i also have problems with chronic uticaria. Was controlled for 2 year with predisone to start which they tappered me off and letf me on claritin 2x daily and atarax 5omg every bedtime. This worked well for 2 years and then dr. decided to taper me off all the medication. Hives returned and have been taking predisone and above medication for last 4 months and have not been able to get off the predisone. soon as try to taper off hives come back. if every get under control they will never get me off the medication again.