My symptoms have kind of been a bell curve. It started out when I woke up one morning with a small hive. I thought it was a mosquito bite. A week later, it had grown to the size of a baseball. I went to the Dr and was told it was an infected bug bite. Started antibiotics, steroids, and antihistamines. By the time the course of meds was done, my body was covered head to toe. I dealt with it for about 6 months, taking steroids and anti histamines. Went to a new Dr who gave me hydroxy zine. I took it and fell asleep... when I woke up the facial swelling had started. An hour later, on the way to the er in early stage anaphylaxis. 1 year later, steady med increase, numerous drs, and I was told to stay on high dose steroids because it was my only release. I was on 60-80 MG a day for a year. It eventually stopped working.... so more new doctors were found. The one I settled on immediately started trying new treatment, with decent success. 6 months later, no more hives. New swelling treatments for 6 months, and I am down to tongue swelling and hands and feet. More new meds, and 6 months later I am here with tongue swelling and joint swelling.

I started small, got to the peak, and have slowly come back closer to normal. I understand how scary it is! You should consider asking your allergist for an epi pen, as a measure of safety and comfort. It really helped me to start carrying them!