Topical Steroid Addict

Hello,

I'm Melyssa, and i am a topical steroid addict.

I decided to start this blog to document my journey as i try and tackle the bane of my life that is eczema.

It wouldn't be of much use if i didn't at least give an overview of what i have been doing the past 21 years to try and control my condition.

It is probably the same as many eczema sufferers. Copious trips to the doctors by my worried Mum, sent away with cream after cream, and recommendations as to what to feed me, bathe me in and clothe me in.

Once i started making trips to the doctors myself, i found the conversations to be somewhat repetitive and tiresome, they involved the doctor asking me if i had used 'insert any given cream' and prescribing it me regardless of my answer.Entirely pointless and a mere waste of a trip.

I cannot remember the first time i used topical steroids, i've been using them for as long as i can remember, they seemed to be a sort of miracle treatment, use them for a week or so, bye bye eczema.  Ignore my thinning skin and small white scars on my arms, better than an angry, red, itchy rash right? WRONG.

I have inadvertently started TSW. I stopped applying TS purely due to the fact that whenever i did i felt like i was on fire and being stung at the same time, and they were just no longer as effective. I was on Dermovate and Betnovate, depending on the severity of my flare up.

Since stopping them. i started to flare up, a lot ! Everywhere ! As my withdrawal was completely unintentional, i didn't realise that this is what it was. I tried a few things before google became my best friend. I have switched from cows milk to goats milk, and instead of using moisturisers i have been using vaseline. There seems to be mixed views on doing this, but as its working for me at the moment i see no harm in continuing. I would have tried to catch some rays, but seeing as its winter and England is the rainiest place ever, there was no chance of such a thing. I haven't slept properly for around a month due to the flare up, so i have been taking atarax before bed. Last night i increased my dose and slept for 7 hours straight !!

Although i did not intend to start TSW, i am adamant that i am going to remain on the journey, after reading many blogs i feel inspired that i can do this, and see a light at the end of the tunnel!

This is my first ever blog post, so apologies if i ramble, and it makes little sense.

Melyssa :) !-x