Stress-Induced Hives for the Caregiver?

My husband as well had 2 strokes but about 8 years ago and possibly has the beginnings of Parkinson’s and I am his caregiver as well. He is doing much better since then although he has some problems left over from it.

I developed hives last summer for the first time as an adult and starting around the area where I had to have surgery almost 2 years ago to remove a section of my leg where I had been bitten by our own dog over 10 years ago and where it turned into a large growth that then had to be removed. I thought maybe it was due to bug bites. We live in a wooded area but I’m not outside often so I’m not sure where it would’ve come from. It always seemed to happen when I first woke up in the morning. At one point it spread to my other leg and then to my abdomen. Then as the weather got cooler it disappeared. I would wake up in the morning feeling itchy in those areas I mentioned. Within a few hours it would pretty much all just disappear though but would reappear again the next day. I still don’t know what caused it. Just the other day more recently I awoke with another seemingly red bug bite on that same leg. It didn’t progress any further than that though.

@hbjuniperflat, I'm so sorry that you are dealing with hives on top of everything else. With so much to handle - even when you're handling it well - it's not surprising that your body is saying enough is enough. But what to do when the situation isn't changing, and when is rains it pours?

I hope you saw the supportive and helpful post from @liv38556, who's been there.

I thought you might also appreciate the tips in this article.
- Why Am I Breaking Out in Hives When I’m Stressed?! https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-am-i-breaking-out-in-hives-when-im-stressed/

How are doing now? Did the hives subside with time? Any particular triggers that you know to avoid?

I had severe hives over my whole body . My face got so bad the bridge if my nose was too swollen to wear glasses. My eyes were so swollen that i was unable to put on my contacts.
I always felt this was stress related because it occurred during deeply stressful periods of my life.
It went on for many years. Dr tried all sorts of things but the only thing that helped was ativan.
I became sick with many issues about 20 years into this when i had a thyroid test . It turns out i developed hashimotis thyroiditis. As soon as i started treating that, the hives stopped permanently. It turned out that for me and many others treating this thyroid problem stopped the hives.
I dont know if this will help at all but i am sharing in the hopes it will.
Beth

This is amazing. I have been experiencing hive like blisters in my throat and mouth. They are intermittent and painful. I wonder if this could be related. I am so glad they found something and were able to treat you and that you are on the mend. Where did you go to get the diagnosis?

My internist.
I was very sick before he finally agreed to text me. He thought i just wanted pills to lose weight. I had uncontrollable weight gain and couldn't sleep. Walked 2 hrs every morning and starved myself. My memory got really bad and i was very burdened by brain fog.an endocrinologist at mass general finally took over.

Thank you, @colleenyoung. I read the article you suggested and will keep the suggested medications in mind. After the steroid shot and steroid pill pack, my hives did subside. However, I have had a new breakout although this time isn't as bad yet. I am hoping that there might be some residual effect from all of the steroid doses I had on the last bout. I still believe that the hives are stress induced.

Things are not necessarily better with my husband's health. He continues to hallucinate, be delusional, and irrational. Though I know that these challenges are because of his diseases, it is still difficult to deal with him all day, every day. My patience runs thin; my responsibilities and work load remain high. He won't let our caregiver assist him on many things -- he only allows me to help him. He is a tough one to handle sometimes.

I am receiving counseling through a Hospice program called Supportive Care for Dementia. I am being encouraged to visit care facilities and think about placing my husband in a place where he can benefit from 24 hour care. My last doctor suggested that my body may be telling me (with the hives) that I can't go much further. This is very stressful in itself. It isn't just the cost of care in a facility, which will be all out of pocket for us, but also the fact that he hasn't forgotten people -- especially me. I am not sure that I can look into those blue eyes I fell in love with years ago, as I leave him in a place where he doesn't want to be. My children are fearful that they are going to lose me, along with their stepfather. Each of these things are stressful; added together they are overwhelming.
Thank you for your support and for the helpful comments.

I have had blister and rash breakouts intermittently while giving care to my husband. The only relief I get for the intense itching and burning is good old fashioned Noxema. I did have my primary care check it out to rule out underlying issues.

Thank you @colleenacarney . At this point in time, my hives have subsided. It took a steroid shot, plus a round of steroid drugs to get them under control. Presently, I have hired in-home care to help with my husband, and to allow me a chance to run to the store for meds and groceries, as well as an occasional walk. Unfortunately, the agency tends to send a different caregiver each day, which causes more confusion for my husband, and work for me. He became so agitated after the third day in a row of a different person each time, that it took me 2 hours to get him calmed. I don't think it is worth the expense -- emotionally or monetarily. Yes, I spoke with the agency about the need to be consistent in who they send; however, we all know how difficult it is for employers to find and keep good employees these days.

I am not sure what to avoid... but if I get even 10 minutes to exercise, or journal, it seems to help.