Angry skin
It's been just over two weeks since I've gone cold turkey off the corticosteroids and things are about the same. That's sometimes difficult to say one way or the other because some things have gotten worse, but some things seem a bit better. My hands have started breaking out on the tops/backs, which is LOVELY since now the rash is much more difficult to hide, but these breakout areas aren't as itchy and uncomfortable as my palms. They are more like little blistery lesions, which can be painful and uncomfortable and unsightly, but at least they aren't itchy! In the last week, my palms seemed like they were getting less itchy, but then over the past couple of days, the itch came back. Last night I scratched too much so by the time it was evening, I had a bunch of little cuts and my hands were hurty, but they are better today. They usually recover somewhat overnight, which is a mixed bag because while the areas that were uncomfortable the night before usually feel better, in the mornings my hands generally feel stiffer and more swollen. Mornings seem to be getting a bit better, though. Mid-morning through early afternoon is usually my best time.
Meanwhile, my legs have broken out a LOT and I have flares on both elbows that don't bother me much during the day, but itch in the evening and at night. I have two large spots on my neck that itch a bunch overnight as well, so I need to figure out something to do about those since they are looking more red and irritated.
Overall, I'd say I'm maintaining. The skin on my palms continues to shed at such a rate that I'm hopeful that new, healthier skin is being generated all the time.
In somewhat separate, but hopefully related if using it helps me feel better, news, I bought a new juicer over the weekend and used it for the first time this morning. Although I don't really like Dr. Oz, I found some juice recipes on his site from Joe Cross, who I think is the guy who did the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead or whatever. He turned around his unhealthy lifestyle via juicing. At any rate, the juicer impressed me muchly upon its first use! I made a juice of two granny smith apples, three carrots, and a one-inch hunk of ginger. Holy beans it was good! It wasn't anything like I expected. The flavor was delicious and had a kick thanks to the ginger, and the texture was easy to drink and not pulpy at all. I expected it to be thick and more viscous, you know, but it wasn't like that at all. The juicer performed well: though there was a lot of matter leftover, I felt it and it was quite dry, so the juicer did a good job extracting as much liquid as possible. I'm looking forward to trying a green juice with cucumber, kale, celery, and some other stuff, maybe later today.
In case you're wondering, the juicer I bought is the Omega J8006. It's pricey, but so far it appears to be pretty high quality.
Meanwhile, my legs have broken out a LOT and I have flares on both elbows that don't bother me much during the day, but itch in the evening and at night. I have two large spots on my neck that itch a bunch overnight as well, so I need to figure out something to do about those since they are looking more red and irritated.
Overall, I'd say I'm maintaining. The skin on my palms continues to shed at such a rate that I'm hopeful that new, healthier skin is being generated all the time.
In somewhat separate, but hopefully related if using it helps me feel better, news, I bought a new juicer over the weekend and used it for the first time this morning. Although I don't really like Dr. Oz, I found some juice recipes on his site from Joe Cross, who I think is the guy who did the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead or whatever. He turned around his unhealthy lifestyle via juicing. At any rate, the juicer impressed me muchly upon its first use! I made a juice of two granny smith apples, three carrots, and a one-inch hunk of ginger. Holy beans it was good! It wasn't anything like I expected. The flavor was delicious and had a kick thanks to the ginger, and the texture was easy to drink and not pulpy at all. I expected it to be thick and more viscous, you know, but it wasn't like that at all. The juicer performed well: though there was a lot of matter leftover, I felt it and it was quite dry, so the juicer did a good job extracting as much liquid as possible. I'm looking forward to trying a green juice with cucumber, kale, celery, and some other stuff, maybe later today.
In case you're wondering, the juicer I bought is the Omega J8006. It's pricey, but so far it appears to be pretty high quality.