Do you need relief? Hi, my name is Denise. I wrote on this website about 6 months ago. My son has been suffering from cholinergic urticaria for the last 4 years. In a nut shell, we moved and it was almost instantly that my son developed CU. My son has a high allergic reaction to dust mite and his is an extreme case.
When my son developed cholinergic urticaria, it was so severe that he had to drop out of grade 11. My son went from being very outgoing, popular amongst his peers, to developing heat hives in which he could not leave the house without breaking in hives, causing a severe burning sensation when he had hot showers, any kind of emotion, spicy food and anxiety, etc. Due to this condition he had severe depression.
We had tried everything you can think of and nothing worked. Last year he was referred to a specialist at the hospital. The specialist gave him a script for Cyproheptadine tablets (also called Periactin or Peritol) and he was to take it one month before the winter month as that’s when it would start as it was seasonal.
April this year my son started taking the tablets. Within a few weeks he started to feel the normal start of the cholinergic urticaria. However, he never broke out in hives, the burning sensation he once experienced diminished, we didn’t want to get too excited but started to get hopeful. Last week was the start of winter, every year without fail, May would bring it all back and severe.
I can now say without a doubt that the tablets has taken the edge off, he still gets slightly prickly feeling but it is bearable, he no longer has to drop everything and jump into a cold shower, the moods have improved. My son takes the tablets 3 times a day and most of the time remembers with my help when he doesn’t. These tablets are like gold, for what they have done to my son. I no longer feel helpless when watching him in agony, I no longer have anxiety on how far his depression is going to push him.
If your CU is severe I strongly advise you to go talk to your doctor and see if these tablets are for you.
I wish you all the luck Xx,
Denise
Hivesguy says
Denise,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with everyone. That is fantastic that your son is doing better! This just goes to show you that everyone must maintain a persistent attitude and keep trying different things. I certainly hope his hives keep getting better and better.
I tried this antihistamine once (Periactin is another name for it), and it gave me an unusual side effect of being extremely irritable and moody, so that’s something you may want to keep in mind. However, people resond to antihistamines differently, so he may not get that side effect. I’m so glad this is helping your son. I also just want to remind everyone new to cholinergic urticaria that one antihistamine may be nearly worthless, whereas another one may take the edge off. Sometimes it pays to try different ones (with the approval of a doctor, of course). Persistence and a positive attitude is key to beating this.
Keep us updated if anything changes. I wish you and your son the best.
God bless,
Hivesguy
Denise says
That would explain his moodiness. I can deal with the moodiness over depression and he is the same 🙂
Deborah says
Denise, I’m a bit confused. You first said that winter was the beginning of the outbreaks, then you said the spring (April/May)? This is important as some are theorizing lack of sun months or too much sun/heat.
Thanks!
denise says
Sorry Debroh I am from Australia, Winter usually starts around May. My son has no outbreaks usually from October till March which is sprint time then summer. Colder weather effects him.
Deborah says
Okay, thanks for clarification. You might still check into leaky gut, so he may be able to get off all meds.