Healthy vent/Cautionary tale

[rubybeth]

Hi all,

I kind of just need a healthy vent before heading off to bed. This is also kind of a cautionary tale for the stress we LsIW feel.

Back in August, I had a weird breakout/rash on my hands/elbows/knees/feet. My GP had no idea what it was, but eventually it went away on its own. It was horribly itchy and hurt a lot. I don''t know how I managed not to miss any work while I had it, but I was determined to be ''distracted'' when I had it.

Well, about a week ago, it came back.

Eek! It is horrible stuff (through much googling, I figured I either had a weird virus or a type of eczema, which with my history of allergies, makes sense). I had to leave work early on Tuesday because it was driving me so insane, and I did some retail therapy to cope (new clothes helped, I swear!

). I made an appointment with my dermatologist, and after a shot (cortisone) yesterday and some potent topical cream, I am doing a lot better, but...

the kicker is that this stuff will come back most likely *after* a time of great stress.

My derm. asked me, "Are you under a lot of stress?" and I had to choke back a laugh. I summarized by saying I''m in grad school and work in a stressful environment, not including all the LIW stuff in addition to my regular life stuff. He asked where I worked, and when I said, "A library," he said he thought that would be very relaxing. I said not so much. I admitted to dealing with an alcoholic co-worker last summer (after the major binge-drinking bout stopped, the rash appeared... hmm...) and now (incompetent supervisors).

Well, I''m sure you LsIW don''t need to be reminded, but I want that official proposal/ring!

BF and I decided on an e-ring I think we''ll both love for the long-term (or until I can upgrade).

I have been communicating with Whiteflash and have forwarded all of it to S, who has the funds available. I don''t think it will be too long before he buys the ring, and he''s told his best friend that he''s going to keep me.

He even discussed his proposal plans with his best friend, and he offered tips (friend proposed to his gf a while ago; they broke up, which was for the best, but his best friend is a sweet guy who I also love having as a friend).

Now that I have picked out my ring, and know the proposal (!!!!!) is not too far off, my stress has definitely decreased, plus I''ve been off of school for a month, and am just starting back. That''s apparently when the rash loves to appear. Ugh. I am glad that it''s clearing up now, but it sucks that it''s on my hands, for obvious reasons! I''m afraid that getting engaged and the aftermath will make it come back, right when I''m going to want to show off my Whiteflash creation! Ack. Oh well, I''ll just have to attempt to relax and take it as easy as I can, and with this forum to vent for the time being, I know I''ll be okay.

Thanks for reading!! Anyone else had anything crazy happen while they were an LIW? Any marrieds who experienced something this severe in terms of waiting/anxiety? Stories, please!

 

[somethingshiny]

I''ve never had the LIW stress, I was married young so not much time to stress about it. But, I get hives when I get stressed. It started in high school. I would get them on my hands and feet, then it progressed to my back and abdomen. Now, I get them on my face, too. And, I don''t mean those tiny little hives, I mean several inches across. The shots of cortisone don''t work very well for me. But, I have Atarax that I take when I feel them coming. After getting them for 12 years, I''ve realized that they start with a tingling sensation. SO, I take the Atarax early and it keeps them from coming on. (usually). Remember Sloth from the Goonies, well, he looks downright HOT compared to what those hives have done to me!!

 

[brooke.lynne]

Awww, I really hope you feel all better soon! I suppose we could all use a reminder to take better care of ourselves. Can''t wait to see your ring!

 

[mirre]

Aww... RubyBeth that sounds awful! I''m sorry.

You can vent all your frustrations and stress here and we''ll help you cope so maybe it will help keep the rash away.

My mom gets blotches when she gets too stressed too. And she has it quite often as the place she works at is VERY stressful (incompentent people mostly).

Good Luck!

 

[rubybeth]

Thanks, something shiny, brooke.lynn and mirre! I''m really glad I have this forum. I think it''s actually a big part of why I feel much more relaxed lately... just knowing there are other lovely ladies in the same boat as me makes me feel better.

 

[gwendolyn]

Aww, honey, I am so sorry you have been so stressed it''s been making you sick! That''s great that''s it''s on the decrease and it is SO FREAKIN'' EXCITING that your ring is all but bought and paid for!!! Next time you feel the stress coming on, I heartily suggest having a hot bath, complete with printed-out photos of the ring that''s to come for you to gaze upon as you chill in the tub.

 

[mirre]

I second gwendolyn''s idea! Get you some oatmeal (or any kind really) bath soaks or salts and just sit and relax. And all the waiting will be over with soon I hope.

 

[rubybeth]

Excellent idea, Gwendolyn! I just may have to do that.

I saw my dermatologist last Wednesday, and he gave me a shot and a prescription ointment, and in mere hours, it was feeling a lot better. My hands didn''t itch, and the bumps started to stop swelling. Thank God for cortisone! To prevent it from coming back, though, I''m going to need to remain calm. I already got some Yoga videos.

And, on the e-ring front, S e-mailed Whiteflash over the weekend, so it shouldn''t be too much longer! I was so excited the night after he e-mailed them, I started giggling uncontrollably. It''s happening, and a whole lot sooner than I ever expected.

Yay!