New to this page..chronic cold urticaria sufferer for 4 years. Why does everyone laugh and disbeliev

Thanks hun. I saw the allergy specialist 4 years ago when I 1st developed the condition. People just don't get how serious it is. (I have to carry an epipen due to previous anaphylaxis with it. ) I'm off on holiday shortly and my grandchildren are coming along for their 1st time abroad and even with my meds I am still unable to go in the outdoor pool with them as it's too cold ??

Hi again, what country do you live in. I'm in the UK and I saw a wonderful urticaria specialist in Sheffield called Dr Sabroe. Wendy who lives in the US has a great doctor at John Hopkins near Washington.  Both these specialists have worked hard to solve our individual forms of urticaria. Google chronic idiopathic urticaria to get more information on the various forms of it. General practioners and dermatologists that deal mostly with eczema and psoriasis are not informed enough to help but don't like to admit it!

IM in the uk too. I saw a allergy specialist from scunthorpe, a professor sewell. He came across to our local hospital to do a clinic. To be fair, other than the "ice cube test" I only saw him the once and can't say I was impressed with him at all. He sent me away with a script for bog standard antihistamines to take 3 times a day and I've never seen him since. Thank heavens for forums like this and people like yourself who are kind enough to have an input as a sufferer yourself. It's so frustrating feeling like I've been flung out on my own to just put up with it with no support or anyone to go to especially as it doesn't seem to have settled at all. So thankyou.

Hi Chrissy, ask your GP to refer you to Dr Sabroe, dermatologist at Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital. She only accepts NHS referrals so you cannot go private with her. I went through Spires for a private appointment with a dermatologist and he is the one who referred me to Dr Sabroe. I appreciated his honesty in not knowing enough about urticaria so don't take no crap from your immunologist our your GP.

Hi Chrissy, I have had hives(urticaria)since April, Started off on my neck after I pulled down a dead clematis plant.  I also was suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and stress and the doctor believed my symptoms were a combination of the plant and my stress etc.  he put on sertraline which made my IBS flare up(hadn't been troubled with it for a long time, this was caused through stress with my daughter, at the time's, violent partner.  She got him out of her life, he is now dead and I was feeling great apart from anxiety worrying about various family members health problems. Anyway, I have stopped the sertraline, my IBS doesn't bother me hardly ever now but my hives have become worse again.  I am to see a therapist to help me with my panic attacks,anxiety etc. but I found that while I was on short term diazapam which Dr said to take while the sertraline was kicking in, really made me feel less anxious and my hives had stopped itching terribly.  They will not give me anymore as they are addictive but I told them at my stage in life(I am in my late 70s)who cares as long as they help.  I never ever got addicted to diazapam over the years and always weaned my self off.  You are right Chrissy no one, who has never had hives, knows what it is like.......feel like ripping my skin off at times lol. Out in the coolr weather during the day I am not bothered at all just in the evening and when i get up does the itching all start. do hope you are feeling better, this is indeed a great forum to be on, everyone is so kind and helpful.

Hi Lorraine, I live in Cambridge and would like to see a specialist but cannot do so on the NHS even although I am a senior citizen :-(  My doctor and the others in the practice just do not know what exactly causes hives although mine I believe(as does the doctor)that is is because of my anxiety, panic attacks and stress which I try to overcome.  Only thing that helps is diazapam but they will not give me them even although I only take them short term and have never become addicted.  I wish I could find an alternative remedy other than pills as they put me on sertraline and I was worse in every way.  I just cannot take tablets.   It is costing me a small fortune buying cream to ease the itching as it has got worse.  There must surely be some sort of herbal remedy that could help with no side affects.  What did the ancestors do without the medication they pump into you nowadays lol.

Sheena, ask your doctor if you can try Doxepin. It's an antidepressant that has a histamine as well. My specialists both agreed on this medication and it certainly helped me through the depression I had when my hives were bad.

Hi Sheena, if you can afford to go for a private consultation through, say Spires, it will cost you about £100, maybe more but you might get a better diagnosis. Otherwise ask your GP to refer you to Dr Sabroe (dermatology) Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital. Your GP should not refuse you, if they do contact Patient Advisory Liaison Service for advice there telephone number should be on google for where you live. Please let me know how you get on and why you have been told you can't see a specialist. Speak to you soon.