B Page - Cholinergic Urticaria: A Guide to Chronic Heat Hives

Cholinergic Urticaria: A Guide toChronic Heat Hives

Published by B. Page

Copyright 2014 by B. Page

Smashwords Edition, LicenseNotes

This book is a CholinergicUrticaria.net production.

This book is copyright 2014 by Ben Page.All rights reserved. National and international copyright lawsprotect this book and its related content. No part of this book maybe reproduced, rewritten, resold, redistributed, retransmitted,emailed, published online, stored in a database or retrievalsystem, or distributed in any other means (digital or physical)without the authors express written consent.

While the author has made every effort toensure this book only contains factual and helpful information atthe time of publication, the field of medicine is rapidly changing.The author is not a medical doctor, and he is writing this book asan individual who suffered with this conditionnot as a medicalexpert.

Doctors and researchers still know verylittle about the exact mechanisms behind cholinergic urticaria.Therefore, the reader should not view this book as a finalauthority on this illness. Furthermore, while the author willdiscuss various treatments, remedies, symptoms, and strategies tobeat this disease, individuals suffering with it should alwaysconsult a doctor before trying any treatment (or ceasing to use anytreatments previously prescribed). Some medications or treatmentscould prove dangerous or fatal if used without proper medicaloversight.

No warranty is offered, expressed or implied,to suggest the information in this book will be safe, accurate, orviable in all situations (or to all people). Furthermore, while theauthor firmly believes that the advice offered in this book mayhelp individuals suffering with cholinergic urticaria, this bookshould not be construed as a claim, warranty, guarantee, orrepresentation of success concerning any of the treatments or ideascovered. By reading or accessing this book, you agree not to holdthe author or publishers liable for any damages or consequencesthat may arise from the use or misuse of the information given inthis book.

I had my first experience with the horrendous condition known ascholinergic urticaria when I was 18 years old. Before that time,I had the luxury of enjoying excellent health. Aside from poisonivy, chicken pox, the common cold, and a few bouts of strep throat,I had no major health issues growing up. I didnt even have foodallergies, seasonal allergies, or asthma as a kid (lucky me).

After I had my first hives attack, however,my life quickly went downhill. What started out as a slightlyobnoxious, tingly itch, eventually progressed into a debilitatingstinging sensation that would come to dominate my daily life.

Cholinergic urticaria slowly led me to aplace of hopelessness. Despite multiple doctor visits and a myriadof home remedies, nothing seemed to help my condition. Thecondition did go into a brief remission for a period of about 2-4years (for reasons still unclear to me), but it soon made a drasticcomeback.

I soon began to suffer from bouts ofdepression. My attitude of I can beat this slowly turned into anattitude of Ill always be tormented by this. I found myselfobsessed with this condition. I constantly tried to understand whyI had it, how I developed it, and how I might cure it. I wouldscour the Internet daily in hopes of finding the one random articlethat could give me an answer.

As my hives worsened, I often found myselfwishing I would simply die. I can distinctly remember many nightsof crying myself to sleep, hoping that I would simply drift intodeath and never awake to the torment of hives again. Unfortunately,Id often awake in the middle of the night with a severe hivesattack!

I would often ask, Why me? Why do I havethis horrible condition? What did I ever do that was so bad that Ideserved this? I felt like Id been robbed of my entire life, andat such a young age, too. I was miserable!

I also withdrew from nearly every activity Ihad once enjoyed, becoming an essential recluse in the process.Routine tasks such as shopping became difficult for me. I startedscheduling my entire life around my hivesjust in case I had anattack.

Whats worseno one seemed to understand whatI was going through. My family didnt seem to think my hivescondition was significant. My wife, though extremely sympatheticand loving, had difficulty in consoling me many times due to herown frustrations about my condition. Most doctors also seemedpuzzled about my condition and tried to mask the symptoms withdrugs or antihistamines.

During this time, I also dropped out ofcollege and quit my part-time job. I was majoring in accounting andhad accumulated about 96 credit hours (out of a 124-creditbachelors degree). I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life(I hated accounting, though I performed well in classes), and theunbearable attacks of hives left me feeling as if my career wasalready over. I didnt know what was happening to my body. PerhapsI have cancer. Or maybe Im dying. I thought.

I eventually started, to my knowledge, thefirst website dedicated to the condition: CholinergicUrticaria.net .There, I documented my thoughts and experiences with this disorder.I would bounce around hypothesis after hypothesis and idea afteridea in an attempt to understand this condition and cure it. Otherpeople also graciously posted their experiences with thiscondition, which made me feel a little less like a freak ofnature.

After suffering with this condition on andoff for around a decade or so, and trying nearly every remedy underthe sun, I eventually found my cure (by Gods grace). I say theword cure cautiously, though, because Im not cured in the realsense of the word (meaning, the condition is gone for good). Infact, I can make my hives come back at any time. However, I alsoknow how to make them go away and stay awayand this has worked forme now for about three years.

Today, cholinergic urticaria no longerdominates my life. I am active in a local church (something Iwouldnt have even considered a few years ago). I shop, exerciseand sweat, run my own business, and enjoy life. In other words, Ihave a life again. I no longer suffer from the debilitating mentaland physical anguish of this rare hives disorder.

After many years of suffering with thiscondition, researching it extensively, and trying every personalexperiment/remedy I could, I thought it was time to write a bookabout my journey.

In many ways, cholinergic urticaria was theworst thing that has ever happened to me. In other ways, it was thebest thing thats ever happened to me.

In conclusion, I want to thank you very muchfor purchasing this book. I truly hope it helps give youinformation, motivation, and relief from your hives. May God blessyou in your own struggles with this condition.

First, let me state that I did not write the book for the following reasons:

-I didnt write this book to getrich. I never expect to see this book on a best sellers list.I suspect very few people in the world have this condition, and ofthose, many probably wont bother buying this book(cheapskates!). Id honestly be surprised if I sold as manyas 200 copies over my entire lifetime (which would be a colossalfailure by most selling standards).

-I didnt write this book to pretend Imsome guru. Theres a lot of information I dont know aboutcholinergic urticaria. I view myself as nothing more than a formersufferer trying to help other sufferers. Im no medical expert orresearching whiz. Im just a man who happened to cross paths withthis unfortunate illness.

Now that I have that out of the way, whatare the reasons I wrote this book?