I agree that the time of year and weather
makes a difference. I use an in home
steam room that makes my life bearable in
the spring, fall and winter months. Now
that it is summer, I have been hives free
and do not need to use my steam room.
Humidity helps a great deal, that is why
the steam room seems to help so much. I
have not had a bad outbreak for months.
I do have some itching in stressful
situations or when laughing a lot. This
does not get to the point of breaking into
red blotchy areas. I have tried almost
everything else including; acupuncture,
all antihistamines, elimination diets,
prednisone, cyclosporine. I think all
of these things may help temporarily, but
in the long run will only cause other
health issues. I do not feel I have
cured the problem, but I am able to live a
more comfortable lifestyle until someone
figures out a way to cure this.
|
jimmi56
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 19
Posted: 06-23-06 10:12am
Just wanted to post here again to say I am
still break out free ever since I have
done the list of things that I posted here
a while back. If you have not tried it...
I highly recommend it. I know many
people seem to want something that their
dr prescribes or some drug to cure it...
But.. Getting rid of drugs and taking
natural supplements can get rid of this
for you guys.
|
Sean3000
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 35 Location: UK
Posted: 06-23-06 13:23pm
Hey jimmi,
great news that your still breakout
free!
I think I am, but occasionaly I do get a
little itchy do you have this or are you
completely cured?
I totaly agree that natural remedies seem
to help most people. I would however
defintaly recommend the antihistimine
xyzal as it seems to have cleared my cu
up.
|
jimmi56
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 19
Posted: 06-23-06 15:30pm
Have not really even gotten itchy.. I
have those moments where in the past I
would think oh no its coming! But... Now
it doesnt...
Im convinced that a drug used for this
area will lead to another area causing
problems later on down the road..
|
treadsafely
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 9
Progress Posted: 07-20-06 06:42am
Just to let you guys that I have made good
progress in fighting cu.
I saw a vega practitioner in wales, who
found that my body had something that was
stopping my immune system from repairing
itself.
He found, using a vegatest ii machine,
that it was parasites in my large
intestine that appeared to be hindering my
immune system.
By using an led torch with a red filter
(any red transparent film will do), I can
stimulate my accupuncture points in the
same way as an accupunture needle.
I now stimulate two accupuncture points on
my body which correspond to the large
intestine. I do this 3x per week and I am
feeling much better, attacks are less
frequent and less painful.
I am also having uvb treatment at a
hospital 3x per week which is appearing to
help also by desensitising the skin.
I recommend that you find a vega
practitioner in your area - they may be
able to help a lot!
Regards
|
tosaman
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 2
This May Help... Posted: 07-26-06 22:23pm
Hello everyone,
the postings on this site seem very
similar to the problem I experienced
during the past year. I am now making
every effort to share my story with the
hope that I can help others. Here it
goes:
i lost the ability to sweat during the
summer of 2005. it all started after I
had a sinus infection. I was given a
z-pack and zyrtec-d, which got rid of the
sinus infection. However, my feet began
to itch shortly thereafter. I visited
several doctors, all of whom prescribed
different antihistamines (allegra,
hydroxizine, and zyrtec) to treat the
itching.
After a while, the itching spread, and I
eventually stopped sweating. Instead of
sweating, my entire body was covered with
a painful “prickly” sensation, as if
my skin were being pierced with thousands
of pins. the pain was most intense
whenever I tried to exercise, and I
frequently broke out in hives.
giving up all hope, I stopped taking all
antihistamines in october of 2005, but the
pain continued for several months
thereafter. at one point, I was
investigating the use of steroids to
improve my condition. after considering
my options, I decided to wait it out. I
am very pleased to report the wait has
paid off. with every passing month, my
body has slowly been healing itself. I
can now exercise and sweat profusely with
only the slightest “prickly”
sensation, which quickly disappears after
my workout begins. I am confident that
this, too, will disappear in time. I am
even more confident that an allergic
reaction to zyrtec was the cause of my
problem. I am now taking steps to share
this information with the fda.
I have done some research and discovered
that in october 2005, a medical journal
published an article called "adverse
cutaneous reactions of systemic
antihistamines" (current medicinal
chemistry - anti-inflammatory &
anti-allergy agents, volume 4, number 5,
october 2005, pp. 521-529(9). I would
love to read this article. It seems the
medical community is just beginning to
realize that their prized antihistamines
may be causing much of the trouble they
are supposed to be curing.
During the course of my affliction I
consulted with three allergists, and they
all refused to consider that I was having
an allergic reaction to a drug they so
frequently prescribe (even when I
suggested the possibility). I only wish
one of them had advised me to stop taking
everything, rather than prescribing the
alternative antihistamines which worsened
my condition. It is my hope that my
experience will assist those who have
similar symptoms.
New to Hives, Please Help Posted: 07-30-06 02:31am
I just moved to virginia and started a new
job as a cook. Ever since I started the
job I have had horribly itchy hives all
over my legs, feet, and shoulders. This
has been going on for about a week, it is
only getting worse, the pain is getting a
little more bearable, but I get more hives
everyday and they are not going away. I
was wearing shorts and tank tops and flip
flops here until I started this job, now I
have to wear long pants, shoes, and long
shirts, hence the hives in such places. I
am on a medication that reduces my bodies
abilty to control its temperature, my
guess that this is my reaction to my body
over -heating. It is very hot and very
humid here right now and it only gets
worse inside a kitchen. I have not been
able to get any relief at all. This has
never happened to me before, I can't even
go outside, I cannot run, I breakout if I
move around too much. This is ridiculous.
|
Canada_Dude
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Saskatoon
I Thought I Was Alone!!! Posted: 08-01-06 19:59pm
I have a post on this already but thought
I would share this here.
Starting out about 2 years ago I noticed a
red blotchy area on my chest which itched
, slowly it seemed to move up my body into
my shoulders and neck and down my arms but
itching like crazy making it more inflamed
and more itchy. This was something that
would keep me up all night some nights
feeling exhausted in the morning and still
itchy. Playing sports when I sweat it is
so intense, like itching after playing
hockey or even during hockey. I now work
as an electrician and because of the
physical work I sweat alot more and yes I
itch alot more too. I have been to 2
family dr's who did not know so they sent
me to a dermatologist who in turn sent me
to a allergist which turned up no
allergies. The symptoms have been on and
off for the last year but have moved into
my face and leaves it red around my eyes
and seems to get really bad when I sweat.
I have also tried alternative medicines
and they did come up with that is could be
a emotional state thing controlling my
symptoms. It also itches in my limbs now
which are warm (behind my knees for
example). I am doing more research in to
this because it seems like so many dr's do
not know about it or overlook it as I have
been to 5 of them.
|
frizzers
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 3
Posted: 08-08-06 17:29pm
Hi folks,
i've had cu for 16 years now, since I was
20.
I used to be able to fight it by keeping
really fit and exercising early in the
morning in such as way as to burn it out
of my system for the rest of the day.
But as I got older I was unable to keep
this up, so I took to using antihistamine,
which I have found keep it a bay. But I
know that internally the problem is far
worse and were I note to take an
antihistamine I would suffer a crippling
attack.
It is a direct reaction to heat of any
kind, be it exercise, stress, one layer
too many. And I would always get the
first attack a half hour or so after
breakfast.
I've treid every conceivable conventional
and alternative remedy: steroids,
antuhistamine, anti-depressants, chinese
herbs, acupuncture, hoomeopathy, scanar.
Nothing works. Experts have said there is
nothing that can be done and one usually
grows out of it. It also affects more men
than women.
I wonder if it is slightly contagious as,
over the years, to girlfriends came down
with it or something similar temporarily.
It is worse after booze, particularly red
wine. It gets a lot better if I am in
tropical climates. It used to disappear
altogether.
It came on during a stressful period in my
life. I had jardia and god knows what
other tummy bugs during a trip to egypt; a
month later I went to live in italy and
got mugged and badly beaten up; due to
various other reasons I hit a bit of a
low.
But I think it might have been caused by
taking the antibiotics - oxytetracycline
and erythromyacin, which I was given loads
of as a teenager to get rid of acne.
Have any other sufferers taken
oxytetracyline or erithrmyacin?
|
Sean3000
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 35 Location: UK
Posted: 08-09-06 10:23am
I might edit this later as I dont have
much time right now, but people get cu for
no reason, I realize this is difficult to
digest because something must be wrong
with you right? Wrong its not contagious
nor is it hereditary!!
Wishing you the best of luck!
Regards
|
rledone
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 1 Location: ca
I Am Trying Jimmi56's Plan Posted: 08-12-06 22:48pm
I have been dealing with hives on a weekly
basis for almost 2 years. I was ready to
try anything. I read jimmi's plan and I
gave it a go. It's been only 5 days but
I have no irritation whatsoever. I also
have been supplementing it with quercetin
and turmeric. I have changed my diet due
to the candistroy. So it may be the
change in diet along with the candistroy
and liver cleanse with the turmeric and
quercitin. I will let you know.
|
jimmi56
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 19
Posted: 08-13-06 00:31am
Rledone I sent you a private message,
pretty sure it says just about the same as
most of my other posts I have made here.
I did say to rledone- try to stay away
from monosodium glutamate msg. When I did
have cu... I did notice an increase in
outbreaks when I ate alot of ramen
noodles, which are loaded with msg. Most
chips, cookies, crackers, snacks, ect.
Have msg.
I am glad you are trying what has helped
me.
What I think I mentioned before and I
didnt mention in my private message to
you, stay away from drugs of any kind!
I think everyone will find if they take
these clenses, and take vitamin
supplements, they will not, for the most
part, need pain relievers and allergy
medicines.
If you get headaches because of allergies,
these cleansers along with the vitamins
will rid you of most of your headaches.
If you get headaches and the only thing
that helps is drugs or food, then if you
take the coral calcium, vitamins
(especially vitamin e), and drink plenty
of water on a regular basis, those
headaches will be rid of for the most
part.
Anyway... I probably will not check back
here too often.. As I have found my cure
and have shown it all to you.. Private
message me if you want to ask a question.
|
SoFarSoGood
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Canada
Second Post: Please Read If You're Still Having Trouble... Posted: 08-21-06 21:47pm
I've posted this reply in another thread
on this site. I would really like you to
read it if you're suffering with c.U. So
I am reposting here as well.
Here is my story. There is a happy
ending if you care to read through to the
end.
I was diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria
many years ago. I've had it since I was
a teenager. That was an unpleasant time
because I had no idea what to do about it.
I eventually found that I could keep it
completely under control by getting
regular exercise (twice a week was
enough), as long as I worked up a good
sweat. I mainly used an exercise bike,
but over the years, I have found that a
treadmill is just as good if not better.
That worked well for almost 20 years.
The only time I had symptoms was when I
couldn't, or chose not to, workout for a
couple of weeks or so. It was as though
my body was building up reserves of
histamine while I wasn't working out.
The answer was, as always, to start
exercising again.
About two years ago, for no apparent
reason, the problem got much much worse
very quickly. I started increasing my
workout frequencies to try to keep it
under control, but I was exercising for 45
minutes to an hour every morning.
Eventually, the itching would subside
during my workout, but it would take at
least 20 minutes to happen, and until then
it was like torture. And, less than an
hour later, the itching would resume after
even a short walk to work. It was as
though I had not exercised at all. Very
frustrating. I was really worried about
my ability to continue working. If
you've had bad attacks, you probably know
the feeling. I was tired of the
neverending itching, and becoming very
resentful of the ineffective exercise.
My usual remedy wasn't working anymore.
When I was younger, I had seen a few
dermatologists, and none of them was very
helpful. I had tried several
prescription drugs and the only thing they
accomplished was making me extremely
drowsy. They did not help my condition
one iota.
I was given the name of an immunologist
who, I understand, was highly recommended.
Due to my previous expereinces with
specialists, I was doubtful. He told me
right off the bat that antihistamines tend
to not work very well for c.U. Which I
already knew but was glad to hear from a
professional. I was pleased that he had
another suggestion. The drug is called
cyclomen (also called danazol).
I started taking it right away, and within
two weeks (it takes a while to have an
effect) I could feel a significant
improvement. After about one month, the
symptoms were so much better, I felt like
I was completely back to normal. No
itching at all. I even took a break from
the regular exercising.
My immunologist told me that the worsening
of symptoms had essentially been a flare
up, and that it would go away eventually.
Over time, I was expected to try to
reduce the dosage until I could stop
taking it completely. After several
months, I tried to reduce the dosage, but
felt the problem was returning, so I went
back to the original dosage. A few
months after that, I tried again, and was
able, gradually, to successfully reduce
the dosage down to zero.
Now, I still exercise regularly to keep
the problem in check, and I am back to
normal. For me that means no itching as
long as I exercise once or twice a week.
I remember how bad it was, and I feel for
anyone still struggling with this
problem.
Please get a consultation to see an
immunologist and ask him/her about the use
of cyclomen (danazol) to treat your c.U.
Fortunately, it was covered by my drug
plan. Hopefully it would be covered by
yours as well.
The capsules I was taking are 200mg each.
I can't recall the original dosage, but I
think it was one capsule, three times a
day. I didn't experience any side
effects.
Prior to seeing the immunologist, I did
try a naturopathic approach, and while I
was hopeful, it did nothing for me. If
you are like me, you will need to see for
yourself if the naturopathic approach
works. For me it did not. If it
doesn't work for you either, don't give
up! Get a referral to an experienced
immunologist.
If you want more information about my
situation, please ask. I'm glad to help
if I can. I'll bookmark this page and
check back occasionally. Good luck to
you.
Roger
|
Parteese14
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Orange County
Posted: 08-22-06 17:49pm
Hey frizzers,
i'm 19 now but from 16-18 I used
eryhtromycin and although not many agree
with me, I am positive that it was/is the
cause of my cu.
|
Sean3000
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 May 2006 Posts: 35 Location: UK
Posted: 08-24-06 05:40am
Absoloutly insane that somebody can come
on here and tell somebody to go against
doctors advise and stay off drugs (such as
antihistimines), people who post things
like that should have there posts deleted.
|
dc1234
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 10
Cured!!! Posted: 08-27-06 21:00pm
Well, I totally forgot about this forum
since I was cured but I got a private
message which reminded me that I used to
post on here...
Anyways, its been 5 months since my
cholinergic urticaria went away... Ive
had it for about a year and a half and it
was hell as you all know... Sorry, I
couldnt tell you guys what exactly I did
to make it go away... I just remembered
that it slowly disappeared, it wasnt an
overnight thing... Actually, I was only
able to sweat from my forehead at first...
Then slowly the rest of my body adjusted
to it... I got rid of all lotions and
deodorants and cologne, only used all
free, drank alot of milk... Hmm... Those
are the only things I have changed
since... Well, during the time of my
"recovery", I took a claritin daily just
in case, it didnt really help the
itchiness but I still took one... You can
find them cheap at costco, thats where I
bought mine... 300 tablets were 12 bucks,
sooo cheap...
I hope everyone else becomes cured!
|
Duper
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 33 Location: New york
Posted: 09-11-06 18:01pm
To those who use the steam room...Does
anyone find it incredibly unbearable to
sit through it for a long time?
|
olesyabodyu
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Location: STEPHENVILLE
Olesya Posted: 11-09-06 20:23pm
I have had cholinergic urticaria ever
since I was 13. I am now eighteen and am
desperately trying to find a cure. I have
been using claritin daily but it only
takes away the hives and the pain the
hives cause. Instead I will get red dots
all over my skin and it is still just as
embaressing and itchy. Going through gym
class all through highschool and now being
in a health class in college has been
hell. Living in texas doesn't help
either. I have no idea what precipitated
my very first break out but I get it every
time my body raises in temperature, like
taking a hott shower, working out, going
outside in the summer, and getting
embaresses, or having some type of
emotional stress. I do not however have a
problem with sweating because I have
always sweated normally. But after an
outbreak I will have a bad headache, and
feel very lethargic. Basically it really
sucks and keeps me from doing a lot of
things that I wish I could do without
having to worry about getting all red and
itchy(with claritin). If I dont take my
claritin my hives are really bad and I
have actually blacked out with was my most
severe outbreak after working out. It
makes me feel alot better knowing that
there are other people out there with this
too because I have never heard of anyone
else having this and feel that kno one
understood until I came across this
website. I will be going to the doctor
this summer break and hopefully I will
find something to cure me or at least make
living with this condition more bearable.
|
CDZ19
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 31 Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posted: 11-14-06 06:50am
Doesn't/didn't it seem that it hurt a lot
more when you didn't know what was going
on?
|
Pizz@
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Romania/ Europe
I Join the Club Posted: 12-09-06 18:04pm
Hi ..I've read all your posts..I have cu
for 5 months now.In my case..Like many of
you,i get red spots on
arms,legs,chest,back..A little on
neck..That happens when my temperature
rises..Especially when I exercise.
I mention that i'm almost 19..I I don't
take anything..I used to take telfast..And
xyzal.. New generation of antihistamines
but...I think that make my cu
worse..Because I had the attacks more
often.
The interesting part..Is that when I drink
alcohol...It doesn't itch so bad ..And my
cu appears delayed..
I want to try something to get rid of
this caca..Maybe acupuncture..But here in
romania we don't have chinese people..To
be experts in acupuncture or chinese
medicine
any advice is welcomed
