Omalizumab for Urticaria User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ame...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2019

Omalizumab "Prior to starting Xolair a little over 1 year ago, I have had chronic hives for 18 years. More days with than without hives. Swelling of face, lips, eyes, hands, and feet. Hospitalized several times. In ER at least 10 times a year. Xolair ended all of that. A small, manageable flare-up infrequently. No side effects whatsoever. This medicine has restored my quality of life as well as my sanity. I no longer feel as if my hives will one day kill me if a hospital isn't nearby. Thank you, makers of Xolair!"

• Ray...
• July 20, 2019

Omalizumab "I've been taking it for a year now and still going, it is a miracle. It helped me with asthma, urticaria, redness, and all over my body rashes! Thank goodness for it. But I’m always in joint pain! Should I take anything for it?"

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 4, 2019

Omalizumab "I was diagnosed with CIU 2.5 years ago, but have been suffering for over 6 years. I have been taking Xolair for almost 2 years now. In the beginning, it did wonders for me. I had no flare-up, almost no itchiness at all. It was a miracle. Then this summer, after 1.5 years of 350 mg/4 weeks, it stopped working. I am taking 100 to 150 mg of Benadryl every 6 hours, and still, the itching is driving me crazy. To be able to sleep, I need to strap an ice pack to my legs and arms to calm the itching. Anyone else is in the same boat? Thanks."

• Fay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2020

Omalizumab "I've been suffering for 18 years with this crazy hives. I did all the pills, I'm still taking 1 Zyrtec a day, one Singulair a day, 150 mg Xolair shot a month. I'm clean and clear, and thank God. Finally, after many years of misery, I thought I was the only person out there suffering. The shot has been a miracle for me, but I do agree with the sugar cravings and weight gain. I have to diet and watch what I eat all the time so I don't blow up, but I'm very grateful for the shot, it has changed my life back to normal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2020

Omalizumab "Two years ago, I was diagnosed with CIU - chronic idiopathic urticaria - which made my life miserable, holding my ice pack all day long, everywhere I go, until my doctor introduced me to Xolair injection. I got relief instantly. I get 2 shots of 150 mg every 4 to 6 weeks. I'm so blessed this medicine has worked for me."

• Mer...
• May 2, 2016

Omalizumab "I'm on Xolair for chronic idiopathic urticaria. This shot has changed my life! I just had my 6th one today, I only get breakthrough hives about once a week, and it's not very bad. My dermatographia and angioedema are completely gone. I've been able to get off most of my antihistamines and prednisone as well."

• fee...
• June 8, 2015

Omalizumab "I had head-to-toe hives for the last 3-4 years. Antihistamines did nothing. After my first shot of Xolair, the hives went away for about 3 months. Then, after the 4th shot, they came back and stayed with me for another 3 months. I just had my ninth shot, and I've been hive-free for 3 months. I've put on weight that I can't explain, and I'm having more foods give me gas. These are not good side effects, but better than the constant itching."

• Gus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2018

Omalizumab "I had chronic urticaria for over 13 years, and I had been trying every kind of medicine, and nothing was working for me. No doctor here in the USA, Jordan, or Colombia could help me with it. The only medicine that was helping me was prednisone. I was so disappointed because no one could help me. Till my last hope, I visited another doctor, and he explained to me about Xolair. I had my first shots in June, and the same day, my urticaria was gone. I could not believe it. I am so grateful for your medicine and my doctor who recommended it. I am happy that I found this doctor and your medicine. I will complete my injections, and THANK YOU SO MUCH! Now I am a new man after these first injections. I don’t have the words to thank you. I feel like I am a new man. Thanks a thousand times."

• pfb...
• October 11, 2016

Omalizumab "I suffered from UCI for close to a year. Nonstop hives with no relief other than steroids. After many allergists, one finally suggested Xolair. It was covered by my insurance (BCBS). I had 3 shots, 1x per month for 3 months. It's been a year with no issues, and I no longer need Xolair. Thank you to the people who created Xolair. It changed my life!!"

• Gig...
• March 19, 2016

Omalizumab "I have had hives since 1997 on a daily basis. I have tried every drug and combination there is. The only thing that ever worked was prednisone, and we all know how hateful that stuff is. My doctor told me about Xolair a while back, and we waited on my insurance to approve it. It has been the best thing that has happened to me. I started 1 1/2 years ago and haven't had a hive since my first injection. My injections were every 4 weeks for a year, and now they are every 6 weeks. I do get all-over muscle soreness for a week after injections, but that goes away, and it's far better than having hives. I finally feel normal again!"

• Loc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2019

Omalizumab "When I read Itchyallover’s review, it was as if I'd written it myself. It took effect 2 weeks before the 5th injection, but 10 days later, it stopped. The clinic nurse said it often wears off a few days before the next one is due. It took effect again 3 days after the 5th injection, but I've already had two bouts of CIU since then. I can’t rely on Xolair yet; that’s why I gave it a 6. I'm due for my 6th injection in 10 days, and I’ll review again if things improve. Only acupuncture plus a Chinese bitter herb drink twice a day has kept me sane. I avoid all dairy products, reduced sugar, and only drink green tea or water. Like “Itchyallover,” I have run through all my savings for acupuncture 3 times a week and the cost of herbs. I also take Warfarin, so I can’t take Prednisone. Give me the pain of every surgery I’ve ever had (ten), than 1 hour of itching; it reminds me of a biblical plague. My daughter describes it as 'a plague of locusts - under the skin'! There has been some research showing patients with chronic urticaria have low vitamin D levels, and studies show taking high doses of Vitamin D3 can reduce it. Some research on it, the study is 'Relationship between vitamin D and chronic spontaneous urticaria: a systematic review.'"

• Ebo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2016

Omalizumab "I began to experience hives and angioedema really, really bad. Every morning I would wake up, my body would be covered, from head to toe. My face would be 10x its normal size. It was devastating and painful to have your hands and feet swell due to hives covering them. My allergist placed me on prednisone, but that is a very mean drug! I was on 3 antihistamines: Allegra, Zyrtec, and Singulair. I was on 2% hydrocortisone, and nothing helped! Until my insurance approved Xolair. It literally changed my life! After day 3 of my first injection, hives disappeared! The only downfall was the horrible headaches and joint pain I experience after the injections. I also have fibromyalgia, and it just intensifies the pain for a few days."

• Chr...
• November 29, 2017

Omalizumab "I am beyond disappointed that Xolair had no effect on my chronic urticaria. For 18 years, I have suffered with the disabling disease. My hives are so bad, I cannot even wear clothes because anything touching my skin causes unbearable pain, swelling, redness, and my eyes become bloodshot/swollen, and pus comes out of them. I also have full-blown lupus, and I am human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B27 positive (HLA-B27 positive). My life is completely ruined and over. Can't work, have zero support from anyone, live in poverty (thank you, SSD), lost my home... horrible situation. Xolair did nothing. Not one thing! Pain, redness, swelling, itching still there after two months with two treatments of two shots a month. Beyond depressed. It is hard to live like this."

• Abe...
• October 30, 2018

Omalizumab "I have had 2 Xolair shots. I took a month break in between to think about how I felt about the experience. After the first shot, I experienced severe sugar cravings and felt starving for about 8 days. My joints hurt as well, but by the second week, things got better. The hives came back about 8 weeks after the first shot, more painful and swollen than before, so I decided to get the 3rd shot. Now, 2 weeks in, I am still starving and craving sugar. I have gained weight, but the hives are gone. Had anyone else experienced the cravings? I did notice it in one review here but would like to know if there are any others. My doctors don’t believe me. Frustrated."

• Sam...
• February 9, 2018

Omalizumab "I got my first shot in November, and I’ve got severe insomnia, and I couldn’t sleep even with prescribed sleeping pills! My Dr. gave me a 1-month break, then lowered my dose to half, and after one week of my second injection, again I’m having severe insomnia, and it’s affecting my life quality! I am going to ask my Dr. to stop this as I’m suffering from good quality sleep! I googled and figured out insomnia was one of the side effects in some patients! Did anyone have the same problem?"

• hiv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 7, 2012

"I actually got Xolair for chronic idiopathic urticaria. Had horrible hives and was on a high dose of prednisone for 9 months with side effects. Then got my first Xolair injection. Within less than 24 hours, I woke up hive-free. It changed my life."

• LAB...
• February 6, 2017

Omalizumab "I was a very healthy 52-year-old female until my first Urticaria attack in June of 2013. I was taken to the emergency room and treated with IV Benadryl. I was back in the ER with the same symptoms 24 hours later. Like many of the posts I read here, I went through prednisone, cyclosporine, lotions, potions, etc., and about 5 prescription antihistamines a day from June of 2013 to October 2013 trying to get relief. Nothing worked, and I was miserable-not to mention drugged. I found a very good doctor who introduced Xolair to me. I received my first Xolair injection in October 2013 (prior to FDA approval for CIU) and am still on it as of Feb 2017. It's a miracle drug."

• Min...
• September 29, 2016

Omalizumab "Xolair shots are a lifesaver! I was completely covered in hives for months and tried every medication possible while still trying to attempt college. I was failing classes and hated life, I was absolutely miserable. My doctor suggested Xolair, but after seeing the price, I knew there was no way. However, my doctor got me connected to sign up for the pay assistance. Although they are high in cost, they are extremely worth it. I get two shots a month, and it took about 2 months for any difference and then about 4 until I was completely hive-free, but I have now been hive-free since then! I can never thank the Xolair creator enough!"

• Dli...
• June 14, 2018

Omalizumab "I started getting large, itchy, and painful hives 5 years ago. I have had multiple allergy tests. I was put on Xolair, and it worked wonders. I lost my insurance, so now I cannot afford Xolair without insurance. My condition has worsened. This past month, I have gone to the ER. The hives are the least of my concerns now. My tongue, lips, throat swell, and I go into full-blown anaphylaxis. The only thing that helps is epinephrine, a steroid, an antacid, and Benadryl, all given intravenously. It’s sad. I will keep searching for help. A nurse in one ER spoke with me once I had stabilized. He recommended that I read a book called Eating for Your Blood Type as well as histamine intolerance. I now avoid fast foods and all sorts of pickled and cured foods, as well as any foods that sit around because they contain additives and preservatives. I’m afraid to eat now, and I’m craving sugar like mad. I believe I am histamine intolerant and may have some mast cell condition situation."

• Fra...
• December 13, 2017

Omalizumab "I have been suffering from horrible hives all over my body since June 2017. I took my first Xolair shot on 12/8/17, and my hives have gotten worse. I was told by the allergy office that I have to get 2 more shots before they consider Xolair to be ineffective. I just hope that I can afford the next 2 shots. No drug should cost this much, especially if it isn't working!"

• DCi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2017

Omalizumab "I've been experiencing breakouts for months. Have gone through everything everyone else has, so no need to rehash. I'll get to the point for those who are suffering. On January 23, 2017, I received my first injection of Xolair. In less than 24 hours, I was already experiencing some mild relief. It's been a full week, not one breakout of hives. It feels like I have my life back."

• Jan...
• December 10, 2018

Omalizumab "I have had chronic urticaria for about 10 years. Tried acupuncture, which helped me reduce my allergy meds by half but not all the way. Then started Xolair 3 months ago. It helped with hives, and I was able to reduce my allergy pills to just 2 Zyrtec a day. However, I have a host of negative side effects: rash on my face that won’t go away, severe irritation of the lining inside my mouth, inflamed lips, and significant weight gain. I’ve decided it’s just not worth all these negative side effects, so I’m stopping Xolair."

• Jac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 8, 2023

Omalizumab "I have had chronic hives since they randomly appeared one day when I was about 8. I have been taking Allegra and Zyrtec for years, and that has helped a bunch, but I still got flare-ups now and then. Finally, my doctor recommended Xolair. At first, it seemed to work, at least for the first two weeks. Then my hives started to flare up, covering my whole body and becoming unresponsive to any medicines. My doctor increased my dosage, but that has only made them worse. I have them every day. They are more painful and itchy than before I started taking Xolair. Side effects: for me, I have noticed that I am constantly tired. I used to be a night owl, and now I can barely make it past 9 p.m. I sleep 12 hours and wake up feeling exhausted. I have noticed some bone and muscle pains too. I feel a lot weaker overall. And I’m only 20. In conclusion, this drug might work for some, but for me, it only made things worse."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2025

Omalizumab "It worked great in the beginning, a year ago. The longer I use it, it seems to be less effective. I've now had hives 24/7 for 3 weeks. No relief from itching, skin is bruised from scratching. I've experienced hair loss, a cough, and at times my tongue swells. I'm currently taking 150 two times. Dermatology doctor has increased it to 2 injections two times a month. March will be my first time to use this much. Further testing is being done now, March 2025, and it seems I may need to change medications. Testing is ongoing at this point. Along with Xolair, I've been taking antihistamines daily. It all helped in the beginning, but the doctor thinks I have something else going on."

• nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2017

Omalizumab "I've had hives off and on since 2002. I am 52 years old, and I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and lupus. I was tired of hive breakouts and constantly taking Benadryl, so I decided to start taking Xolair. Within a half hour after the shot, my hands got red and itchy. I told the nurse, she seemed unconcerned. I got very tired, went home, and slept half a day! That night, I got three hives on my leg and arm. The next morning, I was achy all over and got dizzy with a headache. I report I also got some chest heaviness. I called the doctor, and he said it was not from Xolair. I can stop Benadryl, but he wants me to continue shots. So far, I can't stop Benadryl because I'm still itchy! I don't know if I should get the next dose because I don't want worse side effects. Want to eat again."