Climbing the Corporate Ladder with Hives

For me, I have always put my education and career first. I’ve always wanted to be successful in my career and have worked hard to put the time and effort into being a loyal, hard-working woman in the office. But, when my hives first appeared in 2021 and then started getting worse, there were more sick days piling up because I couldn’t stand getting out of bed or being seen with so many hives.

Balancing hours at work and hives

Somedays, I would be headed into the office, and my eye or lip would start swelling to the point I would have to turn around and call in sick. And while we were still amid a pandemic, there were a lot of Zoom calls and hybrid work where I was required to be in the office a few days a week. So when the inconsistent and unscheduled outbreaks happened, it threw a wrench in my plans and always made me feel guilty for being unable to be in the office.

We all know the feeling of your body being achy, on fire, and itchy. All I wanted to do on those days was lay in a tub of ice water and pray the hives would settle down. Luckily, I had an utterly understanding boss who would give me the time I needed for my health.

New job bring new stresses

However, in April of last year, I took a new job, moved states, and had a new 90-day policy that stated we couldn't take leave for the first three months. I fought the hives throughout that time frame, but there were days when I only wanted to work hybrid and be on Zoom meetings again.

Then, to throw another pin in the wheel, my supervisor left less than three months after I started. I wanted to prove myself. I wanted to be someone in my office who could be relied on. But, unfortunately, as we know too well, stress can make hives return in a way that your regular medicines can’t relieve. I ended up putting that stress on my body and ignoring its signs. All because I wanted to be considered an overachiever who was loyal to my job and could be potentially promoted. I paid the price.

There was a flare-up that sent me to the doctor for an emergency steroid shot that laid me up for three straight days. Everything was swollen. My knees felt like they were shooting pain any time they bent. It was honestly one of the worst experiences I have had in my chronic hives story.

Listening to your body during a hives flare up

What did I learn? I learned from this that you need to listen to your body. No job, career, or duty will ever return the level of effort you put in when you have a chronic illness. If you have the right job and a suitable supervisor, they will know you are devoted to your career path and will see you are doing the right thing for the right reasons. Be honest with yourself and your job about how you are feeling. I ended up with a promotion. But, in the end, was that worth the stress I put on my body to get it? I guess that is a personal decision, but I know that without taking the time to realize what is essential in battling this immune reaction, I will never be able to do my day-to-day job. Take care of yourself. The rest will come.