DEALING WITH CHRONIC DERMATITIS
I usually don't blog about medical issues but I felt compelled to write about my chronic dermatitis because maybe it will help someone else dealing with the same issue. I know that in the last ten years of battling this problem, I wish I had been able to read about someone else's experience.
My hand problem started about twelve years ago. I would get little bubbles under the skin of my fingertips and it would itch. I went to see a dermatologist about it and he prescribed a topical corticosteroid. That helped to alleviate the inflammation and the itching but it would just come back after a while. After I got married and had my first child the problem got worse. I switched to a new dermatologist and she told me it was common to see this with new moms. You are constantly exposed to things like diapers and wipes and laundry, etc. that your hands just get severely dry and irritated. I thought this diagnosis made sense. So over the next 7 years or so I continued with the corticosteroid. Over time I progressed to the strongest one available. My problem continued and I didn't feel like I was getting the right diagnosis. I thought if I stayed away from water that would help so I used gloves constantly, even in the shower. At one point I thought I was allergic to water! Finally I got concerned that I was using the medication too much. My mother-in-law has lived with chronic eczema for decades and I've seen the long lasting effects of steroidal medication on her body - thinning of the skin, being easily bruised, etc. I was also at my wits' end with this dermatologist. She never seemed to be concerned about the underlying issues. She continued to chalk it up to being a mother of young children. Finally I decided to take more control of the situation and made an appointment to see a different dermatologist. This would be the third one I'd seen about this problem. At my first visit he suggested something the other doctor hadn't ever mentioned - doing a patch test for allergies. After testing me for 20+ different allergens I realized I was allergic to four different things and that's what was causing the severe dermatitis on my hands. Those things happened to be in lots of baby products but they were also in makeup, shampoo and lotions. The other big one was nickel. As I left the office that day I realized I was allergic to the nickel plating on my clarinet keys! For years the problem had been right under my nose but it took three dermatologists to figure it out. So I started reading labels and trying to get away from the chemicals I was allergic to. The nickel was a different problem. We just didn't have several thousand dollars lying around to buy a new clarinet with silver plated keys. So I tried my best to avoid certain things, but the problem continued with still the same approach to solving it - corticosteroids. After a couple years of this I realized I needed to take charge again. I asked my dermatologist if he knew anyone else in the area who specialized in this area and he was humble enough to admit that he had done all he knew how to do but he knew someone who specialized in contact dermatitis. So a fourth dermatologist. By this time I was serious about solving this problem and we had saved up enough to buy a new clarinet. When I met this new dermatologist it was like an answer to prayer. My first appointment was in April and he had so much more information than any other doctor I'd seen. He told me about new medications that contain little amounts of steroids. He planned to do another patch test on me but instead of testing for 20+ allergens he was going to test for 62! He told me about the Mayo Clinic's work to get industries and companies (Proctor and Gamble, Revlon, etc.) to give up their ingredient lists so they could make a comprehensive list of safe products for people with allergies to certain chemicals. He also gave me new information about caring for my hands. The last week I have learned so much about taking care of my hands and they haven't felt or looked this good in years. The most important thing I've done to help my hands in the last week is use Vaseline and cotton gloves. People with my condition need to constantly moisturize and the best way to do that is to slather your hands with Vaseline at least 15 times a day and wear cotton gloves to increase absorption.
I really think I've turned a corner with this condition, but it didn't happen until I took control of my own health and refused to settle with what wasn't working. Doctors know a lot but they don't know everything. My experience with four different dermatologists in the same city is proof of that. Dermatology is a very broad field covering everything from acne to Botox to dermatitis. It's impossible for every doctor to be an expert in treating every condition. I hope someone was helped by this. If you want to know more about specific chemicals or anything else just leave a comment.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Saturday, May 05, 2007
LIVING THROUGH HIM
I read this morning in 1 John 4:9. God sent His Son that we might live through Him. What does that look like? I could pretty much describe what it doesn't look like by drawing you a picture of my anxiety lately. Anxiety is an alarm bell that tells me I'm depending on myself. Living through Christ means to be fully dependent on God's performance on my behalf.
So what has God performed? Everything.
In the past He has ~
Foreknown me - go to John Piper's sermon on Romans 8:29-30 and you'll discover a new word - foreloved. Very transforming stuff.
Predestined me - to a purpose that is working itself out now according to Him who began the good work and will bring it to completion. (Phil.1:6)
Called me - He wrought faith in me, drew me to Himself.
Gave Christ on my behalf - see 1 John 4:9-10.
In the present He is ~
Working all things in me for the purpose of His will, which is to make me like Christ. See Philippians 2:13, Romans 8:28-30.
And not forgetting the daily benefits we too easily take for granted - Psalm 118:24, He makes the day. 1 John 1:9, He forgives all our sins. Lamentations 3:22-23, He renews His mercies every morning.
And in all things He is for me - Psalm 118:6-7, Romans 8:31-32.
There are so many more things to say and many more we are never aware of I'm sure. And in the future God has promised so much more as described in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 John 3. Our mortal will be clothed in immortality and we will see Him as He is.
Look away from the mud puddle and take in that endless ocean vista which is all that God has promised to be for us in Christ.
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter our Amen to God for his glory." 2 Corinthians 1:20
I read this morning in 1 John 4:9. God sent His Son that we might live through Him. What does that look like? I could pretty much describe what it doesn't look like by drawing you a picture of my anxiety lately. Anxiety is an alarm bell that tells me I'm depending on myself. Living through Christ means to be fully dependent on God's performance on my behalf.
So what has God performed? Everything.
In the past He has ~
Foreknown me - go to John Piper's sermon on Romans 8:29-30 and you'll discover a new word - foreloved. Very transforming stuff.
Predestined me - to a purpose that is working itself out now according to Him who began the good work and will bring it to completion. (Phil.1:6)
Called me - He wrought faith in me, drew me to Himself.
Gave Christ on my behalf - see 1 John 4:9-10.
In the present He is ~
Working all things in me for the purpose of His will, which is to make me like Christ. See Philippians 2:13, Romans 8:28-30.
And not forgetting the daily benefits we too easily take for granted - Psalm 118:24, He makes the day. 1 John 1:9, He forgives all our sins. Lamentations 3:22-23, He renews His mercies every morning.
And in all things He is for me - Psalm 118:6-7, Romans 8:31-32.
There are so many more things to say and many more we are never aware of I'm sure. And in the future God has promised so much more as described in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 John 3. Our mortal will be clothed in immortality and we will see Him as He is.
Look away from the mud puddle and take in that endless ocean vista which is all that God has promised to be for us in Christ.
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter our Amen to God for his glory." 2 Corinthians 1:20
HUMILITY=SURRENDER=FREEDOM
Do I want grace? Then I should pursue humility. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Proverbs 3:34 In all things I should place myself below others. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 This is not self-hatred. This is surrender. Surrender to the God who is far above all things. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 Our lives are but a vapor and we really are not in control. "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit." Proverbs 16:1-2
Should this depress me? Not if I have a proper view of myself compared to God. Focusing in on the Lord and all He has promised to be for me (see Romans 8:31-39) will make it simple to surrender myself to Him and not fear. It will free me from the petty games I play with myself - comparing, justifying, controlling. It will free me from myself and allow me to truly follow Him as He says in Luke 9:23 ~ "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
Do I want grace? Then I should pursue humility. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Proverbs 3:34 In all things I should place myself below others. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 This is not self-hatred. This is surrender. Surrender to the God who is far above all things. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 Our lives are but a vapor and we really are not in control. "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit." Proverbs 16:1-2
Should this depress me? Not if I have a proper view of myself compared to God. Focusing in on the Lord and all He has promised to be for me (see Romans 8:31-39) will make it simple to surrender myself to Him and not fear. It will free me from the petty games I play with myself - comparing, justifying, controlling. It will free me from myself and allow me to truly follow Him as He says in Luke 9:23 ~ "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."
JUST BREATHING
Do you ever feel afraid to just breathe? Just stop and take it all in whatever it is. Lately I've felt imprisoned by my own expectations and to-do lists. Why can't I get it all done? I've not allowed myself the freedom to just sit and experience.
Early this morning I awoke to a small storm. There was the light tapping of tiny hail on my window and flashes of lightning illuminating the dark bedroom. I could do nothing but listen and be in awe of it all. Later on I sat on the porch and soaked in the smells of a rain drenched sunrise. The smell of wet grass and trees. The crack of a pine tree limb that's been trying to break off for months. The morning chill that a storm leaves. The humming of my middle son eating cereal before going fishing with his dad.
Do you ever feel afraid to just breathe? Just stop and take it all in whatever it is. Lately I've felt imprisoned by my own expectations and to-do lists. Why can't I get it all done? I've not allowed myself the freedom to just sit and experience.
Early this morning I awoke to a small storm. There was the light tapping of tiny hail on my window and flashes of lightning illuminating the dark bedroom. I could do nothing but listen and be in awe of it all. Later on I sat on the porch and soaked in the smells of a rain drenched sunrise. The smell of wet grass and trees. The crack of a pine tree limb that's been trying to break off for months. The morning chill that a storm leaves. The humming of my middle son eating cereal before going fishing with his dad.
NOTHING LEFT EXCEPT PRAISE
Before I knew the Lord there was nothing I could do. And now, after being saved and made His own, everything has already been done. We already have everything.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places..." Ephesians 1:3
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence..." 2 Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope thorugh the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3-4
There is nothing left to do but trust in Him, delight in Him, rest in Him, and praise Him.
"What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord." Psalm 116:12-13
Before I knew the Lord there was nothing I could do. And now, after being saved and made His own, everything has already been done. We already have everything.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places..." Ephesians 1:3
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence..." 2 Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope thorugh the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3-4
There is nothing left to do but trust in Him, delight in Him, rest in Him, and praise Him.
"What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord." Psalm 116:12-13
FREEDOM FROM SELF
Charles Spurgeon, May 5th (morning) ~ "For if God be your God and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special interest in you; you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son."
The Lord is the Creator of all and owns everything. Yet He has placed His special affection on His children whom He has predestined and called and known from all eternity. If Romans 8:29-30 is true and God has truly set me apart for Himself from all eternity then there is nothing I can bring now or could have brought then. What foolish pride O God! I need my eyes ripped off myself and placed on Him. In the front cover of my Bible I have taped Spurgeon's devotional from the morning of June 28th. "It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus. But Satan's work is just the opposite; he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ."
1 John 4:9-10 has really helped me this morning. It is all God. Without His actions we would never know what love really is. We were ignorant. God initiated. He gave, He sent. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. He knew what our fate would be without Him. We had no idea, and still cannot comprehend how awful sin is and what a horrific place hell is. It is real. He knew. He sent Jesus to bear His wrath. How does that song go? "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross."
O foolish woman, why do you look to yourself when there is such a God to behold, worship and adore? Look away from your mud puddle and take in this oceanic vista! Turn and look at the endless ocean that is the magnificent love of God and worthiness of Christ.
Charles Spurgeon, May 5th (morning) ~ "For if God be your God and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special interest in you; you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son."
The Lord is the Creator of all and owns everything. Yet He has placed His special affection on His children whom He has predestined and called and known from all eternity. If Romans 8:29-30 is true and God has truly set me apart for Himself from all eternity then there is nothing I can bring now or could have brought then. What foolish pride O God! I need my eyes ripped off myself and placed on Him. In the front cover of my Bible I have taped Spurgeon's devotional from the morning of June 28th. "It is always the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus. But Satan's work is just the opposite; he is constantly trying to make us look at ourselves instead of Christ."
1 John 4:9-10 has really helped me this morning. It is all God. Without His actions we would never know what love really is. We were ignorant. God initiated. He gave, He sent. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. He knew what our fate would be without Him. We had no idea, and still cannot comprehend how awful sin is and what a horrific place hell is. It is real. He knew. He sent Jesus to bear His wrath. How does that song go? "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross."
O foolish woman, why do you look to yourself when there is such a God to behold, worship and adore? Look away from your mud puddle and take in this oceanic vista! Turn and look at the endless ocean that is the magnificent love of God and worthiness of Christ.
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