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Chronic Urticaria - finally the nightmare is over!!!

Posted , 11 users are following.

gina27260
gina27260

In August 2015 I developed hives, completely out of the blue one sunny day. Starting on the soft skin on my arms and gradually spreading over time the outbreaks became more and more agressive. Primarily after exercise or being in the sun but also at other random times. I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed chronic urticaria and stated my return to excercise had caused it - just my sweat pores blocking and eventually it will be ok - keep exercising to unblock them. At one point I thought this was helping as the rash appeared to be burning itself out. However I got a rude awakening whilst on a weeks holiday for some winter sun. I had a massive outbreak the minute the sun touched my skin.

I took piriton daily as this was the only anti histamine to work (fexafenadine caused a massive reaction of hives which ended up with me in A & E) I began to do much research into Urticaria and also the possibility that it may be linked somehow to my Mirena coil. The mirena being in situ for 3 years seemed an odd culprit but there were enough reports of this side effect to warrent removal. I had the mirena coil removed a week ago and during this time my hives have almost completely gone. Day by day there has been huge reduction in severity and as the effects of the coil wear off my skin is returning to its healthy state. I am ecstatic to finally be free of this horrific condition. Any ladies out there suffering with this - check your contraception, particularly if it's the Mirena coil.

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Lizzie46881
    Lizzie46881 gina27260

    Posted

    Hi Gina

    I am absolutely delighted for you and comend you for posting this really useful piece of information.  I too have suffered from urticaria and have recently been cured of it, though by a totally different method to you.  Mine started when I got an infected insect bit about two years ago, gradually the rash spread all over both my lower legs, it seemed as if one had come out in  sympathy with the other!  Maybe there were more bits I didn't immediately recognise.  Like you I tried anti-histamine tablets, cetirzine and fexofenadine, neither of which did anything, though I keep on with the fexofenadine bacuse of my hayfever, I was prescribed antibiotic and cortisone creams, nothing would stop either the rash ot the itching that accompanied it which inevitably I scrateched making things ten times worse.  Finally in desperation my gp prescribed me a cream called Zerobase, its just a really high quality moisitureiser, but the great thing was that after a few days of use the itching had stopped, I stopped scratching, theninflamation died down and I feel 100% better.  My legs are still slightly scarred but I'm assured this will fade with time.  

    Thanks for post, it inspired me to post this reply about the simple cream that saved my skin.

    Lizzie

    • Lizzie46881
      Lizzie46881

      Posted

      Sorry about all the typos in my post, I'm a rubbish typist and auto correct turns my garbage into even worse garbage, but I hope you get my drift.

      Lizzie

    • gina27260
      gina27260 Lizzie46881

      Posted

      Thanks Lizzie, glad you also are better. I do have a huge tub of zerobase - prescribed for my son. Never thought about using it on the hives. Thankfully won't need to either as am almost fully recovered. It feels amazing to be back to old self. Mirena is evil!!
  • james18331
    james18331 gina27260

    Posted

    Congratulations on finding your trigger! I found mine about a year ago or so. It happened to be a Gluten intolerance. It feels like a miracle, doesn't it? Those sons of beaches hives are gone! For me it was almost 10 years of them. My limited knowledge of the subject is that Hives are the over-reaction of the immune system to some trigger/stimulus. Good luck to everyone in finding their triggers.
    • gina27260
      gina27260 james18331

      Posted

      Wow, I would never have though gluten could cause hives! Seems that many of the so called specialist doctors do not have a clue, or are very quick to dismiss any suggestion from patients regarding their condition. Good job we know our own bodies!! Wishing you well.
  • julian18620
    julian18620 gina27260

    Posted

    Brilliant... and interesting.

    My specialist has said any site of inflamation in the bidy can cause it.

    In the last month I finally sorted a number issues with my teeth and mine has calmed down massivly... not gone... but down to a level which is bordering on inconsequentil and I have stopped my massive daily drug intake to th epoint I only take anything if I see a minor flare up.

    Like you I never stopped looking for or believing there was a specific trigger... I am happy for you and admire your perserverence.

    • gina27260
      gina27260 julian18620

      Posted

      Thank you Julian, am glad you have found the trigger. It is truly an awful debilitating condition at times and I feel very sorry for those who remain blighted by this issue. I am so relieved to be 99% better. Few more weeks free of synthetic hormone and I will be fully well. Best wishes.
  • lorraine34338
    lorraine34338 gina27260

    Posted

    Hi Gina so glad you are more comfortable. You are not the first on this blog to notice an improvement after removal of Mirena coil. I think this is because the body sees it as a foreign object and tries to reject it and causes the immune system to crash hence hives. What do you think?
    • gina27260
      gina27260 lorraine34338

      Posted

      I would love to know and understand the science and having read a number of other peoples experience linking mirena to hives I wish someone would undertake some serious research. For me, thankfully I am getting better. Its almost 2.5 weeks post removal and my skin is amazing. Only the very odd hive now. Nearly there!
    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 gina27260

      Posted

      Hi Gina, so glad to hear you have improved. The immune system is a weird and wonderful thing and unfortunately even doctors don't really understand it.rolleyes
  • raquel06807
    raquel06807 gina27260

    Posted

    Hi Gina

    I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write your post on this site . I have had major problems with my skin since may this year and had coil fitted last October . A rash development on my chest which was becoming redder and redder. My skin would itch on and off constantly it was dreadful - I lived in fear of getting itchy/ burning / prickly skin all the time . I am on anti histamines which helpful a bit. I suspected the coil was something to do with it so googled it. Your post encouraged me to get coil removed - mirena one. I had it removed on Friday and rash on chest is going away. My skin feels more comfortable and no outbreaks of itchiness . I am hoping I will make a full recovery , so far so good. Will keep you posted.

    Please please please if you are suffering skin problems and have hormonal coil- get it removed ! Don't listen to health professionals who say your symptoms have nothing to do with coil !

    I am a different person now - so much happier plus have my sex drive back now lol

    Please contact me back if you need any other info .

    ThAnk God for google eh?

    Take care All

    Xx

    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 raquel06807

      Posted

      Hi, really good advice as I've seen and heard that some women have a lot of problems with this type of coil, not just hives but other health issues. For women with urticaria any hormone changes can be a trigger.  I am 62 and two and a half years ago came off hormone replacement therapy and a few months later had my first bout of hives, it lasted six months and went for a few months then came back worse. I had to go on cycloporine and fexofenedine plus loretidine. I was lucky that this worked without having to have prednisone like Wendy. I decided about six weeks ago to go back on the HRT and so far the hormone change has not triggered hives but I don't feel I'm in the clear yet, maybe in six months I'll believe it!

    • sinead57494
      sinead57494 lorraine34338

      Posted

      Hi Lorraine,

      I believe my urticaria has begun due to hormonal chages.  I think I am peri menopausal.  Has anyone heard of such a link?

      thanks

       

    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 sinead57494

      Posted

      Hi Sinead, yes I believe my urticaria had a lot to do with coming off hormone replacement therapy so my estrogen levels changed. There were other factors as well but we can't disregard the pitfalls of hormone changes.

    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 sinead57494

      Posted

      Hi Sinead, it doesn't work like that as the symptoms are just on hold and come back very strongly when you come off it. Don't let any doctor tell you that using HRT gets you through the menopause and that you'll be fine when you come off. I am back on it again after two and half years of misery and I feel myself again. It wasn't just the loss of estrogen that caused my hives but it was one of the bigger triggers. I'm afraid doctors don't know enough about how the loss of estrogen effects us women.

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