[Case Study] I stopped using steroids after many years
Y-san has had atopic dermatitis since childhood, with particularly severe symptoms on the face, and used steroids on the face for a long period (from age 14 to 38). However, having doubts about steroids, she decided to stop using them at age 39.
At this time, Y-san searched for and visited a doctor who recommended stopping steroids. The doctor's instruction was simply, "Wash with hot water, and don't apply anything else." Y-san followed this.
After about a month, the redness on her face, which was always red, began to subside. Then, pus started to come out. Pus would come out, a scab would form, and when the scab came off, pus would come out again—this cycle repeated. To be honest, her face was a mess and not something she could show to others.
After about three months, it seems her original skin began to appear just a little bit. However, the cycle of pus and scabs continued for a long time.
During that time, it was incredibly itchy, unbearably itchy. Her still-weak skin would have an allergic reaction when exposed to sunlight. But she endured it.
She knew that applying steroids would stop the itching and bring relief, but that would mean going backward. Y-san is a person with a very strong will, and she kept doing her best.
If I don't do it now...
If I don't do it now, I won't be able to...
I can do it now!
Thinking this way, she continued to stop using steroids.
After about a year, her condition gradually began to settle down. The pus and itching also decreased. Gradually, little by little, she got better, and her original skin became stronger. That said, it was still not the skin condition of a normal person.
She says it took three years to get to a point where her skin was somewhat presentable.
Since then, she has continued to stay off steroids to this day. Now, her skin is moisturized even without applying anything.
About 10 years after she stopped using steroids, Y-san began to feel physical fatigue and started receiving acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.
When she started acupuncture and moxibustion, her atopic symptoms had subsided, but the sensation in her facial skin was dull; even when acupuncture needles were applied to her face, she didn't feel much, and it felt as if she were wearing something over her face. Her head had a similar sensation.
There is something that cannot be solved just by stopping steroids. (I will talk about that another time.)
In the acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, I continue to perform procedures on her face and head as well. Gradually, the sensation in her face and head is returning.
Y-san says this:
"Stopping steroids alone is not enough. You have to change your entire lifestyle, including your diet, clothing, detergents, water, and everything else.
I am often consulted by people who want to stop using steroids, but when I tell them about various things I have done, everyone says they can't go that far. In the end, those people can't stop.
Looking back, I think I was able to do it because it was that specific time in my life. Before that, I couldn't do it because of work and social life."
Stopping steroids that have been used for many years requires considerable resolve. There will likely be painful periods that last for many, many years. I think it is something that requires putting your whole life on the line.