I am a 61-year-old female, and I got the hives about a year ago. After suffering with them for about 2 months, and realizing that they weren’t going away, I went to the doctor. She prescribed Zyrtec , Zantac, steroid cream, and pills for itching. She also said to start an elimination diet (which lasted about a day).
The hives continued to get worse until I was pretty much covered with them. I had to look for clothes with long sleeves and high necks and always wear pants, which was awful because it was now summer. The itching was horrible! I also had a lot of inflammation.
After about a year of suffering I went to a Wellness Doctor. He told me that I had a significant kidney problem, and if we got that fixed, my hives might go away. I had no idea that I had a kidney issue! I immediately researched the correlation between kidneys and hives, and there is indeed one. He put me on some vitamins, and I have been trying to drink more and eat better.
My hives were completely gone after about 2 weeks!! I will be going back to him at the end of the month to see how I am doing, but I wanted to strongly urge everyone to get their kidneys checked!! It was so good to find out what was wrong, so I could start to treat the real problem, which is my kidneys!! Now I am loving life in sleeveless shirts and capris!
Debo
Stephanie Minneti says
What vitamins?
Anonymous says
Stephanie,
The vitamins that he put me on were Vitamin A, Potassium, and DSF Formula, but those were specific to my needs. These were the things that I was deficient in for various reasons. He told me that my kidney problem was serious, and if we could improve the kidney function, that my hives might go away. I believe that these vitamins improved my my overall health, and in turn, improved my kidneys. I don’t know to what extent, but my hives went away quickly! I would strongly urge anyone suffering with hives to get their kidneys checked, just to see if they have an issue. I had no idea that I had a kidney problem, but I am so thankful that someone was able to get get to the root of my problem. I hope that you can get to the bottom of your issue. I wish you the best!
Debo
claudia says
what kidney issues? My son who has recently started to get hives |& itch reaction from his own sweat, has benign cysts on his kidneys. he has had them since he was born, prematurely.
Anonymous says
Claudia, I don’t know exactly what my kidney problem is. My Wellness Doctor said that they were functioning at 30%, which was serious. He gave me some vitamins to help with some other deficiencies that I had, and I believe that they improved my overall health, and that in turn improved my kidneys. I will be going back to him soon to see at what percent they are functioning now. I was just so thrilled to be rid of the hives, that I wanted to share my experience. I just wanted to let people know that there is a correlation between kidneys and hives. I wish your son the best, and hope that you can find some answers and relief.
Debo
Karen Lee says
Debo: I thank you for posting and sharing your experience. Of course, we readers rejoice in your results. For good or bad, you got me to thinking, as they say.
My reaction and question: If your doctor determined that supplements were all that was required to correct your deficiency, the sceptic in me says that his claim that your kidneys were operating at 30% sounds suspicious. I know, I know. That makes me sound old school, as in it can’t be serious if only a supplement was needed. I don’t really mean that, exactly. I’ll get there….I’m also wondering, if he/she did not, this doctor should have made you precisely aware of what was meant regarding the diagnosis then, carefully explained what findings caused him to make that determination and further, in detail, what result was hoped to be achieved by each recommended supplement. It may be a concern when a doctor informs a patient that that kidney function is less than a third of normal, (and I’m hearing no particular testing other than maybe a series of blood tests and a UA), then has you go home with supplements without referral to a nephrologist, and potentially without concise, precise information.
Mind you, I’m a huge believer in the body’s miraculous ability to heal itself – given the proper nutritional foundation. In my book, that’ includes a balanced, organic (non-toxic, non-GMO), mostly plant-based diet, (no artificial anything: no fake sugars, additives, preservatives, colors, etc.), and low natural sugar (no soda-pop, and as little sugar as one can get by with) with a focus away from meats, but when included, they too should be organic. And, no, I am horrible to myself; my own compliance can be sporadic. Eating out is a challenge. For those times I fall away from the discipline, I commit the crime then suffer wishing I’d respected myself more.
As for putting myself in your shoes, over time I’ve come to a point where I’m more inclined to accept this treatment, any treatment, if the person I’ve paid to investigate, diagnose and treat me made a point to share the findings and make sure I understood the whys and what-for’s of it all. At least point me in the direction where I can learn the critical aspects of my own body’s situation and proposed treatment. Otherwise, without that team work mentality and mutual understanding, it sounds more like there’s an attitude of either “I’m up here and you will believe whatever I say”, or the diagnosis and treatment isn’t legit. What valid reason can a doctor offer for failing to engage in real communication as a part of the professional relationship?
We are living in a time when we need to hold doctors to a higher standard in this area. I’ve been the one behind the desk of a similarly “unveiled” profession where I was the one who knew all the ins and outs, I held the magic information and solution. However, while many of my colleagues could, I’d NEVER tell someone that I’ve determined their problem then order them to comply with my solution without first making a serious attempt to be sure they understand on their level what I know. They deserve to and I want them to know how I arrived at my conclusions.
Golly, I’ve even had doctors who were miffed that I sought a 2nd opinion. One fired me on the spot when he learned I’d seen another specialist, and not his specialty, just another specialist.
I’ve had several miffed that I’d researched the internet enabling me to ask a few educated questions. A couple refused to let me see my lab reports which I bought and paid for. The explanation was that I might not ‘interpret them well’. That’s crazy talk from someone insecure about his position in the professional relationship. One told me she’s not there to answer questions! I learned from her that I do know a polite way to immediately excuse myself from an exam room. Exit left!
A forum much like this one, discovered in my desperation when coming to terms with my first auto-immune condition literally saved me from thinking I’d gone irretrievably nuts. At that point, all the doctors I’d seen had me pegged for a faker, attention seeker or a psychosomatic patient. After three years of asking my PCP to test my thyroid, a sub doctor revealed to me that he had written Munchausen in my file. Two weeks later I was at my Endocrinologist’s where I was diagnosed as Hyperthyroid, hence the reason I felt like crap, my hair was falling out unable to muster the energy to care for family and self because my chemistry was wack. THREE years I waited patiently for that help through what I believed were normal, polite channels. The doctor who did not believe I had any pain from my autoimmune condition, the very one where I was unable to walk any better than my 85-yr. old grandmother, said that I “presented too well to actually be a sick as you’re telling me”. I suffered in silence, not wanting to be a crybaby or brash. I finally asked, ‘Who broadcasts being in so much pain? Who brags about not being able to function? Who WANTS to be an A-type breadwinner one minute then wonder how you’re gonna feed the kids the next? Do I really need to be in a wheelchair or sport a bandage for you to believe me?” It’s those time I wished I could be Mr. Spock to perform a Vulcan Mind Meld with the provider who’s invalidating my every word so that for a mere nano-second he/she could feel what truth I’m living. I’m betting many on this forum have felt the very same.
Today, I was directed by a higher power to this site, seeking answers for a very nice man who was repairing my pool this week. Two days ago, he suddenly left the job, which I learned later he’d had to do before, in excruciating pain, clearly not knowing what to do for himself. He’s asked and asked, but has never had answers. He was teary-eyed with me, a stranger and client, over his doctors telling him “it’s in your head”. What the what? So…this stable, responsible, driven business owner, is reporting debilitating pain and ‘fire all over his body’, who’s experiencing this reaction worsen over time, with well-expressed symptoms, with witnesses, has this all in his mind. He’s exposed to severely toxic chemicals all day long, is working in high humidity for hours on end in high 98-100’+ weather, has these symptoms originate in his head?!? I could try for a year to get my body to emanate the UC symptoms and I’d get nada. If he’s powerful enough to make rashes appear, or mentally ill enough, he should’ve been admitted asap. But, likely, we all know this man’s story. You might’ve lived it.
He is man is hard working & has been for 30 years+. He’s had zero changes in his life. EXCEPT the onset of CU; he is suffering- physically. He’s scared, too. I know in the back of his mind he knows there’s a trigger in his work, but that’s how he provides for himself, his family and his employees. He’s miserable and dismayed, pleading for help yet not one doctor made a single move to look for a physical cause. He was betrayed by his PCP of several years, whom he trusted to give him the truth. He wasn’t afforded the dignity of, “I really don’t know”. Instead, the doctor attempted to obscure his own ignorance by suggesting, after he declared it was in his head, that he was depressed. Well, that, he may, be. But I assure you any buds of depression came AFTER the debilitating pain and came from no hope of getting answers. He wasn’t even taken seriously enough for a referral to any kind of specialist- except a psychiatrist. Burns me up.
Me, I have multiple, co-existing auto-immune conditions and several damaged vertebrae. I do cope with an overactive autonomic nervous system that takes me from a normal temp to raging hot and drenched with perspiration in seconds. It’s so humiliating and unsocial. Nothing to do with menopause, etc. Just internal confusion from my internal regulators. I have the same issue with heart rate and blood pressure. Adding the right beta blocker last year, ever so tiny amount, makes the day not so scary. My HR a go to 150s just to go from bed to the bathroom and my BP doesn’t soar to the 150s from my typical 112 when I’m doing something a little physical. After being introduced to UC in what’s been shared here, I don’t see that I have CU.
Over the last 20 years I’ve migrated from a more traditional paradigm of medicine to now educating myself as deeply and thoroughly as I’m able looking first for a natural and/or homeopathic means of supporting what God gave me to get relief. I’ve had countless doctors who NEVER mentioned or cared about nutrition’s role, who did not inquire about my diet or dietary supplement habits much less recommend anything along those lines. My current Rheumatologist, whom I love and trust, doesn’t not cover me on that subject. I take full responsibility for that my little ole self. Last quarter he brought in a Physician’s Assistant which I saw. He reviewed more than a baker’s dozen meds that he wanted me to take. I’ve been with this doctor over 15 years. Now this little know it all wants me to throw up toxins to which sticks? I’ve tried more than half of what he listed. The other half, well he’d done gone lost his mind. Out of the over dozen, only two are listed for my condition. I don’t gamble like that. I’ve been through that phase. Of course, he could’ve asked if I exercised, meditated, had a good diet, if I took supplements, did I need a referral for PT. Nope, all drugs.
I used to ask doctors for opinions on diet. One doctor told me not to ask him about such things, “because, frankly, we didn’t study that, not once, in medical school and not one doctor I trained under ever thought it was worth discussing with a patient. Patients will just lie about it anyway.” I thanked him for his honesty as I pulled out my iPhone to delete my follow-up appointment. If anything, over the first 10 years of my condition(s), as new and uglier conditions piled on, a Big Pharma script was always the ticket out of the exam room. Often, a secondary toxin, oops, I mean, medication, to deal with side-effects was jotted down on the same pad just before you heard the riiippp releasing the Rx from the pad as it sailed through the air into my hands. Others recommended their “own” proprietary nutrition drink or supplements without so much as an explanation of the ingredients, or why the ingredients would be good or how they’re supposed to work, nothing. Ha, I asked my doctor once how a medicine worked- his answer was like a Rodney Dangerfield punch line or a quote from Yogi Berra, with his most commanding, ‘I’m serious” face, but no eye contact, he responded to my question, now, wait for it…. “It makes you better:” Punch line? more like just a punch!
Last time I mustered up the faith to accept the doctor’s concoction, I ended up becoming very ill, bleeding into the toilet, daily, about an hour after taking it. Kinda funny now since I was given the doctor’s own brand of the so-called supplement to help with my specific type of anemia. I’m guessing bleeding from your gut isn’t therapeutic for anemia, any variety. Extra bleeding was not supposed to be part of the program. Once I abandoned the capsules of “proprietary formula” my bowel function returned to normal. Other MDs have wanted me to buy their products when other options were readily available, cheaper, better quality. A nice plus, Amazon.com, delivers to my door, or my hubby can go to the Better Living dept. at our local grocer where the same supplement but better quality is right there on the shelf: vegan capsule, no gluten, non-GMO, organic, plant based sources when applicable, all for less of my money and no 50-mile round trips to an office for refills.
Please forgive my self-indulgent rant regarding doctors who are not there for people in a way that makes us partners in a mutual search for health. My Been There; Done That is a little over the top by now. I have two very sick sisters, a daughter who at 23 was diagnosed with one of the most rare and life-threatening forms of rheumatoid arthritis, and another who at 14 began to show symptoms of another pain-based autoimmune condition. Yes, these tendencies are genetically tied. Together, we’ve kissed our share of physician frogs to find the prince provider who ‘gets it’, who takes the oath of ‘ “First, do no harm” seriously rather than formulating the list of what goodies the drug reps can bring if the office places enough of their products. Forums such as this and people such as yourselves, who give from their personal experiences, with compassion and raw truths are changing lives for the better. To use a cliché phrase, it’s empowering. We’re lay people with an unwelcome common bond just trying to do our best for ourselves and each other.
Debo, IF you’re still reading, lol, if your provider offered more of an explanation, and if you don’t mind sharing, would you please share with us the details of what was recommended and for what goal? I always pick up some very useful information from the details of other folk’s experiences. I do believe that kidney function has a lot to do with several, if not all autoimmune conditions, on some level just as certainly as do all the neurotransmitters originating in the gut impact our health, actually more from there than from the brain! That’s why probiotics and a healthy, thriving gut microbiota is critical for immune system function along with many other functions, including mood stability, coping with pain and avoiding depression.
NOTE: Did you know that C-section born children miss out on inheriting their mother’s healthy combination of intestinal symbiotic flora? Vaginally born babies pick that up on the way through the birth canal. That precious group of minute living organisms which lives in our gut performing wonderful services for us contains more numbers of friendly organisms than the number of cells of our body. The microbiota weighs several pounds in an adult. There are even ‘friendly’ flora required for good ears, nose and throat, ENT, health. Look up ‘Kid ENT probiotics’ on Amazon. Also, please be aware that to have the best chance of a healthy gut and to receive all the marvelous benefits that come with one, if your diet isn’t sufficient and especially if you’ve taken either recent antibiotics or many over your lifetime, not only should you have a good, a really good probiotic, you also need prebiotics. Prebiotics, as the prefix implies, need to be in place as substances, food, for the microbiota’s dinner. They help us digest, sure, but probiotics thrive on their own version of food. Prebiotics can come from your diet once you learn about it and eat accordingly. Or, if that’s not happening, they can be included in your probiotic supplement. Last, have you chosen a probiotic that 1) has multiple organisms, not just say, lactobacillus, but as many 9-15 different organisms and, 2) make sure yours was manufactured in a way that when you ingest the pill and it goes through your digestive system, that the valuable organisms are still living once they hit your intestines to set up housekeeping. It may be helpful to Google “Best Probiotics” and make your selection from the information you find on the sites that come up.
Everyone’s body responds differently to everything, from stress to nutrition to toxins. We all have endured diff experiences in life with varying degrees of exposures which constitute our “body load” from inhaled fog the mosquito spray trucks making the neighbor douse our air with while we sleep like Steppford citizens, to living by factories & refineries, to breathing in the mercury shed from the amalgam in our teeth fillings, (see YouTubes on mercury release in your mouth. That’s a heavy metal). Our body’s ability to overcome these life-long insults depends greatly upon making maximum use of whatever nutrition and supplements are available and used well. Since nutrition, homeopathic practices and supplements are not a part of mainstream medical teachings, it is incumbent upon us to gather information to help us develop insight, to become better equipped to ferret out what might be a viable direction for relief, hopefully a cure. Thank you for taking us down this road of examining potentially non-noxious means of helping ourselves. I hope there’s more to share.
K. Lee
Anonymous says
Karen,
Wow, that was quite a reply!
I will tell you what I know and don’t know. I got chronic hives a little over a year ago. I went to a medical doctor and she treated me for allergies. This did nothing for me except helped slightly with the itching. I knew that this was not right. I knew that something was causing the hives, that something had changed in my body. I actually thought it was my thyroid, or a gut imbalance. I tried some probiotics, but that didn’t help either. After about a year of being covered with hives, my daughter made me an appointment with a Wellness Doctor. This is where my world changed! He was extremely nice, not arrogant at all. We first talked about my hives, and other things that were bothering me, such as fatigue, etc. He then proceeded with a variety of tests. These tests included Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing), Response Point Detection to find energy imbalances, and Contact Reflex Analysis, which is the study of body reflexes and their relationship to nutrition and various body functions. The tests determined that my adrenal system was very low, my hydration level was low, and I had a serious kidney issue. I was blown away about the kidneys. I had no idea that I had a problem, let alone a serious problem. As I stated before, he said that if we could improve the kidneys, my hives might go away. Then he determined what vitamins that I needed. I didn’t know if the vitamins were specifically to help my kidneys or my overall health. I will be seeing him again at the end of the month, so I will ask him that. Anyway my hives went away after about two weeks. I will be forever grateful to this doctor! I promised myself that if I ever got rid of my hives, that I would post it. I wanted to share this even if it only helps one person! Don’t get me wrong, I think that the medical doctors are fantastic too. I wish that the medical and wellness doctors could work together effectively. Well Karen, that is my story, and that’s about all I know. I sincerely hope that you can find some answers for your medical issues as well. Keep us posted!
Nan says
I want to thank you for your post. I gave up on doctors after never getting an answer. I think I will look for a ‘Wellness Doctor’. It has been recommended I go to a kinesiologist. My family has a history of kidney problems. I don’t have other symptoms like theirs but maybe there is a connection. If not maybe this type of doctor would have an open mind and more likely find a solution. I am actually 45 minutes from Reno, so maybe I will find your doctor. Thanks again.
Anonymous says
Hi. I am similar to you. 65, started with the red flushing and itchy/burning a year ago. My physical showed my kidney numbers were a “little low”. Now I’m thinking this is related. I had had a bad kidney infection and a month later the flushing started. ( mine are not rashed hives, but a skin flushing that burns and itches). Where are you located and what is the name of the doctor you went to? I may not be able to see him, but he might can refer me to someone in Atlanta. I’m so happy you figured out your issue. Thanks!
Anonymous says
Hi, I am new to this forum so I don’t know if it is ok to post Doctor’s names, but until I find out, I will tell you that this doctor is located in Reno, Nevada. He is a chiropractor/wellness doctor. He practices Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing), and CRA (Contact Reflex Analysis). If I were you, I would look for a doctor in Atlanta that does these tests. Try to find someone with good reviews and is highly recommended. It is amazing what they can tell you! I wish you luck and hope you can get some answers and some relief. I will try to get you some more information!.