I am happy to report that for the past several weeks, I remain hives free. My heat rash/flushing has also reduced -- though, I have been avoiding spicy food which is a clear trigger. I am back to taking hot showers, and I still get a red flushed face after those, but it seems to be fading more quickly. I am no longer getting the red flushing on my lower legs, as I had in the past. I have been for the past 3 weeks been taking 1/2 the dose of the antidepressant for my anxiety from the dose that I was on during the 6.5 months that I had the chronic hives. Probably just coincidental, but want to just note that.
However, despite all of that good news to report -- my anxiety remains that I have some yet undiscovered allergy to something. Food? Chemicals? Molds?
I have been noticing that when I have milk (not cheese, but milk or cream), I get some congestion/mucous in my nose and throat for about an hour and then it passes. And the other night, I had some ice cream with dinner, and later while reading in bed, I got a slight headache and my heart rate increased to about 125-130 BPM for about 15 minutes, and then passed. I have been thinking about going back to the Allergist yet AGAIN to test for some specific food allergies -- so that I can know once and for all if I should avoid them.
I am also supposed to take a long-haul flight in a few months to another country, and I find myself worrying in anticipation and "what ifs." What if the stress of the trip causes me a hives outbreak? What if I get a major hives outbreak and allergic reaction in a foreign country and need to see a doctor? Or what if that happens while I am on a plane over the ocean, since I can't "escape"? For now, I am trying to not think about the trip and focus on what I can do between now and then to build my confidence. I will try to take a few short flights in the next couple of months, so that I can see what will happen with those.
It is amazing the trauma and anxiety that 6.5 months of chronic urticaria has caused me. If it does return, I hope that I will be better prepared mentally to handle it better. I have been continuing to do yoga and practice meditation, and I think that has been beneficial.
Life... it's a marathon for sure.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Hives remission continues; flushing still happening
My hives remission continues, thank goodness! I am thankful for every day of it. It has been a little over one month, I believe, since I last had a hive. Yesterday, a few red marks on my arm created a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, until I realized they were just some scratches. I operate under the assumption that it is 50% (or greater) likely chance that the hives will return to me at some point in the future. Maybe months from now. Maybe years. The doctors have told me that, and it seems to be the case for many other chronic hives personal accounts I have read online. But for now, a little bit of relief.
I don't know if it was the short-lived thyroid hormone treatment that "knocked them out" or if it is due to seasonality (winter, less allergens) or they have just run their course as they were going to regardless of anything I did or of anything external. I will never know.
However, the heat-induced flushing continues. It has NO correlation to rice, as I had previously wondered. And it doesn't just happen after eating spicy food. So, "whatever." I have decided to just accept it more... I am taking warmer showers now, especially since it's winter! I figure, the flushing fades in about an hour, so by the time I am getting to wherever I am going, it is gone. And warmer showers are more relaxing to me anyway! :)
I am not ready to try for a hot soaking bath. Maybe one day here I will muster up the courage, but for now, I'll make small steps.
I have been abstaining from any medical-related Internet sites and research and information, for about 1.5 months now. My anxiety and stress has been much better as a result. I highly recommend it -- at least to take a vacation from it for a period of time. It's been a bit liberating.
I'll be slowing down my posts a little bit then, since the remission means there isn't much to update on. Please if you are reading this, comment and share any of your questions, ideas, or experiences too! I would love to hear from you.
I don't know if it was the short-lived thyroid hormone treatment that "knocked them out" or if it is due to seasonality (winter, less allergens) or they have just run their course as they were going to regardless of anything I did or of anything external. I will never know.
However, the heat-induced flushing continues. It has NO correlation to rice, as I had previously wondered. And it doesn't just happen after eating spicy food. So, "whatever." I have decided to just accept it more... I am taking warmer showers now, especially since it's winter! I figure, the flushing fades in about an hour, so by the time I am getting to wherever I am going, it is gone. And warmer showers are more relaxing to me anyway! :)
I am not ready to try for a hot soaking bath. Maybe one day here I will muster up the courage, but for now, I'll make small steps.
I have been abstaining from any medical-related Internet sites and research and information, for about 1.5 months now. My anxiety and stress has been much better as a result. I highly recommend it -- at least to take a vacation from it for a period of time. It's been a bit liberating.
I'll be slowing down my posts a little bit then, since the remission means there isn't much to update on. Please if you are reading this, comment and share any of your questions, ideas, or experiences too! I would love to hear from you.
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