The Contessa's New Groove

This is the post to advise that the worst areas in my body are my ankles. And right now, the affected areas are getting smaller but it's taking a long long time. At least based on the timeline for the rest of my body. Oh.my.god. The itching is awful. But it's not like an eczema itch. It's shorter lived, not related to anxiety but incredibly intense. It's generated by healing through peeling. Like a sunburn. Except that the skin coming off is thicker and if you try to "help" it along, you are only hindering the process. Creams help, Cera Ve and aveeno in particular. I can use topical steroids but I'm really enjoying the martyr role I have gong on here, so I'm not using them. Yet. Short update but noteworthy.

I'm getting better at this injection thing.  I still get a little nervous injecting myself, right up til I stick the needle in. Then I don't  much care. My stress level in the last week, on a scale of 1-10, was 9,000,000.  Every single aspect of my life went wrong all at once. I'm not using this as a forum for those gripes and venting of issues, but I do need to illustrate that stress plays a part in AD.  It's 95% less than it used to be. My sleep has improved dramatically. My worst night now, used to be my best night. I no longer take atarax. I am using Valium in 5mg doses on occasion. My anxiety is largely managed, except this past week. My ankles are the last hold out. They are healing, just slowly. I wore white pants. WHITE PANTS. Very exciting. I got my first real sunburn. Ok, not a plus, but shows the reset my body was going through. Conjunctivitis is almost gone. Yay! I had a complete stranger walk up to me in church and tell me how healthy I l...

This shot hurt. No idea why. However, I'm now 90% clear. I saw my dermatologist on Tuesday and he was in awe of how this drug is affecting my skin. I only itch where the new skin is healing. I don't remember anytime in the last ten years where I didn't itch to the point of bleeding. I wore shorts today. Shorts. Haven't done that in two years. The swelling in my skin tissue is nearly gone. I was able to put an anklet on that I haven't worn in two years because it wouldn't fit. Stress is still a major factor. I have been suffering from layered grief since Memorial Day. I lost my mother in law, was treated poorly by the family, lost the son of a close friend to suicide and the three year anniversary of my husband's passing is right around the corner. I am dealing with some non infectious conjunctivitis. Eyes are swollen and itchy as hell. Visible and ice help. My understanding is this will go away soon. All is well...