Pick up squealing like a stuck pig.

I have a problem I hoped that you all might be able to help me with.
I play in a Gothic-Metal band and am using a guitar with active pick ups.
I love the steeley crunch of it, with one exception. It has this horrible high pitch squeal when I am closer than 15-20 ft. to the amp.
I have tried lowering the pick up, facing the amp, facing away, dancing around the room, adjusting the trebel and so forth. I am about to pull my hair out.
If I am at low volume it seems fine. But I turn up to equal with the band and it is like a Harpy mating call.
I want to use the set up I have, without buying new gear. Is there a technical trick or tip that someone out there might know to adjust this problem? :confused:

Icarus

read "stupid sound" posted by me and see if it rings a bell

You need a noise gate(I recommend the Boss N-S2)

also,keep your left hand lightly over the strings when not activley playing(while taking a swig of beer for example)

Do you use effects? Distortion pedals or overdrives? You may have to adjust your levels, active p/u's put out a very strong signal, and believe it or not, to much gain is a bad thing.......................

Thank you for the replies. I will give them a try.