Why I decided to quit topical steroids

After more than 20 years of topical steroid use, in 2019, I decided it was time to take my health into my own hands and have never looked back.

From my personal experience, having gone from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, dermatologist to dermatologist (I could go on), trips to the emergency department, GP to GP, I needed more answers and refused to settle for “the only option is to go on stronger steroids”.

I can still remember the day, I woke up with inflamed eyes which looked like I’d just had a severe allergic reaction, and that’s what I thought it was. I went to the doctors that week and go some more ointments and oral steroids which I was told I could take for a few days then had to wean off.

Images from Jan- March 2019.

I complied and after all, the doctors are there to help, right? My skin returned to what I thought was normal and I kept going about my days, until I weaned off the oral steroids, it was angrier than before.

I was recommended to the allergy clinic at the Alfred Hospital where I did pin prick allergy tests which came back pretty clear. Hubby came to my final appointment with their dermatologist and as he wrote a script for more steroids, I could just see the imaginary steam coming out of both our ears. We left angrier and more confused than before. SURELY, this wasn’t the answer.

We were on our way home and I called the angels at House Of Maxx and booked in my initial consultation after a friend recommended I go see them. Fast forward a week later, a 30 min skin consultation learning about the layers of the skin, how damaged my skin barrier was and real guidance, I decided to take control, undertake the protocol the ladies recommended. To be honest, it was an easy decision for me to do this, after all I had nothing lose, except the steroid creams.

While the decision to quit topical steroids was easy, the process was far from. I remember the ladies telling me, they don’t recommend the protocol to those under the age of 21 because of the mental, physical and emotional impact it can have.

I know there are so many out there who are in the same position I was in, in 2019. Lost, confused, scared, angry, and frustrated. While it breaks my heart to hear the stories from people around the world who are suffering, it’s humbling to know personal experiences like mine, are making a difference.

If you’re in the same position, arm yourself with as much information as possible, question results and doctors. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut instincts and seek answers. After all, it’s your body and we only get one.