it took 2 months of different meds, 4 diagnoses (1 was chicken pox!), and 2 biopsies, but it's now official. I've got HIVES. BAD.
So today I'm starting Doxepin. I'm here on the internet looking for anything indicating it's not an anti-depressant. Looks like that's it's main benefit.
I'm comforted to hear that some of you are using it for hives and/or itchy skin. Now I know they didn't prescribe me the wrong drug or something.
There's a board for everything on the internet-- I'm thrilled to find this!
So I'll be tired, but my hives will be under control. And I'll be happy, too. That's a bonus. (I'm happy anyway).
Meanwhile, those of you with hives, when you got diagnosed, what did you do next? I'll be seeing an allergist--- anything I should know before I do? I have NO IDEA what I could be allergic to. The hives came on suddenly the week I moved to Cleveland OH from Los Angeles and have stayed ever since. So I assume it's something airborne locally or the local water or something..... I did get a bit better when I went on vacation--- then came back and went through all the misdiagnoses while I KNEW it had to be hives the whole time. Dang docs thought I had chicken pox. Then PLEVA. Then multiple eruptive dermatofibromas. What---- ever!
Thanks for all your help!
Posts: 3 | Registered: Sep 2005
| Logged: 68.73.173.249 |
posted
I'm also on doxepin for hives.It is helping the hives but making me feel a bit depressed & disconected to any-thing going on around me.Does anyone else have these side effects.Please help!
Posts: 2 | From: australia | Registered: Mar 2006
| Logged: 202.138.16.150 |
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Hello, Im new but so glad I found this sight. I think I could write a book on hives. I had them when I was 12...reaction from taking asprin. Then I got them again in the early '90's. Chronic hives had them for 9 months took a med. that add some form of asprin in it. Now the present I started breaking out in June 2005, again chronic hives, and you know none of the treatment has changed. I took all the allery test, blood test, still no answer why I got them, but Dear Lord I got them. I am taking hydroxyzine, zyrtec 2 x's a day and Doxepin only at night, to this if needed I take 3 benadryl. These drugs, except for the zyrtec, is the exact same meds I was on in the 90's. Was told by the allergist that the cause may never be found, of course I could have told him that. Mostly went to the allergist to satisfy my family. The only side affect I have found from the Doxepin is weight gain. Has anyone else had weight gain?
Posts: 1 | From: TX | Registered: Apr 2006
| Logged: 4.253.64.210 |
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Five years ago I woke up one morning and had raised red itchy blotches all over my body. I had no idea what they were. My husband said they looked like hives. I said, What are HIVES?! Ha ha, now I know them well! I had Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria (unexplained hives which persist for more than 6 weeks). I went to at least a dozen different doctors beginning with my family doctor, then to an allergist, then dermotologist, back to a different allergist, etc. I had GIANT hives. My entire back was one hive, my calf was another, the bottoms of my feet, the palms of my hands, my lips, my eye lids...everynight they came. Many tests were done, lots and lots of blood tests. I didn't even have a mild allergic reaction to anything they tested for. My allergist sent me to the Uritcaria Research Center in S.C. I was taking Alegra 180, Singulair, Zyrtec, Attarax, Prednisone, and some others I don't remember (around 22 pills a day total). I was up to 250 mg of attarax a day, and I was working full time. I carried two Epipens with me everywhere - I had two anaphylasis episodes. Really scary Before my appt. at the Research Ctr. I had to stop all medication for 24 hrs. That night I thought for sure I would die! When the hives came they covered my whole body. My children and my husband were asleep. I stood up, in the hotel room, with my arms outstretched and cried - I felt like a burn victim. I couldn't put my arms down they hurt to touch my body. It literally felt like my body was on fire. But morning finally came and I did make it. But by the time I got in for my appt. my hives were gone. The hive came at night and would begin to disappear during the day. The Research Ctr. did more blood tests and then my family and I went back home. It was after this testing that they started me on Cyclosporin. A short time later my hives were gone. Then the doctor stopped the cyclosporin and my hives stayed gone for 5 yrs. I thought that was the end of it. They came back 4 weeks ago. And, I couldn't get in to see my old doctor because I'm considered a new patient now (5 yrs. have lapsed). So, I had to go in to the ER my lips were swollen and I was afraid, my Epipen had expired. They gave me a new Rx for a new Epipen and they gave me Attarax and Doxepin. I had never had Doxepin before, they said it was a new treatment for hives. I was prescribed to take both 4 times a day and I did. The 1st day I was tired but not overwhelmingly, the second day I was fine. But, the drugs do nothing for my hives. They still come everynight, I just don't feel the itchiness of them. During the day I'm fine, the hives disappear slowly all day. I work, drive, take care of kids and husband. At night I sleep all night as usual, the itching doesn't wake me when the hives come. But, they're still there...everynight. Today, I saw my old doctor and she says they have a new test for those of us who have 'unexplained' hives or 'no known allergies' to determine eligibility for cyclosporin therapy for hive treatment. (She said I was the first to do cyclosporin for hives 5 yrs ago. I feel like a pioneer ) She will be testing me in about 3 weeks. The test is called AST. If you have this type of hives, ideopathic, ask your doctor about AST testing. Good luck, and hopefully we'll all be red plotch and itch free soon! Posts: 1 | From: USA | Registered: Apr 2006
| Logged: 63.98.112.129 |
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Hi Dahna I have the same type of hives as you.Mine come up late afternoon evening it's fine during the day.I'ts more of a itchy burning *****ly sensation I only get red blotches once I touch my skin." Driving me crazy" came out of the blue 6 months ago have never had any thing like this in my 48 years of life. could you please tell me what type of drug cyclosporin is. Hoping it's not an antidepressent drug. Good luck with your test.Thankyou for your support your not alone. kindest regards Vince
Posts: 2 | From: australia | Registered: Mar 2006
| Logged: 210.50.60.129 |
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Cyclosporin is an strong immunosuppressant drug. In other words it makes the bodies natural immune system weak. It has very bad side affects and would recommend that you folks not take it. In my opinion the risks dont outweigh the rewards. Hope you all find cures for all your illnesses. Take care.
Posts: 1 | Registered: Jun 2006
| Logged: 207.38.222.8 |
posted
Meanwhile, those of you with hives, when you got diagnosed, what did you do next? I'll be seeing an allergist--- anything I should know before I do? I have NO IDEA what I could be allergic to. The hives came on suddenly the week I moved to Cleveland OH from Los Angeles and have stayed ever since. So I assume it's something airborne locally or the local water or something..... I did get a bit better when I went on vacation--- then came back and went through all the misdiagnoses while I KNEW it had to be hives the whole time. Dang docs
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Before my appt. at the Research Ctr. I had to stop all medication for 24 hrs. That night I thought for sure I would die! When the hives came they covered my whole body. My children and my husband were asleep. I stood up, in the hotel room, with my arms outstretched and cried - I felt like a burn victim. I couldn't put my arms down they hurt to touch my body. It literally felt like my body was on fire. But morning finally came and I did make it. But by the time I got in for my appt. my hives were gone. The hive came at night and would begin to disappear during the day. The Research Ctr. did more blood tests and then my family and I went back home. It was after this testing that they started me on Cyclosporin. A short time later my hives were gone. Then the doctor stopped the cyclosporin and my hives stayed gone for 5 yrs. I thought that was the end of it.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) She will be testing me in about 3 weeks. The test is called AST. If you have this type of hives, ideopathic, ask your doctor about AST testing. Good luck, and hopefully we'll all be red plotch and itch free soon! 
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