I have suffered from cholinergic urticaria for over 2 years. I would break out in hives anytime I entered a warmer temperature, such as walking out of class into the desert sun, or when I would become embarrassed or having an emotional shock. For example, I missed 3 weeks of lecture and the first day I went back I found out I had a test the next day resulting in a break out of hives.
Anyway, I have also been in a deep depression the past few months and started taking Celexa a month ago. A few days after starting the medicine, I noticed my hives completely went away. Although the meds haven’t helped my depression, the cholinergic urticaria has not returned.
I am not 100% sure this was what stopped the hives but I figured it was worth posting.
Thanks,
-Drew
2.5 years with CU says
Most antidepressants have an anticholinergic effect. Doxepin for example, is another antidepressant that has far more potent antihistemic properties than ordinary antihistamines. That’s why Doxepin is often prescribed as second- line therapy for severe CU.
However, lots of precautions should be taken when being prescribed antidepressants long term. Medicines with anticholinergic effects have shown to increase the risk of dementia in later life, when taken in large doses, or for over 3 consecutive years. Don’t stop taking any medicine if you have been prescribed it by your doctor, but be cautious in asking for it.
I asked for Doxepin, as I had read about its potent antihistamine action and thought it could help with my hives. It did, however it also created lots of drowsiness and a very strong mental fog, where I couldn’t withhold simple information very well. These effects only lasted while I was taking the drug, and stopped as soon as I finished the prescription. However, for the long term health implications, despite its efficacy, from my own experience and reading, I’d advise people to try and avoid Doxepin if they can, and experiment with alternative second generation antihistamines.