Chronic cutaneous vasculitis

I have chronic cutaneous vasculitis began 09/06 and has been cyclical since. I am on Prednisone 10mg daily, Methotrexate 7.5 once a week, and Plaquenil 800mg daily (I just started). I also had  left Carpal Tunnel Release surgery done on 09/17/07 and I had my stitches taken out yesterday. Over the last week I have had a slow increase in petechiae and last night I had a full blown flare-up, I think maybe because of the agitation with the stitches being removed. I was also advised that I have a small infection  in the incision.. I do not know if it is related or now. The purpura is covering over 60% of both legs and going up through my buttocks onto my back and lower abdomen.

The pain is unbearable, so I went to the ER for help and after 7 hours of waiting (and worsening of the rash) they took me back into a room to tell me there is nothing they will do because I am on a "successful" course of action with my rheumy. They released me and told me to see my rheumy sometime next week.

I am in intense pain. I have a young child so I want to avoid the opiates I have been given in the past, but I really hurt. Against medical advice I ice my legs because this is the only thing that allows me to stop sobbing uncontrollably. I scared my daughter this morning while my Mom went to get a bag of ice, but I could not stop crying, the burning is so intense.

So my question to anyone out there who knows what this feels like  is what do you do to control the pain?

Thanks for listening (reading) my much needed rant:(

[countryrose]

[countryrose]

Have you looked into your diet to see if maybe there are triggers? I am finding that soy, wheat, and certain anti-acides, anti-biotics trigger my rash. I don't have it to the extent you describe, but I find that arnica cream on some of the rash helps it fade.  I also take vitamin C which helps with healing.
I'm sorry to hear your pain. I have chronic body pain that flares up from time to time, so you are in my prayers.