Jinxed for Infection

So I clearly jinxed myself the other day as out of no where an infection has taken hold. Miserable and peed off that I had to ring in sick. *le sigh*

Currently sat here with kitchen roll strung around my neck/ clutched to my face to staunch the yellow ooze.

Me before going to the doctors this morning.

Hey there gammy eye

Month 22 Steroid Withdrawal

I am nearing my 2 years of withdrawal and still not done yet. I have been taking Vitamin D and Vitamin C with Iron tablets for around 2 months now but things still aren't running smoothly. I eat a mostly vegan diet with plenty of fruit and veg but there is always room for improvement. I'm waiting for summer to try going mostly raw vegan again as that is when all the nice fruits will be around.

We went for a little getaway on the 16th to the Lake District. I never in a million years thought I'd ever have the enthusiasm and motivation for going on a walking holiday, but I guess these things change. Anyway, no sooner had we arrived I could see the tell-tale signs of infection emerging. For goodness sake. I'm not allowed to enjoy anything am I?! What was more annoying was that we were blessed with dry, sunny days which were perfect for going for walks, but no, I ended up being mostly confined to the cottage. It was a stunningly twee little place though so I was glad we were able to make the most of staying there.

I did however force myself to go out a few times, even though I looked like the undead. My camera has been lovely to me though and you can't even see that there is anything awry.

I used my drying out and tea tree oil method but it didn't seem to work as amazingly as it had before, though it did appear to clear the majority. I booked in an appointment to see a doctor on the Thursday evening of our return who prescribed me antibiotics as a standby option. I can tell you, I'm bloody glad I did. Overnight it returned with a mean vengeance. Everything was yellow, swollen and I felt feverish and yuck. So I'm back on the unwanted antibiotics.

The following Monday I had a follow-up appointment with my derm nurse at the hospital. She essentially told me that she was drawing blanks with what other treatments I could have as I have tried them all. Ciclosporin isn't working as effectively as it should be any more and our goals of treatment have changed anyway, seeing as I keep having constant infections again. She wants me to push the idea of biologic treatment and has issued me a fast-track appointment with my consultant derm. I wasn't supposed to see her until August but now have an appointment for early May. Biologics are new in terms of treatment for AD individuals, and I was actually given the opportunity to go on them over a year ago, but back then I was fed up of being a guinea pig. I could kick myself now, had I known I would regress again. Ho hum.

But yes, unless things get remarkably better with my natural solutions, it looks like I may be forced to take that route. I have been doing a lot of reading and research into Dupilumab, a biologic which is currently being trialed, and have seen good stuff so far.

So yep, this is where I'm currently at.

Oh, and it hardly seems worth telling because it was so minuscule but I also had a small bout of herpeticum earlier this week that originated around my eye. Fingers crossed it is now lessening in severity as after a few days of treatment it disappears. At least something is going right!

Still Suffering

Really need to find the charger for my proper camera. My phone is crap at depicting rashes and redness. You can see it in some more than others. I give up.

Rash pretty much covers entire body.

Excoriations on neck

Giveaway Winner / 17 Months TSW

I didn't even realise it until just now looking at the date but today marks my 17th month without using topical steroids. Hurrah!

I am currently on yet another course of antibiotics for yet ANOTHER bacterial skin infection I've picked up but hey hum. I'm going to try to load myself with probiotics this time as well.

This was yesterday morning but it did proceed to worsen as the day went on. Mmm yellow crusts!

Not the most flattering picture but this is from just now. Scabby face.

So in other news - the winner of the giveaway was Tiffany! Well done you!

For those who were keen on getting a pair of the pyjamas for yourself you are in luck because Gail has been sweet enough to offer readers of my blog a special discount of 20% off! All you need to do is enter "JENNY" in the discount voucher box and you will get 20% off the price of each pair of pyjamas that you buy. This is valid until 20th November! Find them here: Find the eczema, allergy and topical steroid withdrawal friendly pyjamas here.

I can't stress how brilliant the quality of these pyjamas are nor, how much they have helped my skin through topical steroid withdrawal because of their built in hand folds and feet to stop you from scratching.

At a loss

Hey guys, so I thought I would update you on how I'm doing now. Well let's just say I'm not good.

After I was discharged from the hospital I asked about the antibiotics for my skin infection but was told I didn't have one and that it was "just eczema". I couldn't be bothered to argue so just thought oh well... let's see how I get on without them.

I was doing pretty good, getting over the allergic reaction and then this Sunday just passed I was so ill. I kept falling asleep as I was completely devoid of energy, I couldn't do anything for myself. My skin was back to being a full body warm, weepy, smelly mess and I could tell infection was present again. I didn't go to the doctor's until yesterday morning where I was issued with an antibiotic, coincidentally the same one I was given whilst in hospital, so I hope my body doesn't become immune to it. Recently there have been news stories about how our antibiotics will no longer work against infections soon because our bodies are just becoming too used to them, and this worries me a lot because of the amount of infections I do contract, and the amount of times I've been told to stop taking them halfway through a course.

For some reason I also asked for Dermol 500 because I know it has antiseptic properties and is something I've used frequently in the past. Oh what an idiot I am. I applied it last night and it was as if my skin was trying to expel it. I can't really explain it but half an hour or so after applying it, the surface of my skin became slick again with the product and it was unbelievably itchy! Also this is even more bizarre but I could taste it in my mouth! I knew my body had developed sensitivities due to TSW but I can't believe how it has reacted as of late... first with the penicillin based antibiotics and now with other creams. I know my body has become intolerant to an extent of white soft paraffin too, and also doesn't seem to like many of the natural products I put on either. It seems to be pot luck with them. I've been trying out Shaloah Skincare Calendula & Borage sooth & repair cream which sometimes works, but not always as well as some products from Salcura which I also don't seem to have had great success with but I may persevere...

Moisturiser withdrawal isn't an option for me right at this moment because of how much my skin is shedding and how thickened it has become from over-scratching. I feel like my skin needs to be fully quenched and hydrated but I'm struggling to find a way to do that.

I'm just so annoyed that my skin has been allowed to get to this state and I truly despise myself for not waking up sooner to the perils of medications.

I feel at a loss right now and don't know how much strength I have left to fight this. I just feel the need to complain and get my whinge out there so sorry if this post reads like one big ramble.

I also can't be bothered with arguments as to whether this is a "year TSW flare" or skin infection as I now know my body well enough to distinguish what is going on.

I hope everyone else is having a better time with their skin.

Eczema Herpeticum No. 9 Cont.

So if I had any doubts about what it was I certainly don't now. Very characteristic herpeticum. Hopefully now that they've dried out they'll soon disappear. Couldn't happen at a more inappropriate time. Cheers body!

Eczema Herpeticum Round 9

So er yeah. Things aren't really progressing much at all and I think I might need to pop to the dermatology department for a second opinion. It actually looks a lot worse off camera. Looks like a sick day from work too. I'm so gutted.

Edit: Went to hospital in the end and it turns out it's actually herpeticum. Again. Makes sense though because I did have a horrible cold and this came straight after. At least I know to stop taking the antibiotics anyway. So yeah, this is my 9th time in the space of 2 years. Hmpf.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal Staph Infection

Just when I thought I was doing well I get knocked down with a horrible cold and then today I wake up to a probable staph infection. I think stress is definitely the factor in this circumstance, what with the move coming up. Grumble.

I still have some doxycycline left over from when I had MRSA, at least a full courses worth so going to start taking that and also not use moisturiser for the day. Not sure how I will fair tomorrow at work without any but this needs nipping in the bud ASAP.