Hi everyone,
Well, I’ve just finished week 12. It will be the start of week 13 tomorrow, my last week at 30mg before I start on 40mg. I have definitely noticed the difference in terms of side effects since going from 20mg to 30mg. The worst thing by far has been my lips. They are now a complete mess. I had some kind of reaction to a product and have now got spots/lumps all over them, especially around the edge of my top lip which was the most affected by the dryness. They sting all the time and are extremely painful. It seems like I have a rash but on my lips. I think it was from puttitng some face cream on my lips. Someone in a chemist advised me to put Avène moisture mask on my lips as well as my skin on my face and I think this is what caused it. I had a dermatologist appt today and she has prescribed me some cortisone cream to use on them. I am feeling rather desperate and down. I had already had enough of the extrememly dry peeling lips that nothing could fix (NB I didn’t find the nipple cream did anything at all). To make things worse, I started a new job last week where there is permanent air con - not only am I freezing the whole time but I find it drys out my eyes and lips further. So the reaction my lips had to the face cream, really isn’t what I needed. I didn’t go into work today because they hurt so much and I was in such a state emotionally. I am going to have to go tomorrow but they look and feel so terrible, it is going to be tough. I thought the dry and peeling lips were bad but spots and lumps are 10 times worse!
My derm was far from sympathetic. Despite me being in tears as I felt at my wit’s end, her attitude was basically pull yourself together and be stronger. She said you’re only on 30mg, that’s not much, it’s a strong drug, you’re bound to get side effects but you have to deal with them. I’m well aware of this and have been doing so up until now but the weird reaction on the lips, was just too much. I just hope the cortisone cream get’s rid of it. I have to be careful though and not apply too much. I can’t believe, I’m now looking forward to getting back to managing the extremely dry lips!
I’m just finding it’s all getting on top of me at the moment - I think the stress of a new job hasn’t helped. I live alone too and don’t really have anyone to talk to about things (not many people know) and I live abroad from my family. I might confide in a friend soon I think though because it’s difficult dealing with it alone.
I hope I can get the lips under control - the other side effects have been manageable for me. I can control the dry skin with lots of good moisturisers and the hand rash isn’t bothering now that I have the lip crisis! The dry eyes are also not bad in comparison. I am very very tired, but again, that’s not bad really. The no alcohol problem also doesn’t even seem like a problem anymore! I just want the lips to get better!
Anyway, sorry for the really negative post but I that’s how I feel at the moment. I hope I will be able to be more positive next time.
Laura
for the first time in years!