Medical History

Ok so after sifting through all the sleeping pills, antibiotics, anti-bacterials, antihistamines, anti-inflammatorys and anti-depressants, I finally managed to get my list of previous topical steroid use together.

2000 (14)

This is when I remember first getting eczema to my left eyelid.

Started carrying moisturiser in my bag to keep it soft.

Oldest first...

2002 (16) October

                - Locoid Lipocream 0.1% (Hydrocortisone Butyrate) 100g (Moderate/Potent - Group 4)

2003 (17) August

                - Fucicort cream 0.1% (Betamethasone Valerate) 15g (Potent - Group 3)

                 December

                - Fucicort cream 0.1% (Betamethasone Valerate) 15g (Potent - Group 3)

                - Prednisone Tablets (4 day course)

2003 was 7th Form year at school. My whole face was covered in dry scaly skin.

2004 (18) March

                - Dermol Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

Worked part time this year after finishing school. 

2005 (19) March

                - Fucicort cream 0.1% (Betamethasone Valerate) 15g (Potent - Group 3)

                - Beta 0.1% Cream (Hydrocortisone Butyrate) 100g (Moderate/Potent - Group 4)

                - Prednisone Tablets (4 day course)

                - Hydrocortisone 5% cream (prescribed for face)

Moved away from home to study. 

2006 (20) December

                - Elidel (prescribed for face to replace Hydrocortisone 5% cream)

                - Locoid Lipocream 0.1% (Hydrocortisone Butyrate) 100g (Moderate/Potent - Group 4)

                - Prednisone Tablets (4 day course)

                - Hydrocortisone 5% cream (prescribed for face)

Moved to Auckland NZ (closer to home). Skin was terrible this year. 

Possibly stress related as hated job. Was also showing signs of withdrawals.

Skin flaking off every day from whole body.

2007 (21) April

                - Elidel (prescribed for face to replace Hydrocortisone 5% cream)

                 September

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                 October

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                 November

                - Elidel

Lived with a friend this year and went back to Uni to study Graphic Design.

Skin was as good as I can remember this year. Met my partner this year.

2008 (22) March

                - Elidel

                 August

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                 September

                - Elidel

                 December

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                - Elidel

Moved back home after finishing study. Got full time job as Graphic Designer

Skin back to same old. Good in summer, not so good in winter.

2009 (23) April

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                 June

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                - Elidel

                 August

                - Dermol  Ointment 0.05% (Clobetasol Propionate) 30g (Very Potent - Group 1)

                 November

                - Dp Hc Lotion 1% (Mild - Group 7)

Skin was bloody terrible this winter. Definitely going through withdrawals.

Had insomnia, oozing to dry scaly skin, many days off work from being so itchy.

Was itching like crazy all through summer as well which is unusual for me.

Brought our first house in September

2010 (24) January

                - Dp Hc Lotion 1% (Mild - Group 7)

                 May

                - Elidel

Still suffering insomnia at beginning of year. Skin started improving though.

This year I also started using a soft comb to scratch. I found this would 

get rid of the itch without causing the itch scratch cycle

2011 (25) March

                - Elidel


                 July

                - Elocon Ointment 1% 45g (Potent - Group 3)

Went to Europe for month and a half in Aug/Sep. 

Stopped itching/scratching altogether for about 2 months after

2012 (26) March
                - Elidel

                 April
                - Elocon Ointment 1% 45g (Potent - Group 3)

Fiji trip in Jan, moved to Perth in April. Skin was amazing all year.

Started doing regular exercise and eating healthy.

2013 (27) January
                - Elidel
                - Mometasone Furoate Cream (Elocon) 45g (Moderate/Potent - Group 4)

Skin still good this year although seems to possibly have gone down-hill slightly...

Possibly because I've been paying it a lot more attention since I found out about TSA

Ok.... so after all that, it seems as though I have cut down on my steroid usage slightly over the last couple of years which is probably a good thing, it scares me quite a bit that I have been using Elidel on my face almost daily for the last 7 years. 

I do also vividly remember having withdrawal symptoms such as intense itching, oozing, insomnia, dry, red, scaling skin that would wash off daily in the shower... gross... so I know what I have instore for me next time round. At least this time I have knowledge and research on my side. Also the fact that I'm going to take 6 months off work will probably be a good thing as it seems from what I can remember that my skin was always in a bit better shape when I was working part time or studying.

After all that I'm tired... time for bed...