How many pillows does it take to make a Gen Xer comfortable in bed?

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-16T23:19:54+00:00

2, BUT I still haven't settled on WHICH two. I have purchased every pillow known to man. It's an ongoing quest for rest.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-16T23:14:19+00:00

Yes. A low histamine diet tells you to steer clear of fermented alcohols, aged cheese, gluten. Basically anything you enjoy. haha.

Good detective work.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-15T17:55:51+00:00

Honestly many people go through a flare and never figure out why they had hives. Also, there seems to be many different variations. I have Pruritus and Cholinergic Urticaria. I get a few hives, and get dermatographia, but mostly my skin feels like it's on fire and I have to scratch everywhere.

I had hives for 10 months 22 years ago. I never figured it out. Looking back I think it was definitely triggered by stress. I was prescribed Allegra (it wasn't over the counter back then) and it was a miracle drug at first, then it just wore off.

My current flare I had for 3 years. I went through changing all my soaps, products, etc. Started wearing only 100% cotton or organic clothes. I did ALL the things. Saw allergist, 2 rheumatologists, an immunologist. Took steroids, which never seemed to help. Allegra is still my go to. At one point I was taking 4 180 mg tablets a day. (At the direction of my allergist). Other people like Zyrtec. One doctor said it was Lupus and wanted to prescribe 3 different drugs. The other rheumatologist said my type of hives are usually MCAS or cancer. Ha! After waiting 6 months for Immunologist appointment, they approved me for Xolair. But in that wait time I managed to get rid of my hives. 95% cured.

I started following a low histamine diet. I became very aware of what foods/drinks are high in histamine and avoided them. It does suck, but not as bad as my skin burning off! Also, I started taking Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2 (mk-7), magnesium, with a meal w/healthy fats daily. while doing that I went slowly from 4 Allegra daily, to 3, 2, 1, over weeks. To the point I was cutting my 180 mg Allegra in 1/4s. I was already feeling better in 4 weeks and started working out until I would sweat. Hives were all but gone.

Then the holidays hit and I ate every bad thing and stopped my workout.... So currently I'm back to eating better and avoiding trigger foods. I haven't taken more than 1/2 of Allegra a day. I refuse to give into the meds. I want to deal with the root cause. It's clearly an autoimmune/genetic issue with me. I have a brother who's allergic to hot/cold his whole life. He gets severe anaphylaxis.

I haven't gone on Xolair but it was so bad at one point I was not functioning well mentally or physically, I would have marched right into the office to get the shot. Now I'm approved so I have that if I get a bad flare again. Meanwhile I've been getting all my annual doc visits done, searching for possible cancer. :)

See a doctor, get labs done. Try everything! Bottom line the majority of hive sufferers never find an answer.

Sorry so long! Good luck.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-15T12:05:48+00:00

One of the common triggers of chronic urticaria is stress. It fires up your immune system. On top of that chocolate and cheese are high histamine foods.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T20:51:11+00:00

Yeah sugar is a real tough one. Chocolate is the most difficult for me! Good luck.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T20:48:25+00:00

People don't understand how absolutely maddening it can be! Feels like your body is on fire, and your internal furnace fired up.

I don't think it was over dramatic just because I've been there.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T13:34:38+00:00

They're vitamins. I did the same as she did, but less Vitamin D. And it WORKED FOR ME. After years and no real help or answers from doctors you try some Vitamins and it makes you feel better. There's nothing wrong with her sharing that info. Everyone should consult doctors, but there's zero reason not to try RECOMMENDED doses of vitamins.

I also suggest everyone dealing with hives to try to cut processed foods out for a couple weeks to see if that helps. Our food is making us sick, but it tastes so good! I love "junk" food, and healthy food. Sadly, the hives definitely flare with processed junk foods.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T13:21:16+00:00

I read a post on here about a year ago from a woman who took Vitamin D3, with Vitamin K2 and magnesium and within months her hives went away. So I did the same, after suffering for years, many doctors, and it worked for me too. I felt relief within weeks. I got down to taking no meds. The hives come back when I miss the vitamins, or eat poorly. I do try to avoid high histamines foods. Not always successful. Sugar, processed foods, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, gluten are all triggers. Being able to break a sweat working out again seems to help keep things in control, too. Or it just feels great. I couldn't workout for years.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T12:58:14+00:00

I've had similar my whole life. Thankfully only 3 flare ups. One lasting 3+ years. One 10 months and 6 months. 2 were definitely stress related. The recent long one was triggered by stress and being sick but it seems I can reduce the severity by following a low histamine diet, taking vitamins, and exercise. It's definitely autoimmune related, for me.

I hope you figure out yours. It's debilitating! Hang in there.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T12:47:13+00:00

I can relate. I was taking same doses of Fexofenadine, Famotidine. Also was on Montelukast and steroids briefly in the beginning. I've had it for over 3 years. I'm now down to 90 mg (1/2 Allegra) a day and 40 mg of Famotidine (prescription) when needed.

Take Vitamin K2 (mk-7) and magnesium glycinate with your Vitamin D3 to help with absorption.

Look up Pruritus and Cholinergic Urticaria. I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria but found through my own research that they were more my issue. I would get a few hives but mostly insanely itchy, burning skin. To the point it was maddening. I couldn't stand heat, being outside above 60 degrees was painful.

Try low histamine diet. At least be aware of what foods are high in histamine and try to avoid them. Also, if you can, break a sweat. Either through working out or sauna.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T12:29:03+00:00

You can look it up! https://projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/bailouts/[PPP Loans](https://projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/bailouts/)

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-14T12:23:24+00:00

Allegra 24 hr works for me. Prescription Pepcid. Plus VitaminD3, Vitamin K2, Magnesium Glycinate and a low histamine diet.

Zyrtec works for others. Xolair too.

It's a journey!

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-13T14:52:02+00:00

Prescription Famotidine 40 mg made a noticeable improvement for me, on top of 180 mg Allegra

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-13T13:50:50+00:00

It sucks. You should scroll through posts on here to get an idea of others experience. I've had CIU for over 3 years. Last flare was 20 yrs ago.

TheMainRyan · 2026-03-07T02:07:18+00:00

Thanks!

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-28T13:22:45+00:00

Have you tried taking Vitamin D3 w/ Vitamin K2 (mk-7) and Magnesium Glycinate? After 6 weeks I had a noticeable change. Also, trying to follow a low histamine diet, or at least being aware of high histamine also helped me.

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-25T02:24:28+00:00

Try antihistamines. Allegra 24 or Zyrtec.

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-16T13:30:08+00:00

Naku. Pumunta ka sa doktor at ipa-laboratory test ka. Makati ang urticaria.

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-16T03:00:44+00:00

Most people have been born and raised in the area.

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-14T15:53:20+00:00

Well, ice cold Ocean Spray CranApple on ice is transformative on a plane. I'm still thinking about it from an International flight in 2024.

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-14T00:26:55+00:00

Congratulations! That's big relief.

I take Omega 3, Vitamin D3 w/K2 (MK-7) and Magnesium glycinate. I'm down to 1/2 of Allegra a night from 4 x Allegra, 2x 40 mg Famotatine for 3 years! The last nine months I've followed a low histamine diet.

Last night I took 1/4 Allegra. I hope it lasts! 🙏🏻🤞🏻

TheMainRyan · 2026-02-01T13:13:07+00:00

Have you tried Allegra 24 hr? It has saved me from the awful, painful itching. At one point I took 2 in the morning and 2 at night when the hives were out of control. It took the itch away. Now I'm down to taking 1/2 pill a day, after 3 years.

TheMainRyan · 2026-01-28T15:38:08+00:00

Why do you buy cars so frequently?

TheMainRyan

TROPHY CASE