I first noticed the hives on my legs four months ago. They were itchy and came out of nowhere. Then I noticed they were appearing in other places, so I went to the doctors (after reading about it being chronic if it lasts over 6 weeks).
At this point I’d had it for about 9 weeks. They gave me fexofenadine, and I took one before going to work. During my shift (I am a chef) my arms began to swell, as well as my hands. The itching was severe and my skin was very tight and hot.
It was the worst burning and itching sensation I have ever experienced. I could not cope. I managed to get through the shift and hoped after going to bed that they would be fine in the morning. They were even worse, so I cancelled work and went to hospital.
Eventually I spoke to the dermatologist, and he told me it was chronic idiopathic urticaria. He said to take two fexofenadine a day rather than one. I have a follow-up appointment with him in two months time.
So far the fexofenadine has not helped, in my opinion. Some weeks I’m completely hive free. Other times, like today, my arms are huge and swollen.
I think it has happened this time because I got a bad cold. Maybe it sent my immune system crazy. I’m going to try to move my appointment closer and see if he can recommend anything else. I’m getting to the point where it’s affecting me at work. I can’t sleep, and I keep crying.
Is the swelling normal? It only happens to my arms and hands.
-Hannah
Hivesguy says
Hello, Hannah. I’m sorry to hear of your struggles with swelling, as well as the emotional impact it is having on you. I know it can be really depressing dealing with medical conditions such as CU or swelling.
Here are a few thoughts:
1. If you never experienced swelling before taking fexofenadine, it could be a random reaction that you’re having to it. You might want to consider talking to your doctor about switching to something else, especially since you feel that it’s not working.
2. Having a cold (or other illness) used to make my hives much more intense, so that might be a factor for you, too.
3. Based on my observations, swelling seems to happen to a small number of people with cholinergic urticaria, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem for the majority. I never really had swelling issues, but some people have mentioned it on this site before.
4. Since you’re a chef, I’m sure you taste, eat, and come into contact with various foods regularly. I would be highly suspicious that something you are eating is causing (or intensifying) the hives or swelling reaction. Even if you’ve eaten the food(s) your entire life, you can suddenly become very sensitive to something and develop an intolerance / allergy / sensitivity.
You might want to consider an allergy elimination diet, and pay close attention to foods you seem to crave often, foods that cause bloating/gas/diarrhea/constipation, or foods that give you a headache. The major allergens, such as fish, nuts, seeds, wheat, and dairy, are often suspect.
Finally, things will get better for you soon, so please hang in there. Don’t give up hope! You’re going to figure this out and get it under control.
Tracy says
I suffer from a bit of angioedema with my hives and immediately noticed when I started taking fexofenadine, I had a similar reaction like you. The swelling was worse than ever before and itched like mad! I also had weird joint pain all over the morning after taking a single dose. Definitely think it was from the medicine and when I switched back to Zyrtec, within a few days, my hives/minor swelling were back to normal. It can take a few days for the fexofenadine to get out of your system, but once you stop it, the swelling should subside.