Well despite her previously saying there might be something in this topical steroid addiction business, today she kept trying to endorse me with them. Doh.
So after much discussion. The plan of action is as follows:
- Take long term course of antibiotics starting with a 2 week dosage of 500mg x4 times a day and then reduce to 250mg x2 times a day for 3 months.
- Pick up my DreamSkin silk garments from the pharmacy consisting of head mask, round necked top and leggings.
- Continue use of Epaderm, White soft paraffin and Dermol.
- Continue to take Aciclovir.
- Give Protopic another go on the face despite its failed past attempt.
- Prescription of Ciclosporin just in case the above fails to work.
I asked her whether taking supplements whilst on Ciclo would enhance my immune system but her response was no. She explained that because eczema sufferers' immune systems are working in overdrive the immunosuppressant is provided in order to regain the perfect balance. Now, whilst I agree with what she said, surely the fact that I've been so unluckily susceptible to a plethora of infections whilst taking immunosuppressants shows that my body isn't provided with it's "perfect balance"? She continued to disagree and said that the infections are just a by-product.
Now, in that case I'm not too sure what to do, as obviously I don't want to rebound and end up back in hospital again. Though she said the antibiotics and aciclovir should prevent that scenario from occurring. I will definitely be taking multivitamins though. I tend to eat well so my body shouldn't be lacking massively in vitamins and minerals but who knows?
Despite her trying to push the steroids on me she has still been able to give me the best prognosis I've had in a very long time so I'm happy to continue seeing her. The suggestion of a food allergy test was proposed. I had to ask her if she was serious seeing as the other professionals I had seen said it would be a waste of time but she was very keen to give it a go. This should prove interesting indeed!
She also mentioned about a trial in London that she'd heard about for a drug (I forget its name) primarily used to treat asthmatic individuals (of which I am but no where near as much a sufferer as my eczematic condition) but has been shown to have also worked in some of those suffering from eczema and urticaria-type symptoms. The trial ended some months ago but she's looking into making an application for it if the above treatments do not come to fruition.
So yes. Let's see how we get on shall we?
