metten's interview
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How did all start?
It started a summer after I had a bath in a lake. I got hives all around my stomach. A lot of itching and it felt really warm.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I got diagnosed in 2005. The most severe grade.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I have been trough a desensitisation programme over 3 weeks in hospital in 2006. Together with medical treatment, antihistamine and ranitidine I take a cold shower about 15 degrees centigrade for 3 min every morning. This helps most of the time.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Desensitisation programme.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Muscle pain and stiff joints especially during winter time. Fatigue and loss of concentration. Headaches and nausea. Often have abdominal swellings. Only work part time because of this.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
No effect
What do you think about the future?
A bit concerned because my cold urticaria got worse the last 3 years.. and also during menopause. Loosing my employability and that scares me.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The first years after the desensitisation programme. Felt much more alive and not so tired. Energy boost.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would love to swim... in the sea for more than 30 seconds...
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Pretty good
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Do not let it stop you. But get enough rest.
