I had some really bad hives a few years ago. The welts would grow before my eyes in seconds, all over my body. The soles of my feet were so sore I had trouble walking. I hobbled around like someone twice my age. My joints were really sore too. The doctor was mystified. Benadryl was not strong enough. I got a couple of shots of cortisone several days apart. These were much more effective than the benadryl. Still, I think it was a couple of weeks before most of the hives were gone, and I was still hobbling with stiff joints up to a month later. Take care and ask for the shots if your hives don't improve.