Episode 337: Itching for Answers: Nicole's Battle with Chronic Hives

We're switching things up this episode. Instead of our usual stories about women in history, we're pausing to bring awareness to Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (aka chronic hives). Nicole is opening up about her deeply personal ongoing health journey that's basically become her personality over the last 10 months.  Hives can be triggered by a wide range of issues, which makes them an incredibly frustrating and mysterious condition. They're often a symptom of something deeper happening in the body. In Nicole's case, the hives took over her entire body—not the tiny, bug-bite-style ones, but massive, intensely itchy welts from head to toe. She's tried nearly everything: parasite treatments, supplements, antibiotics, Xolair, prednisone, and even a grueling cleanse. While she's experienced moments of relief, the hives keep coming back and they like to switch it up every time.  If you've ever felt isolated in your health struggles, been dismissed by doctors, or left without answers, this episode is for you. Nicole's not a doctor and isn't offering medical advice, just an honest account of her experience, in hopes of finding answers or supporting someone else on a similar path. Send us your story, comments, or questions and put "Pissed Off Patient" in the subject line: [email protected] Follow, comment, or DM us on IG: @homance_chronicles