Also...and i,m not being clever....are their any "pot" smokers out there....and do you think that it increases or decreases the attacks....I have been a weekend smoker for many years and have suffered DPU now for about 4 years...and only today after reading this forum actually realize what it is i have...doctor is clueless...whats new....i think alcohol definitely makes it worse...as does tobacco...what do you think...
I have been dealing with delayed pressure urticaria for a short time and my doctor put me on Cyproheptad--it has been very helpful and I hope it helps others!
i've had dpu and ciu for the past 5 years, im 23 now. the best relief i've found is through zyrtec(cetirizine) i usually take 20mg a day, but since losing weight and exercise agitates my condition, im taking 40mg a day, giving me the relief i need.
also to comment about Guest, i drink alcohol, i notice it aggrivates the wheals i already have on my hands and feet, but i dont get additional ones
and as for marijuana, yes it does make my condition worse, i usually stay away from pot, but i know when i do use it, my condition worsens until its out of my system (1-2 weeks).
i know im taking a lot of zyrtec, but i've been on it for over 2 years, it doesnt give me fatigue anymore like it used to, but i do recommend it if you cant find something thats working for you... start off with 10mg, if you find its not enough, try 20mg a day. i work construction, and my job is very physical, and 20mg a day usually keeps the dpu at bay.
does anyone else notice if they try to lose wieght, their condition gets worse?
also to comment about Guest, i drink alcohol, i notice it aggrivates the wheals i already have on my hands and feet, but i dont get additional ones
and as for marijuana, yes it does make my condition worse, i usually stay away from pot, but i know when i do use it, my condition worsens until its out of my system (1-2 weeks).
i know im taking a lot of zyrtec, but i've been on it for over 2 years, it doesnt give me fatigue anymore like it used to, but i do recommend it if you cant find something thats working for you... start off with 10mg, if you find its not enough, try 20mg a day. i work construction, and my job is very physical, and 20mg a day usually keeps the dpu at bay.
does anyone else notice if they try to lose wieght, their condition gets worse?
I've had DPU and hives since 1985 when a doctor gave me an overdose of Rifampin. I did go for 5 years with no symptoms. During those 5 years I ate mostly organic... no meat, no processed foods - just mostly fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains. Would recomment a major health diet for awhile and a cleansing regimen to detox your liver. Drink lots of water, keep stress to a minimum, let go of things you feel you need to control - it isn't worth it. Seek as much joy in your life as you can. Get off of all meds if possible. Stop making mountains out of mole-hills, and work on anger issues. I think a lot of this condition is metaphysical and I think Anger is a big contributor. Not pushing my ideas on anyone - just sharing in case it resonates with you. My condition has returned with a vengance this last year and also noted I have been through much stress this last year in an unhealthy relationship.
I to have pressure urticaria. I have had it for 7 years now, In the beginning it was debilatating, could hardly walk and missed a lot of work. After filtering through tons of doctors I ended up at Dr Mendelson, a dermatologist , she knew what I had on the first visit. I now take dapsone 25 mg twice a day, it helps not cures! I was able to go back to work and have not missed any time due to the hives. Don't get me wrong I still get them almost daily, mostly wake up with them. But it is much better! This is a life changing disease, It actually takes adjustment, I only hope mine goes away soon!! Good Luck!!
To everyone out there suffering from DPU--thank you for sharing your story. I have only been suffering from this since Christmas 2008 (4 months), but I am determined to find a cause. I know that Prednisone makes everything go away, but I cannot stay on that medication. My doctor also put me on Cyproheptad, which definitely helped but is also an appetite stimulant and I stopped after gaining about 6 lbs. Right now I am on Allegra and Zyrtec daily, and it helps but not great.
I know that heat and alcohol make it worse, and I would imagine ibuprofen too. Heat and alcohol dilate the blood vessels which is part of the cause of hives in the first place. I will try to avoid these things as much as possible.
I am still looking for the cause and will not give up. I thought it started with a virus because felt flu-like and had chills before onset, but now I wonder if it was just my immune system revving up, since this is all instigated by the immune system in the first place.
I am pursuing the following hypotheses and will follow up with any conclusions...seeing an endocrinologist soon.
1. Endocrine based...not likely thyroid because my TSH levels are normal, but am pursuing theory that it could be related to the release of adrenaline in the body (someone mentioned excercising regularly helps a lot--would make sense if this was allergy to one's own adrenaline). Another thought it that it could be allergy to my own progesterone or estrogen, since more and more cases of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis are appearing...
2. Food allergy, in particular wheat or soy. I have removed these from my diet from about 2 months, but occasionally slip up by accident (who knew wheat flour was in licorice?). Exclusion of beer is part of the gluten free diet. I have had more energy since changing my diet, so I will continue--small price to pay if I can get rid of this DPU. Lastly, I read somewhere that Yellow Dye No. 5 (also known as tartrazine) triggered one person's hives on a posting. I have noticed an improvement since my gluten free diet, which simultaneously limits many of the processed foods that have yellow dye. (weirdly enough, people with an allergy to yellow dye are also likely to be allergic to aspirin) I am now also trying to exclude yellow dye no. 5 from my diet...
3. Environmental allergen like mold. I don't think this is really it, just haven't excluded it. Generally when I have seasonal allergies, my eyes get itchy and red and I get congested. With DPU, I don't have any respiratory or eye related issues.
I really think this is an internal allergy, autoimmune with the system having gone haywire. I will not stop looking for clues...Please continue to post based on your own experiences and maybe together we can find an underlying trend. In the meantime, keep prednisone on hand just in case...
I know that heat and alcohol make it worse, and I would imagine ibuprofen too. Heat and alcohol dilate the blood vessels which is part of the cause of hives in the first place. I will try to avoid these things as much as possible.
I am still looking for the cause and will not give up. I thought it started with a virus because felt flu-like and had chills before onset, but now I wonder if it was just my immune system revving up, since this is all instigated by the immune system in the first place.
I am pursuing the following hypotheses and will follow up with any conclusions...seeing an endocrinologist soon.
1. Endocrine based...not likely thyroid because my TSH levels are normal, but am pursuing theory that it could be related to the release of adrenaline in the body (someone mentioned excercising regularly helps a lot--would make sense if this was allergy to one's own adrenaline). Another thought it that it could be allergy to my own progesterone or estrogen, since more and more cases of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis are appearing...
2. Food allergy, in particular wheat or soy. I have removed these from my diet from about 2 months, but occasionally slip up by accident (who knew wheat flour was in licorice?). Exclusion of beer is part of the gluten free diet. I have had more energy since changing my diet, so I will continue--small price to pay if I can get rid of this DPU. Lastly, I read somewhere that Yellow Dye No. 5 (also known as tartrazine) triggered one person's hives on a posting. I have noticed an improvement since my gluten free diet, which simultaneously limits many of the processed foods that have yellow dye. (weirdly enough, people with an allergy to yellow dye are also likely to be allergic to aspirin) I am now also trying to exclude yellow dye no. 5 from my diet...
3. Environmental allergen like mold. I don't think this is really it, just haven't excluded it. Generally when I have seasonal allergies, my eyes get itchy and red and I get congested. With DPU, I don't have any respiratory or eye related issues.
I really think this is an internal allergy, autoimmune with the system having gone haywire. I will not stop looking for clues...Please continue to post based on your own experiences and maybe together we can find an underlying trend. In the meantime, keep prednisone on hand just in case...
I also suffer from DPU for over 9 years. I have tried everything. I just went to my 7th Dr. She tried the same old thing and then something new and they are gone and have been gone for over 1 month. It is called Xolair I hope you can also get relief...
everyone out there suffering from DPU--thank you for sharing your story. I have only been suffering from this since Christmas 2008 (4 months), but I am determined to find a cause. I know that Prednisone makes everything go away, but I cannot stay on that medication. My doctor also put me on Cyproheptad, which definitely helped but is also an appetite stimulant and I stopped after gaining about 6 lbs. Right now I am on Allegra and Zyrtec daily, and it helps but not great.
I know that heat and alcohol make it worse, and I would imagine ibuprofen too. Heat and alcohol dilate the blood vessels which is part of the cause of hives in the first place. I will try to avoid these things as much as possible.
I am still looking for the cause and will not give up. I thought it started with a virus because felt flu-like and had chills before onset, but now I wonder if it was just my immune system revving up, since this is all instigated by the immune system in the first place.
I am pursuing the following hypotheses and will follow up with any conclusions...seeing an endocrinologist soon.
1. Endocrine based...not likely thyroid because my TSH levels are normal, but am pursuing theory that it could be related to the release of adrenaline in the body (someone mentioned excercising regularly helps a lot--would make sense if this was allergy to one's own adrenaline). Another thought it that it could be allergy to my own progesterone or estrogen, since more and more cases of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis are appearing...
2. Food allergy, in particular wheat or soy. I have removed these from my diet from about 2 months, but occasionally slip up by accident (who knew wheat flour was in licorice?). Exclusion of beer is part of the gluten free diet. I have had more energy since changing my diet, so I will continue--small price to pay if I can get rid of this DPU. Lastly, I read somewhere that Yellow Dye No. 5 (also known as tartrazine) triggered one person's hives on a posting. I have noticed an improvement since my gluten free diet, which simultaneously limits many of the processed foods that have yellow dye. (weirdly enough, people with an allergy to yellow dye are also likely to be allergic to aspirin) I am now also trying to exclude yellow dye no. 5 from my diet...
3. Environmental allergen like mold. I don't think this is really it, just haven't excluded it. Generally when I have seasonal allergies, my eyes get itchy and red and I get congested. With DPU, I don't have any respiratory or eye related issues.
I really think this is an internal allergy, autoimmune with the system having gone haywire. I will not stop looking for clues...Please continue to post based on your own experiences and maybe together we can find an underlying trend. In the meantime, keep prednisone on hand just in case...
everyone out there suffering from DPU--thank you for sharing your story. I have only been suffering from this since Christmas 2008 (4 months), but I am determined to find a cause. I know that Prednisone makes everything go away, but I cannot stay on that medication. My doctor also put me on Cyproheptad, which definitely helped but is also an appetite stimulant and I stopped after gaining about 6 lbs. Right now I am on Allegra and Zyrtec daily, and it helps but not great.
I know that heat and alcohol make it worse, and I would imagine ibuprofen too. Heat and alcohol dilate the blood vessels which is part of the cause of hives in the first place. I will try to avoid these things as much as possible.
I am still looking for the cause and will not give up. I thought it started with a virus because felt flu-like and had chills before onset, but now I wonder if it was just my immune system revving up, since this is all instigated by the immune system in the first place.
I am pursuing the following hypotheses and will follow up with any conclusions...seeing an endocrinologist soon.
1. Endocrine based...not likely thyroid because my TSH levels are normal, but am pursuing theory that it could be related to the release of adrenaline in the body (someone mentioned excercising regularly helps a lot--would make sense if this was allergy to one's own adrenaline). Another thought it that it could be allergy to my own progesterone or estrogen, since more and more cases of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis are appearing...
2. Food allergy, in particular wheat or soy. I have removed these from my diet from about 2 months, but occasionally slip up by accident (who knew wheat flour was in licorice?). Exclusion of beer is part of the gluten free diet. I have had more energy since changing my diet, so I will continue--small price to pay if I can get rid of this DPU. Lastly, I read somewhere that Yellow Dye No. 5 (also known as tartrazine) triggered one person's hives on a posting. I have noticed an improvement since my gluten free diet, which simultaneously limits many of the processed foods that have yellow dye. (weirdly enough, people with an allergy to yellow dye are also likely to be allergic to aspirin) I am now also trying to exclude yellow dye no. 5 from my diet...
3. Environmental allergen like mold. I don't think this is really it, just haven't excluded it. Generally when I have seasonal allergies, my eyes get itchy and red and I get congested. With DPU, I don't have any respiratory or eye related issues.
I really think this is an internal allergy, autoimmune with the system having gone haywire. I will not stop looking for clues...Please continue to post based on your own experiences and maybe together we can find an underlying trend. In the meantime, keep prednisone on hand just in case...
27F, I've had DPU and hives for almost 2yrs now, morphing and changing symptoms constantly, and have been to numerous doctors and natural therapists with minimal success. The medicos just wanted to put me on drugs to numb the effects and the prednisone made me put on 20kg (a third of my body weight!!!!) in just two short months. I got off that nasty drug as quickly as I could but still keep it on hand for those unbearable moments.
I found the natural therapists were the best with their treatments...however after months they ended up diagnosing me with a 'parasitic infection' which was completely ruled out when i forced my GP to send me for medical tests.
I've also felt like the docs feel like I'm wasting their time but have come to realise as someone has previously mentioned, we're all our own best doctors at this point...we know what works and what doesn't. I'll list some of the things that I have found that have eased the severity of the symptoms but they in no way stop the DPU or hives
-gluten/wheat free diet. I've tried both and the gluten-free does seem more effective than just the wheat free but is alot more difficult to maintain
-water, drink lots of it (and I mean lots, like 3ltrs if you can!)
-probiotics, any detox program (consult prof before starting detox tho)
-cut out sugar where you can....stevia is a natural sweetener and doesn't taste any different to sugar at all
-avoid processed foods/additives/preservatives (if you actually start to read the labels on the food you're buying, you'll start to think to yourself 'why the hell does this need all of that in there!' trust me!)
-Aveeno colloidal oatmeal wash, moisturiser and bath oil - it's a saviour!
-Telfast 180mg - helps with itchiness of hives - no effect on DPU
-obviously avoiding the clothing/activities that aggravate the condition - does anyone else have a problem wearing shoes with a heel? I miss being able to wear high heels :-(
leading up to all of this in Oct 07, i went on a trip to Thailand upon my return sudden (and I mean sudden!) onset of hives, several months later, hello DPU. I also put on a little bit of weight (3-4kg) for no reason around this time.
Med History (may provide some insight - notice there are a couple of similarities with others so would be interested to hear from other people as well)
-glandular fever at 19...and the myriad of problems that plagues you for years afterwards!
-dental surgery at 22 (root canal, issues with that - tooth pulled one year later)
-diagnosed with endometriosis at 23 and pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. Operation (Endoscopy) - took longer than expected to heal. After op was put on progesterone which i reacted VERY badly to...i went psycho, thought i was going crazy. Dr took me off it. Have also had problems finding a pill that doesn't have massive affects on me.
-another operation at 24, internal infection given antibiotics
-diagnosed with depression at 25, took anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication until Dec 08
-hives Oct 07
-DPU Dec07
-Dandruff (I think - not like normal dandruff and it doesn't seem to be psoriasis or exzema from pics etc it doesn't flake off or get red unless scratched but when scratched...it's everywhere - gross but it's like one big scale covering my head. Washing helps but it's always back again the next day.)
I simply struggle to get my head around how this 'problem' suddenly occurred, i don't understand how it happens. But something my naturopath said to me has helped a little. She explained that our body can get stressed (physical/emotional/whatever) and for some reason, something in the brain/nervous system malfunctions and basically sees itself as its own enemy. I've certainly had plenty of stressors in my life over the past several years!!
Anyway, sorry for the long rambling post and good luck to all - I feel your pain and it's so nice just knowing that I'm not the only one around with this. Would love to hear other's opinions/thoughts/suggestions and maybe together we'll be able to figure it out.
I found the natural therapists were the best with their treatments...however after months they ended up diagnosing me with a 'parasitic infection' which was completely ruled out when i forced my GP to send me for medical tests.
I've also felt like the docs feel like I'm wasting their time but have come to realise as someone has previously mentioned, we're all our own best doctors at this point...we know what works and what doesn't. I'll list some of the things that I have found that have eased the severity of the symptoms but they in no way stop the DPU or hives
-gluten/wheat free diet. I've tried both and the gluten-free does seem more effective than just the wheat free but is alot more difficult to maintain
-water, drink lots of it (and I mean lots, like 3ltrs if you can!)
-probiotics, any detox program (consult prof before starting detox tho)
-cut out sugar where you can....stevia is a natural sweetener and doesn't taste any different to sugar at all
-avoid processed foods/additives/preservatives (if you actually start to read the labels on the food you're buying, you'll start to think to yourself 'why the hell does this need all of that in there!' trust me!)
-Aveeno colloidal oatmeal wash, moisturiser and bath oil - it's a saviour!
-Telfast 180mg - helps with itchiness of hives - no effect on DPU
-obviously avoiding the clothing/activities that aggravate the condition - does anyone else have a problem wearing shoes with a heel? I miss being able to wear high heels :-(
leading up to all of this in Oct 07, i went on a trip to Thailand upon my return sudden (and I mean sudden!) onset of hives, several months later, hello DPU. I also put on a little bit of weight (3-4kg) for no reason around this time.
Med History (may provide some insight - notice there are a couple of similarities with others so would be interested to hear from other people as well)
-glandular fever at 19...and the myriad of problems that plagues you for years afterwards!
-dental surgery at 22 (root canal, issues with that - tooth pulled one year later)
-diagnosed with endometriosis at 23 and pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. Operation (Endoscopy) - took longer than expected to heal. After op was put on progesterone which i reacted VERY badly to...i went psycho, thought i was going crazy. Dr took me off it. Have also had problems finding a pill that doesn't have massive affects on me.
-another operation at 24, internal infection given antibiotics
-diagnosed with depression at 25, took anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication until Dec 08
-hives Oct 07
-DPU Dec07
-Dandruff (I think - not like normal dandruff and it doesn't seem to be psoriasis or exzema from pics etc it doesn't flake off or get red unless scratched but when scratched...it's everywhere - gross but it's like one big scale covering my head. Washing helps but it's always back again the next day.)
I simply struggle to get my head around how this 'problem' suddenly occurred, i don't understand how it happens. But something my naturopath said to me has helped a little. She explained that our body can get stressed (physical/emotional/whatever) and for some reason, something in the brain/nervous system malfunctions and basically sees itself as its own enemy. I've certainly had plenty of stressors in my life over the past several years!!
Anyway, sorry for the long rambling post and good luck to all - I feel your pain and it's so nice just knowing that I'm not the only one around with this. Would love to hear other's opinions/thoughts/suggestions and maybe together we'll be able to figure it out.
Thank you all for your informative postings. I've been suffering with this for just over a year. Heat and pressure make my entire body red, hot and swollen. I've seen countless doctors and spend $1000's of dollars and have, like many of you, diagnosed myself.
Anti histamines didn't work. I have to work at home and keep my home so cold my friends have stopped coming over. IF it wasn't for my cats keeping me company, I think I'd be crazy. The summer heat has me basically a shut in. IN the winter, furnace heat does the same thing.
I have noticed that as I've learned better coping skills for stress, improved my diet and forced my self to excercise through the pain, I am doing a little better.
Not many people understand (or sometimes believe) I'm in such pain as I look healthy...just red and swollen in hands and feet all the time.
Thanks for all your information and sharing. It helps to not be alone.
Gina
Anti histamines didn't work. I have to work at home and keep my home so cold my friends have stopped coming over. IF it wasn't for my cats keeping me company, I think I'd be crazy. The summer heat has me basically a shut in. IN the winter, furnace heat does the same thing.
I have noticed that as I've learned better coping skills for stress, improved my diet and forced my self to excercise through the pain, I am doing a little better.
Not many people understand (or sometimes believe) I'm in such pain as I look healthy...just red and swollen in hands and feet all the time.
Thanks for all your information and sharing. It helps to not be alone.
Gina
Sorry to hear about your health. I always found it to be more of a nuisance but it definitely did occasionally shut down my life. I think I am a rare case. Was diagnosed a few years ago after 20 years of doctors (no, have not had it for 20 years but mine goes into remission and returns!). As a 10 year old, I would be covered from head to toe with hives. They tried everything! Finally, prednisone is all that would work AND many nights of ER visits for epinephrine and Benadryl, which does nothing for my breakouts. I also get angio edema with it and so becomes life threatening when facial areas swell. After about 2 years, just disappeared overnight and no one ever knew the cause . Then, when I was 20, in college, it reappeared out of nowhere and lasted approx. 8 months. Again, the only thing that would help was prednisone...
Finally, at about 31 years of age, it came back again. An angel of a doctor FINALLY diagnosed me. Unfortunately, only prednisone still but at least I knew what was going on! I couldn't even push a shopping card without my palms breaking out and then once in my bloodstream would spread through my body. Only last 3 months that time and now has been almost 7 years. I figure it will return someday but at least I know how to get temporary relief, although horrible side effects. Couple of things I believe and notice in my own case. It is a sometimes debilitating auto immune illness. The biggest problem is to go in public without scaring people. you have to wear more clothing which, in turn, worsens the problem! My genetics predispose me to autoimmune disorders (father severe ulcerative colitis and on prednisone for 30 years!- luckily he has many medication available to counteract some of the side effects of the med - unfortunately he knows it is shortening his life span but it is also allowing him to have a life now - which was my feelings on prednisone). I believe my disease is stress triggered. Can't explain the initial series other than maybe puberty. The other two definitely coincided with major life changes, or shortly thereafter and here we go! Funny, too, that they say it is not genetic and my daughter develope hives at two years old! Hers have never been severe and benadryl seems to work. They came and went for the first 7 years of her life with mild severity but have been gone for about 3 years now - hopefully to never return!
So, hopefully gave you some info that might help and good luck to all!
Finally, at about 31 years of age, it came back again. An angel of a doctor FINALLY diagnosed me. Unfortunately, only prednisone still but at least I knew what was going on! I couldn't even push a shopping card without my palms breaking out and then once in my bloodstream would spread through my body. Only last 3 months that time and now has been almost 7 years. I figure it will return someday but at least I know how to get temporary relief, although horrible side effects. Couple of things I believe and notice in my own case. It is a sometimes debilitating auto immune illness. The biggest problem is to go in public without scaring people. you have to wear more clothing which, in turn, worsens the problem! My genetics predispose me to autoimmune disorders (father severe ulcerative colitis and on prednisone for 30 years!- luckily he has many medication available to counteract some of the side effects of the med - unfortunately he knows it is shortening his life span but it is also allowing him to have a life now - which was my feelings on prednisone). I believe my disease is stress triggered. Can't explain the initial series other than maybe puberty. The other two definitely coincided with major life changes, or shortly thereafter and here we go! Funny, too, that they say it is not genetic and my daughter develope hives at two years old! Hers have never been severe and benadryl seems to work. They came and went for the first 7 years of her life with mild severity but have been gone for about 3 years now - hopefully to never return!
So, hopefully gave you some info that might help and good luck to all!
I suffer from DU with associated angioedema (swelling of larnyx, face, hands and feet).
I stumbled on an excellent alergist who confirmed DU with histamine marker blood tests.
Good news for some. For reasons not well understood, DU responds very well to the antihistime ATARAX (and not well to others). I take ATARAX everyday (at night before bed) as a propalaxis (preventative). After a week I got used to taking it without being sleepy etc... ATARAX is tolerated very well for long periods. I use ATARAX and predisone when I have an occaisional attack. My attacks went down from 2-4 /month to 1 every six months when I went on the ATARAX.
I stumbled on an excellent alergist who confirmed DU with histamine marker blood tests.
Good news for some. For reasons not well understood, DU responds very well to the antihistime ATARAX (and not well to others). I take ATARAX everyday (at night before bed) as a propalaxis (preventative). After a week I got used to taking it without being sleepy etc... ATARAX is tolerated very well for long periods. I use ATARAX and predisone when I have an occaisional attack. My attacks went down from 2-4 /month to 1 every six months when I went on the ATARAX.
Hello all of you,
It's comforting to read about others that suffer the same condition, at least I'm not the only one with a very strange disease. It took me a long time to find out what was wrong with me. I've been having really bad DPU since July 2007. In summer I could hardly do anything, wearing high heels to work was allready too much! I've develloped it after I had to defend my thesis, so I guess stress was somewhat involved. I've never been sick or never been to a hospital or had surgery so nothing like that can have caused it. I've been tested on all kinds of allergies, lymes disease and juvinile artritis, any kind of infection and parasite but they couldn't find anything. I was as healthy as a fish in the water. Since last January I've been put on a Pseudo-Allergene-free diet by my allergist, she said to try it, it could never hurt. This means I cannot eat any food colorants, perservatives, glutamates or sulphites. This diet has changed my life completely. Since I follow up on this diet almost all my syptoms disappeared. I feel I have my power back; I'm not tired all the time, I can do garden work, wear high heels, go out, go mountainbiking, etc. It feels as if I have my life back. I couldn't find a written copy of the diet in English, but here's a dutch site http://www.gezondheid.be/index.cfm?fuseaction=art&art_id=4215 which gives you a complete overview.
After a month I've been starting to add food to my diet, like all fresh vegetables, fruits, chocolate,... To find out what triggered my allergy. I'm not there yet, I still have to try out hunderds of things, but I found that the natural colorant Anatto and Sodium Glutamate trigger my hives. So these I can try to avoid. Also beer gives me problems!
I hope this helps some of you! For me it did wonders!
Good luck and don't give up!
It's comforting to read about others that suffer the same condition, at least I'm not the only one with a very strange disease. It took me a long time to find out what was wrong with me. I've been having really bad DPU since July 2007. In summer I could hardly do anything, wearing high heels to work was allready too much! I've develloped it after I had to defend my thesis, so I guess stress was somewhat involved. I've never been sick or never been to a hospital or had surgery so nothing like that can have caused it. I've been tested on all kinds of allergies, lymes disease and juvinile artritis, any kind of infection and parasite but they couldn't find anything. I was as healthy as a fish in the water. Since last January I've been put on a Pseudo-Allergene-free diet by my allergist, she said to try it, it could never hurt. This means I cannot eat any food colorants, perservatives, glutamates or sulphites. This diet has changed my life completely. Since I follow up on this diet almost all my syptoms disappeared. I feel I have my power back; I'm not tired all the time, I can do garden work, wear high heels, go out, go mountainbiking, etc. It feels as if I have my life back. I couldn't find a written copy of the diet in English, but here's a dutch site http://www.gezondheid.be/index.cfm?fuseaction=art&art_id=4215 which gives you a complete overview.
After a month I've been starting to add food to my diet, like all fresh vegetables, fruits, chocolate,... To find out what triggered my allergy. I'm not there yet, I still have to try out hunderds of things, but I found that the natural colorant Anatto and Sodium Glutamate trigger my hives. So these I can try to avoid. Also beer gives me problems!
I hope this helps some of you! For me it did wonders!
Good luck and don't give up!
Hello, everyone! This is a really helpful thread. I actually only learned the words "delayed pressure urticaria" just this evening... I'm 20 years old and have not had any kind of alergy for over 15 years (I did get hives from strawberries up until about age 5, where it seemed I became immune to them).
Over the past 4 or so years, if I'm on my feet for way too long, I get what I thought were small blisters on the bottom of my feet. They looked like bugbites, but then I didn't know (well, didn't remember) what hives looked like. It was always bearable because they were small and would disappear over night. But recently (withing the past three weeks), I've begun to get hives all over my feet everyday in all the places my boots touch them. Along with that, it's there's too much pressure from something on my hands/fingers (even typing right now is causing itching, burning sensations in my fingertips), I will get hives there as well. The same goes for the waistband of my underwear and under my bra straps.
I did a little research, and this seems to be the most logical answer. This makes me sad... as it seems like quallity of life can greatly decrease with this condition... Right now it's putting me through hell; I can't imagine living with it forever.
What could have brought this on so suddenly? Maybe a problem with my thyroid?
Over the past 4 or so years, if I'm on my feet for way too long, I get what I thought were small blisters on the bottom of my feet. They looked like bugbites, but then I didn't know (well, didn't remember) what hives looked like. It was always bearable because they were small and would disappear over night. But recently (withing the past three weeks), I've begun to get hives all over my feet everyday in all the places my boots touch them. Along with that, it's there's too much pressure from something on my hands/fingers (even typing right now is causing itching, burning sensations in my fingertips), I will get hives there as well. The same goes for the waistband of my underwear and under my bra straps.
I did a little research, and this seems to be the most logical answer. This makes me sad... as it seems like quallity of life can greatly decrease with this condition... Right now it's putting me through hell; I can't imagine living with it forever.
What could have brought this on so suddenly? Maybe a problem with my thyroid?
I have not been diagnosed with dpu but it's definitely urticaria/angioedema and in my case seems to be related to physical stimuli rather than an allergic reaction of some kind.It first happened four years ago out of the blue when one side of my tongue swelled up.The swelling subsided within hours but then the other side of my tongue swelled.This subsided but then half my bottom lip swelled/subsided then the other half, then half of my top lip then then other half!!The GP gave me an epipen whilst awaiting an appointment with the allergy clinic (in case of an emergency which thankfully never arose)By the time i saw the allergist my symptons had subsided and the only allergy they could determine was a mild allergy to dry grass (as in hay etc).This condition seems to come and go of its own volition and I have only had a couple of bouts since (usually in summertime).I tend to get the swelling in my feet and hands and lips and these are the areas i find most debilitating.The lips in a social sense because you don't want to go out looking like donald duck.Physically the feet are most painful because when it's bad it's like walking whilst balancing on pool balls.The hand swelling is also annoying because when that flares up you cant close your hand or grip properly and once the swelling gets to a certain degree i find the skin starts splitting painfully around the creases and wrinkles leaving bruise like marks.I find anti histamines don't alleviate the symptoms at all and have stopped taking them.The one piece of advice i would give to anyone with this condition is that once you feel THAT tingle whatever you do DO NOT scratch the itch - as unbearable as it can get.I find personally that itching will exacerbate the swelling dramatically and prolong the time it takes for the swelling to subside.
I am so glad to hear and read about other poeple sharing the same condition as me. I noticed mine more then 10 years ago and since then seems to be coming and going depending on different periods in my life. I am 30 now, and dont think am particularily stressed in this period but seems to be getting DPU quite often..especially when I drink alcohol. Last weeknd I cycled and had 2 glasses of wine and the same night developed hives on my feet and my bottom (from cycling)The problem is that teh hives are very painful for mant hours and no one seems to tak eit seriously. Tomorrow am goping to a GP and will try to see if anything else apart from pressure could trigger the hives.