Still Preventable - A Documentary

Greetings,

Just taking this moment to spread some more awareness to you regarding TSW. This documentary, "Still Preventable" is the follow up to the impressive original documentary, "Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ" which was first released back in 2019, by Briana Banos, a champion and advocate of all things related with Topical Steroid Withdrawal and everything else in between.

 Link to the documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJfsOK7cKFYg Ouarge

 Link to original documentary, Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMbtf3C8BZk

 I implore you to watch and share the documentary with friends, family and anyone else you may think might benefit from viewing it.

As for myself with the skin condition, am planning a huge update for you in the new year!. Massive and wonderful news will be highlighted and shared.

Until then, I wish you all the best, with much positivity and luck moving forward. If you are in the thick of it currently, then I would like to send you over some heavy healing vibes. Remember you aren't alone. You are doing the utmost best as you possibly can. Get through today, as tomorrow is a brand, new day to start over again.

 

Many thanks,

Gary

 

 

 

st Organ

2023 Update

Greetings!,

It's only been a minute, no?. Time to update you on what has been happening with all things Topical Steroid Withdrawal. The last update, over a year ago I was in Mexico at the time. Skin was about 90% healed, life was pretty good. It got to the point where I wasn't thinking about my skin on the daily.

Was staying in a small town called Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun. I was Lucky enough to land a volunteering position at a health and wellness retreat. I was falling in love with a wonderful woman (whom I met at the retreat), the sun was shining, the birds were singing, you get the picture... Life was truly amazing. Life was normal, I was wining at long last. Then March cam along. Started to notice my symptoms reappear. Firstly on my face (As seen below). Was this another "anniversary flare" at work?.

Thankfully, at that stage, the flare never reached the levels as it had done previously much to my sheer relief. After leaving Puerto Morelos in April, 2022. Me and my partner at the time headed firstly, to San Cristobal in the state of Chiapas. Upon arrival, traveling via bus from Cancun to "SC", which might I add was roughly a 24 hours journey, add to that the devil that is air conditioning blasting throughout the bus the whole entire trip which definitely didn't help matters relating to the skin. Skin ended up getting very dry and flaky. Also, due to the lack of humidity in the mountain city compared to the tropical, lush climate of the more coastal Puerto Morelos. At this stage my skin is far more suited to warm, humid climates. Seem to have an all round better, quality of life in said climates compared to climates that lack good ol' grandfather Sun. The Sun is indeed a medicine. I know that some folks do better in cooler climates ala vice versa to myself and the other TSW Sun worshipers.

So, where was I?, ah yes arriving in San Cristobal skin got dry and flaky, again much to my relief, my skin didn't worsen, was able to go about my day with much ease. After staying in San Cristobal for a few days, we headed further south to one of my favorite destinations, Puerto Escondido which is located in the state of Oaxaca."PE" in the past has been where I received a tremendous amount of healing. Really feel at home there, the culture, the people and the food are all top class. Quality of life really does blossom when I stay there for a period. Now for some reason this time, I was still flaring all be it at a mild level. The below image, radiating confidence, happiness and contentment. This was a really special time in my life.

 

Like mentioned before, I was very much in love, we had plans moving forward together, the future was looking very bright. I'll just keep the romance chat brief from here on out, folks. Since the start of TSW, I've been involved in two relationships. If you do the math, that's two relationships in nine years!. Both were short term and didn't last longer than a year. obviously certain areas of your life go on hold during the recovery process, relationships and romance are often put a side. Can only speculate, but I believe my condition became very taxing and over bearing for my previous partners, which is completely understandable, as the condition now effects two people. We know how TSW crushes your well-being, it heavily alters your mood and even changes your personality. 

Becoming a shadow of your former self with the pain and discomfort, the intense scratching cycles, the insomnia, the shame and embarrassment of the open, red, bloody wounds that greet you every morning, every day. Like a prisoner in your own body, you become trapped in a cycle of dread and despair. After spending nearly two years abroad, I eventually returned home. This folks, is when the shit truly hit the fan. After only being home for a few weeks, all the regular TSW symptoms began to reappear. Skin was getting inflamed, dry and flaky. The intense itching cycles, night sweats and insomnia had returned. It was like I had re-entered Hell once again, having previously escaped a few times in the past. Mentally, this was an extremely challenging time. "Hello darkness my old friend." (Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence) springs to mind. 

The image above was freshly taken when I got home. 

Below, the images show how rapidly the symptoms had returned. Frustration, disbelief and questions of "why?, why was this happening to me again?." The images are a continuation of the TSW symptoms progressing right up until the end of 2022.

 

 

Face, back of the neck, torso, arms, wrists and hands were the areas that were the worst affected. My face was the area that was the most troublesome with flaring during this time. After pretty much struggling through the cold, winter months late in 2022, I had to take some action, things were getting quite bleak, including my mental well-being along with my physical condition. In early January of this year after scanning the Internet for some affordable travel deals in the sun (flights and accommodation) my intuition decided on visiting Morocco. Africa was always somewhere that I had wanted to check out with a visit after all. It was to be one of the best decisions that I've ever made!.

 

Visiting Morocco was purely to be for healing reasons with the warm, sunny weather. However, so much more was gained and received. The people, the food and the culture totally blew me away. I stayed in a place called Tamraght, Agadir, which was a small surf town located in the south of the country. Stayed for five weeks in a hostel. After a few days of being in the nice, warm and sunny climate, my skin began to clear up. Happy days had indeed returned. I was smiling again, feeling comfortable in my own skin once more, ladies and gentlemen. My strength was returning, I joined a local gym and worked out for the first time in about ten months. Even took my first ever surf lesson whilst staying in Tamraght!. Morocco was a medicine for all aspects of healing including the mind, body and spirit. 

 

The images below are from my time in Morocco.  

 

Day of traveling to Morocco

Three days after arriving with the warm, sunny environment

As you can see with the images, the healing progress with time spent in the Sun. The Sun is my savior. The Sun is my medicine. This is one of the main reasons that I travel, dear reader. To maintain a consistent quality of life. To not constantly think of my skin condition. To be strong, content and healthy. To live a normal life (whatever that may be, it's all down to perception, right?).

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to read this update. All the very, very best to you if you are stuck in that "place." Wish you some comfort with your own healing. Hope this update has given you some hope and inspiration.

Many thanks,

Gary 

February 2022 Update

Well folks,

Time to update you. My skin healing journey has brought me to Mexico. The weather along with the humid conditions seem to keep my flares at bay.

Currently volunteering at an Ayurvedic, health and wellness retreat centre in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo. Will keep this brief. Ayurveda is an ancient practice that originated in India. It is a system of shared beliefs that include primarily the diet, meditation and your body map. As part of the exchange I receive treatments, food and some of the various workshops. Most of the volunteering work is working inside the kitchen preparing meals and snacks throughout the day.

I'm confident you're aware of Ayurveda, maybe you've heard about it?, or you haven't?. Well, this is where I get lazy, dear reader. As I write up this fresh update, I'm a little fatigued. Truth be told, am pretty new to the subject myself. I'm learning on the job. The retreat is spread over twelve days. Today marks day 5 of the retreat. We have 16 guests plus staff which makes it about 21 people in total who are working along with.

My mentor is pretty confident that I can succeed with my goal of finding skin liberation and, finally healing my body from topical steroid withdrawal. So far the regime has included eating foods that are based on my Ayurvedic constitution. More updates shall follow over the coming weeks and months. Will most definitely fill you in with more information and details with the findings that will bare its fruit over the duration.

Skin has broken out in the familiar eruption zones, inside of elbows, behind the knees and at the back of my neck. This is due to my body cleaning itself out of all the stored trauma and toxins.

However, the group have been non-judgemental. They have been massively understanding and supportive. One of the facilitator's told me today that they had a guest who was suffering from skin issues. When the retreat ended, she was like a new person, in the inside and out. She HEALED her skin folks!.

Planning to contact her and get her to tell me her story. Again folks, will share her journey in a future update. Watch this space.

It's nearly midnight here. So, time to hit the hay. Back to work and most importantly, healing myself continues tomorrow. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below.

Promise to be more proactive with the blog updates this year. Also, if you would care to support me via donation, please view the previous post. 

It has the details to forward on donations that you may feel obliged to fulfill. My savings are running on empty nearly. So, if you can find it in your heart to keep the quest and skin healing adventure going, please, please make a donation!.

It will mean I can continuing trying out other healing practices, support my living costs with food, accommodation and purchase some video recording equipment to help document my findings.

Okay, time to really call it a night. Speak to you soon.

Many thanks,

Gary

Seeking Your Support

Greetings folks,

Long time no see!. This update is a call out for your help and assistance. When I began posting updates of the healing process, my intention was to always make the content free and accessible to all. Free from ads and all the other nonsense.

I always wanted to share my experiences with you for free. To share my posts with you, with only genuine, honest and truthful knowledge and insights from my healing path.

As of writing this update, the progress that I've made from the beginning of my withdrawal until now is very evident and encouraging.

However, I still need to keep digging, to keep searching.

This is why I'm now asking for your support, folks!. If you have found the blog and the content useful in your own pursuit of healing, then, I politely and kindly ask that you could make a donation please.

Recently, set up a Pateron page. The link is here: (please copy and paste) https://www.patreon.com/garinosmith

Alternatively, if you wish to donate, you can send the donation via PayPal. The PayPal address is: gary.smith_983@yahoo.com

Just follow the usual PayPal steps to forward on any donations you may have. The blog will always be free from advertisements, that's my mandatory promise to all. 

Thanks for your time and assistance. I hope you are finding some comfort and continuing the fight to being fully healthy once again.

Many, many thanks,

Gary

2020 - First Update of the Year

Recorded a video update on YouTube. This marks the first update of the year for you.  To summarize, I have been adopting an experimental protocol that includes diet, exercise and a few obscure therapies including Coffee enemas and fasting.

Please feel free to view the update, and leave any comments if you have any possible questions.

I hope you are finding some comfort during these uncertain times. As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by for a catch up.

Gary

2019 In One Post or Less

Greetings,

Been meaning to update the blog for a while now. Wanted to do it before the year ended. So, here ya go...

Heading in the right direction these days, so it seems.
 
Life is crazy, beautiful, weird and wonderful. Life has a pretty dark sense of humor, yes?. What a bizarre, strange existence/experience. It's enough to drive you round the bend at speed. That being said, I want more time out there in some sun-kissed exotic lands. More of the good side of it. More adventures, more of meeting interesting, funny and cool people. I have the lust for life again.  This is what I want from life, and it will BE my life. Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) is an evil circumstance that one can find themselves involved with. It will challenge you to the deepest part of your soul, yip, it really is a dark and lonely spell to navigate. You will go through hell. Perhaps years of it. However, the reward in the end is freedom. Total liberation. You will get your life back. You will be you again. In fact, you'll be a much more stronger, healthier and happier version of yourself. honestly.

Well, 2019 is slowly disappearing. I've been back home in Scotland since March. You must know that I'm still not 100% healed yet. I still flare from time to time. "Will I ever heal?", yes, yes I believe I will. I've been on my very own, mad scientist-esc experimentation quest. In my experience the sun's, natural vitamin D is what worked best for me, to an extent that is. Now, I have to admit that, the sun and the lovely, tropical, humid weather that I was very, I repeat VERY lucky to have been around for nearly six months to my belief, was just masking the root cause, much like the steroid creams were doing. Because, dear reader, after returning home, I began to flare again. Not as severe as previously, thankfully. It has been much more manageable for one thing. We're fast approaching the winter months and the colder, uncomfortable below 0 temperatures that comes along during that horrid time of year for many.Time will tell if the skin shall worsen like previously, fingers n' toes crossed that's not gonna be the case!.

My skin has been behaving as of the time of writing up this update for you. Work, college, physical activity and showers are all muy bueno these days. If needs must, I'll have a scratch every now and again then be done with it. After a short flare, no dramas, spring right back into action

I often look back on where I was before beginning withdrawal. I have improved greatly, no doubt about it. Not to blow ones trumpet, but I'm in a very, very good place on all fronts. Everything is going to plan on a personal level. 

Wishing you good fortune and a very prosperous new year.

Keep on pushing on. Trust in yourself that you're doing the right thing, you will be there soon.


Gary


**Below are some photos from during the year.**

Early part of July this year

August

Calm times

Mexico. See you again one day.

Goodbye 2018

The end of the year is drawing to a close.

2018 has been a massive year for my health. Early March, I decided to take the plunge and hit the road for some travel and adventure. Admittedly, along the way there was some minor set backs. But by 'minor' I mean nothing compared to the dark, early days. Sure I get a few flares during any given day. This however, is very minimal and lasts only for a few minutes before the itchiness retreats again.

As of the time of speaking, I no longer put ANYTHING on my skin. Nothing at all. My skin is much more resilient and stronger than before & during Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). Dare I say it's the best condition its ever been in?. Yes, I can gladly confirm that as a fact. It can hold moisture on its own, all my natural oils have returned, movement and flexibility are normal, diet, showering, sleeping and exercise are no longer any issues as they were before.

1,744 Days or 4 years & 9 months deep in to withdrawal now (Today 11/12/18). This year I was fortunate to experiment with different medicines that are not really well known in the west. If you read my last update, I briefly talk about these 'plant medicines - Ayahuasca & San Pedro.' I strongly believe that these PM'S have been a huge factor in where my health is at, currently right now. Along with the consistent, warm and humid weather of my present location; Puerto Escondido - Oaxaca, Mexico. My overall health has normalized greatly.

I don't have any scientific proof of my findings. However, my belief is that these PM's helped heal my gut and internal organs. Some people speculate that Eczema is the cause of a damaged gut. “All disease begins in the gut.” - as quoted from Hippocrates. I think this may have been the root cause with my own, individual case. Other people heal without anything but time. But, what if there is another way?. What if these PM's can heal us quicker?. I strongly advise that you to do your own research. This might be the magic pill that we've all been searching for. 

The only niggling seed of doubt I have is when I do eventually return home to Scotland. Why?. Because the weather. Yes, the PM's may or may have not helped as I believe. It might just have been that old chestnut which is time. Time along with the beach lifestyle might have got me where I am at the moment. If you pardon the pun, I have to go with my gut instinct. I strongly believe that all that I've mentioned have helped with my healing. So, with all that being said, I will keep you informed when I do return back home. Maybe the PM'S, the weather and my stress free lifestyle combined have all been positive factors with my healing timeline. Truthfully and with hand on heart I honestly don't know. All I know is that my symptoms have greatly reduced, with my all round health reaching optimum levels. 

My skin is no longer a daily issue. My mental health is in the best state that it has been in years. Life is good. In fact life is AMAZING. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do, which is travel and explore, meet new friends and enjoy living in the moment. This was only a dream that I would often fantasize about during the early months/years whilst going through the horrific motions that TSW dealt me.

Please feel free to get in touch for any information that you may require.

I wish you comfort if you are in a bad place. Take care & happy healing.

All the very best for 2019!

Gary
 

Day 90 of withdrawal

Day 884

Most recent

Most recent (2)

 

Fifty Five Months

Hello folks,

Yip, its update time again. I've been very lazy & a bit lackluster with keeping the blog up to speed of late. Truth being told and the God's honest truth that is, is that I simply couldn't be bothered with keeping it updated like I had been doing so.

Harsh but true. I know. Thankfully, It's gotten to the point that thinking about my skin isn't or hasn't been on the daily agenda like we've came to know. Traveling, exploring & having fun have!. Just worked out that I am 55 months into TSW as of today (03/10/18). Funny how these occurrences work out, huh?. For the past seven months, I've been very fortunate to have been traveling around some parts of South America. My last post was near the start of my time abroad. A lot of incredible situations and events have been 'tasted', if that is the correct word to use to describe these events, ha ha. During this time however, my skin has been a bit up and down as I've traveled. For example, at the very beginning of visiting South America, I was in a much more warmer & humid environment in Ecuador. I then headed north to the capital which is called Quito. In Quito, it was still nice weather, but it wasn't as humid as the previous city that I had been in.

After Quito, my next destination was the city of Cuenca. This is when the 'shit hit the fan', guys. The weather was mixed with more rain and clouds being involved rather than the blessings of humidity and sunshine that I had previously tasted (ha, yip, there's that word again). My skin began to flare once again. I was proper gutted as you could imagine, folks. I thought that maybe the skin would clear up quicker like many of us are often guilty of thinking. But, nope. It got worse and worse with time. Now I say worse but what I actually mean is that my arms, hands, legs and feet were the only spots to succumb to that particular flare. Thankfully, it never spread to my face. The only issue there was that my scalp became super dry and flaky. However, not unlike it had done so in the past.

For personal reasons I can't disclose why I was in Cuenca, all I can say are the words 'Ayahuasca', 'San Pedro' and 'Kambo.' I'll just leave that there. You'll have to conduct your own research I am afraid. Yes, I am being lazy again. I would just like to keep this update as compact as possible as I'm not a huge fan of writing up & reading long blog posts.

Back to the skin. The flare stuck around for roughly 3 - 4 months, the darkness had well and truly returned. It wasn't until I visited the beach in Northern Peru that the flare had stopped. Now, I can only speculate that the plant medicines, frog poison, along with time and the fantastic beach weather/lifestyle were the reasons behind this. I spent about a month in the beach town, which was called Mancora. Mancora has a reputation of being a bit of a party place. This is definitely the case. As I did enjoy the odd one or six parties whilst being there. Well, wouldn't have you after being through what we are/had been going through?.

I have to say that I believe everything mentioned is and was a massive factor in the fortunate place that I am currently in at the time of writing.

As always with the ending of most of my posts, I must mention & confirm that I'm still not 100% healed. I would say about 93% healed if using percentages!. For sure I'm a thousand times better, that is a given. The plan is to do another update before the year is out. So, until then, I wish you a gentle and speedy recovery.



Gracias for stopping by!.

A tiny bit of discoloration. Not in any means the end of the world.

Good times with my American friends in Cusco, Peru

What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal? (TSW)

Should have really posted this a long time ago to be honest. Was at a loose end the other day and decided to type up this rather simple but detailed description for the blog for you or other people who might not be entirely up to speed with what TSW actually is, or what to expect whilst going through withdrawal.

“Topical Steroid Withdrawal” or “Red Skin Syndrome” is a condition that is caused by applying corticosteroids on to areas of the body and or also, ingesting oral steroids such as Prednisolone. However, not everyone who uses the steroid creams will have an adverse reaction or get addicted. For instance, my father who had really bad eczema symptoms when he was younger, used various amounts and different strengths of TS over the years, “grew out of it” as time went on. He doesn’t require any sort of skin care regime now, as his symptoms no longer persist. This has been the case for a good number of years, thankfully & luckily for him.

From what we know already, all the evidence gathered regarding the length of withdrawal in which one can expect to go through depends on the potency, the area of skin in which the creams were applied too and the time period in which the user had applied the creams for.

The duration or time period of withdrawal is a real mystery. Sadly, as of yet, no one can predict how long it’s going to require to fully recover & be completely healed. There have been several cases in which children and adults alike have had mixed results after ceasing the usage of TS.

For example, a child aged six, who used a moderate strength of TS, applying the cream on their body (from a caregiver in this case) to such areas as behind the knees & the creases of the elbows for, let’s just say around roughly 18 months could take about three and a half years to fully recover.

Now, and adult aged 24, who used the TS creams at different potency’s ranging from low, moderate to high for over 13 years and applying it all over their body could “only” require two years to get over the finish line and be completely free from all TSW/RSS symptoms.

What I am trying to say is, you would expect that the child’s recovery duration would be a lot quicker than that of the adults, due to the age difference and the period of time that the creams were used. This oddly, as suggested isn’t always the case.

These are just some short, simple examples of the obscure nature in which TSW/RSS can be a total mind-boggling phenomenon.

Frustratingly, TSW/RSS is a condition, that at this present moment in time, is not yet fully recognized as a genuine medical condition from within the medical community, including General Practitioners and Dermatologists.

As of now, there is more and more awareness of the condition being brought to the public's attention with tools such as social media and the Internet playing a huge part  in getting the information out there.

What are the symptoms of TSW/RSS?

Some of the typical but by no means the least amount of symptoms that one could expect from entering withdrawal can include;

• Persistent itchy, red and burning skin

• Skin cycling between swelling, oozing, burning, drying and flaking

• “Red sleeves” (arms & legs become red and inflamed, sparing only the palms & soles)

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Swelling of body parts – Edema (or Oedema)

• Changes with body temperature (feeling too hot or too cold)

• Appetite fluctuation

• Insomnia, fatigue and mood changes such as depression and anxiety
  
  
  
  
  
  

Please visit the following sites;

ITSAN (International Topical Steroid Addiction Network)

Link: https://itsan.org/

Dr. Rapaport who is also a pioneer with all things related to TSW/RSS

Link: http://www.red-skin-syndrome.com/


Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have various helpful and imformative support groups, also. Just have a search for them.

I hope this article made some sense to you and gave you a brief insight in to what someone going through TSW/RSS might be dealing with & suffering from.

All the best out there,

Gary

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