Book of condolences / Kondolenzbuch

I appreciate this man so much. In particular I remember his compassion when he said that anxiety does not cause hives, hives cause anxiety. After decades of undiagnosed CIU, I knew this to be true, but to hear it comeing from the mouth of someone in the medical community means so so much. I began having chronic daily migraines and hives in the 1970's. MCAS and CIU was not well understood. Doctors, friends, and employer saw my migraines and hives as a character flaw, a condition cause by anxiety. I tried but I could find no pattern of stress exaberating my hives and headaches. I began to see patterns in the 1970s, but it was all very confusing, it did not line up with what was "known" at the time. The medical community continued to be dismissive. Maybe they didn't want to take the time. Maybe they didn't know how to help me. Maybe it was just easier to blame me and escort me out the door. It was a relevation to the first time doctor told me migraines were not caused by stress. This encouraged me to continue looking for answers. Although the medical community was starting to understand migraine and hives, that did not translate to the workplace. When I missed work due to a migraine my job security was threatened. Coworkers saw my hives as visual proof of a character flaw. Unkind and insensive remarks were made. Over time I was able to identify and avoid some of the food and environmental triggers, enough to reduce the frequency of daily migraines to see the hormonal pattern of a migraine that started one hour before my mentrual period, and lasted for three days. So add hormones to the mix of triggers. Combine IgE allergies, sensitivites and autoimmune conditions, it's been a lot to sort out. I wish more doctors would realize the disservice they do to their patients when they tell their patients something is caused by stress or anxiety when the doctor does not have the answer. I wish doctors would take a lesson or two from Dr. Mauer. Dr. Mauer's knowledge is helpful, and his empathy and compassion are healing. His death is a great loss to the community of people with CIU, and an example for people in the medical field.. P.S. Fellow CIU people, I realize some of you feel that stress is a significant factor in your symptoms. I don't mean to discredit your observations of your own body. You know your body better than anyone else could. Just saying that doctors need to do bettter, listen to their patients more and partner with the patient to find answers. Be better, like Dr Maurer.) Today, with a proper diagnosis, lifestyle, and medication my hives have been under control for over 3 years. Imagine what that means after suffering from hives and migraines 50 years. When they ask me how I'm doing when I get my CIU treatments, I tell them "I'm doing GREAT, I have my life back."