Month 16

Sorry to bear bad news, but month 16 has brought one of my worst flares since starting tsw. I finally know what it was that made me flare: vitamin E oil from the capsule. I thought it was that I had consumed too much sugar, or that it was my pre-menstrual cycle flare, but it was indeed the vitamin E oil. I used it again a few days ago, thinking that it was safe because I had used it before with no reaction. Then the day after, I could barely open my eyes because they were so swollen, I was oozing and swollen from everywhere that I had applied the oil, and my other tsw areas that I hadn't applied the oil were flaring as well. The swelling is going down very very gradually, but even 2 days later it still looks bad.

This flare was just so alarming to me because my face has never become so swollen before. When I looked into the mirror, I could not recognize myself at all. I know that I will get better and this will all go away, but in the meantime it is quite difficult to just put my entire life on hold. I've already missed 2 days of school, and am probably going to miss tomorrow as well. Hopefully I will have the strength to carry on for a few more days and see myself heal.

To anyone who has had eye and facial swelling, how long does it usually take to go down? The info would be very much appreciated. I hope that you are all faring well, and if not, we can wait it out together.