(no subject)
I am about to wallow in feeling very, very sorry for myself. So if you don't want to read it, don't.
I went to the allergist today because the past two times I have gone for a run, I have broken out in really bads hives immediately afterwards. The allergist ordered some blood work, but he diagnosed me pretty confidently with chronic urticaria. AKA, chronic hives. It's an autoimmune disease and basically means that my white blood cells are in overdrive all the time. They think anything & everything is an allergen and react accordingly. What causes them to overreact may change daily or even by the minute, it's really a crapshoot. It can be worse/better certain times of the year, or based on a certain diet, etc. In addition to traditional allergens, the hives can also be caused by extreme heat/cold and pressure. The best part, and the part I am really feeling sorry about, is that there is no cure. I can take Zyrtec daily, but that only helps prevent the hives, its not a guarantee. I will have them forever. I've broken out in hives frequently pretty much as long as I can remember, and I never went to the allergist for it. I just figured that was the way it was. The running thing really pissed me off, though, so I went. It is MUCH different to assume something can't be fixed than to hear it ACTUALLY can't be fixed. It's depressing as hell. At least when I hadn't gone to the doctor yet, there was a glimmer of hope that whenever I did go, they could fix it. Now, I know for sure that they can't really do anything to help me. I got my thyroid tested, because a lot of times this is linked to a thyroid condition, but treating my thyroid won't necessarily make it go away. I am totally feeling sorry for myself that I will be a big, itchy mess for the rest of my life. And I need to stop, right now. The doctor could've told me I had cancer, or HIV, or lupus, a really serious autoimmune disease. But he didn't. He just said I have chronic urticaria, and I can live with that. I already did, I just didn't know what to call it. /pity party.
I went to the allergist today because the past two times I have gone for a run, I have broken out in really bads hives immediately afterwards. The allergist ordered some blood work, but he diagnosed me pretty confidently with chronic urticaria. AKA, chronic hives. It's an autoimmune disease and basically means that my white blood cells are in overdrive all the time. They think anything & everything is an allergen and react accordingly. What causes them to overreact may change daily or even by the minute, it's really a crapshoot. It can be worse/better certain times of the year, or based on a certain diet, etc. In addition to traditional allergens, the hives can also be caused by extreme heat/cold and pressure. The best part, and the part I am really feeling sorry about, is that there is no cure. I can take Zyrtec daily, but that only helps prevent the hives, its not a guarantee. I will have them forever. I've broken out in hives frequently pretty much as long as I can remember, and I never went to the allergist for it. I just figured that was the way it was. The running thing really pissed me off, though, so I went. It is MUCH different to assume something can't be fixed than to hear it ACTUALLY can't be fixed. It's depressing as hell. At least when I hadn't gone to the doctor yet, there was a glimmer of hope that whenever I did go, they could fix it. Now, I know for sure that they can't really do anything to help me. I got my thyroid tested, because a lot of times this is linked to a thyroid condition, but treating my thyroid won't necessarily make it go away. I am totally feeling sorry for myself that I will be a big, itchy mess for the rest of my life. And I need to stop, right now. The doctor could've told me I had cancer, or HIV, or lupus, a really serious autoimmune disease. But he didn't. He just said I have chronic urticaria, and I can live with that. I already did, I just didn't know what to call it. /pity party.