Thirteen years TSW

As today marks thirteen years since I discovered (and started going through) Topical Steroid Withdrawal and changed the course of my life, I thought I’d share my book, Curing My Incurable Eczema. 

Writing and publishing the book in 2017, and going through the journey which inspired it, were some of the most important experiences of my life.

Whilst some of the book was written in early 2017, the bulk of it was written, edited, and published in seven weeks at the end of the year. I remember waking up at 5am every morning to work on it before going to my day job, then coming home and working on it some more, well into the wee hours. 

I truly never expected anyone to buy it, so to know that people have found it helpful over the last eight and a half years means the world to me. 

The most important work you do is usually the kind that you have experienced firsthand, and that couldn’t be more of the case than with this - I lived, ate, and breathed every single word of it. Two years of being housebound, then another two dealing with the mental fallout, is an experience that changes you - then, sharing your story after recovery, and connecting with others who have also been through it, is so special. 

This book, and what I went through, will always mean a lot to me - and to anyone who has a small voice in their head telling them to write a book on TSW, too… there will never be enough books on the subject, because each experience is unique. 

Here’s to a time when books on TSW are written by scientists and doctors who validate what we’ve been through, but until then, we have each other <3

Much love always,

Cara x

12 Years TSW

 Another TSW anniversary DONE!!

I obviously knew what today was, but I literally had to do a quick mental count to work out how many years it’s been since I started my wild & transformative path down the road of TSW. It’s a path that none of us have a map for, and so for most of it we are in literal & metaphorical darkness, scrabbling about for answers that we only find as we keep putting one foot in front of the other.

12 years ago today I Googled something like ‘addicted to steroid cream’ and changed my life. Even writing that sentence, a lump has formed in my throat. It will always move me because at the time I didn’t know the impact that decision would have.

I think most of us can handle some physical pain, but the true agony of this process is the fact that we don’t know when the pain will end. Then, when the physical pain ends, that is usually when the mental symptoms really kick in.

We are living in a very strange period of time where there is no room for discussion or debate which is so sad. I found myself withdrawing from this online space that is so precious to me because my experience of giving it time and sharing my opinions on eczema associations etc became something controversial, but I would like to share my message today because giving it time was the best thing I ever did for myself and whether you agree with me or not, this is what I did to get better. I didn’t use a magic product, drug, or take out five different food groups… I literally gave it time - that is it, and to anyone trying to navigate this mostly loving but sometimes toxic and intense space, I urge you to use it with caution, and before connecting online, take some time to reconnect with yourself. Until we get any kind of unbiased research on this, your gut voice is the most valuable guide at your disposal, so listen to it.

To anyone suffering right now, you don’t deserve this, you didn’t use the medication wrong, you don’t have a damn phobia of steroids - AND, most importantly, this is not your fault. 

Free yourself from the fear of the what if and doubt and try to focus on today. You’ve absolutely got this and I’m sending you all my love <3

Cara xxx