The TSW Database: BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

I have wanted to put this little post together for a while now because ever since my book, Curing my Incurable Eczema, was released in December 2017, many more beautiful books on TSW have joined the ever-expanding family, and I wanted to find a home to put them all. As a result, I have added another section to my TSW database. 

I hope you find the post useful and the books help you to remember that you're not alone.

Topical Steroid Side Effects by Suhein Beck

Published as an ebook in July 2019, Topical Steroid Side Effects is both factual and fascinating, and a must-read for anyone within the skin community and beyond. I learned so much about the drugs I used for so long – exactly what they are, how they work, their side effects, and so much more. The author, Suhein (@suheinbeck), is the founder of ELAJ Natural Skincare (@elajnaturally) and is passionate about making a difference and spreading awareness for our iatrogenic condition. 

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

The Shape of Skin by Ruth Holroyd

In late 2020,  I had the absolute honour of reading a draft of Ruth's amazing poetry book, The Shape of Skin, which was published as an ebook and paperback in March 2021. This collection will resonate with those who know how it feels to live with a chronic skin condition or something as life-altering as TSW.

Ruth’s poems are written as if they are in your skin. They are heartbreaking and raw – sometimes abstract, sometimes lyrical, but always very real.

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

This Isn't Eczema by Claire Oxenham and Charlotte Oxenham

Published in May 2021, This Isn't Eczema, is a collaboration between two sisters: Claire (@theendlessitch), who is currently going through TSW, and Charlotte (@artby_charl), who has done all the illustrations for it. They have teamed up to create a very useful guidebook on the mental and physical symptoms you will more than likely experience when you go through TSW. 

I actually think this would be a wonderful thing for families to read together – either parents telling their children what they are going through or to make children going through TSW feel less scared.

I also think that with the help of the illustrations, it makes the message very clear and shows just how much we have to go through as a result of this completely preventable drug withdrawal.

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Iron Skin: A Memoir by Brendan John Lee

Published in January 2022, Iron Skin, is a memoir about Brendan's experience of TSW and the extraordinary physical goals he absolutely smashes in the process. What was so refreshing about Brendan’s experience of TSW is that his memoir, written during the first year or so of withdrawal, was only partly to do with TSW whilst the running and fitness became the true focus. Even though Brendan (@brenontheroad) and I did have (very) different withdrawals, we both share the fact that we essentially found passions through TSW: Brendan, fitness and running (it’s honestly extraordinary) and myself, writing and reading (from my one true love, the sofa). 

Brendan is an exceptionally inspiring guy and this book made me think that anything is possible.

The opening chapters are reflections of Brendan’s experience with eczema which broke my heart and perfectly summed up how it feels growing up with a skin condition. 

One word of warning: its content at the beginning is graphic and might be triggering for some, especially when he talks about his experience during the early stages of TSW, but I thought it was such a raw and important account, that it’s almost like a medical journal, too.

This book is a lesson in what we are capable of, even whilst going through something like TSW.

The book also talks about using the Dr Sato method, which is essentially, amongst other things, No Moisture Treatment (limiting water intake from food and drink and also no moisturisers). I learned a lot about a process I only vaguely understood before, and whilst I couldn’t have limited my water intake, I do have so much respect for Dr Sato as a medical professional and everything he has done, and continues to do, to help people through TSW.

Lastly, and most importantly, Brendan is an excellent writer who has written an engaging and emotive book that is going offer hope and inspiration to so many people.

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the hardcover:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

To Eczema, with Love: Eczema, Topical Steroid Withdrawal, and a Life Beyond by Kelly Barta

Published in May 2022, To Eczema, with Love is written by former ITSAN president, Kelly Barta. I haven't read it yet, but I plan on rectifying this as soon as I can. As I cannot offer a personal review, below is the blurb taken from Amazon: 

Anyone living with eczema wants it to go away….forever! But what if what you are treating your skin with is actually prolonging or worsening the condition? What if it is leading to something even more devastating?

Dealing with eczema is frustrating, even exasperating. In a world where conflicting advice abounds and an overwhelming amount of treatments are touted as cure-alls, how does one know what will work for them or their child without going broke or losing their minds?

As a life-long eczema patient and topical steroid withdrawal survivor, author Kelly Barta tells her own honest and painful personal story, guiding readers to discover a hands-on understanding of eczema, topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and their treatments. With the knowledge she acquired in seven years of non-profit work with eczema stakeholders, Kelly will help you navigate through the noise and find clarity in your own eczema or TSW journey.

In To Eczema, with Love, you will find invaluable information on:

• Tips and tricks for managing eczema
• The science and driving factors of the disease
• Current eczema treatments – the good, the bad and the ugly
• Advice for caregivers
• What we know about TSW
• Addressing mental health and chronic pain
• How to live a life free from being controlled by skin!

Walk along with Kelly in her journey through eczema and topical steroid withdrawal, and join her in not only reaching the other side, but entering into a life comfortable in the skin you are in. 

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Scratching the Surface by Allyson Steedman

Published in October 2022, Scratching the Surface is a memoir written by Allyson Steedman about her experience of going through topical steroid withdrawal and so much more. Again, as I have not read this book, I cannot offer my own review so instead here is the blurb taken from Amazon:

There is no magic needed to create the perfect life. We have no way of knowing what our future holds for us, but we have the power within ourselves to help shape it and curate it through our thoughts, emotions and desires.

For her whole life, Allyson lived with chronic eczema. At times severe, she was told the condition was incurable and doctors prescribed topical steroid creams to help manage the outbreaks. She learned to live with it. Now, well into her thirties, married and with a daughter of her own, life was busy and full of energy and seemed to be moving in the right direction. Until she stopped using the creams. Plunged into Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), she faced years of debilitating effects that left her with increased loss of physical function, traumatic physical and mental pain and a greatly diminished quality of life. But through all the pain, a resonating within her of an undeniable truth emerged; that physical healing was only one part of the equation. That to truly heal, we must look deeply within ourselves to find the connection between our mind, body and spirit. Through Allyson's journey, we can find a link to our own spirit and answer its call to live more authentically and with a full heart.

Scratching the Surface challenges all of us to look beyond our physical limitations and current situations to find a deeper connection to ourselves and who we can truly be. It encourages us to shift our thoughts, shed our fears and equip our minds for a different outlook and to believe in our own intrinsic value.

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

... and finally, I wanted to share three other authors who might not have written books about TSW, but they are part of the TSW family. 

The Sight of You by Holly Miller 

I write this as an actual fan of the author – it also just so happens that Holly (@byhollymiller) is currently going through TSW. I read her book, The Sight of You, published by Hodder & Stoughton in June 2020, and completely fell in love with it.

The Sight of You is essentially the love story of Joel and Callie – two people who meet and fall in love, but a vision Joel has threatens to destroy everything. 

Holly just writes so beautifully. Reading this book was almost like I was reading a beautiful painting. When I was going through TSW, I gravitated towards positive books, and whilst this definitely has moments of sadness, it's something I would have loved to have read through TSW because its message is definitely about finding the beauty in life and holding on to the precious now and how incredible life is. 

Wonderfully, Holly has also just released her latest book, What Might Have Been, which is at the top of my to-read list!

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

The Peculiar Disappearance of Jillian Sanchez by Kelley Toews

I share this book without having read it, but I am rectifying that this weekend – it was doing this post that made me remember that I hadn't read it yet! Instead, I will share the blurb, which again makes me pleased I am doing this post because I cannot wait to read it:

When Jillian’s mysterious cuts and bruises begin to worsen and spread, she must leave her life behind to follow a strange talking shadow. It leads her over land, sea, and sky in pursuit of uncovering a secret that will save her from an untimely death.

Kelley (@toewskelley) wrote this urban fantasy novella whilst housebound during TSW in order to help her process what she was going through. 

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Scrapbook of an Unfound Songstress by Vicky Nolan

This is next on my to read list and I can't wait. Scrapbook of an Unfound Songstress is a memoir written by singer songwriter, Vicky Nolan. Like others in this list, as I haven't read it yet, here is the blurb taken from Amazon:

Stop, Look, Listen with your heart?

Written by singer songwriter Vicky Nolan, Scrapbook of an Un
found Songstress is a unique true story about female empowerment, musical talent and self-discovery. This book will be great for fans of Anna Todd, Taylor Swift and the new generation of YA.

You will love Vicky and her remarkable story:

Imagine, you're a 15-year-old dreaming of becoming a pop star, and then one day you get your lucky break - you get a record deal with Polydor records - they send you to Copenhagen to make pop music - to make you a pop star. Your future is looking brighter than ever, or you thought so – until the High Court writ hits your door mat! – you split with your management and they have decided to sue you, break you, destroy you. 

No, this isn’t the promised dream, this is a nightmare, this wasn't suppose to happen! and all while still at school at the sweet age of sixteen.

An intriguing Journey

The scrapbook of stories takes you on a whirlwind of personal experiences. Read about Hollywood, London town, the glamour and the music, the drama of the court and trial, and everything in between. Everything is at stake.

How does the trial end?

We always talk about 'making it' and fulfilling your dreams. The question is, what if you don't? What happens next? Ultimately this book speaks about life and family; it's hopes and disappointments, It's ups and downs. Scrapbook of an Unfound Songstress is in some way a story that speaks to us all, because in the end, the best stories are always true.

Links to buy the ebook:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

Links to buy the paperback:

Amazon UK (here)

Amazon US (here)

TSW is as diverse as all the symptoms we face and there is room for a library's worth of books on this iatrogenic condition that is very close to our hearts, and I cannot wait to read all the future books about  TSW that have shaped and inspired the authors who wrote them. 

Until next time

Cara x

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