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Has anyone given up work because of chronic hives?

Posted , 12 users are following.

siobhan37552
siobhan37552

Hi I'm only at the start of my journey, developed hives 8 weeks ago and have had them everyday (apart from 4days following steroids). I've had two very bad flare ups, one when I first got them and this last week. Covered head to toe and have swelling to my lips and eyes.

I'm waiting for blood count results and am considering paying private e lynch for allergy test asap.

I just wanted to know if anyone has had to give up so r k as a result? I've had 2weeks off and really worried because I don't want a poor sickness record and my job is full on! But unless things improve dramatically I cant see how I can go back to work because I can nearly get out of bed! (Antihestimine and steroids arent working now).

Any advice much appreciated going out of my mind!!

0 likes, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • lonnie97514
    lonnie97514 siobhan37552

    Posted

    Hello Siobhan

    Sorry to hear about your problem

    Before this forum I had no idea that this condition was so prevalent and that it could be such a problem.

    i have never missed work because of this but I am in a very active job as I do Recreational Therapy with seniors in a facility.and after doing exercise programs and and other acrivities, I know I will be uncomfortable for a while.

    people here do not seem to understand the condition, not even my doctor!

    Hope all works out for you.

     

  • lorraine34338
    lorraine34338 siobhan37552

    Posted

    Hi Siobhan

    Look further down the discussions because I've outlined some of the things I think you should know, good luck and remember stress is a trigger, chafing of clothes on the body is a trigger, cold or heat can be a trigger (look at Marcus) and be very careful you don't slide into depression.  If you feel that you are not enjoying things you used to, simple things like reading or watching TV seek some advice from your GP. There is an anti-depressant called Doxepin which is very good and has anti-histamine within the med.

    • marcus_Jackson
      marcus_Jackson lorraine34338

      Posted

      Absolutely!! One thing I would say is just stay away from anti depressants, they really are not worth your time, money and overall wellbeing.

      I haven't been doing much exercise whilst having so many hives over my body, so have been really getting stuck into it recently - despite how it gives me hives as a result - it's about staying strong, remaining calm and keeping positive as you will not always have this urticaria. One day it will go. And it is up to you to change your daily eating/health/environmental habits....only you can do this.

      For example - I have had 2 swollen wrists - one blistered up and hurt a lot, huge hives on my bum, legs and arms which itch like crazy and are then sore, and this was all ony week off - even through all this You have to stay strong and positive with an end in sight. I believe if I do enough exercise and maintain a heath lifestyle (no smoking and no booze!!!) I will be cured. It's ALL about your immune system being weakened - it's just a matter of time and your energy that will heal it and ultimately stop these hives.

    • siobhan37552
      siobhan37552 marcus_Jackson

      Posted

      Thanks Marcus! I'm going to try to stay strong! I've been taking my body for granted and notvtreating it well so in definately going to be looking closely at my diet/environment. I'm thinking if doctors agree I will take another week off work while I try to get it under control and focus on relaxation. The thought of work on top right now is making me feel stressed so I think pushing myself will make matters worse. Maybe I can negotiate some work from home.

      Thanks I am not going to let it beat me! I have a bright future ahead and lots to fight for so I'll keep going!!

    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 marcus_Jackson

      Posted

      I understand where you are coming from but I was sliding into real depression. I only recognised symptoms because I advise and counsel people in my job and saw the connection. Once I went onto Doxepin 75mg a day it took about 2 weeks and I felt so much more me. I luckily have no side effects taking it. I am now back to my 'half full - brimming over' self. So don't discount it's benefit when life becomes too much!
  • JCH187
    JCH187 siobhan37552

    Posted

    I'm now 10 months in to my first Urticaria experience, please don't give up! Mine started at a very high stress time in my life, I took voluntary redundancy (not very voluntary) and my cat was diagnosed with a brain tumour, I don't drink or smoke and eat relatively healthily. My first piece of advice is get yourself referred ASAP, it can take months, I saw a dermatologist first off who was useless and wasted 5 months with him, he referred me to an immunologist who has done all the tests etc and I'm just waiting for my follow up appointment next week. You're on a very low dose of Fexofenadine, I take 180mg 3 times a day (I can take 4 if I need it), 150mg Ranitidine 4 times daily and 10mg Montelukast at night, I can also add Cetirizine in too if I need it. Speak to your GP if you're lucky and they're read up on it even better, there are other drugs available but they tend to be administered by the consultant. All of this will help you manage the condition while they try to get to the bottom of what is causing it. I still don't know but they suspect it's just autoimmune related, I've got an under active thyroid (also an autoimmune) and I read you're 50% more likely to get another, I also have allergic asthma, hay fever and had eczema as a kid so I tick a lot of boxes. There's a great UK Facebook group too, who have been amazing when I've been at my lowest. Good luck x
    • siobhan37552
      siobhan37552 JCH187

      Posted

      Hi thank you for your advice! I did read that my dose is low-more for treating hay fever. I'm going back to doctors on Monday to talk about medication as unless I bring it under control I can't face going back to work, I feel stressed just thinking about it! I've also found a specialist in Cardiff Uk who does all the testing etc and I am willing to pay privately for this. Also waiting for blood work to see if there's anything underlying as I did have a belly button piercing about 3 months ago that nice taken out as it wouldn't heal. I def think it's my immune system, almost my body telling me I need to change my lifestyle and take care of myself better! Thanks anout Facebook group, going to check it out!
    • marcus_Jackson
      marcus_Jackson siobhan37552

      Posted

      The interesting thing about hives is that it's nothing to do with your blood...its all about your environment/situational circumstsnces/diet/immune system. Just figure our your triggers (it took me a while to find and pinpoint mine) and then do you best to avoid what is causing your flare ups. There are times when you really can't do anything though which sucks and you just have to ride it out.....a word of advice as well...If you can - DON'T take painkillers especially co-codomol as it reduces your immune system further! I took loads when my arms was hurting and it literally made it 100% worse....wish we could post you some pictures to show you the gravity of what we all are going through!
    • lorraine34338
      lorraine34338 marcus_Jackson

      Posted

      Yes you right NSAIDS (antiinflammatories) and codeine based drugs are very bad for hivey people.
    • JCH187
      JCH187 marcus_Jackson

      Posted

      It isn't always the triggers you mention, conditions such as Thyroid Disease, Hepatitis and in very rare cases some cancers can have hives as a symptom so blood tests are important in ruling these out. 
  • siobhan37552
    siobhan37552

    Posted

    Hi everyone I said I'd update after my consultant appointment with an immunologist. I got tested for allergies (skin prick) and I'm not allergic to anything. Prescribed more Fexofenadine and another tablet beginning with m! Fir night time, sorry can't remember it now and so tired can't get up to check! They don't want to see me again unless it's treatment resistant and do far tablets working well. They can't say what caused is or how long it will take to go but it should go on its own. Also given a low salicylate diet to follow, but not going to do this yet until I feel able to cut back medication to see if the diet actually works. So no concrete answers, but I feel more positive to just get on with things now and try to forget about it until it decides to pack up and leave!
  • mh96526
    mh96526 siobhan37552

    Posted

    PLEASE READ - THIS WORKED FOR ME

    Please try taking 1 antihistamine (like Zyrtec) AND 1 antacid daily. I had severe hives for two years following my hysterectomy. Sometimes my feet would swell so much that I had no arch and my skin would split. My hives were caused by pressure, stress, heat, you name it. Once I started taking both the antihistamine and the antacid together every morning, I stopped having hives after a couple of weeks.

    From what I understand, those individuals with chronic urticaria need to block both the h1 histamines and the h2 histamines. H1 histamines are blocked by the allergy type of antihistamine and h2 histamines are blocked by antacids.

    I took that combination for 9 years with great success. Zero issues with hives. Now, I don't have to take either.

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