Chronic urticaria and Dapsone?

i have experience chronic urticaria for 4 months now, I've had too many doctor appointments, not to mention many different antihistamines and other steroids and over the counter medication. Nothing seems to work for me i am very desperate i feel like my life is completely ruined. i don't feel comfortable going out any more my whole body is covered in hives and they extremely itch, I'm starting to have problems with my boyfriend because i don't want do have sex anymore. I feel so uncomfortable with my body, doctor has prescribed dapsone, i have only been taking it for 7 days but don't see any improvement. Has anyone tried this medication? If so has it worked? Please help me if you have any advise to getting rid of chronic urticaria.

Thank you for your reply alcie, i have been seen an allergist but he just does blood work nothing else. Reactions always occur at night on my sleep normally throught the day i just have what i woke up with . Its really making me depress i dont think its something im eating as i domt get any reactioms right away or within a couple of hrs its mostly at night itchness wakes me up. Im already starting to loose hope, nothing seems to help :/

dailita,

I have had urticaria for the past 14+ years. I can completely identify and empathize with you. I cannot describe how distraught it can make you feel when your body is constantly itching and then finding no answers for a cause.

I can only offer my experience. Hopefully, it will be of help to you. My urticaria seems to come in flares. When urticaria is active, it always reappears as a rash in late evening; flat red spots, hives and swelling on the bottom of my feet, ankles, palms of my hands and arms, tops of my legs. I itch uncontrollably. Over the counter medications and creams are a joke! I also have chronic asthma, sinusitis and Sampters. Most of my allergies are to drug related to Aspirin and all inhaled cortisone and steroids.

The first medication that saved me from insanity was Zyflow CR. Almost instantly after taking the first dosage, my rash subsided and was able to stop itching. This was a huge blessing because I had suffered for YEARS of uncontrolled itching and no answers! I know also take Hydroxicine (up to 100 mg. at night) depending on severity of the flare up.

I also receive a monthly injection of Xolair which up until recently was used to treat asthma. However, GREAT BREAKTHROUGH....In 2014, the FDA also approved it from chronic urticaria! There is no cure for urticaria and sometimes you never find the allergic trigger. I don't want to paint a perfect picture with these medications but they have helped me to tolerate things. Learning to live with chronic illness is a journey; having to determine what works for "you" and balancing that with what medications may help to bring best quality of life is most important, in my opinion.

I would recommend you finding an allergist. And if you do not find answers, find another doctor. Keep searching until you find a good doctor who will listen.

You will be in my prayers!

Hi,
I don't want to sound like an alternative medicine person because I am not, however I do believe diet has a lot to do with illnesses that strikes us. Have you ever watched "Fat, sick and almost dead"? If not, you should (it is on Netflix) because the guy in the documentary (other than being over weight) he had terrible chronic hives to the point that he said he can no longer even shake hands because anything can trigger his hives. He went on a one month organic juicing only diet (basically vegan diet) and somehow all his hives cleared out 100%... Give this documentary a try, if it does not help, it will not hurt you... Good luck

It seems there are a lot of us that have experienced, or are experiencing, chronic urticaria with no answers and not much relief. Mine started last year in August and lasted for months. Antihistamines (histamine 1 and 2 blockers) did not help. Prednisone injections and dose packs did not help. Topical antihistamines and topicals steroids did not help. I was referred to a rheumatologist who prescribed Plaquenil to calm my immune system down and lower my cytokine cells. Plaquenil, along with a stronger, temporary dose of prednisone helped. I was on Plaquenil for months and then while on it, my symptoms returned this year in August. I live in middle Tennessee and we are now thinking I have developed an allergy to fall pollens that only affects my skin and not my respiratory system. I am back on prednisone and I can't have allergy testing while on it. I have recently found out my parathyroid hormone and blood calcium levels are high. Hyperparathyroidism can cause urticaria. Get yours checked! Also, get blood levels checked for autoimmune disorders/diseases and blood cancers. If you are experiencing GERD, please see a gastroenterologist and get checked for eosinophilic esophagitis. Having too much parathyroid hormone, too many cytokine cells, too many eosinophils are a cause of, or result of urticaria. In some cases this can lead to organ damage. This is a very frustrating situation and I pray we can all get answers and relief.