I’m 19, I’m female, and I’ve had cholinergic urticaria for two years now. I developed it when I was early seventeen, and I honestly don’t know what to do anymore. I feel like I have become a hermit because it prevents me from doing everything I love. I put off going to college because it was so bad I was afraid people would laugh and think I had some weird disease.
I can’t even lay in bed and the blankets get too warm without having my legs break out! I had to quit working because my arms would scare customers and they didn’t want me bagging their groceries! I’ve had to result to taking cold showers. I can’t eat food if it’s too hot. I can’t go shopping with my sisters, and I can’t even have sex anymore without having huge flare ups and feeling like a freak.
My CU has even gone past the itching stage and straight into feeling as if I’m being bitten by 1,000 fire ants. I’ve tried everything, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I even bought the book in hopes it would provide me with answers! Somebody has got to be able to help me, I am literally a hermit because of my own body!! It’s gotten so bad that after an attack I feel light headed and get a migraine. I’m at my wits end!
-Christina
Sahil says
Christina ! You must talk to your doctor about Xaria-plus (antihistamine). I am sure that you will be able to get free from hives even a whole warm day. I am also taking this after breakfast.. And my whole day passes with pleasure 🙂 take care..
AD says
Christina, I’ve had this most of my life and urticaria has become only a minor inconvenience, though still frustrating. The only thing that has worked for me is sweating, and during winter and spring I have to force myself to sweat. Once I have a good sweat, I can play sports and even perform in front of people without itching. Also, I have had a recent unexpected and unintended breakthrough – I bought some resveratrol simply because I had a coupon (I always take antioxidants). After taking it a few days I noticed that I hardly itched. It’s only been a month, but this is my most promising experience in many years.
Anonymous says
Unfortunately for you, yours sounds like an extreme case, sweat therapy helped me drastically but you said you get light headed after an attack and with sweat therapy you need the attack to happen then pass :/ taking cold bottles of water out with you helps a lot as well as on the sly just going to the bathroom and using rapid cooling technique just put cold water on your hands and put your hands on the areas that are bad bud and also possibly change diet
Sahil says
Hey! AD the sweat therapy you are talking about just not helping me.can you tell me about it? But i have been trying sweat therapy 3-4 times a week. Fully frustrated .
Hivesguy says
Christina,
I appreciate your support and for taking the time to share your experience. We all know exactly how you feel, but trust me, life will get better. While you may be struggling now, there are ways to manage and beat this over time. This is not going to be your life forever. This is not your “new normal,” it’s a temporary setback that you’re going to beat and come out stronger than ever. I know, because I too felt like my life was over and that I was a prisoner in my own body. I used to be exactly where you are now!
First, don’t give up on school. You can start by taking online classes. There are many regionally accredited school that offer degree programs online. Liberty University is one of the largest schools in the U.S. that offers regionally accredited degrees for a lot of different areas. You could always enroll online only until you can get your hives under control. Don’t give up on life! I am a firm believer that God has a plan for everyone, if they are willing to trust in Him by faith.
Second, I know that you said that you’ve tried everything, but what have you tried exactly? A lot of people say they’ve tried everything, but when I talk to them, I really find that they’ve tried a few things and have lost hope and thought it was pointless. Even something as simple as antihistamines can provide relief if you are willing to try many different kinds. For example, some people have tried numerous anthistamines with almost no relief, but then they tried a different one that really made a huge difference. There are many different kinds that help people: Zyrtec, Allegra, Desloratadine, Hydroxyzine, Doxepin, Periactin, etc. Some require a prescription, and sometimes doctors can provide ones at higher doses (if necessary).
I have a whole video and article on hives treatments (and you’ve read the book), but there are many ways to reduce, manage, or even eliminate your hives, including (but not limited to): Sweat therapy, diet modification, numerous antihistamines (and even combinations), IgE therapy, UVB therapy, probiotics, monteleukast (singulair), steroids, corticosteroids, thyroid treatment, antidepressant/antianxiety, and much more. Every person responds differently, and I always suggest people start with the safest and most natural ways to treat it first (such as diet, exercise, or antihistamines), and then move to more serious treatments under the guidance of a doctor.
The key to winning with this disorder is remaining positive and having an attitude that refuses to accept defeat. You cannot give up. Keep fighting and keep trying. You will find something that at least reduces the intensity, and from there, you may be able to find other solutions.
Also, it’s always important to talk to a doctor before trying anything such as diet or various antihistmanes, and especially sweat therapy. Sweat therapy might not be safe or good in your case, at least until your hives reduce in intensity.
I pray that your hives get better soon. Hang in there, and Don’t lose hope!