tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post1241769880310522071..comments2022-03-02T01:26:52.749-08:00Comments on My journey to healthy skin: 7 Month Update - December 16, 2013 Big Flare #2 is ON.meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11033760931628088730noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-62304649157502795432014-01-03T01:34:10.175-08:002014-01-03T01:34:10.175-08:00Tyler, you are definitely the exception to the rul...Tyler, you are definitely the exception to the rule in light of the Japanese findings and the fact that the majority of people who have tried it here have found it to be a success for them. I did 3 separate courses of antibiotics as a precaution during my MW and subsequent flares over the last 7 months. First course was right before starting tsw when my hands were so destroyed my doctors were highly concerned. Last two were for the first MW and then a bad flare where my hands swelled, became red, very warm and painful to the touch. Symptoms of infection but no fever. So not even sure if I needed to take any of them anyway.<br /><br />It was hell for me for just 2 weeks but well worth spending the last 5 months in 80-90% more comfort than the first two months when I moisturized. So, tell me honestly, how long of a period did you go without any (zero) moisturizers before you gave up? Maybe it didn't work for you because you didn't do it correctly. I have two MW guides on <a href="http://topicalsteroidsurvivor.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">my blog</a> written by two different people describing two different ways to effective do moisturizer withdrawal. My method is meant mainly for people with moderate to severe skin damage with open wounds. The other guide is mainly for people who have mild to no open wounds. Did you use methods similar to compliment your MW?<br /><br />Are you now healed and if so how long has it taken you? If not, how long have you been in tsw? What is your current condition? How much TS did you use and for how long and what strength? A little background would shed some light. If you used a lot of high potent steroids for a very long time I'm all ears to what you have to say. That's a serious accusation. Your accusation that promoting it is irresponsible doesn't make much sense if it's working for so many people here and in Japan where it is becoming standard protocol. That's proof enough isn't it? I'm open minded and willing to stop promoting MW if you can answer all of the questions I asked above, and your answers show some kind of evidence that moisturizing is a better way. <br /><br />Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567005251093371248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-57349617869436896412014-01-03T00:35:07.503-08:002014-01-03T00:35:07.503-08:00I found MW through the Japanese links and tried it...I found MW through the Japanese links and tried it from the beginning of my withdrawal several months ago. It was hell, did not work for me and I got infected from damaged, open skin. Once I started using moisturizers my skin healed much faster and I was much more comfortable. MW is completely unproven. Promoting it is irresponsible of you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13919286934223389472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-8458552529870192422013-12-19T12:55:11.606-08:002013-12-19T12:55:11.606-08:00Megan, I know I have the finesse of a bulldog with...Megan, I know I have the finesse of a bulldog with rabies. Something I've always had to work on. The grueling tsw journey only intensified it :(. I have been extremely frustrated with trying to get my message out for a long time which hasn't helped either. I'm so happy you are giving MW a try Megan! Ruth is someone I have been helping with this and she just posted a positive first week progress report on my blog. I will always be available if you have any questions at all. Please don't hesitate. Good luck! <br />Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567005251093371248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-71325824301396022892013-12-19T12:28:12.005-08:002013-12-19T12:28:12.005-08:00Dan, I'm glad you sensed my defensiveness, but...Dan, I'm glad you sensed my defensiveness, but you do really use strong words lol XD I've visited your blog and slept on it and been off moisturizing since 4pm yesterday and probably going to try this for the long haul. Wish me luck!meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11033760931628088730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-64070040320150098182013-12-18T18:39:06.500-08:002013-12-18T18:39:06.500-08:00megan, I apologize for my tone and putting you on ...megan, I apologize for my tone and putting you on the defensive. But think about it, If you wait for a double blind study on this you will be waiting a very long time. I do hope you do MW. It truly makes your tsw go smoother, regardless of what some people say about it. Also, it only is a "hard landing" as Dr. Fukaya puts it, when you do it from the outset of tsw. Doing MW at this point shouldn't be that difficult for you. Dead Sea salt baths can help a lot during the initial stages of MW, and any time the skin is flaring or "acting" up. Let me know if you need any help if you do give it a shot.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567005251093371248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-2031181132837342632013-12-18T17:17:55.807-08:002013-12-18T17:17:55.807-08:00That paper is certainly interesting and completely...That paper is certainly interesting and completely supports what I always felt when I used oils directly to my skin: the surface felt compromised after application of olive oil which is why I avoid doing so. <br /><br />I'm hesitant to believe that one could say if I had not used moisturizers TSW would be over this much faster, just due to the fact that this can't be proven without a double blind study. Since you are still in the process, I'm eager to see how TSW progresses for you in conjunction with MW.<br /><br />It's interesting you say "wash off" moisturizer b/c by the time I go to bed, I don't have moisturizer on anymore. I use moisturizer as more of a barrier between my clothing and skin which is very quickly absorbed by my clothes, after which my skin becomes dry. <br /><br />I understand that you're passionate to share things that have worked for you. Just because I applaud people who can suffer through the initial difficulty without moisturizer doesn't mean that I have it backwards but simply that I'm not trying this method for convenience having weighed the pros and cons, but I do share your views about lubricating skin and the fact that it definitely affects the skin's surface negatively which is why I choose to moisturize minimally. Most of the time my skin is dry and bare. <br /><br />You've definitely intrigued me to reconsider moisturizer withdrawal, especially since Christmas break is coming up, my jar of cream is almost empty and I'll have some time at home to hide from everyone. I'll let you know if I try!meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11033760931628088730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-26159969871583907392013-12-18T15:09:22.943-08:002013-12-18T15:09:22.943-08:00Hi Megan,
Going without moisturizers is only too ...Hi Megan,<br /><br />Going without moisturizers is only too uncomfortable for you because you haven't given it a chance. It takes time for your skin to adjust to MW. Up to a month. Having moisturizer free skin is actually far more comfortable, so not sure why you would applaud anyone that can bear not using moisturizers. I think you have it backwards. If you have ever gone over a month 100% moisturizer free you would know this. The truth is, what people are having a difficult time bearing is the effects of moisturizing. That is why I suggested you educate yourself on the subject. <br /><br />All longer term moisturizing is known to damage the skin barrier. Your continuous moisturizing is prolonging your healing girl! Your whole blog is a testament to that fact. Any moisturizer used for over a couple months is going to damage the skin barrier. The evidence is everywhere if you look for it. It's not how our bodies are made to function. We aren't born with tubes of moisturizers are we? No, we are born with bodies that provide the moisture we need, if allowed to. <br /><br />Check out this study on olive oil: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22995032" rel="nofollow">Effect of olive on the adult skin barrier</a><br /><br />I understand the need for work, and if you are willing to do the trade off of a longer tsw period to be able to work then that's fine and your choice, but please understand that going through tsw without moisturizers is not the hell you think it is. It's just the opposite.<br /><br />I follow the humidity very close here. I have two humidity gauges and haven't seen the humidity above 40 here since the middle of summer when it was running around 70 for quite a while. It has been averaging between 25-35 for the last 2-3 months now. Currently at 40. It will probably rise when the rains set in. <br /><br />The low humidity hasn't had any effect on my skin whatsoever. I had a recent flare caused by stress, but the flare was mild and cleared quickly. As in less than two weeks. I really believe your flare is as bad as it is due to moisturizing no matter what caused it. Your skin obviously hasn't healed much at all and is being continuous damaged by moisturizers. <br /><br />You can always use a "safe" moisturizer on limited areas for work and wash it off at night with a good 20 minute soak in the bathtub. That would make a tremendous difference for you. I found the organic Spectrum white palm oil shortening to be safe and the least sensitive to my skin. <br /><br />I went through your blog again and it appears you started with what looks like a pretty mild case of tsw. The first couple months are usually the worst. It looks like you were getting much better at around month 3, but then worsened until month 5, at which time you improved again. And it's been mostly all downhill since then. Your skin looks worse to me right now than it did in the beginning of your tsw. I really think you could have finished tsw by month 3 or 4 if you had not moisturized. <br /><br />I'm just trying to help, which is the only reason I'm spending my time writing this. Good luck!Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567005251093371248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-41894102915064354322013-12-18T13:14:49.531-08:002013-12-18T13:14:49.531-08:00Hi Dan,
Thank you for your suggestion and I real...Hi Dan, <br /><br />Thank you for your suggestion and I really appreciate your comments. I've always taken a very minimal approach to moisturizing. I believe I've even mentioned that moisturizing too much seemed to deteriorate the integrity of my skin. I'd never go moisturizer free b/c I work a full time job where I have to look like I'm not a flake ball and frankly it's just too uncomfortable. I go a day without moisturizer here and there when I can stand it. But I applaud anyone who can bear it and imagine it does help push the skin in the direction of making its own moist barrier again. <br /><br />I don't blame the cold primarily for this flare, but the dry cold. In Oregon, the humidity is quite high and here, the humidity has been extremely low in the past month. In fact, when I visited Portland my skin was behaving better than it does at home. If you look back to my 5 or 6 month updates, I was similar to where you are now, feeling like I was almost healed but the winter cold dry front has really thrown a wrench into that. <br /><br />Anyway, after all that wordiness, I do feel like my skin is heading in a better direction again so hopefully I'm on the mend again :)meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11033760931628088730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-20453485863034580002013-12-18T12:28:43.618-08:002013-12-18T12:28:43.618-08:00Megan, I just reviewed your blog and I believe you...Megan, I just reviewed your blog and I believe you are having a difficult time at this stage only because you have moisturized continuously. When you have time check out <a href="http://topicalsteroidsurvivor.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">my blog</a>. I believe you could benefit greatly by doing moisturizer withdrawal. Btw, I live north of you in northern Oregon and it's colder here. Doesn't bother my skin a bit. Actually, my skin loves the cold air when I go for walks. Do yourself a favor and stop your hell by learning all about the effects of moisturizers on the skin barrier. I wish you only the best.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567005251093371248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-42729949040932968922013-12-16T20:33:18.596-08:002013-12-16T20:33:18.596-08:00Oh no Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear that. Has you...Oh no Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear that. Has yours spread at all or still contained to your face?meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11033760931628088730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2210737238808722769.post-18049393817040434222013-12-16T19:06:12.631-08:002013-12-16T19:06:12.631-08:00Hey megs
Lucky ur face isnt affected that bad.
My ...Hey megs<br />Lucky ur face isnt affected that bad.<br />My face looks like ur bad foot right now.<br />Im super depressed.Lisa Leunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03940546774122967042noreply@blogger.com