Cholinergic Urticaria Affect Lungs, Breathing, Asthma? Pass Out?
Post by: billysielu on October 05, 2008, 01:51:15 PM
I’ve always thought I had a bad lung capacity, I found that out in experiments at school.
Situations where you might sweat, and suffer from Cholinergic Urticaria, are also situations where you might be short of breath – excercise, stress, heat.
So, thoughts on whether this might all be caused by shortness of breath?
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Title: Re: Lung Problem ?
Post by: HivesGuy on October 05, 2008, 03:57:18 PM
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Great question!
I have never had any lung problems that I can remember, but I just had my wife listen to them with her equipment (she does this at her nursing school clinicals all the time) and she said my lungs sounded very good and healthy.
That is an interesting question though. If you think you have a lung problem you might want to get a doctor to check them out. I suppose it could always be different things causing Cholinergic Urticaria for different people. So perhaps some of us could have some lung infection or something.
According to some articles I read, lung infection could have symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing up blood, wheezing or strange breathing sounds, chest pain, and more. Occasionally, some problems may not be easily detected at first.
One thing is interesting though, I have learned that if I “force” myself to breathe better, it helps my body a little during the attack. I don’t know if the extra oxygen helps, or if t is just helping to calm down my system or what. But forcing bigger breaths does help slightly (not totally, but a little) with my attacks. But I don’t think I have any lung issues (that I know of anyways), and I have never really been short of breath or anything.
Anyone else have lung issues? By the way, sometimes they use singulair to treat both asthma and hives.
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Title: Re: Lung Problem ?
Post by: Newear2006 on October 10, 2008, 06:40:34 PM
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Nope no lung problems here as well and I have been an aerobics instrutor for about 7 years of my life, that kinda rules out any fitness problems as well. So much for being fit, now I can barely do a yoga class without breaking into hardcore Cholinergic Urticaria!
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Title: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: kez0605 on February 04, 2010, 09:50:04 AM
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Hi
I am new to this site and have seen a few people mention that Cholinergic Urticaria can also lead to swelling and can block the air ways. Does anyone else have this as if I don’t catch it in time I also have this and all I do is panic. Is there anyway I can try to prevent it going this far?
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: HivesGuy on February 04, 2010, 10:19:24 AM
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I don’t have this, but some people do get anaphylactic shock where their airways close. This can quickly lead to death. If you feel this sensation, I would absolutely talk to your doctor about getting an “epi pen” which is a shot of adrenaline for emergencies.
Some Cholinergic Urticaria people have this with their Cholinergic Urticaria, but I don’t. I do remember at least one person saying they felt this affected their breathing quality (but didn’t go into shock or anything, they just felt their lungs weren’t up to full capacity.)
My lungs seem to be normal to me.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: kez0605 on February 05, 2010, 02:06:27 AM
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I think I will make another appointment with my GP, this is what scares me the most. I have had trouble breathing a few times mainly when the hives are all over my body. Luckily I was with someone who was able to call the doctor. I find it frustrating as so many times I have been to my GP and they almost don’t believe me and say well come up when you have the breakout so we can see. Are they serious.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: HivesGuy on February 05, 2010, 05:27:20 AM
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Yeah, I know what you mean.j
Actually, having an attack is often how this is diagnosed. They sometimes give what is known as an ‘exercise test.’ Where they stick you on a treadmill or something and watch you have an attack. But that is just usually to confirm diagnosis.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: kez0605 on February 05, 2010, 07:22:46 AM
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Thank you for your advice. I can just see myself walking in my doctors surgery calling like a Klingon lol
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: stacey on October 25, 2010, 10:26:33 PM
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Yes, I wheeze sometimes.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: willdev on November 06, 2010, 04:07:47 PM
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Yes, I have this. I recently had anaphylactic shock because of it, I think its due to the taste receptors in our lungs
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: Cain0 on November 08, 2010, 01:31:49 PM
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Mine never effects my breathing, it is mad itchy though.
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Title: feeling in chest
Post by: starz on January 11, 2011, 08:54:03 PM
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Curious, just before/during an attack does anyone always notice heaviness/tightness in their chest? {Possibly due to shorter breaths and/or nervousness?}
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Title: Re: feeling in chest
Post by: silvertones on January 12, 2011, 06:24:27 AM
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No tightness of chest but if I have an especially sever attack I get a real panicky, jittery, Shaking feeling. If I’m driving I have to pull over until it passes.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: LookMaNoHives on January 27, 2011, 08:40:35 PM
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I don’t know if you are still looking for answers, but I am new to this site too. I do have asthma attacks now when I exercise and get hives. It’s not like a near-death attack, but I know when to stop and catch my breath. I also have an albuterol inhaler that comes in handy. Definitely stop doing what you are doing if you feel that you can’t breathe though.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: nowash on January 31, 2011, 01:19:41 AM
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Mine affects my breathing, or at least I get asthma when I get too hot or exercise or get upset. Not bad asthma, although lately…
I don’t do anything for it though. Black tea helps me breathe better, which I guess could be due to the caffeine, theophylline, or theobromine in it (white tea doesn’t help). An alternative treatment to beta-agonists (albuterol/salbutamol, which LookMa mentioned) for asthma is theophylline, which is chemically structured similarly to caffeine and theobromine (they are xanthines, fyi). Theophylline (and other xanthines) inhibits phosphodiesterase (non-selectively), which dilates the airways in your lungs.
Fun fact: Viagra works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase 5 selectively.
Edit: Albuterol is probably better for you, though.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: Blade_27 on June 13, 2011, 07:57:53 PM
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I’ve had a few bouts of asthma over the course of my life. For the last 6 years I’ve had neither Cholinergic Urticaria nor asthma. After a bad cold it seemed to trigger my asthma after about a month the asthma left and Cholinergic Urticaria returned.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: HivesForDayz on July 25, 2011, 11:16:37 PM
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Sometimes the pain itself changes my breathing pattern but i’m not constricted.
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Title: Does anyone else pass out?
Post by: KatieCottrell on August 04, 2011, 11:11:49 AM
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My hives started 9 years ago. I took my dog for a walk and ended up covered in hives. Since then, the episodes have gotten worse. I start with getting hives all over my body, from the top of my head to the souls of my feet. They keep growing until they plateau (join together to be large hives inches in diameter) usually at my wrists, elbows and the back of my knees. I get light headed, dizzy, sick to my stomach and exteremly hot. I end up passing out, vomitting and I have issues breathing. I usually convulse before coming to. And that point I am exteremly tired and can barely move. No one has ever given me a diagnosis and my Dr.s only advise is to “take it easy”. This has come to almost define my life. I often can’t walk from my car in the parking lot into a store without hives. There is a store in my town that keeps the air conditioning at a higher temp as an enviromental measures. I can’t shop in this store at all. I also have thyroid desease and am pre-diabetic. The largest side effect of all of this is that I am now over weight and can not excersise at all.
Anyone have anything like this happen?
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: billysielu on August 06, 2011, 11:29:32 AM
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My recent discovery of mold seems relevant for consideration here. See my seperate thread to see if it sounds familiar.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else pass out?
Post by: billysielu on August 06, 2011, 11:46:39 AM
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I have passed out for no apparent reason only once, several years ago, and never since.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else pass out?
Post by: Lothy on August 12, 2011, 11:02:03 AM
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I do not pass out but after a severe outbreak I’m generally tired and worthless for at least a day.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else pass out?
Post by: HivesGuy on August 15, 2011, 03:24:51 AM
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Nope, I’ve never passed out ever. I’ve felt really tired before and “wiped out,” but never enough to pass out.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else have Cholinergic Urticaria that effects there breathing also
Post by: littlemisserin on September 03, 2011, 03:21:36 PM
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along with many things i also have asthma, which may have something to do with my Cholinergic Urticaria, but i would try not to stress, that usaully causes symptoms.
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Title: Re: Does anyone else pass out?
Post by: littlemisserin on September 03, 2011, 04:11:31 PM
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iv had this disease since i was in 2nd grade, im 21 now and yes i do pass out, usually right after the feeling of being on fire (hives in all) luckly i havent passed out in about 1year. but iv become pretty good at telling when it will happen, i always carry icepacks, tons of water,towels to wipe sweat off. and layers of clothes so i can adjust to temp changes. its very annoying and scarey at times, try to lrean how ur body reacts now and be prepared. also very hot showers be careful becuase iv pessed out in the shower..not fun, and embrassing, good thing my grandmother was around and saved me :). oh yea if u pass out alot you might want to let coworkers, ur boss, friends, teachers even whom ever but let them know its happens n what to do to help
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Title: Re: Does anyone else pass out?
Post by: baseball1288 on October 06, 2011, 04:30:00 PM
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I come to that point were it is very hard to move but dont pass out. Very close to it thow. The only success I have is to be in shape and worry free.
Quote from: KatieCottrell on August 04, 2011, 11:11:49 AM
My hives started 9 years ago. I took my dog for a walk and ended up covered in hives. Since then, the episodes have gotten worse. I start with getting hives all over my body, from the top of my head to the souls of my feet. They keep growing until they plateau (join together to be large hives inches in diameter) usually at my wrists, elbows and the back of my knees. I get light headed, dizzy, sick to my stomach and exteremly hot. I end up passing out, vomitting and I have issues breathing. I usually convulse before coming to. And that point I am exteremly tired and can barely move. No one has ever given me a diagnosis and my Dr.s only advise is to “take it easy”. This has come to almost define my life. I often can’t walk from my car in the parking lot into a store without hives. There is a store in my town that keeps the air conditioning at a higher temp as an enviromental measures. I can’t shop in this store at all. I also have thyroid desease and am pre-diabetic. The largest side effect of all of this is that I am now over weight and can not excersise at all.
Anyone have anything like this happen?
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Title: My story-loss of vision, passing out, difficulty breathing.
Post by: lulu47 on October 14, 2011, 02:48:54 AM
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I’m 23, currently live in Florida (not the most hive friendly climate), and have had this since I was about 8. I have learned to live with it, and can feel it coming before it happens. I have also trained myself to NEVER scratch them. When I was young I discovered that scratching could turn an acute episode into a severe one within minutes.
My very “acute episodes” are just randomly getting hives when I cook, right after a shower, when I exercise, etc. These are usually on my neck and chest. I’m just splotchy/itchy. I never scratch. If I do, it literally gets 10 times worse.
My “average episodes” are kind of like a cycle. I feel them coming, I burn and itch, I get really hot, as they reduce I get very very cold, shaky, and extremely fatigued/weak. This process takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes. I get them on m face, neck, chest, and/or arms.
My more intense episodes are a whole other story. These happen IN the shower or other random places. I get very weak, to the point it’s hard to stand, I have difficulty breathing, and I gradually start losing my vision. As I get better it feels as if my body naturally produces adrenaline and when I get my vision back I’m shaky, weak, and strong all the same time.
Here’s where it gets scary.
-I’ve woken up laying on my bathroom floor with a big bump on my head.
-One time I had started to walk across a street when I felt it coming so I walked myself back to the crosswalk post. I literally held myself up against that post as I blacked out. This was in the middle of traffic, I was alone, and it was AWFUL. Because I knew I was in big trouble, I found strength within myself to not fall on the concrete floor. I just held myself up against the post breathing slowly, and without being able to see or move. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever been through.
-The same thing has happened in the shower a number of times, and I just curl up in the corner, and take deep deep breaths/close my eyes as I pray.
I don’t know if I’m just a strong person or what, but I don’t let myself pass out if that makes sense. I just can’t let myself. I lay there still conscious but without an ounce of energy to talk or get up. My brain is still awake so I pray and use the little energy I do have to breathe.
I really don’t know what causes me to feel like I’m not breathing, because I am. I make it a point to take big deep breaths of air. I also don’t think I’m getting hives on my throat so it’s really strange. I think I just have a harder time breathing because I get very weak.
I don’t take medications because I don’t think they make a difference. Also, sometimes I go months without ANY episodes. Plus, my severe episodes happen an average of once a year or less. It’s really not consistent so I don’t see the point in popping pills on a daily basis. I was advised to carry an Epipen, but the times that I have gotten a severe case I really don’t think they are in my throat, and there is usually nobody around to help me or I feel like the Epipen wouldn’t really make a difference. Not to mention I probably wouldn’t have enough time to reach for my epipen.
What I am curious about is how this will affect me when I am let’s say, 70 years old. That is a scary thought. I am young and I don’t take medications unless my life depends on it. Not even for headaches or cramps. The way I see it is that my body does not need a bunch of chemicals to heal itself. I have found that naturally healing and overcoming pain works wonders for me. Way better than meds. As a result, I have a very strong immune system and a high tolerance for pain. I figure that I should save the meds for when I will truly need them, like when I’m very old.
The best medicine for me is eating very clean and healthy meals + exercise. Lots of veggies, fruits, and lean protein. No processed junk, nothing that comes in a box. When I ate like this I had less episodes. It was amazing. I also began to actually sweat during workouts (I don’t sweat very much). About a year ago I started going back to my old ways and eating the typical American diet. Processed foods, snacks, fast food, etc. I have noticed that not only did I pack on some pounds, but this has made my episodes more frequent. Right now I’m working on making a habit of eating clean food and working out again. You should try it too 🙂 It really works.
The saddest thing about having urticaria, is that nobody gets it. Nobody understands how I feel during or after an episode. It’s so unfamiliar to everyone that when I describe it I just feel like I’m exaggerating. The worst was high school and college. Going from one classroom to another in Florida weather = daily episodes. Walking in with your head down, looking awfully sun-burnt, and then sitting down only to feel like you can’t even hold up a pencil because you’re so weak. It was so frustrating. Aside from looking sun-burnt it’s mostly internal, you can’t explain it to people, and it’s not a good reason to miss class.
It’s also annoying how people think they have “answers” to something they know nothing about.
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Title: Re: My story-loss of vision, passing out, difficulty breathing.
Post by: Numbers on November 04, 2011, 12:44:00 PM
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Hi LuLu,
Sorry to hear of your situation.
From my limited research into this, it appears passing out isn’t usually one of the things associated with this condition? Although I may be wrong?
I know you have said you do not want to take man made medicines, and I can empathise with you on that one, I hate taking them too! only take them if absolutely necessary!
However, you have not mentioned what you have done to seek out some medical help from doctors? There could be many underlying things that are causing this, and getting some understanding as to what/why/how will help you to live your life. More importantly ruling out anything serious…
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Title: Re: My story-loss of vision, passing out, difficulty breathing.
Post by: nowash on November 05, 2011, 06:29:19 AM
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Passing out is common dude. It’s called anaphylaxis.
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Title: Re: My story-loss of vision, passing out, difficulty breathing.
Post by: HivesGuy on November 05, 2011, 11:12:34 AM
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Hi Lulu,
Just wanted to say welcome to the forum, and thanks for sharing all of that. I’m glad you are hanging in there. I too have found that the foods I eat can have a dramatic impact on my hives.
Thanks again for sharing your experience.
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Title: Re: My story-loss of vision, passing out, difficulty breathing.
Post by: Numbers on November 11, 2011, 01:42:54 PM
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Quote from: nowash on November 05, 2011, 06:29:19 AM
Passing out is common dude. It’s called anaphylaxis
I had no idea it was common with this condition, thanks for letting me know
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Title: Re: My story-loss of vision, passing out, difficulty breathing.
Post by: LuckyHives on November 11, 2011, 08:27:23 PM
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My hands feet,mouth, and lips feel a little swollen all the time. Also my feet become red when i get hot. I had it for right years. Allergic reactions to myself how great.