I had another blog, but it's no longer relevant since I'm in a healthy and happy relationship. But, just as that was developing, and all things seemed perfect, I began experience some health issues.
As I'm looking for something new to write about, to chronicle, it occurred to me that this could be a useful topic.
The history thus far:
For a long time, I don't even remember when it started, I would have some puffiness around my eyes when I woke up. I'd wake up, one eye would be slightly swollen and puffy. By the time I showered, and readied for work, I was normal. No big deal.
By October November 2010, I noticed my eyes were bothering me. I noticed I constantly itched them. There would be some dryness or roughness around the eye lid area. It would get better in a day or so. I made a point of noticing it and marked the date in my head. On my return from spending Thanksgiving in DC area, I bought body shop eye cream to help, bought the super sensitive skin one. Thought it would be cooling, and help relieve the dryness I'd been experiencing.
The symptoms continued to get worse. I really dislike doctors. I'm rather skeptical of doctors, and pretty much everything. It was time for me to schedule my annual exam so thought I could combine the two. Do the exam, and ask about my eyes. The exam wasn't scheduled until February 2011, that was the first available.
Made the mistake of scheduling the appointment with the nurse practioner. While normally I'm happy with a NP, the scope of her advice was limited. When I saw her, she saw the eyes, immediately attributed to the dry weather. It's been particularly dry and cold, causing more dryness. While that is an explanation, it didn't make sense to me. I've never had dryness problems. She prescribed patanol and a steroid cream. I used the cream as needed, and it worked, can't deny it. But EVERYONE says don't use the steroid cream too much. The package warnings say don't use around the eye. I never got the patanol because it was over $100, with insurance.
Friends said I needed to see a dermatologist. So I asked for a referral. She gave me one and off to the dermatologist I went.
In the meantime, my neck started to itch and itch and I scratched and scratched. I went to the dermatologist and asked about both the eyes and neck. I expressed concern about steroid creams and continued usage. He dismissed my concerns, and sent me off with desonide and hydroxyzine. Desonide is an old steroid cream, supposedly mild. Hydroxyzine is an antihistimine pill; may cause drowsiness.
Took the pills for a weekend. Made me crazy. Like, I yelled at my bf. Cried like a wreck. This was a weekend where we ran together, so the frustration of running added to it I guess.
Using the desonide for a few days worked. And it does work. The problem is that when I stopped using, the itchiness came back. This leads to puffiness, redness, watering etc etc.
Basically since February I've been using the desonide cream on and off. The eye and neck problems have gone on weekly cycles. One week good, then slowly a flare up, then recovery, good for a few days, then the itchiness comes back.
I went to an allergy lecture given my a natropath doctor. She suggested an elimination diet. So, for 2 weeks I didn't eat any dairy or grains. Nothing changed. Symptoms didn't really clear up.
I then suffered through, there being good week and bad week.
This past weekend, things turned bad. I had a small flare up over Mem Day weekend. It started to get better...I was so hopeful. Then I started to itch by Wed-Thurs. Then Sat morning I woke up to very puffy eyes. I turned to claritin. Sun, I woke up to very very puffy eyes and itchy neck. I continued claritin and benedryl. Mon my eyes were so puffy it scared me. The numbness was from my cheeks to the eyes, half my face. I could see, but my vision was limited. With the wateriness it was very hard to see.
I went back to my PCP. She was better at listening and showed sympathy. She gave me an allergy shot and a 5-7 course of prednisone. And, here I am ready to blog.
What to do next? Continue with the PCP or go see a naturopathic doctor.
I've done some internet searches and it's even more confusing.
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