Hello everyone -
   I need some opinions.  I am in a huge flare right now, which for the first time in my life includes horrific hives - my body is covered with them and my lips and face are constantly swelling up.  I thought I was getting better, but may have had a touch of the stomach bug last night and today I'm all hived up again, both top and bottom lip are swollen and bottom jaw is killing me, which means face will be swollen in the morning.  My internist wants me to take prednisone, but I've been reluctant up to this point, but after today, I am really considering it.  I know steroids are bad for you, but if it would help me get out of this flare, I'd take them.  
    So - what is your opinion of steroids - friend or foe?

I second Joan's suggestion:
take the steroids. This is the time for such a medication!

Kelley

I'll add my agreement to the chorus...in your condition, a short course of steroids is definitely appropriate and isn't likely to do any harm.

What is the maximum amount a person can take?  I take the following:
1- 10 mg Zyrtec in the morning
1 - 25 mg Vistaril at 4:30 p.m.
1 - 150 mg Zantac - at noon

I started the Prednisone 4 days ago and my hives have gotten much worse.  I'm not going to take any more Prednisone.  I am so frustrated, I really thought the Pred. would help.  I am beyond frustrated.  I've never experienced anything like this and the quickest I can get in to see my Mast cell guy is February 20th.  This has been going on since November.  I've decided to try the elimination diet.  Today I've eaten oatmeal, white rice with hamburger, saltine crackers and rice crispies.  I normally put Rice Dream in my oatmeal and cereal, but today I used Lactose free milk.  It tastes awful - I am going to use only rice dream from now on - even though it contains sunflower oil - do you think it's okay?  Thank you all so much for responding. This board is a blessing from heaven!

Wow, so sorry the prednisone isn't helping.  I wonder if you're reacting to a filler in the pill?

An elimination diet is an essential part of getting your symptoms under control.  I've had problems with Rice Dream, I think because of the sunflower oil.  Don't know what to tell you on milk-type drinks.  I haven't found any that I could tolerate...Lactase least of all.

I get a good portion of my protein from egg whites (I buy the pasteurized cartons of them).  I also find I tolerate frozen green peas.  Another thing to try if gluten isn't a problem is fresh pasta.  It has more protein because it is made with eggs, and it has little else in it.  You can find it in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.  I also recommend baking yourself some plain cookies/blondies (no spices, just sugar/butter/flower/eggs/maybe vanilla).  I amazingly can tolerate chocolate, so I keep brownies on hand at all times, but I can't eat store bought ones due to all of the odd things, particularly oils, the put in them.

Good luck, and just be patient.  It takes a LONG time to figure out what will work.

Thank you all for your help!  I am going to try to make the blondies - that sounds like something that I might be able to eat.  I ate turkey tonight and my scalp is itching like crazy.  Turkey used to be one of my "go to" foods - I hope it's not going to be another one I have to add to the naughty list.  

I'm going to try to take a Zyrtec and Zantac at bedtime to see if that helps.  Weird thing about Zantac is it gives me a sour stomach, but if it helps with the hives, I will manage!