You Are Not Alone

Ok, so I know if you are reading this right now, you are probably as desperate as I was to find a cure, a treatment, something that will make this terrible condition go away. I will admit, I spent hours online reading everything there is to know about exfoliative cheilitis. I WAS ALWAYS ONLINE. My family thought I was nuts (I was peeling my lips back then and they thought I was over exaggerating). I will say this, that the internet played a great role in helping me diagnose my condition and even gave me hope. One of the best sources of encouragement out there was Daniel Miller and his blog. His blog helped me recognize what was happening to my lips. He wrote about resisting the urge to peel the crusty buildup and what it means if you do. I want to take this opportunity to thank Daniel for putting himself out there for us. He posted pictures, even videos documenting the struggle. And the struggle was REAL! So, thank you Daniel for initiating my road to recovery. My mental and emotional health would have really been in serious question, if it weren't for your blog; I owe you so much. I used to read the feedback he got from other people and what they were doing to help themselves. I learned so much and this blog is an accumulation of what I learned online from people who I don't know (but am eternally grateful to), from my own experience and what suited me, and what doctors and friends have suggested. Exfoliative Cheilitis has changed me and is still changing me. I will tell you now that I am not completely cured, but I know that I am almost there. I decided to write this now other than later because I want to pay it forward. It is not fair for me to keep to myself about what I know works and is working for me. I believe I have a responsibility to help others out there, however I can, as soon as I can. I could have waited to write this after I was completely cured, but I know that someone right now could start their own recovery plan based on my testimony. Plus, it is important that I document everything that I have done and am doing, so that I do not forget or leave anything out. This is not to say that I dont have days where I feel down and fucking pissed off about why I got this, why me. But for the most part, my lips don't give me much trouble. I have adapted to my routine and I am not angry or miserable anymore. What's funny about exfoliative cheilitis, and I am sure other conditions have this effect as well, is that it brings you closer to people who feel its effects. We might have a different outlook on life, a different upbringing, our exfoliative cheilitis might have also been caused by different situations, but we ALL feel the same way about it, at some point in our struggle. We need to be able speak about OUR feelings to people who listen and completely understand. I am willing to be a cyber family to anyone going through this and just wants to vent or ask questions. I am here for you.