I had a bad cold last week and, as usual, blowing my nose made it sore. I didn’t blow my nose more than with other colds, but I’ve never seen it look so bad. It looked like I’d been scrapping the skin away with a knife! I think this is because the roacc has made my skin more sensitive and susceptible to wounding. It was scaly and scabby; it looked positively reptilian. Not so much on the nostrils – these just had a layer of dark, dead skin. It was more the underneath and philtrum. It looks better now, but is still sore and a little red, but only a couple of small bumps. I was using really soft and balm-impregnated tissues, but I guess they weren’t soft enough. I should have used an old t-shirt. It’s something to bear in mind next time (if there is a ‘next time’, which there hopefully won’t be).
I bought some nipple cream last week called Kamillosan. It smells a little funny, but it appears to be a miracle cure for the rash on my hands. The rash had flared up again, but it cleared it up in 2 days. Because of the smell, it isn’t something that I would use too much when I’m out and about, but it’s great for home use. It has also combated the dry skin on my elbows. I have added to the mix of my dry lip treatments too, so I now have a 4-step system where I alternate between Kamillosan, original Lipsyl, black Chapstick*, Vaseline*. I find that when I stick to one lip treatment it stops working after a couple of days. I think using different things bamboozles the dryness – it isn’t given a chance to build resistance :oD.
I’ve decided to make a list of all the treatments I have utilised since I started on roacc. Including the 4 above there is also:
- E45 Shower cream
- E45 lotion
- E45 cream
- E45 Itch cream
- E45 Emollient bath oil
- Tesco vitamin E toner
- Clinique mild soap face wash
- Clinique 2 toner
- Clinique dramatically different moisturiser
- Neutrogena pure glow daily warming scrub*
- Garnier pure facial wash*
- Garnier pure moisturiser*
- Simple hydrating light moisturiser*
- Tea tree oil*
- Boots tea tree and witch hazel peel off face mask*
- 2 x back and shoulder massage
- Superdrug eye bath
- Optrex eye drops
- Allergy tablets
- TCP*
(* items I had before starting treatment)
That’s 25 things in total :os Is this excessive?
Following on from my post a few days ago, a derm telephoned me. He said he will arrange another appointment, but it probably won’t be before my current prescription ends. I didn’t think to ask for an interim prescription. He told me to see my GP for blood fat tests. I’ve made an appointment with a GP for Tuesday. I intend to ask her for a blood test and ask her to request on my behalf for an interim prescription more roacc when my current supply runs out.
I’ve just changed how I take my roacc. I was taking it in the morning, after/with breakfast. I read on Wikipedia (I know; probably not the best source for medical advice) that roacc has been shown to bind well (or something) when taken with fatty foods. My breakfast is lean on fat, so I have decided to take 2 tablets with breakfast and 2 with dinner. The reason I’m not taking all with my dinner is because I’m more forgetful in the evening. At least this way I won’t lose a whole day’s dose if I forget to take it after dinner. I’m all for mitigating risk :o)
Finally, the spots…
Chest, arms, shoulder and back spots have cleared up, apart from 1 spot. This is very good :o) Facial spots are still forming. I haven’t had any coming up along my top lip, but my jaw-line and my cheeks have a few. The oil slick is still at bay, which is also very good.
‘Bamboozle’ - hehhehehehee. That word makes me laugh :oD
