Cholinergic Urticaria

Trip to the ER Twice in 8 Days thanks to Cholinergic Urticaria

by

Hello, I am a young woman, currently a culinary student who has had this condition very severely for about 9 years now. Little hives that lump into big islands, itching, swelling, flushing, overheating, all of it. Reacts to the cold too.

Gym was a horror all through middle and high school. The weather is my enemy. Only lately it’s much worse, to the point that I go into anaphylactic shock, my blood pressure drops, I get dizzy, throw up, and can’t open my eyes or move because of the swelling and the low blood pressure. This has caused me a trip to the ER twice from school in the past 8 days.

My family is unsupportive, and today I was told by Chef that I can’t go to school anymore until I am better. I don’t think I can even find work under this condition. Antihistamines don’t work. Does anyone else have it this bad? I just feel alone because nobody seems to understand me or my condition. I am tired of allergists, ivs, blood tests, hospitals, bills, pills, and most of all the people around me.

Please help me get through this,

Risemika

Comments

  1. We know it is bad, and you have it rougher than most. BUT there is a way out. Culinary school? It is tough to imagine how you can live with strict diet in that environment. Your pain and suffering have a message for you and you will have to experiment more to find the answer. Go for it. Have you read Ben’s book? Don’t give up. But we are all responsible for our own salvation and doctors and pills usually aren’t the answer long term. Good luck and hope you find an end to suffering soon.

  2. It’s been 4 years now I have been suffering with this. Right after I had my first baby this happened. I did just about everything. I did a cooling. To cool my body down, I did cleanses. Nothing works. This mostly happens when I’m stressed out or over heated. Sometimes I get no or little sleep I wake up wee hours of the night staying up rubbing ice or olive oil on my skin. My second pregnancy I had nothing not until 3 months ago I had my baby and it started again. Sometimes my feet itch and swell up. So painful and my hands. My eyes swell up my nose too. It’s so annoying. Please anyone with any suggestions please let me know.

    • I had hives out of no where…lasted months…went to 4 different Dr..spend over 10k to find the problem…I finally did some research and found out hives could be connected to H. Pylori bacteria…it’s don’t belive many doctors know this yet. My own family are doctors and they didn’t believe it was connected. Anyhow, I got tested for H. PYLORI….I HAD IT. I took the meds to cure the bacteria….now I’m Hive free. That was last year…still gone. I was just remember how horrible I felt…just wanna share my finding to help other people. The bacteria is very common…drinking dirty water or food. It affects people diffetently….so get tested for H Plyori!!! A digestive doctor…I had done an endoscopy too.BTW…when u take ur meds for the bacteria…change out your tooth brush daily….because you can give yourself the bacteria again when u use the same toothbrush. I had to learn that when the first round of meds didn’t work. Good luck!

  3. Hi Risemika. I have anaphylaxis just like you, and I had to quit my field just like you might have to. I opted for an office job instead. With the right set of medications and careful increased tolerance to exercise, things will get better. Good luck!

  4. Hives are connected to the H. Plyori bacteria for some people…if you have Hives out of nowhere…..go check yourself for the H. Plyori bacteria…..hope this helps.

  5. Perdon lo escribire en español ya que mi ingles es malo, la verdad si mi condicion fuera tan grave cono la suya (que de por si ya es grave la mia) optaria por quitarme la vida o inducirme shock anafilactico porque no es justo vivir asi

  6. I have it just as bad as you and yes it’s awful low histamine did not help me but it’s def worth a shot .. I also did antihistamines and xolair .. Please post if you find something that helps

    • Thank you for the replies, it feels much better to know that there is a community of people on the same boat!

      I think I will read the book as John suggested so that I can know a little more about this weird condition that has been bothering me for almost a decade.

      Tenille and the rest, I wish it wasn’t so, but it sure is bad !

      Ella, I think I will definitely need to make that career change happen just as you say.

      Mike, I will ask my doctor about your findings when I manage to get an appointment.

      Spanish speaker, I can only read a little Spanish but I think I can read most of it. Thanks for your thoughts, I try my best to get by despite it all, the way I’m sure all of us do.

      Rebekah, however bad it may sound, it is of great relief to me to hear that you have it just as bad. I have found no solution for now, but I am trying a few weeks of no sugar. I’ll post if that helps but so far it isn’t working! Been on Prednisone the past 4 days and that isn’t helping at all either.

      Thanks again!!!