Day 12 of steroid withdrawal

Today I headed out to the rock pools with my kids and a few friends as I was feeling pretty good and the sun was out so I wanted to make the most of it after being stuck at home for so long. As I was leaving my neck became really red and irritated from running around getting everyone ready and it began to weep and split again. My hands are extremely dry and cracked in many places so I have lathered on the cream numerous time today so I can actually bend them.

After a few hours outside in the sun I was very ready to head home as my skin felt very inflamed, red, dry and itchy. My neck was still weeping and my hands burning as they were so dried out.

Here we are enjoying a fun hangout at the rockpools. I tried to cover up as much as I could without dressing too warm. 

Day 10 of steroid withdrawal

Today things are definitely improving which is so encouraging to see. The swelling has gone down and not the dryness of my skin has increased dramatically.
My arms and hands are the most painful and dry which makes many household tasks painful as I am always having to get my hands wet to wash up, wash the kids and and clean up.
The back of my knees is very red and inflamed and there is a rash all over my stomach and legs but that has subsided a little since yesterday.

I went for a walk along the beach today to get some sunshine which always seems to help with the itchiness. When it's a little warmer I might find a nice quiet spot and brave a swim in the ocean as the sea water, even though it is so painful and stings like crazy, always seems to reduce the inflammation and improve things.

My goals for this summer are to wear clothing that doesn't have to cover my whole body and to be able to exercise again! I love running and going to the gym but the sweat aggravates my skin so badly it's been years since I have done either.

I feel really confident that I'm onto something that is going to work and if I can see small improvements each day it gives me hope that i'll get there soon enough.

I am eating really well so that I can heal my gut and speed up the process of healing my skin. I'm eating a full organic fruit, veg and meat diet and am not eating any wheat, dairy, sugar or grains. Sounds like there would be nothing left to eat but i've been so surprised by the variety of foods I have been able to make. I never thought I would be drinking bone broth every day that's for sure!

Here are some pics of my skin today -

Day 6 steroid withdrawal

Last night my little bubba slept all night long and didn't wake until 5.30am so I felt amazing and super rested today which was so great! My eyes were not too swollen but my neck was very raw and dry. I kept using lots of ice packs and laying in the bath with a few different things added to help the dryness and inflammation.

This is how my neck was when I woke up 

Not sure how I would do any of this without my super supportive husband. He has been amazing and is so encouraging and helpful with the kids when he is home. Makes a world of difference having support at a time like this, especially with the kids. 

Day 5 of steroid withdrawal

Today was another crazy day. I'm not quite sure what I'm in for each day so just taking it a day at a time. Woke up about 2am last night and my eyes were swollen almost completely shut. By 4am my skin was so painful and dry that I ran a bath with apple cider vinegar and olive oil and laid in that for an hour until the kiddies got up. 

I ventured to the shops in the afternoon as I really needed some time out of the house. I was all covered up in a big scarf, long loose clothes and sunnies but I still get so anxious about what people think that I was very happy to get home again. 

My skin seems pretty much the same today and it worse than yesterday. I'm praying for the day soon that the healing starts to show and the fiery skin subsides.

Symptoms today- 

Very swollen eyes when I woke up

Puffy body, especially hands. Needed to remove rings due to swelling

Severe dryness and itchiness 

Rash developed all over my stomach and back and legs

Flashes of nerve pain through my body all day 

Cracked eye lid creases 

Liquid sitting beneath my skin and weeping if bumped or scratched 

Hot fiery face and neck

Freezing cold spells throughout the day even though it was warm

Day 4 steroid withdrawal

Today has not been a good day. My skin started to flare up badly last night and weep around my neck and ears. I went to bed with ice packs on and woke up today with very swollen eyes and my skin has continued to get more inflamed and itchy throughout the day. My face and neck feels like it's on fire.

Today I have been at home all day with my three children. The biggest challenge is being a great mum to them when I am feeling like this. I feel so impatient and in pain and just need space as my skin is so painful but with three little ones getting space is never an option. My darling little bubba just wants to snuggle in and nurse and stroke my chest which hurts so much. I have found that my milk is drying up the past two days as well. It's come out of no where as I had a great supply and was breastfeeding her really well. It's just dropped off very suddenly and I am sure it must be to do with the steroids and how I am feeling at the moment.

I made this video in the morning, my skin was not very red but very painful and dry.
By the afternoon my skin was far more inflamed as you can see in the images below.

What it's like to have eczema

My eczema healing journey begins