Chronic hives

I've suffered from chronic hives for 3 years and take Zyrtec for the hives.  Like many chronic hive sufferers, I've seen specialists, had allergy tests, blood tests, etc., and tests were OK, but the cause of my hives could never be identified.

I recently started taking Paxil for anxiety/depression and a month into it, I started to notice I wasn't breaking out with hives every day like I used to.  I'd break out every three days, then every five days.  I've been on Paxil now for two months and today marks TWO WEEKS since my last hive breakout!

I'm starting to believe that my hive breakouts have been stress-related all along.  I haven't changed anything in terms of my eating habits, environmental change, etc., except for the fact that I've started taking Paxil.  

I wanted to share this with you...  If you worry alot, have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, seek some medical help.  I waited so long to get help because I was in denial, telling myself I didn't have an anxiety or depression issue.  Who knows, had I sought help years earlier, maybe I would've never suffered from chronic hives for three years.

I will continue to track my hive breakouts and post my progress.

Yes, I am still hive free and oh, what a feeling it has been!

I was told by my doctor that people react differently to Paxil in terms of side effects.  I actually lost about 7 lbs. when I first started taking the 20 mg pill (took 10mg for first 10 days), and have kept it off. 

This is my first time on anxiety meds and have experienced very positive results with Paxil - alot less worry and stress, a positive outlook and NO hives!

Good luck.   Post your progress...