QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I have had severe hives for over a year now. Head to Toe. They burn, sting and itch. I hardly sleep anymore and my work has suffered a lot. I am miserable. I am allergic to cortisone injections. Prednisone and cortisone ointments make the rash worse. I have tried Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra and Atarax. I also take Xanax for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Pepcid for GERD. Six doctors later and I am still suffering. These hives are ruining my life. I have thought of moving to another area but the doctors say that because I am allergic to so many things, it probably won't help. I don't want to live this way. Is there anything else I can possibly do? The hives respond to nothing so far.
Please help. I don't know what else to do.
ANSWER:
Treating the mental health problems more effectively could have a huge effect. Hives
are commonly caused by mood and anxiety problems. Xanax is not a good treatment for the
GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), although it can make you feel better. The
screening test
I use for my patients may be of help for you.
Sometimes a bone marrow test is necessary because some lymphomas can cause a similar
process. This can resolve with Neurontin.
If you haven't seen an allergist yet, you need to do so.