First Update of 2018

Hey,

Felt like giving you folks an update of my current TSW predicament. Still not 100% over the line yet. Up and down, up and down, round and round, round and round the bizarre and maddening pattern of withdrawal I continue to go. Are you riding along too?. Face, neck and hands are the most stubborn area's of flaring. Sleeping or lack of it is still not quite there yet. I wake up a few times during the night, every night for the record to have a scratch, but quickly fall back to sleep, thankfully. Just a bit frustrating that am yet to manage a perfect, uninterrupted full night's sleep from dawn to dusk like one could manage, pre TSW. I guess patience is something you learn to accept and have during withdrawal.

With all that being said, life is definitely more bearable with each new, passing month. When I do have a "big" flare, my body & irritated spots heal much more quicker. I can have a bad day with tearing my skin up, then wake up the very next day, shower and get on with it. No big deal I suppose. I only put a tad of Shea butter on the driest of places, once per day in the morning now after showering for your information. Maybe once or twice I'll put a small bit of Shea on during the day if needed, but, not everyday that is.

A week ago I took the plunge and decided to attempt backpacking around South America. My trip started in Guayaquil, Ecuador last week. Quite a bold move you say, no?. The reason why is to see if being in the constant warm & sunny weather would finally see my skin fully recover. Also, it's nice to have some sort of adventure. I've been wearing shorts and t -shirts on the regular over the last few days. This is a huge milestone for me, as it's been years since I've had the confidence to do such things. Simple things, yes. But, simple things I can 200% bet you will and would be able to relate too, dear reader.

I plan to stay in S A for at least three months minimum. This is just to see how my skin reacts. If it's a positive reaction then I guess I continue the adventure. So far so good am glad to report!.

There you have it. Just a quick , short update for you. Four years have now passed with this monkey on my back. How long left?. Who knows... I will keep posting until that day comes, so we shall find out!. Slowly but surely getting there. As I touched on earlier, patience is the name of the game for me at this particular stage of TSW.

Hope the update pleased you!. How have you been doing lately?, Drop me a comment, please!.

Keep fighting on my friends!.

Cheers,

Gary

Last Update of 2017

It's nearly time to wave goodbye or give the middle finger to the year 2017. Time for an update I suppose then, eh?.

Can't complain too much with all things regarding Topical Steroid Withdrawal. Well, apart from the winter weather kicking me in the nuts. Sort of in a mini flare right now. Frustrating?, yes, yes it is. However, am nowhere near as bad as I was compared to previous months/years gone by. Definitely without a shadow of doubt, I've made some steady progress, especially this year. From about May until the start of December, my skin had been in it's most consistent state since withdrawal began. Sure I still got itchy and scratched, but the skin didn't break or bleed as it was much more stronger where as the colder weather makes me tear up my skin due to the level of dryness that it causes.

I guess for me the environment and weather (At this stage of withdrawal) plays a hugely, significant part in what the condition of my skin is like. I can honestly say that I'm more comfortable in the warm, sunny weather. The cold, harsh winter weather for sure has a negative impact with my TSW symptoms. It will be interesting to see how my body reacts this time next year. Hopefully by then, I can tolerate and navigate the winter months more easily with much more confidence skin wise.

Still working away with my job and living at my folks house for now. I plan to leave by the end of February, start of March. Been quite fortunate to have been allowed  to stay at my parents, get to a decent level of health, recuperate and put it more politely by how do I say?, "getting my shit together" whilst living here.

I again hope that my withdrawal duration hasn't put you off in anyway. Remember it is possible that you could heal sooner and get over the finish line quicker than I.  I must also stress that my asthma and allergies had probably taken there toll on my immune system which has aided in the prolonging of my recovery (possibly). My asthma and allergies have thankfully now vanished and have been so for some time now, for the record.

These are positive signs. Just waiting on the skin to follow suit.

Added a video update to YouTube too

Good luck and all the very best for 2018!.

Gary

About time I Updated You...

Hey you,

Glad to report and let you know that my skin is currently in the best shape of the entire withdrawal process. For roughly the past three months I've been living life like Tip Top Magoo! (:

Not 100% over the line yet, though. Got a few spots here and there that still need to smooth out such as my hands, feet, neck & face. Over the moon about my face being relatively and somewhat clearer during this break that I find myself in. I notice that if I do overexert myself my skin, mood and energy levels tend to suffer. For instance, by not getting enough rest/sleep (sleep has improved drastically for the record), partying with friends and eating foods containing gluten, dairy and sugar my TSW symptoms blow up and I fall back in to a flare.

I think the weather along with exercise has helped me massively during the summer months. I tan easily without irritation and I actually feel the sun's rays in a soothing, healing way if that makes sense?. Honestly, when I really think about it, I'd have to go way back to my teens for me to grasp about how much my skin felt comfortable in the warm, lovely sunshine. This is purely down to not being able to lay out or spent much time in the sun whilst using Corticosteroids, or as the condition of my body was during the early stages of withdrawal when everything seemed to make my symptoms worsen as I'm sure some of you can relate too.

But, with all that being said, who really knows what's going on with our bodies?. How can we be certain that it's not just all part of the healing cycle?. In a way we're all human Guinea pigs. More research is needed to determine what it is that is exactly going on during withdrawal. Is it all just really down to time?. Does random genetics and our own, unique immune systems play a part?. Is diet, exercise, our environment and the weather all factors?. So many questions, so little answers. Mind boggling is an understatement.

Back to the positive side of things, life has been great, guys. Even managed to go on a holiday/vacation to the USA at the end of July. Spent a week visiting friends in Seattle. I then headed south to California and met up with some fellow TSW buddies. The trip was medicine for the soul. I had an absolute blast!. The people were so friendly and welcoming. Some of the sights were stunning like South Whidbey State Park (Seattle) and the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco) to name but a few.

Even managed to stay/sleep in a dorm within a hostel with 21 other folk!. Talk about skin confidence!, ha ha.

So, that's pretty much where I am at, folks. 42 months deep now. Lets see how winter time fairs with the ol' skin. Winter will for sure be a big test and my next real test for more proof that fingers crossed, my recent environment and lifestyle changes will make it a step closer to skin salvation.

Below are some pictures from my trip across the pond.

South Whidbey State Park,Seattle

Ready to hit the road!, Seattle

Shaman nature vibes, South Whidbey State Park, Seattle

View of the Space Needle, Seattle

Obligatory tourist photo from inside the Space Needle, Seattle

Crotch grabbing for some strange reason - Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Hostel buddies from San Francisco

Eating a scone for reasons unknown. Possible due to hunger, hostel in San Francisco

Getting drunk in the other hostel in San Fransico

Clarion Alley, San Francisco

Good times with new friends in San Francisco!

Thanks for stopping on by. May the skin force of goodness be with you!,

 Gary

TSW Facial Healing Evolution: June 2014 - June 2017

 Progress in pictures from June 14' - June 17'

JUNE 2014

JUNE 2015

JUNE 2016

                  

JUNE 2017

                                                                                                                          















Not implying that I'm healed yet. Far from it. Obviously it hasn't been a consistent one way path towards healing or where I am at, currently.

As you must be aware of by now, TSW has many trips and turns throughout it's assault on ones body. In the past 39 months my skin and symptoms have fluctuated. However, I seem to be getting more steady with progress as time continues to move forward.

Feeling & looking more normal as each new day begins.

Thanks for viewing

Gary










                     

Month 39

 

It's getting easier.

I wake up most days and see "me" now. Life is slowly but surely returning to normal, whatever normal is or was that is, ha ha. I've been at this stage a few times in the past so I don't want to be over confident or tempt fate that I am nearing full recovery. The truth is, I just don't know. I am literally taking each new day as it comes, one day at a time (cliche alert). You learn this going through TSW, I guess.

Hands and feet are the most troublesome body parts, currently. My face has been almost clear for a good, few weeks. I can go out and face the public with confidence now (pun intended). This makes me happy. Very, very happy.

Still living at my parents home for now. I think living here with my folks & sister in a clean, nurturing environment has been mega supportive with my mental and physical health, and helped get me to this stage of my recovery. I have to admit that living alone going through withdrawal was really difficult. It was tough coping at times as you could imagine.

I can speculate that work and a good routine of diet, rest and fitness training has been key to getting me at this stage too. Or perhaps it has been good, ol' father time?. As you should know by now the word "time" is echoed and championed around these parts of the Topical Steroid Withdrawal universe. It is the word that is most used and said to be the only true healer, TIME.

So, for now I hold my breath with anticipation with what the future will bring. However, I must admit it feels really good right now, at this very moment. It's a very infectious and liberating feeling. Long may it continue.


Video update included

Randomness also!

Thanks for taking the TIME to read and view the update.

Take care out there!

Gary 

2017 Update

Hey,

First update this year.

Been slipping recently with my updates schedule. In all honesty, I have not had the energy or have been in the right frame of mind to keep the blog going.

So with that in mind I'll just dive right in I guess...

A lot has happened since my last post. A LOT.

The last few months have been horrendous. Been doing a lot better over the last few days with some more "good" skin days over the last couple of weeks coming too. Now, I'm not healed. Still not out the woods yet. Just been feeling and looking more normal lately.

Will fire up some obligatory bullet points with the key points/subjects that has occurred over the last wee while.

• Stopped the Immunosuppressant Cyclosporine on the 8th of February

•  Admitted to A&E at the Hospital on the 28th of February (Suspected skin infection but perhaps a TSW "mega" flare? )  

• Moved out of flat/apartment on the 28th of February because of dampness/water damage

• Extended leave of absence from work since late February 

• Passed three years TSW on March the 3rd

Moving out of my flat has been a key factor with my recent turn around. I think with my immune system having been so weak along with the lovely open sores that comes with TSW the toxic mold/dampness was contributing towards my slow healing and symptoms. Honestly, dampness and household mold aren't a joke!. It's a legit problem. Do some research of your own to find out more!. Very scary stuff indeed.

Now, I know my good fortune skin wise of late could have many factors for it being more consistent. Perhaps the much talked about anniversary flare was one?. Perhaps stopping the Cyclosporine and going through a rebound effect was another factor?. Or perhaps a cleaner environment to live in was also a huge step towards better days?. Maybe all three factors have contributed?.

Who knows?. One can only speculate with the weird goings on that Topical Steroid Withdrawal brings to its victim.

All I know is that I seem to be having less severe symptoms compared to the past. Not perfect by any means yet. Just less severe. I'll take that any day over what the last few months have gave me any day.

Done a cheeky video update post as always too.

Added some images below to show my progress.

Last night spent in old home 27/02/17

09/03/17

15/03/17

18/03/17

31/03/17

From the start of April my skin has been up & down. But glad to report it's been more up. Enjoying this time of comfort. Can't wait for the day that I fill you in on when I am 100% finished with this beast. 

So now you know what's been happening. How have you been doing?. What's been happening at your end?.

Thanks for taking the time to catch up.

Speak to you soon

Gary

Month 33 - TSW Update

33 months deep. Not healed yet. The fight still goes on. Blah, blah, blah...

However, with all that being said my quality of life has returned, folks.

Firstly, feel like I should mention that I hope my duration of withdrawal hasn't discouraged or put you off in anyway. Remember we are all different. Some of us have been blessed with a stronger immune system, some of us have "used" longer than others, we've all slathered on to our skin all kinds of  different strengths of the steroid creams too. Some of us have even ingested oral steroids to add to our nightmare.

Words can often be cheap on the Internet. I guess what I am trying to get at is; KEEP on fighting!. Keep on going!. I know the darkness can swallow you up with this beast. But you have to keep heading towards the light. The light is happiness and a return to your birthright of a strong, happy and healthy YOU!.

Back to myself (like I mentioned above) I'm not quite there yet. It saddens me that I have to inform you that I took the plunge with starting immunosuppressants, Cyclosporine (Started the course on the 8th of November for the record). I'm well aware that a lot of you are against this option. However, trust me. For the sake of my quality of life, I had no other option. Have I messed up my healing time?. Truth be told?, I can't answer that (yet). All I know is that the imunno's are keeping my flares at bay and seem to be aiding with my recovery.

My plan is to stay on the meds for a good three or four months then discontinue. Hopefully my flares are much more manageable by then, until I reach the end that is. As we all know by now this TSW game is so random and weird.

Recorded a short video update. Had some near perfect skin days recently. As I said, I'm still not there. But, for sure I'm in a happier place, both mentally and physically.

All the best out there.

Good luck for 17'

Gary