Urticaria & Angioedema Naturopath healing

Hi, I've posted in the forum before about the Chronic Hives and Angioedema I've had for the last few months.

I just thought I'd post that I'm having some success with Naturopathy and Homeopathic treatment in hope that this may help others suffering from this awful and frustrating illness.

History:

In January 2009 I had two episodes of a swollen lip, a week apart. I thought I had been bitten by a mosquito. In early February one morning I woke up with a swollen face, lips and hand. It was so bad I couldn't hold a pen in my hand because it was so swollen. Then EVERY SINGLE DAY I came up in huge red burning hives and swollen lips, hands and eyes. I went to 4 different doctors who could only prescribe more anti-histamines and an Epipen and basically shrugged and said there was nothing else they could do for me after my blood tests came back 'normal'. I was prescribed Doxepin but after reading about all the side effects I decided not to take it and try a Naturopath.

My first visit with the Naturopath was 1 and 1/2 weeks ago. The last few days I've noticed a change in the 'pattern' of hives. I've had NO HIVES for the first time in 2 months. I had a swollen eye and lip but it went down quickly. I have had itchy skin on my face. It's as if the hives want to 'come out' but are not 'strong enough'. Today is the first day I haven't needed to shovel down anti-histamines and I've had no hives or angioedema.

I'm taking:

Homeopathic Histamine
Super B and B12 Tonic
Probiotics
Calcium Chelate
Zinc Tonic
Colozone
Flaxseed Oil

I'm also having Acupuncture.


I hope this information helps. I'm a different person because of this experience. I became 'food phobic' - too scared to eat anything other than chicken, rice, pears and celery for fear of an allergic reaction even though I was still getting hives on such a limited diet.

Good luck everyone and I hope you find the answer that works for you.

I'm really glad things are improving for you - thank you for sharing your encouraging experience. There are many who find great relief from Naturopathic methods.

Take care,

I have Chronic Uticaria and have had it since 1998. I have been on multiple meds for it, including Allegra, Prednisone, Zertec, Singulair and Benadryl. Nothing has really worked completely, but the Allegra and Benadryl have worked the best. Prednisone got rid of completely for as long as I took it, but immediately after stopping, they came back twice as bad.

I get them when I have pressure on my skin, walking too much (get them on my feet), having things rub on my skin (like belts or tight clothes), being too warm and occasionally when I am too cold for long periods of time, when I'm sick, when I'm stressed, and I always seem to get more the day after I drink alcohol. I always have a few everyday for no real reason that I can see.

Sometimes my hands are so swollen I can't even close my fists or grip things. I'll get them on my feet and can't get my shoes on them or walk.

I am currently a full time student (I'm 24) in college and halve no health insurance. I'm looking for any at home treatments you guys might have tried. I use an oatmeal lotion every once in a while and it seems to help a bit with the itching, but just a little. Right now I only take two OTC antihistamine at night. I avoid strenuous activity and stress at all costs.

Man, being itchy all the time is so lame.

Hello everyone. My name is Alaina, and this is my first time on here. Let me give you a little background about myself, and I'm hoping/praying someone can give me some sort of advice!!

I'm 26 years old, and I was diagonsed with Ulcerative Colitis at about 16. My colitis is well; however, it's my thyroid that's been giving me issues lately. After I had my daughter in March of '08 I was showing signs of Hypothryoidism. As a little girl I had Hyperthyroid and went to All Children's Hospital all the time. I have vitiligo as well. I know, autoimmune is written all over this. Anyhow, about 3 months ago my doctor decided to put me on levothyroxine to boost my levels. Everything seemed to be going great, I had energy, and life was good!

However, 3 weeks ago, my body just started wigging out!!!!! I have hives like you wouldn't believe! I actually have had to go to the ER 3 times to get some help with them because they were so bad. My doctor has me on a ton of medication, which feels like I've been sedated, and with a 3 year old and a 1 year old, it doesn't seem to be helping. Does anyone have any advice?? I received some lab results in the mail yesterday from my immunologist, which basically said I was allergic to myself, but I don't really know what they mean. Something about thyroid autoantibodies are high?? I have heard of a drug called "Ridura" and was wondering if anyone knew of it?? If anyone has any suggestions or advice...I would greatly appreciate it. I need to get some kind of relief from these nasty boogers!!!

Here is a list of my current medications

Levothyroxine (.88mg)
Zyrtec
Atarax
Prednisone (35 mg now, was on 80mg, but am tapering)
Pepcid
Singulair (makes me feel funny though so I quit taking it)


I've tried Claritin, Tagament, and Benadryl as well, but there is no relief!! Oh they gave me Ataran (sp?) too, but do I really need to be on all this stuff, I was fine 4 weeks ago!!! I use Aveeno calamine lotion as well.

I feel like my body is going through a serious mental breakdown and is screaming for help!

If your thyroid anti-bodies are high then seeing a specialist may help. I've read that having thyroid problems can cause hives.

I don't know what has caused my hives - thyroid, viral infection, allergies .. who knows?! LOL but whatever the cause the Naturopath seems to be helping. I had TWO whole days in a row with no hives whatsoever. Today my hand is burning and swollen but for the last 2 weeks 4/14 days I've had no hives which is a huge improvement as I was battling them every single day.

I could suggest trying your Health Store for a really good Vitamin B and B12 tonic. I've read B12 can help reduce hives. I'd also look at trying an Elimination Diet and/or Candida Diet. You could also try a no sulphite diet.

Prednisone is great for suppressing the hives but as soon as you taper to a low dosage the hives come back with a vengence.

And you have nothing to lose by saying the following affirmations every day "I fully and completely accept myself. There is peace in my world". I mention this because I've always believed illness has an emotional basis. Hives are such 'angry' things that seem to be trying to get our attention.

Hi Alaina

I totally understand when you say you can live with your other physical problems but you won't accept having to live with hives for the rest of your life. I feel the same. I can live with my IBS and migraines but the problem with hives is they are so unpredictable. I don't know what I'm going to wake up to on any given day. "Will my lips be swollen, will my eyelids be blown up like balloons, will I have hives on the soles of my feet so I have to limp around all day, will my hands be so swollen I won't be able to go to work, will the burning and stinging keep me awake all night ...?"

I've also been working on the emotional side as well in my mission to heal these hives. I ask myself 'what are these hives saying to me' and it's obvious to me they are red, burning and 'angry'. So I've been asking myself do I have any unresolved anger. The answer is YES. My mother died a couple of years ago and I realised I have a lot of unresolved issues about my relationship with her. So working on that is another piece of the puzzle.

I truely believe our unresolved emotions are expressed through the body sometimes. I also know that I was eating a lot of rubbish food before the hives came and now I'm forced to eat healthy organic food. So, in theory, if these hives have been 'sent' to a) help me resolve my anger issues and forgive and b) teach me about looking after my body by eating well then they really are a blessing in disguise!

Update:

Well, there has been some noticeable improvement in the hives since seeing the Naturopath. In fact last week I even went 5 whole days IN A ROW without a bad hive (just itchy burning ears). But the hives come back again.

I've spent over AUD$1000 on appointments and potions in the last month. I can't afford to see her anymore.


So for $1000 I managed to achieve 'some' improvement. Not really 'value' for my money (hard earned savings). I'm so tired of this.

Sometimes I just feel like giving up and just accepting this will be my life (waking up to swellings and burning hives).

Viral infections can cause hives, and in some cases viruses can linger in the body in low numbers for a long time. Vitamin C-rich foods (oranges, tomatoes, peppers, leafy green vegetables, and other orange-colored fruits & veggies) or a Vitamin C supplement may help your body "finish off" the virus.

Take care,

Thank you for your informative post babybish.

I've been taking Probiotics for over a month now.

There has been some slight improvement but I'm still swelling and itchy.