Good to know

Having had epilepsy for over 50 years, my skin has been affected by allergic reactions and more due to constant medications. I am also allergic to wheat, dairy, protein, spices, and seafood which cause havoc on the skin. Perfumes, colors, fragrances, and chemicals in washing powder, dishwashing liquids, etc. also cause problems.

I stopped wearing makeup several years ago due to reactions, and only use hypoallergenic soaps, creams, and shampoo/conditioner.

My skin has always been very dry and I have found the Simple range good for skin problems/sensitivity. I also use Vaseline Repair Cream after a shower which definitely has helped rejuvenate dry skin.

I still struggle when the days get shorter, mornings darker and temperatures decline, for quite a few years - perhaps the last 20 years? Although a very optimistic person, always smiling, laughing & seeing the funny side to almost everything, it feels like my entire body & mind wants & actually does “shut down” and personally find every activity of daily living becomes even more problematic than during the rest of the year.To help combat these negative effects, I try to remember to sit in front of a white light, specifically designed for S.A.D plus ALWAYS need to wear umpteen layers of clothing because I’m sooooooo sensitive to lower temperatures. I’m not sure if this is due to having historic & genetic hypothyroidism & having MS for 45 years because both conditions commonly cause sensitivity to temperature? Perhaps it’s because that many people I know well, have shared with me that they have a predilection for preferring the time of year & temperatures associated with what month/season they were born in? Luckily I LOVE Christmas which is 1 of my greatest ‘saving graces’ that so assist me in dealing with winters!!!!!!! Apart from that, I really do become much more of an anti-social ‘hermit’! Again, I’ve subsequently always striven to have 2 sun-seeking (& heat-needing) holidays during the winter which greatly boosts myself, emotionally/intellectually & greatly improves my energy levels & physical capabilities which unfortunately many people cannot afford to do.Sending you all my very best wishes for 2024. I so hope there are many more people who do NOT struggle with this condition than those of you who do. I think it’s imperative that we all find what works best for each of us, to effectively enable us all to remain as healthy & happy as possible 🫂 xx

As a follow on to this discussion, my wife has been diagnosed as dehydrated for over 20 years. She has a heart condition and on water tablets, plus water restrictions. Never affected her, she drinks what she wants and remains dehydrated. The medical profession stated she would be dead 30 years ago, she is still here, smoking, obese, 3 heart attacks, four immune diseases etc. taking massive amount of drugs. Close monitoring and the simple fact her body works with a low blood pressure, constantly dehydrated, limited mobility etc. Perhaps your body runs well dehydrated, we got some test strips for other issues but one of the tests is dehydration, always showed dehydrated.

My wife drinks litres of tomato juice at a time, perhaps try something you really like but if you remain dehydrated, should you really worry about it, it may be your body's norm!

Fresh fruit, prunes, plenty of fluids, high-fibre.