My Xolair Story For Chronic Urticaria (Chronic Hives) - Pls. tell me anyone else

[Guest guest]

I came down with chronic autoimmune urticaria (chronic autoimmune

related hives), that mysteriously appeared in March 2005. I tackled

this condition unsuccessfully for over a year; medication alone was

unable to control the rampant progression of hives and angiodema

throughout my body. I tried various medication cocktails and went to

see specialists all over the country. Nothing worked, and nobody

could help me until my doctor was able to get me approved for

Xolair.

The interesting part about my condition is that I have virtually no

free IgE levels in my blood. Autoimmune urticaria is essentially a

condition in which autoantibodies (IgG autoantibodies) bond to the

high affinity receptor on IgE (FCepsilonRI). Xolair downregulates

FCepsilonRI expression on basophils and mast cells. So, after a few

shots of Xolair, I stopped hiving. The reason for this is because

the autoantibodies can no longer bind to the high affinity IgE

receptors and release histamine. Not many people have tried Xolair

for chronic urticaria, but trust me, it worked for me when nothing

else did - high dose Atarax, Zyrtec, Singulair, Doxepin, Accolate,

Ketotifen, Terbutaline, Allegra, Claritin, and STEROIDS.

However, since I started getting Xolair injections (300 mg every 2

weeks), I get these acne-like marks that itch. They scab up and

disappear after a few days. Has anyone else experienced this while

on Xolair?

Also, I would truly love to speak with other chronic urticaria

patients who tried Xolair. I am most particulaly interested in

hearing from people who had extremely low free IgE in their blood.

I'm even more interested in hearing from people who tried Xolair

successfully for chronic urticaria and stopped therapy. Once therapy

was stopped, did the hives come back? I know it will be hard to

find someone with my condition and treatment regimen, but I am

hopeful that others exist. It would be great to exchange information.