First, let me thank Ben for putting so much energy into making his knowledge available to everyone. I am still on my journey to discover what my illness is, but I think it is like cholinergic urticaria without the hives. I seem to have the burning in the skin, which disrupts temperature control, trouble with clothes contact, prickles and lots more skin sensations.
From my research, lots of different medical words are used to describe the same symptoms: allodynia, dysesthesia, etc. (their mechanical or thermal induced versions, which are the same as the so-called physical versions of urticaria). When there is no rash, the psychiatrists use the phrase somatisation. I believe it is the acetylcholine neurotransmitter produced to make the sweat glands sweat, that irritates the skin sensors or skin. The sweat response can be generated by mental stress, emotions, physical activity, and every person responds differently.
My wife does not perspire under any circumstances. I note that part of your condition seems to stop perspiration occurring, which to me indicates this is where the problem is. Unfortunately, the sympathetic nervous system generates the acetylcholine , but there is not a stop switch in the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce it. There is for all other sympathetic activation. Unfortunately, my cholinergic reaction lasts 24 hours a day and for a few hours.
I have been researching my problem for 10 years, since my symptoms became unbearable, and have seen many specialists. Because I associated my skin problem with pre-perspiration/perspiration, I researched hyperhidrosis, HH, which is where people suffer from excessive sweating, but they don’t have pains, itching, etc.
My only solution was to take anticholinergic tablets, which were prescribed for me. There are several types and I take–Pro-banthine (generic name propantheline). The only problem for me, as with many people taking them, is the side effects. I have been taking them for seven years.
I have seen anticholinergics mentioned as a treatment for cholinergic urticaria. I am due to see my dermatologist shortly to discuss cholinergic urticaria now that I have discovered it. Ben may have already discussed anticholinergics, but having taken them for several years, and I thought It may be of help.
PS–I am a 59 year old male.
Good luck to everyone and best wishes for the new year!
-Keith (UK)
Hivesguy says
Keith,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences. I’m sorry about your struggles, and that your symptoms last for so long. That is somewhat unusual for cholinergic urticaria to last for hours, but a few people through the years have mentioned it happening like that. Urticaria is a weird condition, and it can affect people in many different ways. I don’t recall writing much about anticholinergics on this site. Thanks for sharing your experience with them.
I hope you and your loved ones have a fantastic New Year in 2016! Thanks again for taking the time to share.
Deborah says
Keith, yes you are correct in that there is no physiological turn-off mechanism for the parasympathetic system. Therefore I believe that we are stuck in that mode and when sympathetic requirements are called upon, such as physical and mental stressors, there is a confusion between the two. The sympathetic and sweating attempting to activate. This also messes with your gut lining, thyroid, and liver with cortisol being out of whack. The gut is the key.
Deborah
John says
Yes, the gut is the key and what we put in it…most likely. Sorry to hear about your suffering. I hate the dry mouth from those medicines, but at least you probably don’t need viagra as they seem to help in that area!