What would it say? I imagine that my skin hates me but I think it has a much gentler voice. Ruth, it's OK. It really is all going to be OK. I don't hate you. And I'm not trying to hurt you. … [Read more...]
How I got hooked on drugs
And my continuing fight with addiction I’m an addict. There. I’ve said it. I’ve been addicted pretty much all my life. My parents got me my first hit and it was amazing. I couldn’t believe the high. Suddenly my skin was smooth, no eczema and I could enjoy life again. But over the years (probably 40+ years), it got to the point where I was so hooked I couldn’t go a week … [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...]
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...]
10 tips to treat blocked TSW ears and ear eczema
It makes sense really when you think about it. If you have eczema on your body then you could have it inside your ear. It's very frustrating because you can't get to it to apply moisturiser and you can't scratch it! The latter actually being no bad thing. Since starting Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), I noticed that my ears had been getting completely blocked and also … [Read more...]