A site dedicated to support and research to those with Chronic Urticaria (hives)and their families.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tell others things we should know about your urticaria!
Give us the do and don't of your Urticaria (what type you have)and what others around should do when an outbreak occurs and also what "unknowingly" others do that can/could trigger an outbreak.
Give us the do and don't of your Urticaria (what type you have)and what others around should do when an outbreak occurs and also what "unknowingly" others do that can/could trigger an outbreak.
Please contact your physician before trying any alternative medicine. Also research articles to see if tests or trials have been done. DO NOT promote a product for gainful purposes on this blog. This site is dedicated to people who truly battle this condition.
I had a severe case of hives for 14 months, was on Prednisone for 8 months along with Hydroxyzine and Cimetidine. Was in constant agony. Don't know your age or sex ( I'm a 55 year old male) My cause ended up being hormone related. I was real low in free testosterone and my job had me working with certain chemicals that mimic estrogen. Alot of these same chemicals can be found in foods and drinks. It was the perfect storm and was unbelievable my allergist ever found it.I was prescribed Androgel(Testosterone gel)and the first day I used it the hives started to disappear .Within a month I was down from 22 pills a day to just 5 and for the most part I'm still hive free. I like many others took all the skin sensitivity tests and the immune system blood tests and this was the only thing that showed up. I've been told by my allergist that I have to stay on these last pills for atleast another 6 months until my system calms down. Hope this helps someone out there, good luck
Thanks Brian this does help because there is a link somewhere and by posting we can help others! My husband has had this condition for well over 20 years. He developed nephritis at the age of 7 and this is been a long difficult journey but it is for all those who suffer with it. Thanks for taking the time to post.
I have cold urticaria - just started 5 1/2 weeks ago. I've been to the allergist and had blood drawn and told everything was "OK" - return appt later this month. So far, I don't want it to rule my life, so I am trying to make environmental accommodations such as boots to protect my lower legs; more socks so I can double up; plastic plates and utensils with plastic handles because the china/metal implements make my hands break out; wider scarf to protect my face and forehead so I can still see; gloves that are longer at the wrist; prettier scarves to wear indoors; blanket for the car; beverages that taste good but don't interact with my antihistamines and don't have to be refrigerated (my tongue swells occasionally due to cold) (still working on diets and snacks that are room temperature or warm); a heated toilet seat; thicker towels to dry off every drop of water to prevent breaking out; and a room heater to heat my clothes so I can put them on immediately after showering. I am very conscious of the message I am sending to my children. Of course this affects me and what I want to do and my irritation level is high because I break out many times a day. I want to teach them that it is OK to be irritable and upset, but not to let it END life as we know it, but instead be a challenge to be addressed and embraced so life can carry on. So they remind me to bundle up, open the door for me, and check the temperature before we leave the house. I taught them how to use the epi pen, and the rare circumstances in which I would have to use it and we discussed what their role could be (calling 911 or asking for help) if I got in trouble. I've had people laugh at me, challenge my doctor's diagnosis or that it is a viable diagnosis, and tell me I was a hypochondriac, to which I responded "I don't think they prescribe epi pens for hypochondriasis". Am I alone in trying all these environmental modifications? What else could I try? How do others teach their children about living with chronic illnesses and how do others handle the uneducated masses who ridicule you? Hope these are appropriate questions for this blog - it is very educational. My questions and issues are more about adjusting to it - maybe then I'll be able to focus more on causes and cures.
Lisa Soth posted this: I have been suffering with chronic urticaria for about two years or more. I have been reading everything I could find online to try to figure out what to do about it. I've been to a dermatologist, an allergist, and my GP, but nothing they gave me did any good. Finally about 2 months ago I came across this clinical study: (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00876369) that linked vitamin D deficiency to chronic urticaria. I had my D levels checked and my level was 9 (it is supposed to be somewhere between 40-70). I have been taking 50,000units of vitamin D2 (prescription) once a week for about 2 months and I have been completely hive-free since the second week of taking it. At first I thought it might just be a coincidence, but now going on 2 months I know it's the vitamin D that's making a difference. Just wanted to pass on some good news - I really hope such a simple fix can work on a large portion of sufferers out there.
See survey below! But to see the full list of all chronic urticaria go back to the main page. http://urticariaresearch.blogspot.com/ to post or comment in areas like: your health history,Things we should know about your urticaria, diet and other information.
What type of Urticaria have you been diagnosed with?
How Often ?
How are you feeling about your condition?
Have you been sucessful in finding treatment for your Urticaria?
What type of doctor have you seen?
What lab tests have you had?
Previous history of being diagnosed with Nephritis (kidney ) infection?
Have you been hospitalized for an infection in the past?
Muscle/Joint/Jaw/Neck Pain?
Dental problems/abcess/root canals?
NEW QUESTION Contact lens developing crystals?
Digestive issues?
Any issues after receiving childhood immunizations?
Food sensitivity/?
Had a significant vision change through the years?
MRI Brain/Angioma?
Don't forget to post "your" information!!
This site is dedicated to my husband who has battled chronic urticaria for over 29 years. For more information on your type of urticaria please click on this link http://urticariaresearch.blogspot.com/ to go back to the main page and review areas DOWN THE PAGE which include: WE NEED YOUR IMPUT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CONDITION! *Your Medical history before and after chronic urticaria *Things we should know about your urticaria *Need prayer *Does location play a part? *Do you have a question? *What are your symptoms and triggers? Together we can find a cure!
Give us the do and don't of your Urticaria (what type you have)and what others around should do when an outbreak occurs and also what "unknowingly" others do that can/could trigger an outbreak.
ReplyDeletePlease contact your physician before trying any alternative medicine. Also research articles to see if tests or trials have been done. DO NOT promote a product for gainful purposes on this blog. This site is dedicated to people who truly battle this condition.
ReplyDeleteBACK TO CHRONIC URTICARIA RESEARCH MAIN PAGE
ReplyDeleteI had a severe case of hives for 14 months, was on Prednisone for 8 months along with Hydroxyzine and Cimetidine. Was in constant agony. Don't know your age or sex ( I'm a 55 year old male) My cause ended up being hormone related. I was real low in free testosterone and my job had me working with certain chemicals that mimic estrogen. Alot of these same chemicals can be found in foods and drinks. It was the perfect storm and was unbelievable my allergist ever found it.I was prescribed Androgel(Testosterone gel)and the first day I used it the hives started to disappear .Within a month I was down from 22 pills a day to just 5 and for the most part I'm still hive free. I like many others took all the skin sensitivity tests and the immune system blood tests and this was the only thing that showed up. I've been told by my allergist that I have to stay on these last pills for atleast another 6 months until my system calms down. Hope this helps someone out there, good luck
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian this does help because there is a link somewhere and by posting we can help others! My husband has had this condition for well over 20 years. He developed nephritis at the age of 7 and this is been a long difficult journey but it is for all those who suffer with it. Thanks for taking the time to post.
ReplyDeleteI have cold urticaria - just started 5 1/2 weeks ago. I've been to the allergist and had blood drawn and told everything was "OK" - return appt later this month. So far, I don't want it to rule my life, so I am trying to make environmental accommodations such as boots to protect my lower legs; more socks so I can double up; plastic plates and utensils with plastic handles because the china/metal implements make my hands break out; wider scarf to protect my face and forehead so I can still see; gloves that are longer at the wrist; prettier scarves to wear indoors; blanket for the car; beverages that taste good but don't interact with my antihistamines and don't have to be refrigerated (my tongue swells occasionally due to cold) (still working on diets and snacks that are room temperature or warm); a heated toilet seat; thicker towels to dry off every drop of water to prevent breaking out; and a room heater to heat my clothes so I can put them on immediately after showering. I am very conscious of the message I am sending to my children. Of course this affects me and what I want to do and my irritation level is high because I break out many times a day. I want to teach them that it is OK to be irritable and upset, but not to let it END life as we know it, but instead be a challenge to be addressed and embraced so life can carry on. So they remind me to bundle up, open the door for me, and check the temperature before we leave the house. I taught them how to use the epi pen, and the rare circumstances in which I would have to use it and we discussed what their role could be (calling 911 or asking for help) if I got in trouble. I've had people laugh at me, challenge my doctor's diagnosis or that it is a viable diagnosis, and tell me I was a hypochondriac, to which I responded "I don't think they prescribe epi pens for hypochondriasis". Am I alone in trying all these environmental modifications? What else could I try? How do others teach their children about living with chronic illnesses and how do others handle the uneducated masses who ridicule you? Hope these are appropriate questions for this blog - it is very educational. My questions and issues are more about adjusting to it - maybe then I'll be able to focus more on causes and cures.
ReplyDeleteLisa Soth posted this:
ReplyDeleteI have been suffering with chronic urticaria for about two years or more. I have been reading everything I could find online to try to figure out what to do about it. I've been to a dermatologist, an allergist, and my GP, but nothing they gave me did any good. Finally about 2 months ago I came across this clinical study: (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00876369) that linked vitamin D deficiency to chronic urticaria. I had my D levels checked and my level was 9 (it is supposed to be somewhere between 40-70). I have been taking 50,000units of vitamin D2 (prescription) once a week for about 2 months and I have been completely hive-free since the second week of taking it. At first I thought it might just be a coincidence, but now going on 2 months I know it's the vitamin D that's making a difference. Just wanted to pass on some good news - I really hope such a simple fix can work on a large portion of sufferers out there.