Eczema & I

A little Personal History, cont’d

…At the time of my birth, little was known about this skin condition beyond that it was exacerbated by contact allergens, such as grasses, pollens, soaps, detergents etc. and the treatment was much the same as it is today with the use of topical (applied to the skin) and oral (taken by mouth) cortisone preparations; as well as antihistamine drugs to reduce the itching; Aqueous or Sorbolene creams as moisturisers as well as synthetic, petroleum and tar based bath additives.

This worldwide disease, has, in Australia alone, tripled over the last 10 years. Yes, this is a disease, an auto-immune disease; an inflammatory and degenerative condition; a debilitating and potentially life threatening illness.

There have been periods throughout my life when I’ve been able to do little more than lie on my bed in cruel pain and desolate tears and hoping not to stick to the bed sheets. This disease becomes particularly debilitating once you are looking toward your 40’s and beyond and have been using cortisone preparations and medications for the most part of your life. 

Since leaving home aged 16, I have been on the search for ‘a cure.’ The first 10 years of my search was spent with GP’s and skin specialists dispensing topical cortisone creams and ointments as well as oral cortisone to stave off inflammation and rashes, along with ill-thought-out advice and often a hefty consultation fee; some even suggesting I might be a little neurotic - especially when I questioned their advice and information! I endured many treatments throughout my life including scratch-testing and de-sensitising, copious amounts of cortisone creams, courses of oral cortisone, injections of cortisone, the wet bandage treatment in hospital (which for me was brutal), the PUVA box which can only be used short-term because of direct exposure to mostly artificial UVA and UVB rays which can be have potentially harmful side effects one of which is skin cancer! The risks of this treatment are well documented and as yet long term side effects still remain to be ascertained. I am not prepared to take the risk. How about you?

The 'Too Hard' Basket

I have undergone all the available treatments for atopic eczema none of which offered successful long term results (including overall good health)- but most of which offered harmful and life threatening side effects. Throughout my life the doctors told me I could ‘expect’ rheumatoid arthritis and further inflammatory and degenerative illnesses as I got older. Every part of my being rebels against this expectation. My own expectation was and still is to live a long, healthy and productive life without the expected degeneration caused mostly from the use of these corticosteroids - cortisone. You’ll find more information on cortisone and its side effects on this website under the page heading Reports.

One day, when I was in my late 20’s, my Doctor (at the time) told me “Trish, western medicine has nothing more to offer you.” It was a crushing day. I was angry and distressed and overwhelmed by the prospect of what lay ahead of me. By this time I felt as though I was allergic to everything; not just hayfever, airborne and animal allergies alone, but also full blown food allergies as well.  All of which exacerbated the eczema.  My list of foods to avoid grew into food groups!  By now I was allergic to all Dair y products, all Wheat and Gluten products, Eggs and egg products, Peanuts, a small assortment of fruits and veggies and then red meats.   

I felt very alone and afraid of my future. By the end of that week and after much sorrow and many tears it also became the time that I decided I would no longer allow doctors or this disease to control my future; it was time to take personal control over the direction my health and well-being was heading. It was time to start the journey toward natural good health. 

For many years I sought out Alternative Therapies. Some therapies did not suit me or my condition and other Alternative Therapies are my current lifestyle. There were, however, times throughout that period where I fell back into the use of cortisone preparations, knowingly and unknowingly. Lack of knowledge, lack of support and fear held me back for many years.

Recent Personal Events

In March 2002 my body finally gave in to the long term use of oral and topical cortisone preparations, antihistamines, antibiotics and other prescription drugs and I experienced a complete collapse, both physical and emotional. My GP would not record my diagnosis as Cushing’s syndrome as I did not have ALL the symptoms. He did however record my condition as Severe Degenerative Exfoliative Eczema.

Physically my endocrine (hormonal) systems were under a great deal of stress; other organs such as my Liver and Kidney were in bad shape and heading toward failure as well, my Stomach and Digestive System were also a mess, damaged from years of cortisone medications, antihistamines and bad eating habits. My Heart and Lungs were affected and under chronic stress. I was suffering many of the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome - thus the collapse.

The condition of my skin was horrendous. It was papery thin, open and raw and itchy and burning and weeping and bleeding; the skin from my head to my toes was severely degenerated. The itching and intense pain was interminable and very distressing.  The only relief I got was when I fell into an exhausted sleep for a few hours each day.  Emotionally, I felt stripped of self esteem and self-confidence and was unable to leave my home for many many months. It took a great deal of courage; a lot of research;  the compassionate support of my family; and most  importantly the unconditional love and support of my partner - to make the decision to be finally cortisone free and find a way to nurture and heal my condition and maintain long term good health – Naturally.

Currently

So here I am – 2009. It has been seven years since I first collapsed.  It has taken years of literal blood, sweat and tears to rebuild my health, one step at a time - without the use of cortisone and without the help of doctors and skin specialists. The underlying factor in all this, I believed then and still do now, is to build up the strength of my immune system above and beyond what I was originally born with; to rebuild a damaged Nervous System which ultimately supports the Immune System.   At the moment my condition overall is pretty good.  In as much as I am still dealing with eczema and allergies, I have it under control. Change of mindset and lifestyle have been and remain important factors in dealing with this condition and I find myself to be much healthier body mind and soul. 

I strongly believe that nutritional support of the Immune System is an extremely important and positive step on the journey toward a cortisone free lifestyle and healthy skin. Strong and supported Nervous and Immune systems are better equipped to deal with inflammation and allergens.

Food, Glorious Food!

Food and nutrition became the number one issue for me to tackle. Under the loving instruction of my sister Beth – a great cook and well versed in nutritional knowledge (amoungst other things related to natural good health and wellbeing) - I learned more about the value of food and better still, how to prepare and cook it, than I have learned from any hospital dietitian in the past. She bought food alive for me; she made veggies so tasty and whole foods physically and mentally nurturing and satisfying. She created in me a keen focused interest in the nutritional value of food and what it means to our health as human beings; which led me to consider more about what food means to someone living with food allergies that exacerbate the inflammatory skin condition and put stress on an under-nourished Immune System.

This then led me to want to understand which foods would actually benefit my condition, build up my Immune and Nervous Systems and support my internal organs. Immuno-suppression was another risky treatment suggested to me but I wasn’t prepared to take that risk either. A suppressed immune system can leave you vulnerable to many contagious infectious diseases as well as the degeneration of your own internal workings.

Rather than suppress my immune system I wanted to find out what I could do to re-build and support my immune system and encourage it to behave as it should and at its best. I desperately wanted to find foods that would nourish me and my skin and at the same time taste as good as something you’d order in a restaurant. With my sister’s help I was well on the way.

Natural Medicine

My next step was finding some kind of ‘medical’ support.  Western medicine was out of the question for me. I knew I could not go back to using cortisone, I really felt that it would finish me off if I did. So I turned to Homeopathy. You’ll find more on this Alternative therapy later on this website. I was under intense homeopathic care for 3 years.  My sister Beth is married to James, who - luckily for me - is a very good Homeopathic Practitioner.  Under his care and guidance we were able to tackle many of the symptoms and problems I was facing, with positive results.  I find even now that it is often the first thing I turn to when needed. I do go and see my GP if absolutely necessary and at least once a year to run blood tests so we can see where my body and condition is at and the improved results of my overall health.

Other Lifestyle Changes

Other things that I do to encourage good health include Acupuncture and Chinese herbs, Yoga and Meditation, Aromatherapy including making my own moisturiser, Chiropractic care to encourage my Nervous System to better health and of course using as little synthetic and chemically based products around the house as possible and keeping my home as free of allergens - such as dust, pet hair/dander and airborne allergens - as I can. 

None of this happened overnight, not even weeks. Over many months, day by day, my condition changed and improved. I have been managing my condition without the use of cortisone preparations and other synthetic and petroleum based products for 7 years now and I feel and look a lot healthier and a lot stronger, from the inside - out, than I have felt in a very long time.

The Inevitable Disclaimer!

I make no claim to be a Physician or Health Care Worker and I do not advocate that you discontinue your current treatment. You must be very careful when coming off cortisone - it can be dangerous if you just stop taking it - cold turkey.  Talk to your doctor or a health professional about how to wean yourself off this drug, if that is your choice. 

Remember you can combine both western and alternative medicines for a clean healthy lifestyle.  It is important that you do not put yourself or your child at risk when dealing with this disease.  It can be life-threatening when left untreated or neglected.  If you are using cortisone creams, you can combine that with my natural moisturiser (instead of sorbolene) to help keep the skin hydrated and healthy

I do however advocate self education about your illness, self education about prescription medicines whether topical or oral; self education about the ingredients used in medications and the products that are on your bathroom shelf right now and what it means to the health of your skin. Don’t rely on your doctor for all this information, he does not have all the answers, if he did, we wouldn’t be right here right now.

Of all the doctors and specialists I have been to in my lifetime, not one of them suffered with eczema! You need to rely on YOU.

Just as your doctor or specialist does not have ALL the answers, nor do I. The best place to start looking for the answers is with you. Get curious, ask questions, go looking for the answers, and start looking for alternatives. They are available; YOU just need to take that first step. You are well within your rights as a patient to ask for your doctor’s full support of your use of natural therapies as a part of your overall and ongoing healthcare. Legislation has been  passed in Australia supporting the Patients’ right to the use of Complimentary and Alternative Therapies.   Modern Medicine and Natural Therapies really can work together.

I am certain that the combination of quality natural and nurturing products for your skin; complimentary therapies; a nutritious and immuno-supportive diet; an allergen free habitat and; the support of those of like mind and situation, will offer you great improvement to your condition and greater management of your disease.

WELCOME SISTERS & BROTHERS OF THE ITCH! 

To those of you living with eczema (whether it is you or someone you love and care for) I welcome you and I would like to invite you to visit this website regularly for more information on living with this disease on a daily basis. I will post new information on a variety of different natural and chemical free products available, nutritional information, food facts, recipes, food substitutes; information on alternative and complimentary therapies; information on dietary supplements as well as information on the adverse effects of certain chemicals and additives you may come across every day.  I wish you well on your own personal journey to good health.

GO ON ... YOU CAN DO IT ... I BELIEVE IN YOU.

Looking for previous articles??

All the Articles will remain on the website indefinately for your perusal.  If there is an article you are looking for you can do a site search or on the home page under the tab heading of Eczema & I', click on Forum | Previous Posts A list of all posted articles will appear under their respective headings such as Recipes or Natural Alternatives and you can read to your heart's content. I hope you will find lots of information that will be useful in maintaining your sensitive condition and your long-term good health. 

I'd love to hear your comments and feedback and even your story.

PRODUCTS

A Product I started working on since 2002 is now available for purchase on this website.  It is my own personal Soothing Nourishing Moisturisers.  Trisha's Blend Baobab Body Butter has been formulated especially for my eczema skin - It is free of nut oils and soothes, nourishes, hydrates and repairs the skin.  Trisha's Blend 100% Natural Moisturiser is formulated for those of you with Dry, mature and sensitive skin, or even if you are simply looking for a quality natural moisturiser with no nasty chemicals.  

Both Moisturisers are excellent natural and nurturing alternatives to sorbolene cream and other petroleum and synthetically based moisturisers.  They are made entirely from essential oils and pure plant based raw materials.  They contain no synthetic preservatives, colours or fragrances; no animal or fish product or by-product; no Aloe Vera.  I also offer nut free blends for those of you who are sensitive to nuts.  

My skin loves them, I hope yours will too

Trisha's Blend Leave-In Hair & Scalp Conditioner is also a quality100% natural product for a dry scalp and dry hair.  It helps to condition the scalp and sooth down the frizzies and keep your hair in good health. 

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Keep an eye out for new products as I develop them and place them in the shopping cart