Cronic autoimmune urticaria can be helped by strengthening our immune systems.
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My urticaria started almost ten years ago, very mildly. I assumed I was sensitive to something as I have had allergies all my life to different medications. I saw a specialist who tested me for many things but the cause of the urticaria was still a mystery. It started to worsen and I was taking antihistamine daily. Then four years ago it just stopped!! 6 weeks later I was in hospital and diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. I spent six months having tests, biopsies, blood transfusions and high levels of steroids. It was idiopathic. Thankfully a course of Rituximab put the disease into remission.
As soon as my levels of prednisone were starting to reduce, so the urticaria started to return. Two years ago it was so bad, I was being attacked throughout the day and night. No rash! Just a stinging itch that left my legs burning. It would attack different areas but mostly my legs! I would spend hours pacing the floors in an absolute state. I was in casualty several times when the attacks were so bad. I was unable to shower, to sleep, to rest. A feeling of a constantly prickly jumper, that was when I wasn't under attack. It prevented me working and I was up to six antihistamines a day. I saw specialists in immunology, allergy, dermatology and haematology. They all told me it was because I had an autoimmune disease but no one could help me. I was in a very depressed state of mind. So I started to research and read. I knew the best chance I had of getting better was to strengthen my immune system. I changed my diet... no dairy, wheat, meat, refined sugar, artificial additives, E numbers! I added supplements... vitamins c and d, turmeric, probiotics, omega 3. I eat only natural wholesome foods, organic where possible. Lots of seeds, nuts, pulses, fruits, veggies and green juices. I changed all personal hygiene and cleaning products to all natural, removed any aerosols.
The first month was worse as my body detoxed. Then slowly I started to improve. The attacks became fewer. I do still take Doxepin but I only take antihistamines if and when necessary. I got back to work and back to some sense of normality. I do still get irritable days at times and the occasional attack but I am so much better and I am keeping the hemolytic anaemia in remission which is wonderful.
I urge anyone with autoimmune disease and urticaria to look at their diet and lifestyle in the hope of strengthening your immune system and keeping the disease under control. These measures have helped me hugely. I have learned so much. 70% of our immune system lives in our gut! It makes sense that we can help ourselves by feeding it the things it needs. Choose alkaline foods over those that are acidic to our bodies.
I feel and understand the pain of everyone suffering.
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Mike61308 miche2020
Posted
Thanks, Miche, for your great sharing of fighting autoimmune experience and encouragement. I had similar experience as yours, but with Graves disease. Only I had followed the AIP (autoimmune dietary protocol) with more stringent bans, e.g., egg, night-shade veges, most nuts, most seeds, etc. I did get much healthier and improved result after the dietary change and achieve under-control illness condition (not in remission yet). My best wishes for you.