chronic uticaria and thyroiditis

Awwww you poor darlin! You sound miserable and I am so sorry to hear this. It's really lousy that doctors are playing pingpong with you. It seems that if they don't know the cause they just want to pass the buck. I hope your appointment in December goes well and you find relief, but in the meantime I'm sure someone will be along to help you soon.

Good luck and btw, Welcome to Healingwell :)

Thank you for the tips. I'll try the Gold Bond. That is actually one of the few I havent tried. Well, I hope your appointment went well. I just wonder if this stuff ever goes away completely, or if it is something that is going to last the rest of our lives. If you hear of anything else, let me know. Best of luck to ya!

Well, at least someone out there is willing to be totally honest. The doctors sure give you the run-around. I'm going back to the doctor next week, the allergist one day and the endocrinologist the next day. I intend to get some questions answered. First of all I find it hard to believe the endocrinologist has never heard ot chronic uticaria being connected to thyroiditis. There are just too many instances on this website alone that says otherwise. Its sad to think that the allergist is more knowledgeable about thyroiditis than the encocrinologist. Maybe I will get the allergist to recommed another endocrinologist. I've only seen this one 1 time before. I have noticed that stress, heat, pressure, and even mood can all be triggers to the breaking out in hives. Sometimes, I look at my allergy meds in my hand for a few minutes before swallowing dreading the way they make me feel tired and sleepy all the time. But all in all that isn't as bad as itching all the time. I havent tried any steroids yet, and from your post, I don't think I want to. I'd gladly try anything that worked, if I just knew what that was. I have to go off all the allergy meds Friday in order for the allergist to check me on Wednesday. I don't know if I dread it worse for myself or those who have to deal with me. Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!! Well, if you have any other info, I'd gladly appreciate it. You know they always said the truth hurts. I appreciate your honesty. Its always better if you know what to expect. Although, if I have to deal with this as long term as you have, I think I'll go crazy. How do you cope?

Hello.  I just started getting these hives in January.  It is usually the worst for me after I go running which is the biggest stress reliever for me and then they say it is caused by stress as well so I am in a catch 22.  I have been to 5 different doctors- allergists, dermotoligists etc.  I have been on Zyrtec, Allegra, prednisone, the newest for me is propranalol...so we will see how that works... every morning I wake up and the first thing I do is look down at my skin to see if I can wear short sleeves that day or if it is going to be long sleeves.  I hate it.  I have stopped exercising as frequently and feel miserable and out of shape.  but everytime I exercise I am covered the next few days in the hives.  do any of you guys exercise and if so do you get it from that?  do you continue to work out or have you given up like I have?

Hello and thanks for answering.  it is great to talk to someone dealing with the same thing!!! I usually have the rash on my arms and legs, it starts out on my feet and hands.  I am a runner, well I was...I should say.  I took one boxing class that I loved, but the gloves killed me, my hands were a mess.  and it spread all the way up to my neck.  it is never on one side or anywhere specific though.  when I run, I can start feeling the prickles in my forearms about halfway through and by the end I can see the rash beginning.  by the end of my 15 min drive home from the gym, I am a mess all over my arms and legs.  i know what you mean about feeling like people think you are contagious.  I am always telling people right away- it's not contagious!!!  so annoying...  I took propranolol for the first time today and so far- no rash.. I had it a little bit on my hands this mroning but it has since disappeared so I am keeping my fingers crossed that this might work??? I don't know, but will keep you posted.

hi again,
happy to report that after giving the propranolol 2 weeks to settle into my system I went to the gym yesterday and today!! while I had minor breakouts, they only lasted a half hour or so and was more blotchy then bumpy. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is the medicine and not a fluke. hope you all have a happy rash free new years

Awww kp, that's too bad! You sounded kinda happy there for a moment. Hang in there, I'm sure you will find something that works.

hi, I have been reading some of your letters about chronic uticaria, it just seems

so disappointing that no one can really find somthing that works. I have been dealing with this for 3 years, I also have

hyperthyroid, I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I have used goldbond which does help the itching.I am also on

Doxepin does't help. But I will have faith and try not to let it get me down. Somtimes it can be hard.Anyway keep me posted

it case somthing out there starts to work.

Why Hives happen....After almost 9 years of 5 different types of hives and no one really giving me that answer...i have decided to not expect anything from them anymore.  I know more than they do (for my issues) and have them asking me what to do if i do end up in a emergency room and what order to give me meds and what spacing time between those meds.  I took a lot of medications when i first started which sadly i became allergic to all medications and developed Fibromyalgia another fab condition where doctors have that deer in the headlight look.  I have been shoved around to so many doctors, specialist in god knows how many states that i now have little patience or respect for them....but the docs that go i don't know why this is happening lets figure this out together....i like them.  I'm almost positive that my hives were brought on by stress...now what keeps them who knows!  With Hives and Fibromyalgia i have finally changed the way i live me life......First i removed my stress.....Job.....Friends......and doctors who were either A holes or kept doing the same tests over and over again.  I know these are hard things to remove but it was better than a nervous break down.....Next was removing things like soap and shampoo that had too much stuff in them...stick to basic or organic products.  Find cleaning products that are friendly, and the hardest part make husbands or wife and children start doing more around the house....if you have this condition and you have people around make them do it and if they give you grief tell them to sod off....If you are worry about your friends or family not understanding and you have explained it to them and still don't understand that is there problem and no longer yours!  They would understand if you had cancer or some other illness so if they can't get this then they are selfish.  I have changed my way of eating and my way of life so i could have a life...my life....everything else comes second because i have no choice to put others before me anymore, and that is why i am sick i worked myself to death and dealt with drama filled friends or toxic ones.  Learn to make time for yourself cause you have had it hard and deserve an hour a day to yourself...i break it up if i can't do a full hour......Don't think i woke up one morning and did all this quickly...nope don't wait to when i did and had the choice of nervous break down or well you can imagine the worst thought and you would be correct. I'm not telling anyone to quit there job or dump friends or family...but if people places or things are a cause of stress get rid of or avoid...gotta make changes in your life now....i can promise they will get rid of hives but i do know stress is food for hives....can't be negative and take control of your care....don't like a doctor find another one......lord knows there are plenty of them.  Well i have once again talked too much...please take care and know there are lots of spotted poeple out there and non-spotted poeple who care.......and if you meet a non-spotted person who doesn't care poke'em in the arm and run and hope it spreads....hee hee just kidding sort of!           

Hi,

Well after having Chronic Urticaria for 8 years, I am still trying to get this horrible condition resolved! I doubt it will ever go away, as it is a histamine release from within the body, and my blood cells just aren't fighting like they should! I am allergic to every anti histamine which has been prescribed to me, but am now on another lot, which is for Asthma sufferers, as there is a slight link between asthma and urticaria. So far so good, they seem to be working, but not when it is that time of month! nothing seems to work! I flare up also, if I am stressed, upset, too hot, cold, if i have applied to much pressure on my skin, ie belts, and certain shoes I cant wear anymore. I only found out last summer that I am allergic to Quinoline (yellow colouring), Erythrosine (cherry pink colouring) and Sodium Benzoate E211. These e numbers are mainly found in packaged foods, ie curry sauces etc. Also alchol is a big factor, so guess what, I hardly drink anymore. After producing some nasty photo evidence to my skin specialist, was I taken serious. I am now seeing my skin specialist every three months which is a blessing, but I think I know, that there isnt much more they can do for me.....I have another appointment in March, so I hope to keep you all posted. Well, I do sympathise with you all, and after 8 years, I know it is a horrible thing to have to live with.

Take it easy, and try not to get too stressed over it, as you will flare up!

Cheers
Toni

I have had chronic hives for 4 yrs. - So I also feel your pain.  When I first got the hives, my co-workers quarantined my office for a joke, but soon afterwards, I realized everyone noticed.  Don't stress about it, just look for noticable flaws in their skin too.  Show them how when you stretch the skin, it goes away - Thus blood related.  I also had doctors look at me, like "What the heck is that??"  Putting up the Christmas tree is a chore.  Dermotologists and allergists put me through every scratch test, antihistimine and anti-depressant out there....I blamed the dog, my wife, the kids, my job, alcohol, food, penicillin, the dog being on penicillin, carpets....everything.  It is very difficult to pin point.  Be patient.  I have since started to change my diet and try homeapathy - naturopathic doctors, pro-biotics, and healthy living.  I'll let you know how it works for me.  They say they have an 85% sucess rate with hives, and I have a very close friend who's kids are allergy and asthma free.  Anyone else who has tried this and it worked, let me know...I'd love to see if I'm wasting my money or not.

I suffered from chronic hives the last two years of high school. I'm a freshman in college now, and it appears to have gone away for the most part. I only occasionally get them from pressure and cold. It is usually very mild now if it does show up. I started taking store-brand antihistamines a couple of times a day and it seemed to help.

I went through high school wearing long sleeves and sweaters all the time, it was terrible. I know how bad it can be. I couldn't go swimming or play football in the park without a large breakout.

My bodies been pretty much clear for 6 months now, so hopefully it's in its last stages. I wear t-shirts all the time and don't worry about hives popping up. It is an awesome feeling, I don't take it for granted. I just hope that everyone else will find something that works for them.