My name is Jenny and I have had eczema, asthma and hay fever since birth. I had been able to mostly manage my conditions by taking a steroid inhaler and applying hydrocortisone when it flared up. However it wasn’t until the beginning of November 2005 that my life turned upside down and I developed a somewhat severe form of the condition. It was around this time that my Grandfather died and I met my Father for the first time. Certainly not a good time for any 16 year old girl that’s for sure.
The day of the funeral my skin had become inflamed, covered in weeping sores. My eyes were incredibly swollen and my asthma had worsened rather dramatically. I was in so much pain, it was unbearable and everyone stared at me which didn’t exactly help matters! That night I was rushed to A&E as I had an asthma attack and my skin looked and felt infected. They kept me in hospital after administering shots of antihistamines to try to relieve the skin and I have to admit, it was one of the most horrendous hospitals I’ve ever been to … but that’s another story.
It took around 6 months to recover from that episode and it returned to a more manageable state up until January 2009. Since this time, there has barely been a day where I have had respite of the illness. I have tried everything from steroids, various moisturisers, antihistamines, wraps, Protopic, immunosuppressants, hypnotherapy, and so on and so forth. We have however discovered that I don’t only suffer from eczema but also urticaria, sebhorreic dermatitis, alongside a number of allergies including dust mites of which measured so highly that a precise measurement couldn’t be obtained! I’m also severely allergic to fur bearing animals, especially cats with saddens me greatly as I grew up alongside them, and am now no longer able to visit my Mother’s house.
This year, my boyfriend, Shane Nicholl, who has a keen passion for running, will be partaking in various races over the course of the year where he will complete 1000km in distance. He’s told me it’s his little way of showing that he would literally run to the end of the earth for me to see me get better 🙂
To follow his efforts you can find him on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/442232702492614/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/1000kmChallenge
And to sponsor his page is: http://www.justgiving.com/shanes1000km
On the 3rd of Jan we were invited to do a radio interview on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and here it is …
& yes I should have written notes beforehand instead of regurgitating the same words and completely forgetting what I wanted to say! Better luck next time, eh? Shane completely nailed it though. Mr Radio Voice!
Check out my blog: http://i-have-eczema.blogspot.co.uk
Jenny S
I'm Jenny, a sufferer of eczema and other relative conditions. I am to help raise awareness of chronic skin conditions and to hopefully help others who suffer. Visit my blog here: http://i-have-eczema.blogspot.co.uk
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Hi!
It’s so lovely that your bf running for your eczema! Does he have eczema too? I’ve been searching high and low for runners with eczema to share their journey on my blog eczemablues.com! Can you pass on the message to him to help look out for fellow runners with eczema?
Take care,
on March 13, 2013 at 4:07 am MeiMei
Hello there 🙂
He’s so lovely for doing it, I know! He doesn’t have eczema himself, no, but I’ll be sure to ask him if he knows any fellow runners who do. Good luck in finding people!
All the best,
Jenny
on March 13, 2013 at 9:28 am Jenny StradlingYou have an amazing spirit and a great boyfriend! Good luck with your battle with Eczema, you are a strong girl!
on December 3, 2015 at 9:57 am Sasha