I’m 22, and I’ve had this dreadful cholinergic urticaria for almost a year now. Reading some of these posts about how people have had it for way longer (some for over a decade), it kills me to know that I might have to live this way for God knows how long too.
I had tried the elimination diet for a few weeks, but being in campus with an incredibly hectic schedule, I had to resort back to eating whatever is nearby and affordable to save time and money. I decided to try sweat therapy once or twice a week in the steam room. It kind of helps, but only for a day or two at most.
I tried a few antihistamines like cetrizine and another one whose name I forgot, but I had to stop taking them because they were making me all drowsy. I don’t know what else to do. I know that it sounds like I haven’t tried a lot of things, or that I’m not committed to get better, but where I’m from, there’s not much else I could’ve done.
I’m at the end of my rope here. Everyday I try to pretend like it doesn’t hurt, but dear God, it’s just unbearable. I don’t know how I’m supposed to live like this for the rest of my life, even though some people managed to do so. Neither my body nor my mind can handle it.
If there’s anything that has worked for anyone that I haven’t tried in helping to control or maybe completely get rid of this awful condition, please let me know. I know it’s a dumb question to ask, especially considering the fact that I’ve searched everywhere and there’s nothing really groundbreaking out there.
I can’t follow through hivesguy’s methods because of financial and lack of time issues. I’m just looking for alternatives that have worked for other people who I can follow through. Thanks for taking the time.
God bless,
-Benji
Ryan Geraghty says
Sweat therapy is an every day thing if you do it twice a week it won’t work. Must sweat every day I’d say 5/6 days a week. I used to own a treadmill and every morning I’d wear 2 heavy sweatshirts and run for exactly 10 minutes till I was sweating a lot. My job involves lots of walking now so I sweat every day which means my urticaria isn’t as bad but still there unfortunately. Goodluck
Anonymous says
It’s impossible for me to find the time to work out or sweat that often with this crazy class schedule they gave me. Maybe I’ll ditch some courses. Can’t learn if I’m in that much pain anyway. Thank you Ryan.
David says
I have to agree with Ryan. If sweat therapy works for, then you have to try and sweat on a daily basis to stay itch free. I live in the north east of the u.s and it’s been pretty warm and humid so I have no issue sweating daily. Winter becomes a challenge but as long as I’m
using the sauna at least 4 times a week, I can keep up a good sweat.
David
Anonymous says
I’ve had this since my freshman year of high school and I’m 23 now turning 24 in a few months so I know exactly how awful this is. I’ve tried everything! The ONLY thing that helped was sweating on a consistent basis. That is the ONLY thing that helped. Try to join a gym and work out regularly or run or just find a sauna and go in there everyday. But nothing else works besides sweating. Trust me.
*Always talk to a doctor before trying sweat therapy.
Anonymous says
I guess you’re right. That’s the only thing that made it somehow bearable. Seems like I have no other choice. Thank you. Hope you get better
Kiara says
Thanks to Ben’s website, after 27.8 years I finally get to know the hives which doctors here couldn’t properly diagnose, let alone finding a cure is actually known as cholinergic urticaria.
I have had it since my teens. Have been to all kinds of doctors including the allergist. You name it and I have tried Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Allopathy and God knows what, but my hives just couldn’t go. Have been through hell and back. Life has come to a standstill. Hives, its aftereffects are felt long after the severe attack has ceased. It unfortunately affects your emotional state too.
Tried diet elimination regime every now and then but it didn’t help much. Antihistamines don’t help at all. They make me groggy, sleepy, lethargic, craving for sweet all the time till the pill gets out of my system.
Ben’s website here helped much. Have not given up yet. Am on a strict diet elimination course. Have been a veggie, but now I am off all wheat products – that includes white flour, semolina, all kinds of bakery products etc. I also strictly avoid all kinds of bitter, sour, pungent foods. I can see a simmer of change in my hives. I am determined in keeping up with the diet elimination plan. Hoping for the best.
These days when I get a hives attack I get the chills. My hands and feet go white with a bluish tinge. The body starts to shiver for 20-25 mins and then its back to normal. Has anyone here experienced these symptoms after a hives attack. If yes, then do throw a bit of light on the same, it would certainly help much.
Thank you.
Kiara
(India)
Anonymous says
Wazzup guys haven’t been on here in years. I’m 23 active military and have had hives since 15. I’ve been to Mayo Clinic, tried several elimination diets, no booze, and several creams and lotions. I’m still coming up short every time. It’s much worse in humidity but still lingers in dry weather. sucks going from freezing temp to a hot building instant hives. I’ve always been extremely active but definitely haven’t eaten the healthiest. I’ve basically given up on finding anything to cure it and have pinned it on bad genetics and hormone malfunctions idk.
Anonymous says
What branch? I’m in your boat and definitely need some tips for basic