skoshie
Hello everyone! I have been looking over this forum for a few months or so but this is my first time actually posting. In recent months I have developed EC for reasons that still escape me. It started back in the winter months, maybe February or so. What started as an embarrassing conversation at school (having your bottom lip skin basically fold over itself in a white sludgy mess mid sentence) turned into a struggle that has lasted almost half a year. But for the first few weeks I hardly noticed anything was wrong. Some tenderness and dryness here and there- no biggie it'll work itself out. What I did not know at the time however that there are wonderful people out there who have been suffering with this damned condition for years, some for their whole lives. Now, I don't claim to suffering from some major affliction, and yes there are SO many worse things that could happen. But when you can't drink a glass of water in front of people, or kiss a girl for god's sake without the heart dropping fear of having your lips fall apart... well I just think there is something basically wrong with that.
At this point I would like to inform anyone reading this that this post is mainly an avenue for venting on my part, but if anyone can relate in some small way then I will know that I am not so alone, which really helps a lot. Any way I just got back after a fun, carefree night with my friends but now am in a sudden state of sadness when I remembered "oh wait, my lips..." At which point I became acutely aware of where people's eyes were when I talked to them, which I am no stranger to as I am sure I have developed some very persistent neuroses as a result of this problem. I was able to keep my cool throughout the night however, and told myself that I would not let some stupid dry lips ruin my great night. And that was all well and good... until I got in front of my mirror at home and was reminded of just how fast I can go from zero to crushing self consciousness.
After this long, my lips are on my mind ALL THE TIME. They are my first concern in the morning and my last worry at night. After I unsuccessful trips to doctors and dermatologists I am beginning to wonder if this is something that I will just have to deal with. I have however, experience some slight improvements in the last week when I began taking over the counter Benadryl (I have pollen and pet allergies and am now considering the possibility of a
food allergy ) and also using Aquaphor despite some accusations on the interwebs that it is the Devil's hemorrhoid cream. The only improvement however, is that the swelling has gone down drastically to the point where I had forgotten what size my lips were supposed to be. There is still the continual dryness, redness, and dying skin, but at least my lips don't look like I just stepped out of the ring with Manny Pacquiao. I recently saw a thread on this forum from a doctor who prescribed Benadryl to a patient with EC, with reports of improvement within 48 hours and a cure within three weeks. So, like any good modern American I went out and bought a drug to make it all better. I am at the end of the first week of the benadryl and Aquaphor treatment and am hoping against hope that this is it but who knows. As anyone tried something like this? Any results? Lasting results that is, and dare I say a cure?
I just want to thank everyone on this forum for being there for me. I know i will likely not ever meet any of you, but you have all helped me little by little in your own way.
Much empathy and support. I love you all. Stay strong for me, and I'll try my damnedest to do the same.
P.S. Sorry for rambling