As mentioned your input has been most inspiring to me. Even with good results my determination was starting to waver. I didn't mention I couldn't resist and ate an oatmeal cookie a few days ago- that's after almost 3 weeks of diligently following my no sugar plan and 1/2 a year of following low gluten plan. I had read the revered Karen Fischer books on eczema years ago and resisted attempting to follow her strict dietary plan. A month ago I picked up a used book, The Yeast Connection Handbook by William G Crook, MD written 20 years ago. Very simply written for the layperson. For once an author got my attention. I think it was the simple hand draw illustrations and graphs of what the wrong foods are doing to us that woke me up. The lights came on. On the cover it purports, How Yeasts Can Make You Feel "Sick All Over" and the Steps You Need to take to Regain Your Health. In the book it also refers to the cross over with eczema which is an inflammatory condition and we both know how this inflammation can be torture and how we need to lower our inflammation. Yeasts in the body create inflammation, not sure how the yeasts are related to the histamines, but perhaps our histamines are trying to kill the yeasts and so inflammation occurs. Although written decades ago it has an addendum, 2006, with updated research, referencing studied herbal treatments that have been amazing and he documents. Actually doing as well as PX Diflucan. So daily I added oregano, either fresh from the garden and/or oregano oil capsule , caprylic acid capsule, kolorex capsule. My go to breakfast now is a smoothie with kefir (dairy) or probiotic plain yogurt (dairy), almond milk plain, carrot (the big carrots have all the flavor), cucumber or zucchini and fresh oregano from garden with a pinch or 2 of Stevia (only allowed artificial sweetener). I don't think I could enjoy this without some sweetener. Very drinkable along with 2 poached eggs. I tried adding kale to the smoothie- the #1 choice for benefits, yet I couldn't gag it down. I like it cooked with garlic and olive oil, but it takes a stronger will than mine to gag it down in a smoothie.
As mentioned, according to Dr. Crook (egad, what a name!) if this plan is followed for 2 months we can slowing add back occasion sugars, like you are doing now.
As mentioned, I am Grover's free right now. My Grover's was so bad I couldn't lay on my back, even driving a car i had to hunch over the steering wheel which is very fatiguing, but any pressure or friction was intensely painful. Yes my Grover's was itchy, but not as itchy as say my ACD issues on hands, yet Grover's is extremely painful. It would hurt even without pressure. Even in remission before I could always feel tiny bumps under my skin, yet now while still there, they are barely discernible. I can even take a hot shower again. Also gone is the constant feeling of having a bad sunburn on my back. My front torso was only moderately affected and never had anything on my sides, so that is how I could lay down. I would dread anyone wanting a hug, it just hurt too much!
A blessing is that I could hide it with clothing, so few new I had it.
Still I amazed at your strength, as I can't imagine dealing with it for 8 years; I would have lost my mind. I do get emotional and I am weeping for you now, and so hope you have a nice long break from your suffering. I know you are treasuring each day. They say if something doesn't kill us it will make us stronger and I know I am more compassionate, humble and grateful everyday and can't see that changing.