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

Month 31

Hi,

Been a while. I hope you're well out there.

Thought I'd give you an update of my current situation with the withdrawal process.

Short summary; could be better.

However, the fight WILL and MUST go on.

Thanks for viewing. Good luck out there.

All the best!,

Gary

Quick update... BIG news!

Just literally within the last few days I've noticed a lot of healing occurring my fellow friends of this TSW nightmare. Wanted to give a quick update just to share the good news.

Not bragging or being disrespectful to anyone out there as I know how it feels when you're down in the darkness/pits of TSW hell & you see people getting better, etc, does that make sense?.

Feeling quite emotional as for sure, I'm entering a break, if not getting closer to being fully over this horrible, horrible nightmare.

Only time will tell I guess. To be honest I'm a bit anxious as I've felt this way previously. Last year before the Winter kicked in, here in Scotland I thought that I was on my way out only to hit a brick wall by flaring again, BIG time...

Fingers & toes crossed that I'm getting there now!.

I hope you find some peace with your skin today. 

Cheers!
 

27 Months update

Hello to you,

Today (June the 3rd) Marks 27 months now completed with my withdrawal. Not 100% healed by any means. Slowly but surely I feel like I'm getting there, but with all things that is the random condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal, who really knows where or what part of the withdrawal process that I am at?.

To be completely honest I never imagined that TSW would take this much time to get too where I belong. Truth be told I thought that I'd be a normal human being at the one year mark of the withdrawal phase... Not the case my friends!.

It's amazing how well we people can adapt to change if forced too. My life has been on hold (like yours) for all this time with a few days of "normality" being thrown in there for good measure.

I go further into madness, I mean detail with the video(s) below. Two videos for the price of one this month. My device ran out of memory as I was recording the update. Couldn't be arsed making a new, complete video so two parts it is I'm afraid folks.

     

  
 

Thanks again as always for viewing the blog, really appreciate it.

Take care out there!

26 Months Update

26 Months and seven days are now behind me folks.

Earlier today I Recorded a quick video update whilst I was out for a walk around a country park here in the very warm and sunny Scotland.

Energy levels and mood have been improving massively over the last 9 or 10 days. Here's hoping the skin follows suit.

Will keep you posted if this is indeed the case!.

As always I wish and hope you're having a good skin day. If not, I hope you get some relief soon.

Take it easy and thanks for stopping by.

Gary

Two Years and Five Days Destroyed Now

So I passed the two years milestone on the third of the month just there. To celebrate I've made some whacky videos showing my undying love for a special someone, a special someone who has been there for me during this awful withdrawal process. Here's to you my love.

 

 

Anything to keep you going and keep the darkness at bay I suppose?. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!. Flakes and dead skin be gone. You shall not pass!.

Thanks for popping on by. Take it easy out there.

All the best!

Gary