Hello guys. I am a 27-year-old who has had cholinergic urticaria for a few years now (probably 3-4 years). When it started, it started hard and it really hurt.
I struggled to do things, and when it was snowing (I am in England so not often), I was lying in it with just pants on as it was the only thing to cool me of and stop the pain. It sorta got a tad better, but then my mum died. For obvious reasons, I got really depressed, and it came back hard again (not just attacks here and there). Its been like that now for over 2 years, but the last few months have been absolute hell.
I really need to lose weight, but I am so scared of even thinking about exercise–let alone trying it as when I do it hurts SO badly and I can’t cope. I have now in the last year only been wearing t-shirts and shorts in all weather and am getting ill all the time due to this.
It’s got to the point now where most things trigger an attack; simple things like my wallet not coming out my trousers at a checkout, cooking, house work, changing and playing with my kids, sex, trying (or in some cases thinking) about trying to exercise, stress etc.
Basically, its really taking over my life right now, and I have no idea what to do about trying to stop or at least keep it at bay. I have tried most antihistamines/strong doeses and some very strong beta blockers. Nothing seems to help so going to the doctor is useless because that’s all they seem to care about doing/giving. HELP!
-Pete
Hivesguy says
So sorry to hear of your troubles, Pete.
I’ve been exactly where you are now, and I know the torture you’re feeling. I also know the frustrations of going to doctors, only to be given an antihistamine and feeling like they don’t know/care about your problem.
The biggest thing that helped me was going on an elimination diet. I talk about it some here on the website: http://www.cholinergicurticaria.net/allergy-elimination-diet-cholinergic-urticaria-hives-my-experiences/
Also, I give a lot of other tips on some of the articles here of what’s helped. I personally don’t recommend people with severe cases of cholinergic urticaria exercise, because when my was so severe, it never helped me. However, it is good to start exercising if you can get your hives manageable.
If you haven’t done so already, I’d advise you to spend some times reading over the articles here, and with a doctor’s permission, perhaps try some of those tips.
God bless, and I hope your hives get better soon.