Does any sufferer of Urticaria know if their Cortisol levels have been tested?

I'm curious how long have you been clear of CSU after completing your course of Prednisone?  I was not advised to take steroids as they can cause serious problems, but one of my specialists said they were very good for a quick fix. I was asked if I wanted a course to get over Christmas - I refused because I was told that my CSU would probably comeback after I finished the course.  I was put on a course of ciclosporine which worked for me but although its another nasty drug I didn't get any of the bad side effects though luckily.

I'm also curious about long you've been clear after finishing your course. Pred is a quick fix but having taken a few courses the side effects and the fact that my urticaria rebounds twice as bad after the course has finished means I won't take it now. It clears it completely within 24 hours but 24-48 hours after finishing means it's back twice as bad.

I had alot of bad allergic reactions from the time I was two. Steroids were the wonder drugs of the 50's and I was bombarded. I often thought that's what caused the problem. My reaction is so severe sometimes as little as a sneeze can cause a break out and if I continue to be over heated I can pass out from my blood pressure dropping so low. A dermatoligest once told me I was the worst case she'd ever seen and wanted to take me to a convention. At 55 I had a life changing emotional experiance and didn't eat for a few days and then ate very little. I exercised and nothing happened. I now leave out wheat and dairy from my diet and I take luekotriene blockers for asthma daily too. Not a single problem since and I actuallydo exercise for the first time in 20 yrs. Try it, it can't hurt.

Hi

Prednisolone is given to me when the hives get so distractingly itchy that I cannot function properly.  Then it is 20-40 mg per day for 5 days. The hives are gone within 24 hrs. I continue to take the 4 different antihistamines until they eventually go and when they do go, I take the antihistamines for a full 1-3 months afterwards. If they flare up again the doc gives me Predisolone again etc ad naseum.  However, my dermitologist's words from 3 yrs ago still ring in my ears Quote "Prednisolone (steroids) is not the way to treat urticaria" Unquote

I am, currently, hive-free and have been since a hideous and frightening attack mid-July. I am no further forward on the cause. My thyroid levels are checked regularly.  Still to chase up a check on VitD levels, nurse has initially refused to initiate as it's a 'very expensive' test.

Because Prednisolone (steroids) brings its own problems with it I guess.  I'm still no further forward on the cause. Recently I had a swollen lip and pressure in my oesophagus indicating internal allergic reaction to whatever and a dose of hives followed quickly after. So, doc has now prescribed a 'rescue' or 'emergency' dose of Prednisolone 5mg x30 tablets which I keep on me at all times. If a swelling occurs (eyes, lips, internal pressure) I will take 20-30g Prednisolone to counteract swelling while I continue to take Fexofenadine, Ranitidine, Phenergan and Chlorphenamine.