To make a very long story short, I too, suffered from extreme chronic hives day and night. They just appeared out of nowhere. Before that, for as long as I can remember, I only got them from temperature extremes. (If I got too hot or cold or from excercise).
I went to doctors, had allergy tests, etc. I went on 4 different types of antihistamines. which only made it much worse. I did extensive research on histamine intolerance, chronic hives, etc.
Finally, I found a allergist that prescribed Doxepin, 10mg, 3 times a day. At first it made me so lethargic I couldn’t function. So, took 20mg. a night and the hives would just about disappear. I only got a few flat red splotches. So, I started taking the 30 mg every night and hives gone.
I changed my diet completely before getting on these meds, and still had hives. Anyway, Doxepin definitely did it!! No more suffering.
I read that a bad gut, such as too much of the bad bacteria could be a factor, so I started taking probiotics and amazingly the hives and red spots improved drastically. I have taken probiotics for over a month now, and feel I may be able to start decreasing the Doxepin and hopefully get off of it completely by another year. Probiotics really made a big difference for me.
I think hormones play a role in my hives. I am getting close to 50, so there are hormonal changes going on. I still don’t know the reason for the hives, but a lot of women seem to have new allergies and unexplained hives when they hit 40 and over.
I have noticed that although hives and red spots may be completely gone through out the month, when monthly cycle gets close, and hormone levels are changing, the red itchy spots start to appear and go away again after monthly cycle. So, could just be hormonal too.
I hope this helps you others out there with some answers.
-CKL
Anonymous says
Hi, I’ve suffered from CU all my life (I’m 60) and only until today-after reading my lab tests on thyroid levels- my dermatologist told me that my CU problem has to do with high TSH. Why not try to find out about your own levels? Lety
Machale says
I have hypothyroidism (highTSH) and fixing that has still not fixed my hives. No gluten did help for a bit but now it is time for dairy. I think your immune response is out of whach (for different reasons for different folks) so finding out if it is food, medication, other internal issues likey leaky gut, thyroid issues and so on is the best anyone can do.
Good luck to everyone. It really sucks having it and not knowing why. I think mine is probably a combination of thyroid, leaky gut, vitamin deficiency and stress…
Machale says
Meant to say immune system is out of whack not whach.
Hivesguy says
I’m really glad that the Doxepin and probiotics are helping you. I know that probiotics play a huge role for me as well. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Catherine says
Do you get
heat induced hives? I have been on Doxepin (25 mg then 50 mg) and Xolair shots and allegra since August and still break out whenever I get hot. I’m feeling very discouraged.
mor says
how long do you take doxepin? does it make you fatter?…
Josh says
I just started Doxepin. I noticed that my heat-induced hives were different after I started. For example, today, visually, my hives were the worst (way more of them and in places they weren’t prevalent before, like the back of my hands). But, it didn’t hurt as bad, and the “prickly” feeling/itchiness were subdued, somewhat.
Has anyone experienced anything similar as a result of taking Doxepin (or Zyrtec, which I’m also on)?