydroxozine and a 3rd pill. I was soooo tired but so afraid NOT to take them for fear of them returning. I put on about 12 pounds b/c of this and was miserable.

I stayed this course for I would say 9 months honestly living in fear they would return. I finally decided NO MORE MEDS and started accupuncture which I completely believe in. The accupucturist worked with me for several months (no return episodes anymore) and told me if they DID come back we would use chinese herbs (which I use for other things). I honestly believe this gave me piece of mind.

A few months ago I came in and noticed welts on my hand and I popped 10mg of hydroxozine and they were gone. I think I must have a Spring allergy b/c this is when I feel most prone to them.

Sorry for the NOVEL but I can sooooooo relate to this Merry Go Round.....you might NEVER know. You might NEVER get them again. I too have that scratch the skin welt thing, sensitive skin, etc. etc. I so highly recomment accupuncture. It cleansed my liver and a natural cleanse might do you good too! Scientific Process makes a great one....Belief is toxins/etc are coming thru your skin so purify your body, etc.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Thanks for the advice scottmel. I am actually taking some of your advice. I've been drinking green tea for its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, limiting my exposure to dyes and preservatives, and using journaling and meditation for relaxation. I've also signed up for a qigong (sp?) class because it is supposed to help balance the body physically and mentally. I am going to do the full 8 weeks of zyrtec though too. A little science can't hurt.

 

[scottmel]

You are welcome! Zyrtec was my third cocktail I took too. I tell you once you get past them you will keep looking for MANY MANY days convinced they are back. The crazy obsession over them fades. Funny thing DH got them - not near as bad as me - but he got them about a year after me. I felt like I was reliving the nightmare again but he was completely unphased by it...It honestly consumed my life just b/c I was SOOO afraid. Good luck! ONE DAY you will look back on this and it will be a memory but you'll look over your shoulder for a bit more....

 

[Jen0504]

Ohhh I sooo symphathize! I broke out in hives all over, except for my face thank goodness, about a year ago. It lasted about 6 months, and it was horrible. I went to every doctor imaginable, and the final diagnosis was....get this.....chronic hives! They said it wasn't stress, allergies, etc. It was just hives. Really?!? I had a steroid shot, and then oral steroids which made me balloon. They tried numerous prescriptions, and nothing seemed to work. They finally put me on something called Xyxol (I think that's the name). Either it worked, or the hives had run their course because they went away. I haven't had them since, but they tell me they could pop up at any time. Needless to say, any time I have any type of itching I FREAK! Sending lots of pixie dust your way, and just know that you are NOT the only one!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Made it through the cruise with no hives. Im off zyrtec for 2 weeks so I'm antihistamine free for my allergy testing. I keep checking for hives, but the 2 bumps I've found look like bugbites. Gotta keep my mind off of it so I don't stress myself into them.

And as a quick DBF update: he proposed, so the hives didn't scare him.

 

[quasar4legs]

Made it through the cruise with no hives. Im off zyrtec for 2 weeks so I'm antihistamine free for my allergy testing. I keep checking for hives, but the 2 bumps I've found look like bugbites. Gotta keep my mind off of it so I don't stress myself into them.

And as a quick DBF update: he proposed, so the hives didn't scare him.

CONGRATULATIONS on the engagement, so thrilled for you.

Glad the hives stayed away, now try and relax throughout all the celebrations.

Best wishes to you and your fiance.

Quasar