I'm not sorry my skin is bad or that I haven't washed my hair.I'm not sorry that I'm not wearing makeup.I'm not sorry that I can't eat certain foods or that I have multiple allergies.I'm not sorry for being such a pain, for being so awkward and fussy and basically a freak of nature!I'm not sorry that I didn't respond to your email trying to sell me something.This year I am … [Read more...]
Surviving Christmas with Topical Steroid Withdrawal
I love Christmas, and spending time with my amazing family, who are so supportive and understanding, but this TSW journey is so exhausting that stepping out the comfort zone of quiet living and self-care at home fills me with dread. Every time. And even afterwards, when I have had a lovely time, enjoyed myself and taken part in whatever event I've dragged myself to, it takes me … [Read more...]
I have freed my skin!
OK I've got a long way to go until my skin is free from eczema and through this topical steroid and Protopic withdrawal journey... but I just realised something. I am free. Completely free of topical steroids and Protopic. I gave up both in February this year, cold turkey and I am not looking back. I know I will never, ever use either topical steroids or … [Read more...]
Itchy palms, little blisters
It's National Eczema Awareness week (14-22 September 2019) so I had lots of skin and eczema related posts planned for you, as well as an update of my TSW journey. These may be a little delayed as I've just been diagnosed with shingles yesterday, which has knocked me for six. So I might give you some insight into the joys and lows of that! But I wanted to talk about these … [Read more...]
My Top 20 TSW survival tips
I'm now nearly six months into my journey with topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) so I thought I'd share the top 20 things that have helped me to get through this difficult time. They've all been gleaned partly from my personal experience but also from friends on social media who are also going through this or those who have succeeded in cutting out topical steroids successfully. … [Read more...]