2 yrs. after birthing my daughter, I began this rare form of chronic severe hives. Allergy tests showed no cause (possibly stress/trauma related) though I suffered panic attacks/anxiety yrs. before. After a rough pregnancy, with diabetes, high blood pressure, toximia, I think that started a cycle of inflammatory issues. After trying several antihistimines for the hives, I eventually tried Imipramine HCL; it made me somewhat drowsy and constipated, dry mouth, but really helped with any anxiety, especially at suppressing the hives--I couldnt work without it. within the first year of taking it, I had a minorly physical job 2 days a week, at age 33, was having sudden hot flashes, sweating, heart pounding, lasting up to 20 min. I would have to sit down at my job until it went away. Quite scary, but every time I asked a dr. if I could try something else, they would say "As rare and extreme as this hives is, if you found something that WORKS, stick with it!" I felt I had no choice. It affected my memory, I felt light-headed, groggy much of the time, and still struggled to work reliably. After 15 yrs., reaching age 50, more recent jobs that were more physical caused profuse sweating, and I thought it was true hot flashes. After I lost 2 jobs, I decided to cut way back on it, to see if I still had hives, which I would try to do once a yr. or so, and it was gone!! When I got off the Imipramine, the sweating and hot flashes were nearly COMPLETELY GONE, I had to get USED TO being CHILLED at times--I could actually wear sweaters again, my memory and mind was clearing, I felt like someone lifted a huge wet wool blanket off of me!! Now Im struggling with digestive problems, severe IBS; apparently my system got SO used to being stopped up and sluggish, even after my gall bladder removed, once off of it, my intestines got really sensitive, without the real drying effects slowing it down, and 3 months off the drug, still trying to change my diet and habits, taking fiber pills helps.Read More Read Less