Sunday, October 19, 2014

My Battle With Topical Steroid Withdrawal: Month 4

Well, here I am.
Another month has gone by.
I'm still in pain.
I'm still uncomfortable.
Topical steroid withdrawal still sucks.

HOWEVER, I am SO much better than I was 4 months ago. My body is truly healing itself.
4 months ago I had to sleep with ice packs all over my body and now I don't.
4 months ago my skin hurt so bad that I couldn't concentrate on anything else. That has gotten better.

There is no pill or quick fix for this so I guess I have to go through my ugly duckling phase to be a beautiful swan who will eventually be pain free.

If you have not yet read my original post on my skin condition you can go here.

I am sleeping better at night now. I still wake up itching like mad a few times a night but I am able to get back to sleep most of the time.

I started taking dead sea salt baths which are amazing for detoxing the body and do wonderful things for the skin. The baths feel great while I'm in there but as soon as I am out and my skin starts to dry I am an itchy, red mess again. I can't wait until the day I can comfortably take a shower again!

I have been taking pictures of my progress. I would've never thought to do this but others who have healed from this condition recommend doing it so that you can tell the difference from month to month. It is such a slow healing process and it is so easy to lose hope that you will ever get better. The pictures really help to give hope of better days to come!


I take lots of supplements because I want make sure I am not deficient in anything. Here is a list of what I take and why:

Omega 3, 6, 9: Fish oil is not only great for the skin but an amazing anti-inflammatory.
Biotin: About 2 weeks after I started taking this my eyelashes and eyebrows started growing back with the quickness!
Turmeric: A great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Prenatal: Yes, it's a gummy because I'm still as kid at heart. I'm still nursing the little guy so I'll keep taking this for now.
Calcium: Steroid usage can deplete the calcium in your body. Also, it's good to take it when you're nursing.
Vitamin E: Great for the skin. The Garden of Life Vitamin Code brand is great because it also includes digestive enzymes and a probiotic.
Vitamin C: Anti-inflammatory and good for immune system
Magnesium: A lot of people are deficient in magnesium. It is great for the nervous system and can help with sleep as well if taken at night.
Vitamin D3 drops: Great immune system booster!
They are not all pictured here but this is most of what I take daily


I know it seems like a lot but they have all been helping immensely and I feel so much better taking them coupled with a good diet.

As I said in my last post, I really hate posting these pictures. It's really embarrassing for me and I hate feeling so ugly! But I know it won't always be this way so I will continue to raise awareness the best way I know how.
Please visit Itsan.org


The left side was last month (month 3 of withdrawal from topical steroids)
The right side is month 4

During week 1 I started to become red and burning everywhere
Month 1 I lost most of my eyelashes and eyebrows with extra skin folds and wrinkles
Month 4: Most of eyebrows are back (thank you biotin!), folds are gone, still have pink areas

My neck and chest have been THEE worst areas. It is so very uncomfortable
for me to turn my head or lift it up and down because the skin isn't
movable.
The top picture was month 3
Bottom picture month 4