The only way to get past it, is to go through it.

Happy 4 month anniversary to me (121 days)!

So, it appears that I haven't updated my blog in a couple months. After Halloween, the holiday madness began. I am seriously looking forward to the New Year! With that said, I have to talk about the last 3 months, because there have been a lot of changes. 

TSW reared it's ugly head at 3 months. Almost exactly to the day and I've been flaring ever since. I will say that I feel extremely fortunate that my symptoms and overall withdrawal have been manageable. I feared the absolute worse and hoped for the absolute best... The good news is I'm right in between the two. As I've said before, each case is unique to each individual person. I hope I can offer some encouragement to those of you just beginning this journey, because I do understand the fear that plagues you in the first weeks. As difficult as this has been, I still have my head in the game, continue to keep a positive attitude, and always make a solid effort to live life as "normally" as possible. I don't have much in the ways of advice on how to find relief or get "comfortable", because as of right now it is non-existent. I am at the mercy of weather conditions. El Nino where you at?! It's been cold, dry and windy here in beautiful Southern California... I'm like "can I get some more rain?!" 

With all that said, here are my current symptoms and changes since the beginning of month 3 (90 days) through today (121 days):

-Weight loss: 14 lbs. (which is definitely not a complaint, this is the best thing so far!) I do believe it has a lot to do with the lack of (ZERO) cortisol in my body. Excessive cortisol hormones do cause weight gain/retention, and since I was pumping my body full of cortisone on a daily basis there was no where for it to go, except my ass.

-Increased redness/rash: Typical and as expected. Arms, chest, neck and lower abdomen to pubic area are inflamed and red all day, everyday. Rash has spread to areas that have never been a problem and/or haven't been a problem since my early teens, such as my wrists, top of my feet and ankles, as well as my underarms/pits. There are very noticeable pigmentation differences down the sides of my torso, groin and wrists. Not necessarily rashy, just big raised blotches... Looks like I drank 5 margaritas and passed out in the sun for hours without sunblock. Which may have happened on a trip to Mexico one time, hence my comparison. 

-Skin sensitivity/condition: Thin, fragile, breakable, tight, itchy, dry. I had a rough New Year's weekend. My neck was cracked and bleeding in every crease, my ears were swollen and oozing, my cheek bones were RED and oozing as well. It honestly does not take much to break/crack my skin these days. So, in true TSW fashion, I'm just waiting it out... Since I don't really have any other choice, huh?

-Routine: So I wish I could offer some solid ground breaking product or regimen. In the first couple of months, I completely did away with moisturizers. Up until about a month ago, I incorporated some new products:

Bella Dry Skin Formula | La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water | Heather Loraine Jojoba Oil

1. Bella Dry Skin Soap: You can get this at any nutritional store (Sprouts, Whole Foods, etc.). I'm a big fan of this soap for several reasons. One, it lasts for a decent amount of time. Two, it actually provides some moisture while bathing and lastly, there is little irritation or burning.
2. La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water: This is a unique product. I was turned onto this by a few of our fellow TSW warriors on the Facebook TSW Support Group page. It is a great way to add a little relief to dry tight skin. It offers some moisture without having to slather on the lotions/creams. Just a little spray on my face/neck a couple times a day, really refreshing... No itching, no irritation or burning. I know that I'll continue using this even after TSW.
3. Heather Loraine Jojoba Oil: Another product suggested by some TSW warriors. I like it much more than other oils (Vitamin E, Tea Tree...) since it seems to be the most natural feeling and absorbs without drying. I noticed that some oils actually make me more dry than before I applied it. This is another product I'll continue using after TSW.
4. Cool Mist Air Humidifier: Where have you been all my life?!?! Seeing as how I live in an area where air humidity is minimal to non-existent, I set up a really good quality air humidifier in my bedroom. I will be purchasing one for my living room as well. I have noticed that my skin is not nearly as dry when I wake up in the morning. I don't really feel the need to roll out of bed and crawl to the bathtub immediately.

We ALL know too well that none of this/anything works during a flare. Let's be real, the only thing that helps during a flare is the constant reminder that you are actually healing. These other items are simply my way of getting as comfortable as possible while this TSW bullshit runs its course. 

With that said, happy healing my warriors! Keep calm and scratch gently. :)

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." -Eleanor Roosevelt