tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57254024445194984372024-03-13T23:52:03.987-07:00My Journey Through Topical Steroid Withdrawal26 y/o, living in los angeles. stopped all steroids on october 13, 2013. i've been a heavy user of medium to high potency steroid creams. these were applied mostly to my face, neck, chest, and arms. in addition to the creams, i have received over 15 kenalog IM injections and over 12 rounds of prednisone tablets cumulatively over the years.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-68680712399124332872014-11-01T13:23:00.002-07:002014-11-01T13:23:46.860-07:00TSW: 1 YEAR / Successful New Dupilumab Treatment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s1OoiVW4HRA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-48485484519269342622014-09-11T17:29:00.000-07:002014-09-11T17:29:53.539-07:0011 MONTHS TSWhi everyone,<br />
<br />
a bit of bad news since my last update not so long ago. i've started to flare a couple days ago and oh boy, these rashes spread like wildfire. it's pretty bad, if not worse than my early days in some places. i've got these enormous red raised rashes all over my body except for my legs. every rash seems to ooze and weep, as well. my hands and arms are probably the worst. yesterday i started getting some pretty crazy facial edema and i couldn't open my eyes this morning cos they were so swollen. face is very red and rashy.<br />
<br />
i've had a nice break for the past couple of months so i expected to flare but not like this. it took me by surprise and everything happened so fast. it's weird to ooze all over when you haven't had that happen in a long time. i do not miss that feeling.<br />
<br />
last year i flared pretty bad in september which caused a chain reaction of steroid shots, creams and pills. so i'm wondering... is it pollen? is it the weather? i don't know. all i know is that the day my fiance came back from being out of town for 2 months, i started to immediately flare. "i'm allergic to you!" i say jokingly. and than i realize. anytime he comes back from traveling for long periods of time, i start to flare. i sound so ridiculous lol and i'm mostly being facetious.<br />
<br />
but still. this sucks real bad. hope this subsides soon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-40092950023044701922014-08-11T09:34:00.000-07:002014-08-11T09:34:27.122-07:00TSW: 10 MONTHS UPDATE here's my 10 month update! i'm doing really well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8_AbU0cZPNo/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/8_AbU0cZPNo?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/8_AbU0cZPNo?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-73486944083728242742014-06-18T21:01:00.000-07:002014-06-18T21:01:40.212-07:008 MONTHS INTO TSW<div class="p1">
Hi everyone,</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Sorry, it’s been awhile.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I’m sure some of you are wondering how I’m doing. I am just past the 8 month mark. My neck and chest are pretty much %99.9 completely healed. My face, for the most part is healed as well. However, I do have some bad days on my face. What I mean by bad is some open sores here and there (usually from scratching in my sleep) and sometimes my face gets a little red / flushed. Even on my “bad” days, it’s such an incredible improvement compared to months 1-5. But this only happens 2-5 days out of the month and for the rest of the time my face looks pretty darn clear! When I’m in the clear, my skin looks even better than when I was on steroids. The area above my lip sometimes oozes a little but you can’t really notice it’s there unless I touch it to feel the hard crusty micro-ooze. It doesn’t happen all the time but enough for it to be kind of annoying. Just recently, my elbow creases have been healing really nicely as well. Skin is much stronger now and not as many sores or redness.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
As parts of my body that were originally affected are healing quite nicely, I can’t really say the same for my hands and forearms. My hands started to experience withdrawal symptoms quite later in my withdrawal (month 4/5). About a month and a half ago, I had a very angry red sleeve complete with open sores everywhere and thickened skin. It seemed to have calmed down a bit as my arms have started to re-gain their texture but they are still red, but not as red as before. Also, I have rashy skin on my stomach which has been an issue for the past 2 months or so as well as some eczema behind my knees. I’m hoping in a couple months everything will heal <span style="text-align: center;">just like how my face, chest, and neck have.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hair loss has been in an issue lately. My hair is falling out at a rapid rate. I’m sure it’s just Telogen Effluvium triggered by the TSW so I know it will grow back once my body normalizes. I’ve experienced Telogen Effluvium before when I lost too much weight in a short period of time and the hair loss lasted 3-4 months. The hair on my arms are gone too but just recently I’ve noticed some stubs peeking through my skin.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Anyways, here are some pics of my face that I took this past Sunday. Hope you all are doing well. Please let me know how you’re doing!</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZDKNeQCPKo/U6JfqRsjOII/AAAAAAAAAFw/MyjZX-TBHj8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZDKNeQCPKo/U6JfqRsjOII/AAAAAAAAAFw/MyjZX-TBHj8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1UarCvqsxk/U6JfqOvq6BI/AAAAAAAAAF0/ZhA_nqhtwGU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v1UarCvqsxk/U6JfqOvq6BI/AAAAAAAAAF0/ZhA_nqhtwGU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-7939393413306615452014-03-17T21:40:00.001-07:002014-03-17T21:44:48.161-07:00UPDATE: 5 MONTHS OF TSW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UL90y4pcYkU/UyfNZcAv6nI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8JI-w8q9kk0/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UL90y4pcYkU/UyfNZcAv6nI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8JI-w8q9kk0/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
here's a pic of myself that i took today on my way home from work. i'm wearing some foundation but you can definitely see the improvement.<br />
<br />
it's been awhile since my last post. here's an update so far:</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
GOOD NEWS<br />
<br />
-face is much better now. still slightly pink but i'm not as fiery red anymore. i still have a day here and there when my face is redder than usual but for the most part it has subsided dramatically.<br />
<br />
-neck and chest are improving quite a bit as well (finally!). less red but still splotchy. my skin definitely feels stronger here.<br />
<br />
-no more oozing<br />
<br />
-for the most part, the burning is gone as well.<br />
<br />
-shedding decreased<br />
<br />
NOT SO GOOD NEWS<br />
<br />
-my elbows are still bad if not worse. skin is super thin so the slightest scratch will tear my skin apart.<br />
<br />
-it has now spread to my wrists, on top of my hands, and forearms. very red, raw, and thick.<br />
<br />
-still have insomnia. i haven't had a good night's sleep in forever.<br />
<br />
-itch is still pretty intense but seems to be a lot better than before.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
overall, i think i am doing much better! besides the fact that my hands and wrists are relatively new rashes, everything else seems to be doing better. i'm still in those flare cycles though but i feel that they're getting shorter each time. right after a mini flare i got into massive shedding for a day or 2 but after i'll have nicer skin for a couple of days.<br />
<br />
hope all of you are doing well!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-1007464918806665322014-02-09T14:51:00.000-08:002014-02-09T14:51:21.512-08:00TSW UPDATE: 4 MONTHS!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/ukcef_IMf3Q/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/ukcef_IMf3Q?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/ukcef_IMf3Q?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-59905285353710592072014-01-18T13:04:00.001-08:002014-01-18T13:04:25.598-08:00UPDATE 3+ MONTHS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4lu81XS3dxE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-19483161254732475022014-01-03T18:10:00.001-08:002014-01-03T18:14:01.992-08:00OOZE, PLEASE BE DONE ALREADYlast night i was scared i had an infection because after i applied some neosporin, i started to run a fever along with more facial swelling and weird body chills. in the middle of the night i woke up to myself scratching the hell out of my neck. my neck was dripping with yellow ooze. i wrapped some gauze and tried to go back to sleep. woke up in the morning and the gauze was stuck to my neck. i had to slowly rip it off. it was drenched. ugh, so not only is the ooze affecting my face but now it's my neck. there's this white, filmy, sticky, residue that lays on top of my skin. i'm assuming it's the clear kind of ooze that has dried right after it seeps out of your pores. i went to the doctor earlier to get it checked out. doc says there are no signs of serious infection. the swelling and fever was probably because of the neosporin (i have a sulfa allergy). he could prescribe me antibiotics if i really wanted them but it wasn't necessary. i agreed. i also asked for some ambien to help me sleep. i haven't had a good nights rest since starting this damn thing. i take over 7 pills of 25mg of hydroxyzine at night and i still can't sleep nor does it help the itching anymore.<br />
<br />
i have to go back to work on monday. not sure if i want to go back like this….Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-84899244542587651242014-01-02T17:39:00.000-08:002014-01-02T17:39:12.309-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR?2014 is starting off really…horrible. after xmas, i had a couple days of alright skin but now i am entering into another flare. i've had this weeping sore underneath my left eye for the past couple of weeks. it healed up for a couple days but then it came back and also spread to the rest of my face. i am now experiencing my first full-facial oozing fest. yay. the sore under my eye has grown to become really big. kind of scared since it's so close to my eye. when i was younger, i was hospitalized with eczema herpeticum and my eyes were sealed shut for a week. i'm going to watch it carefully. tomorrow, if it feels worse, off to the doctor i go to get some antibiotics. as for the rest of my face, my eyebrows, whole right cheek, and jawlines are raw and oozing. at first, i thought it was dry skin so i peeled/rubbed it off. 1 minute later the "skin" started to grow back. i was like WTF i just peeled you! so i peeled it off again. a couple minutes later the crusty layers came back. then this is when i realized i shouldn't touch it anymore because it's an ooze fest and it needs to dry up. today will be the first time i use domeboro -- the hallmark trade of TSW :(<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-24275580975286484512013-12-26T15:02:00.002-08:002013-12-26T15:02:54.723-08:00FOR MY FRIENDS AND FAMILYi've recently decided to tell my family and close friends what i've been going through lately. in the first 2 months of my TSW, i was scared for people to know. i thought everyone would write it off as one of the many crazy things i've self-diagnosed myself with in the past, which i am totally guilty of. but this is real and i can not wait to heal and have a normal life again.<br />
<br />
here are a couple blogs of people that have gone through TSW and inspired me to do the same:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://antisteroid.wordpress.com/">http://antisteroid.wordpress.com</a> - Juliana<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.curingredskinsyndrome.blogspot.com/">http://www.curingredskinsyndrome.blogspot.com</a> - Rochelle<br />
<br />
<a href="http://misskittydefeatseczema.blogspot.co.uk/">http://misskittydefeatseczema.blogspot.co.uk </a>- Miss Kitty<br />
<br />
<a href="http://redskinsyndrome.squarespace.com/">http://redskinsyndrome.squarespace.com</a> - Joey<br />
<br />
<a href="http://topicalsteroidwithdrawal.blogspot.com/">http://topicalsteroidwithdrawal.blogspot.com</a> - Louise<br />
<br />
<br />
here's a video that best explains what is going on with me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7kmHe8aSs5s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-2096980522047250882013-12-26T14:40:00.003-08:002013-12-26T14:41:39.717-08:00MERRY XMAS!so here is my skin right now. what a difference a couple days make! i was pretty bad in that video i posted earlier. anyways, the redness on my face has subsided tremendously. my neck and chest are still the same, however. i believe my skin improving is due to the fact that i finally got my period after 3 months. the 2nd day of my period is when the redness started to go down right away. hopefully my cycle continues to stay normal at 1x a month.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKtkVMtUbB4/Uryv9vPcmfI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Q2nLNFgIfbQ/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKtkVMtUbB4/Uryv9vPcmfI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Q2nLNFgIfbQ/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WH3JQiVRhbc/Uryv8W_znNI/AAAAAAAAAEs/SrcxjZ4mdkk/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WH3JQiVRhbc/Uryv8W_znNI/AAAAAAAAAEs/SrcxjZ4mdkk/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TPuslSTcvOU/Uryv7f7r_VI/AAAAAAAAAEo/bmeFDt5AGWQ/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TPuslSTcvOU/Uryv7f7r_VI/AAAAAAAAAEo/bmeFDt5AGWQ/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-65009966905936782472013-12-23T12:33:00.002-08:002013-12-23T12:34:18.837-08:00VIDEO BLOG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">i made a video to share my story and where i am at today.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/n17IJ7KAX88?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-32656987980402368402013-12-23T10:22:00.000-08:002013-12-23T10:29:20.210-08:002.5 MONTHSfor the past couple of weeks my skin has gotten progressively worse. it's heart breaking. for some reason, i thought i would have it a little "easier" than everyone else. not sure why i thought that but i guess i was being overly hopeful. the rashes have turned into full, raised, and hive-y rashes. my neck rash is now creeping over my jawline and into my face. my forehead and around my eyes are red. the crooks of my arms are now creeping up to my arm pits. i have an oozing open sore under my left eye and a bit of raw oozing skin in between my eyebrows. speaking of eyebrows, they're starting to fall off at a rapid rate.<br />
<br />
the other day i tried moisturizer withdrawal. it lasted only 1.5 days. it was so incredibly painful and paralyzing. my skin started to "crinkle". i did notice that i wasn't as itchy and my redness subsided a little. but i am not sure if i have the willpower to do it for any longer. now that i have moisturizer back on my skin it is back to being itchy and red.<br />
<br />
i'm going to do a video blog soon. for some reason i can't take pictures right now. i am so devastated. i am so scared to see my family over the holidays. filipinos have a knack for being really loud and incredibly obnoxious. it's a culture thing. when i see them i know they're just going to stare and talk about my skin out loud. ugh, i feel so alone. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-37924290749729142432013-12-10T08:33:00.001-08:002013-12-10T12:07:02.382-08:00DAY 55 - ALMOST 2 MONTH MARKlast night was terrible. sunday night i had an omelette for dinner. i used my trustworthy local farm, carnivorous, corn-free, soy-free eggs. i haven't had eggs in awhile because of its high histamine content but i decided to live a little. the next day my skin was on fire. the itch was incredible. my office had the heater running all day yesterday too and i think it aggravated my already flaring, allergic skin.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
when i got home from work i immediately washed my face and tried going to bed. an hour later i couldn't resist anymore. the itch was unbearable. so i let myself scratch. alot. it was all a blur. i had rage in my eyes. i was crying profusely because i regret what i was doing yet it felt so good. it was relief for the first time in days. i itched so hard and so long that at one point i gave up. i didn't care how horrible my skin was going to be the next day so i kept scratching for another 30 minutes while screaming and balling my eyes out. mike was so sad to watch me like this. after i was done i went straight to the shower to calm down. showers always help me. they throw me out of the itch cycle.. after my skin was red and raised so high above my normal skin. i was also oozing like crazy. i wrapped my neck in an old t-shirt and went to bed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
when i woke up this morning i was surprised to see that my skin actually looked better than it has all week? i then realized it was because of my fake acrylic nails. because they're so rounded, smooth, and thick, it prevented me from tearing my skin apart. hopefully these don't fall out anytime soon...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-1743058554204170672013-12-08T16:23:00.002-08:002013-12-08T16:23:29.298-08:00THINGS THAT HELPtoday i got acrylic nails. so far these things are helping me with the scratching. the tips are smooth and round and i can't scratch so hard without putting uncomfortable pressure on my nail beds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tI3ZYV1Y6SU/UqUMcAz2lZI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/yABI-6kCN58/s1600/photo+h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tI3ZYV1Y6SU/UqUMcAz2lZI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/yABI-6kCN58/s320/photo+h.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
dr. bronner's peppermint soap. the mint is refreshing and has a cooling effect on the skin.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xy8mmztx6M/UqUKXFapETI/AAAAAAAAADg/WXorkiE94SE/s1600/peppermint+soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xy8mmztx6M/UqUKXFapETI/AAAAAAAAADg/WXorkiE94SE/s320/peppermint+soap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
elizabeth arden fragrance-free 8 hour cream. i slather this stuff on before sealing it up with aveeno lotion. i also put it around my eyes and it drastically improves the redness. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPV0jjxONsk/UqUNOS3gizI/AAAAAAAAAEY/5ZH4uwUtRfY/s1600/54791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPV0jjxONsk/UqUNOS3gizI/AAAAAAAAAEY/5ZH4uwUtRfY/s1600/54791.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-86942910345881678092013-12-08T16:11:00.001-08:002013-12-09T13:31:17.965-08:00DAY 50every night my fiance has to tie my hands up because i violently scratch myself in my sleep. he says when he tries to stop me i get all crazy and yell at him to stop. i have no recollection of that. anyways, last night we accidentally fell asleep without tying my hands. i woke up in the middle of the night with cuts and bleeding scratches all over my neck. i feel horrible because yesterday was actually a good day for me. i could feel my skin healing. mobility was a little better too. however, today i am back to square one.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78uie6AhSYQ/UqUKhHeaB2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/bt4nu1YZpNk/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78uie6AhSYQ/UqUKhHeaB2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/bt4nu1YZpNk/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0n1YyElZEb4/UqUKe1df94I/AAAAAAAAADo/qp_znYgEdQw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0n1YyElZEb4/UqUKe1df94I/AAAAAAAAADo/qp_znYgEdQw/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-7Vw_iAu58/UqUKev2pIKI/AAAAAAAAADk/NRpGw-o2I7I/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-7Vw_iAu58/UqUKev2pIKI/AAAAAAAAADk/NRpGw-o2I7I/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-56783979228636095642013-12-08T16:00:00.000-08:002013-12-08T16:00:31.564-08:00DAY 48a lot of my free time i spend looking at other TSW blogs. i'm not nearly as bad as they are. so far, the eczema is only on my neck, arm joints, face, and just recently, my chest. my legs and back are perfectly smooth and supple. i'm wondering if it will spread and get worse in the next couple of weeks? <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
right now i am in a lot of pain although i think the redness is subsiding. i can barely move my neck. it's so raw, tender, dry, and sore. the tightness is so uncomfortable. not very mobile at all. i have to move my whole body to look left and right. i am also noticing a bit of lichenification on my neck. hopefully it's not permanant. </div>
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-cfW4c37eQ/UqUHxJFKsVI/AAAAAAAAADI/UuUSihVamJo/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-cfW4c37eQ/UqUHxJFKsVI/AAAAAAAAADI/UuUSihVamJo/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_8yDvEmrdk/UqUHxfBr8RI/AAAAAAAAADM/cn3ze96omxc/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_8yDvEmrdk/UqUHxfBr8RI/AAAAAAAAADM/cn3ze96omxc/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-79485621015622633452013-12-08T15:51:00.002-08:002013-12-08T15:51:52.987-08:00DAY 46still the same as a couple of days ago. have been in this flare for over a month. i have to wear button up shirts and scarves to hide my neck. my face is so swollen it's hard for me to look in the mirror. recently, i have been doubting myself and wondering if this TSW will work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qttGAGHvr3w/UqUF9kh79JI/AAAAAAAAACo/c1Q75fmIepI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qttGAGHvr3w/UqUF9kh79JI/AAAAAAAAACo/c1Q75fmIepI/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk7hC0TK8wQ/UqUF9K1Y16I/AAAAAAAAACk/FTiyUCnO9m8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk7hC0TK8wQ/UqUF9K1Y16I/AAAAAAAAACk/FTiyUCnO9m8/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjrdVcttkUg/UqUF9-1IWQI/AAAAAAAAACs/I6FHsBK1NNc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjrdVcttkUg/UqUF9-1IWQI/AAAAAAAAACs/I6FHsBK1NNc/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHKHrYFVOig/UqUF-5ZqECI/AAAAAAAAAC4/7pRCzhUeMxA/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHKHrYFVOig/UqUF-5ZqECI/AAAAAAAAAC4/7pRCzhUeMxA/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-42302781774842549882013-12-08T15:45:00.003-08:002013-12-08T15:45:54.801-08:00DAY 44<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
my skin has been like this for the past 30 days. for about 5 days it seems to get worse and worse but then it gets better for a day or two. it’s been this same vicious cycle for the past month. the pictures below don’t show my face when it’s bad. usually my face, especially my eye area, is red and patchy.</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
skin is super dry, red, and leathery, especially on my neck and arm. my face is swollen and look like i've gained 15 lbs in the face. <span style="background-color: transparent;">i have little blistering scabs that ooze fluid. it dries up and then i pick it off. at night around 7pm, when i come home from work is when the itchiness is at its worst. itch feels like it’s deep under my skin. sometimes i cry because it’s so unbearable. i itch alot in my sleep too. my fiance has to tie my hands up before i go to bed. i also cut and file my nails regularly too.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EibFgs4xYzY/UqSyIdO_E8I/AAAAAAAAACE/khCsKc22e_w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EibFgs4xYzY/UqSyIdO_E8I/AAAAAAAAACE/khCsKc22e_w/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nB5CppEQG-Q/UqS1aiUpYnI/AAAAAAAAACQ/G2HG_wVjLVE/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nB5CppEQG-Q/UqS1aiUpYnI/AAAAAAAAACQ/G2HG_wVjLVE/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RGMlmgnLVk/UqSxN-36KUI/AAAAAAAAABw/oavQmGeTYzs/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RGMlmgnLVk/UqSxN-36KUI/AAAAAAAAABw/oavQmGeTYzs/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zjf0ej1Hj0/UqSwSwT4GZI/AAAAAAAAABk/yTAmW1_7qoI/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Zjf0ej1Hj0/UqSwSwT4GZI/AAAAAAAAABk/yTAmW1_7qoI/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725402444519498437.post-84492180120275151092013-12-08T09:40:00.001-08:002013-12-08T09:40:30.314-08:00my story<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
hi, my name is melanie and i live in los angeles. i have had eczema since i was a baby. in the normal places like the back of the knees, my elbows, and thighs. nothing too crazy, just “normal” eczema. i remember my parents applying a low potency steroid on it and the rashes would scab and go away. around the age of 15 is when i started to really experience full eczema flares. my parents would regularly bring me to the derma. when things got bad i was prescribed high potency steroid creams and oral prednisone. when i was younger, i was actually too lazy to apply steroid creams everywhere, so i used them sparingly. when i was 16, i received my first kenalog injection. it was absolute heaven. for the next 2 years i didn’t really have to worry about my skin anymore. i would get the occasional rash here and there but it was never like before.</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
at age 19, my eczema came back full force. scalp to toe. i was also diagnosed with mild psoriasis as well. i then received another kenalog injection, a full round of prednisone, and an assortment of steroid creams (clobetasol, betamethasone, and elocon, to name a few). 1 week later i was in heaven again. quickly after i moved to paris, france for a semester abroad and for 6 months my skin was absolutely flawless. however, when i came back to the states i then had the worst flare of my life. again, same thing: injection, pills, antiobiotics, and creams. i was also diagnosed with dozens of food and environmental allergies.</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
from 20-24, i became addicted to cortisone injections and prednisone. i would have perfect skin for up to 1-3 months. my doctor then refused to give me anymore injections so i would go to different out-of-network doctors to get them at least once a month. i also used the creams too but i was more addicted to the shots.</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
at 24, realized the shots weren’t working anymore. they were doing more harm than good. i decided to see another doctor and he suggested CellCept, an immunosuppresant. i was on it for a year and it seemed to make a huge difference. i finally weaned off shots and pills but was still using topical steroids everyday to keep the eczema at bay thinking that these creams were not as dangerous as the steroid injections. boy was i wrong. </div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
last june i had stumbled upon dr. rapaport’s study on “red skin” syndrome and Topical Steroid Addiction. i decided to stop all steroid creams. within a couple days, i started to flare. mostly on my face, neck, chest, and legs. it wasn’t as bad compared to other TSW bloggers. i eventually got over that first flare but after a month of traveling and not eating very well, i started to develop another flare on my face. i was in new york, about to party with old friends that i hadn’t seen for awhile and was terribly embarassed of my skin. sad to say but i gave in. “just this one time” i told myself. a couple days later the steroid cream stopped working and my face swelled up so bad i couldn’t open my eyes. facial edema and red skin everywhere. i looked deformed. i was so sad. i started to miss work and that’s when i decided i needed another kenalog injection. “just this one last time” to keep me clear for the winter. right. 2 months, 3 kenalog injections, 2 rounds of oral prednisone, lots of steroid creams, and a week of antibiotics later i was devastated. nothing worked anymore. the shots worked for less than a week, not even.</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
on october 15, 2013 i decided to stop all steroids again, cold turkey. this time i am keeping my promise. it has been hard as i have a full-time job and have to deal with clients in-person all the time. i can’t look straight into anyone’s eyes. i am extremely self-conscious and feel like everyone is looking at my mutant skin. i don’t hang out with my friends anymore and usually stay at home every night. i used to be the most social person to be around, now i am plagued with severe social anxiety. words now stumble when they leave my mouth. i almost feel that i've gotten stupid. everyday is different and most days i am afraid of waking up to see how bad i’m doing. i also miss food. i am paranoid about food and feel like anything i eat will affect my skin. i eat a 99% organic diet, completely free of wheat, soy, corn, tomato, dairy, and peanuts. i also take daily supplements–50 billion probiotic bacteria, l-glutamine, biotin, evening primrose oil, and l-tyrosine.</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
anyways, i’ve just started on this journey and hope to meet others who are in the same boat. i feel alone. </div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
all my love,</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
melanie</div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
here's a picture of me with clear skin back in my steroid daze for comparison:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AzBwZn-LeEk/UqSvBcgX-zI/AAAAAAAAABY/VRkVCKT1gfM/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AzBwZn-LeEk/UqSvBcgX-zI/AAAAAAAAABY/VRkVCKT1gfM/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13343002213589832063noreply@blogger.com6