Stress relief

So over the past few years my husband and I have been through a lot between my getting really sick with my UC, trying to get pregnant and rounds and rounds of fertility treatments, my pregnancy loss in 2006, and the loss of our baby via surrogate at 19w3d about six weeks ago. Last year when I got really stressed over a failed cycle I got Shingles and came out of remission shortly thereafter. Six weeks ago we lost the baby; the following week I had a (scheduled) tonsillectomy; got a case of Bronchitis that the docs could not heal even after 8 days in the hospital then two more weeks at home on similar treatment. Long story short (sort of), I get hives when I am really stressed and I've had them now since Friday, even waking up with them during the night. They are everywhere - on my scalp down to my legs. Today my hands swelled up and hurt like crazy. I am taking two Benadryl every two hours and I am now taking Prednisone AGAIN which I just got massive doses of in the hospital (both per my doc's instructions.) Nothing phases them - I am scratching until there is blood. I know, gross. I've tried Aveeno baths, etc. I do have Xanax I can take but not sure I can take that with Benadryl. Please share your stress relievers with me - how can I shut down my brain?. I am considering yoga, therapy, accupuncture..and anything else that might help. I can't exercise much right now b/c they are trying to diagnose a secondary breathing issue (even longer story.) Thanks for reading my long rant and in advance for your suggestions. 

WoW sounds like you are down on your luck. Do you like a good book? A good book might make things better? Or maybe a walk around the block. ummm let me see what else can you do to releve that stress. I like the whole laughing at how life sucks kind of thing. *if you can see hurmor in anything then life tends to get better*

No really I have been known to laugh when in the ICU and you know what it made me feel better.I even started laughing because I was laughing in the ICU...yes I am a strange one.

Laughter best meds ever! =) Hope your luck gets better.

So sorry to hear you are going through so much.
Have you tried massages, or accupuncture which is also very relaxing, that's what I remember most about it, and it might even give you some symptom relief. Treat yourself, you deserve it!
Peace.

I know what you mean. My emotions get me into a flair reall quick. I don't even know how or why i am stressed. But I like talking to a friend about my problems but sometimes they spend too much time trying to understand that they drive me crazy. One day i will find someone who won't laugh or bring up the fact that they really don't know what you are talking about. Just someone who listens to me. I am still finding this person. I really am re-evaluating some people in my life for there worth when it comes to what i am telling them about my illness. It takes skill to really look at the emotional aspect of a illness that they can't even see or touch. That is why i hate UC because you look fine but turns out inside you are not. So the old well you look fine thing really dosn't fit with us. If you know what i mean.By the way do you have thyroid problems *I ask because I noticed your taking synthroid. My mom takes that. I beleve for thyroid problems.

Hi Angel,
<<hug>>
No wonder you're stressed! For me, my stress comes from thinking about the past and or future and worrying about what will happen. The Dalai Lama says your thoughts are like a bunch of monkeys running around biting your butt.

If I think only about what's currently happening (not what's happened in the past or what I think will happen in the future) and noticing pain, etc. but not judging it as good or bad, then a lot of my stress goes away. There's a program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). You can probably find out info about it online. That's helped me accept my illness and a lot of other things.

I hope that you can find some way to relax a little. Take care!