Don't. Give. Up.

This time last year I was practically housebound, I hadn't seen any of my friends since July 2013 and didn't have a clue what the future would hold. If I could tell the me of a year ago that by this time next year she'd be moving back to London, have seen her friends lots and have better skin than she'd ever had in her life, she would never have believed it ... but guess what? It all came true! When you are suffering, you can't imagine ever getting better and experiencing life again - but you do. Please don't give up. This is coming from someone who spent 26/27 months suffering from this debilitating condition.

I remember when I was in the hard stages of withdrawal, I was desperate to see people who had recovered telling me that it does get better. Well, I have recovered and I am telling YOU that it DOES get better. It may take longer than it took me - it may take you less, but something we all share is the fact that we ALL get there in the end. I am not telling you for a fact that I won't flare again (hello approaching winter), I'm just saying that it's all part of the process and I am going to live life to the fullest while I can. I am stronger for having gone through TSW and I have changed as a person for the better too. Thank you ITSAN and those wonderful few blogs I read that changed my life. I could not be more grateful.

Right, that's enough from me as I'M OFF TO LONDON IN A COUPLE OF HOURS!

I'll be back with another blog post soon ... FROM LONDON!!!
Cara xxx

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Puffy & swollen skin

Here is the final post in my mini series highlighting the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today I thought I'd focus on the puffy and swollen skin/oedema. My eyes really took a bashing and I thought with such severe swelling on my eyelids, they would never recover - but they did, and it's like nothing ever happened. The skin is capable of such miraculous things.

I hope you have found this series useful. I am glad to have a home for the plethora of photos I have taken over my withdrawal and it's fantastic for me to look back on this and see just how far I have come.

To anyone reading this post, remember you WILL get better.

Big hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of my photos.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Weeping skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Red skin & sleeves

This is the penultimate post in my mini series highlighting the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today's post is all about the extraordinary red skin and sleeves we all seem to get.

*Please note, I am Caucasian and red skin of course depends on ethnicity. On darker skin tones, the colour may become darker and change during withdrawal. We are all beautifully different x

Hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of my photos.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Weeping skin - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Weeping skin

Here is part 4 of my mini series on the many symptoms of withdrawal. Today's post highlights weeping skin. Luckily weeping skin didn't last too long for me - about 3 months but in that period it was quite extreme with weeping from my ears, face, neck, arms, back, chest and torso. In the second year I also experienced it but not on such a grand scale and in more isolated areas.

Weeping skin is scary but it DOES stop and it's all part of the process.

Big hugs to you all
Cara xxx


*No filters used on my photos.

When weeping skin dries it forms a golden crust.

Weeping wound on my neck.

(Left) Weeping skin. (Right) When weeping skin dries.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Hair loss (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Dry & cracked skin

Here is part 3 of my mini series highlighting the various symptoms of TSW. Today's post concentrates on dry & cracked skin that was for me one of the hardest parts to deal with as it affected my hands so badly at times that I couldn't move them.

It DOES get better.

Hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters on any of the photos.

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here

Hair loss (Before and after) - here

Weeping skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Hair loss (Before and after)

Another post in my mini series highlighting the many symptoms of TSW. Today I am talking about hair loss. I lost a lot of hair around my hairline and eyebrows but all my hair has grown back now and is thicker and better than ever!

Stay strong.

Hugs
Cara xxx


*No filters or make-up in any of the photos.

Hair growing back.

Hair has now completely grown back!

Other posts in the series:

Elephant skin (Before and after) - here
Dry & cracked skin - here

Weeping skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here

The many symptoms of withdrawal: Elephant skin (Before and after)

This is the first post in a mini series documenting the many symptoms of withdrawal. I thought I would start off with elephant skin as I haven't talked too much about mine and at times, it was so bad I couldn't imagine ever having 'normal' skin again. I hope they give anyone who felt the way I did some hope. 

Hang on in there, it is a long road but the destination is SO worth it. 

Hugs

Cara xxx

*All after photos taken today, Sunday 8th November 2015, with no make up or filters.

EYES

SHOULDER

LEGS

FOLDS IN NECK

LEFT WRIST

LEFT HAND (Part 1)

LEFT HAND (Part 2)

RIGHT HAND

Other posts in the series:

Hair loss (Before and after) - here

Dry & cracked skin - here

Weeping skin - here

Red skin & sleeves - here

Puffy & swollen skin - here
Your mental health - here