The Itch Continues
Month 9 arrived and I was waiting for the big rebound and fortunately for me it never arrived. The itch on the other hand has been persistent in some areas. The inner thighs are still pretty annoying especially around 430pm and first thing in the morning. I find that instead of turning red the hives appear instantly if I scratch. Looking at my weight this month, well Im a healthy 61kg. At my lowest I was 57kgs and looking pretty awful and sickly looking. I'II never forget when I was chatting to my hairdresser, back when I chopped my hair short. She thought I'd been having chemo, I looked so skinny and sick looking...Hair on my head is now definately growing back as I can see the flying hair around my face standing up when its pulled back in a pony tail.
LICHENIFICATION is very common word for anyone going through TSW and its one thing that constantly puts the fear into me along with the extra skin also known as elephant skin. Mine seems to be getting better every day but some days I just want to rip it off and hope for the best. Below are some photos to give you an idea of what I'm looking like now and what lichenification can look like. It can come in many forms. I'm finding now the less I bath and itch it is getting better.
My left elbow and some elephant skin still being persistent. Unattractive YES!! I want my normal skin to return so bad...
The above is my inside inner arm. Still some loose elephant skin. Ewwwwwww.
Back of my knees are still swollen and have a little bit of elephant skin to go.
For me, I have found (and I am not sure if I have mentioned this or not) but the less baths I have the better my skin feels and the lines seem to be getting better. I am down to one bath a week now which is a real milestone, considering I was bathing a horrific 4-5 times a day. I have a moisturising shower wash I use and have a quick shower in the morning and I am even washing my own hair too without irritation. My mum was washing my hair in the sink or bath maybe one every ten days as it hurt so bad during the worst times of TSW.
Sleep now, I am getting through the night 'most' nights. On occasions my inner thighs sweat and I itch with hives. In the mornings when I wake, again my inner thighs itch and appear with hives (annoying!!) Nothing is red though and that makes me very happy :)
I hope my photos help with explaining my journey. Its not a great one but enduring and has made me appreciate life in general alot more. I feel for people who are about to start this hellish journey but all I can say is to stay strong and you'll get through and will end up more healthier than you ever have been :) hugs xo
LICHENIFICATION is very common word for anyone going through TSW and its one thing that constantly puts the fear into me along with the extra skin also known as elephant skin. Mine seems to be getting better every day but some days I just want to rip it off and hope for the best. Below are some photos to give you an idea of what I'm looking like now and what lichenification can look like. It can come in many forms. I'm finding now the less I bath and itch it is getting better.
The above picture is my left knee, the result of constant scratching. It is fading but slowly. I have this on my belly, ankles, knees and thighs.
The above is the back of my ankles where I nearly scratched my ankles off! They seemed to be really itchy at the time and I think the last to heal up. Deep lines again.
For me, I have found (and I am not sure if I have mentioned this or not) but the less baths I have the better my skin feels and the lines seem to be getting better. I am down to one bath a week now which is a real milestone, considering I was bathing a horrific 4-5 times a day. I have a moisturising shower wash I use and have a quick shower in the morning and I am even washing my own hair too without irritation. My mum was washing my hair in the sink or bath maybe one every ten days as it hurt so bad during the worst times of TSW.
Sleep now, I am getting through the night 'most' nights. On occasions my inner thighs sweat and I itch with hives. In the mornings when I wake, again my inner thighs itch and appear with hives (annoying!!) Nothing is red though and that makes me very happy :)
I hope my photos help with explaining my journey. Its not a great one but enduring and has made me appreciate life in general alot more. I feel for people who are about to start this hellish journey but all I can say is to stay strong and you'll get through and will end up more healthier than you ever have been :) hugs xo
