Hi - just wondered if anyone else can relate to my symptoms. My hives started on my head and neck - then I noticed them on my behind :rolleyes: but as big as boils - yuk - painful too - that's when I went to the docs. That was a year and a half ago now. Since the first lot appeared, I now get them all over and whenever - worse in extreme temps. Anyway - I do find if I sit for long periods, I get them badly on my legs, and the pain on standing up is incredible - I'm like an old woman shuffling around all stiffly! I also get pain in my hands - mostly my left which sometimes ceases up. My doc said probably angioedema on the inside stopping my fingies from moving. I'm taking 20mg of cetirizine and 300mg ranitidine a day, but it's barely keeping them under control. I'm getting obsessed with where they're popping up next - anyone else becoming mad like that?! I can't bear tight clothes - I can't wear my rings or earrings as hives pop up where they are. If I cut or scratch myself the wound swells and itches like mad - anyone else get that? Does anyone else get bruises with theirs? Last year - my feet went black twice - and all my doc could say was "you poor thing - have another anti-histamine!!" I've tried cutting all sorts of food and drink out but could find nothing there. They did seem to be better over Christmas, and the only thing that was different over that period was that I'd had 3 courses of anti-biotics to get rid of a bladder and chest infection. Can anti-biotics have a therapeutic effect on hives - or does anyone think that was just a coincidence? After Christmas I became extremely sensitive to cold and the hives started popping up again until they have again reached unbearable proportions - I look and feel gorgeous - NOT. Anyway - enough questions - I'm off to have a good scratch!!! :nono:

I had the same exact symptoms when I was about 25. Doc said it was a histamine release due to an interuption in my body chemistry, or something causing my body to release histamine for some unknown allergy it perceived. He said it could be almost anything including my own sweat, or change I carried in my pockets. He said it could last a year to a lifetime. Thank God mine only lasted about 3 years and I have never had it again. He said a cause was imposible to find and gave me antihistamines for it as your doctor did.
Your doctor seems to be treating you as he should, however he could be a bit more open and nice to you.
It is very painful and limits you tremendously and I hope your spouse and family understand, I sure hope you get better it was a terrible time in my life.

This may be far fetched, but inventory your contact with latex. I had unexplained hives etc and suspected latex because I have heart disease and diabetes and have lots of medical procedures, tests, bloodwork. I couldn't isolate my hives to these only, but when my symptoms worsened to swelling in the throat and ears and shortness, and hives of breath after a nuclear stress test and then I ate at a fancy restaurant two nights later and got the same symptoms again, I really got scared. They used latex gloves in the food preparation and even cooking it did not protect me. Latex allergy seems to get worse eventually with more exposure. Mine does not happen immediately except when exposed to food, it is usually 3 to 8 hours later when the hives comes. I have to watch floor mats in the car, rubber bands at work, especially the big ones, food in every restaurant, balloons, and all kinds of medical stuff, even the blood pressure cuff and tubing. I always wear long sleeves to the dr's office now and pray that I don't have to go back into the hospital.