Chronic Hives - Here Is My Story... Posted: 12-01-06 19:32pm
Hi, first of all, i'm happy to be here!
Well, its weird, what can I say, hives are
hives and when my hives first began I
wasnt able to associate the outbreaks with
any level of stess or anxiety (this was
about 10 months ago, beginning in feb).
They just appeared one day on my face and
then persisted to continue for the
following 4 months (until end of may,
entire body on and off). Then they
dissapeared for about 2 months, but then I
had the worst out break ever end of
july/beg of august. It was really bad.
I went to the er and they have me a shot
of something. Since then, (past 4 months
aug- now), i'm easily able to associate
the outbreaks with
stress/anxiety/nervousness since they
always occur right after i.E. Wacthing
an exciting football game, playing poker,
job interview. I was put on several
anthistamines including zyrtec, atarx etc
since the beginning, but nothing ever
helped so I gave up on them a long time
ago. Also, during these past 4 months,
ever since the worst out break, I dont
break out on my body anymore, its always
my face and sometimes my
arms/shoulder/chest area. Ive had
several blood tests as well and everything
is normal.
During my outbreaks, especially the severe
ones, I tend to get very weak and hot,
almost as if i'm sick and I have a fever.
Motrin as far as I know does not have an
antihistamine, its ibuprofen and its an
anti-inflammatory. My doctor was shocked
because he said motrin and similar drugs
will make matters worse for most people
with hives. But suprisingly, its the
only thing that has helped me. I also
havent been able to associate my hives
with any particular food or allergen.
They would just 'happen' except now they
happen under stress and anxiety. Also,
at one point early on, my palms and soles
of my feet would break out and these were
the most irriating. They would itch and
burn and almost turn into blisters.
Waking up in the middle of the night was a
common thing.
This hives ordeal has become such a pest.
Now, I have my life under a microscope
examining everything.
Here are some other notes to consider.
Skin tests show that I am a faily allergic
person. Cats, certani trees, cashwes,
etc.
- uti symptons around the time I had my
first hive outbreaks. Urinalysis showed
everything was normal, levaquin solved the
problem, till this day I dont know if it
was a uti or what. I will still
sometimes get symptons here and there, but
no where near the same pain level as the
initial one. No physical symptons at
all. I've been tested and cleared for
any std.
- constipation - recently taking notice of
this. Not on any current medications.
-puffy under the eyes, tenderness
- some fatigue, feel sluggish throughout
day even though I get adequate sleep.
- chapped/dry lips/dry skin
- scalp has itched too at times
- I have been getting cold sores(lips)
since I was younger. Doc told me
hepatitus virus can be a factor maybe. I
havent gotten any cold sores throughout
this hives ordeal though.
Thats all I can think of for now. Other
things I should mention are that I am 24
years old, been healthy/active/ in shape
my entire life, except for knee surgery 3
years ago (torn acl from bball). When
this all started I was under a lot of
stress due to a new job and studying for
the lsat (law school admission test).
Anyway, thats pretty much all the info I
have for now. I would love to hear
peoples comments and if there is actually
anyone out there who has been able to
associate their hives breakouts with
levels of stress/anxiety/nervousness etc.
I'm almost convinced that
stress/anxiety/nevousness is cause,
especially since all the blood tests are
normal!!! I just dont know why doctors
refuse to state this.
Anyway, I read the sticky on hives, great
info. I've actually started to go on a
clean diet and exercise regularly. Is it
possible that I may have cholinergic
urticaria ??? I havent noticed any
reactions to hot weather, but notice that
my body gets very hot when im stressed,
excitied, anxious etc, but thats about
it....
