2.5mg of Methotrexate...

...And still doing brilliantly. In fact it feels like with each reduction my skin gets better and better.  I feel fizzy with excitement! I don't want to jinx it by speaking too soon. This journey has been too long and, at times, disappointing to really get my hopes up. But I can see improvements every day and I'm down to just one little methotrexate pill per week!

I was browsing over my old pictures that I took right at the beginning of my journey, when I was still basically on steroids. I can't believe it's the same girl in those pictures - both physically and mentally.

Physically, I can't believe I lived for so long with skin so bad, and just accepted the non-committal and uncaring 'solutions' from ambivalent doctors. Yes, I've suffered a lot these past 4 years, but I took control and I look (and feel) so much better for it. I never thought I would have the skin I have now.

Like pretty much everyone, I was so scared of starting TSW, I think I went through all the stages of grief.  Denial - surely this can't be happening to me? It seems so scary and so serious and I only ever did what the doctor told me to. Anger - god, the anger. I've never been so angry in my life than I used to be in the derm's office. I wanted to shake some sense into pretty much every doctor I saw. Bargaining - taking oral steroids that the doctors pushed on me after 1 week, just out of desperation for relief. Depression - obsessively scrolling through the facebook groups, reading every blog I could find, not leaving my room, cutting contact with people who weren't my TSW online friends, crying in the bath...you name it. BUT finally, acceptance. It took me a long time to fully accept and to shed the anger and depression - I don't think they ever really leave you but they sit on the back burner eventually. I've made my peace with TSW and I'm grateful for the life lessons it has taught me so far.

This is a pretty long and emotional post but I feel that (hopefully) coming to the end of something which has been so horrific, but at the same time so transforming, is worth the extra words.

I plan to post some pictures of my skin soon which I haven't done in a long time. I hope everyone is doing well and that this post gives you all some hope :)

I still receive emails from time to time from fellow TSW'ers and I'm always happy to help/chat, so if you feel like you need a TSW friend (mine have been so helpful!) just drop me an email at sarahecg@gmail.com

S x

Bath Time & TSW

I've mentioned before that in April I moved to South Korea to teach English. As part of my contract, I got a free apartment, which is great! Unfortunately there is no bathtub. So I purchased this big pink tub so I can still have baths

 I had my first dead sea salt bath in 4 months last night, it was amazing!

So in honour of my lovely new princess tub I thought I would do a post on bathing, what works for me, and what I've seen work for others.

Throughout this withdrawal process, bathing has been my saving grace. It's the one place (apart from the sea) that I can feel totally relaxed and itch-free. Some people going through withdrawal spend most of their life in the bath in the early days, even sleeping in the tub sometimes because it's the only place they can get some relief.

There are many different kinds of soothing baths that you can take and I thought I would outline some of the main ones that I've come across and provide some help. Just click on any of the brands and you should be redirected to the websites. Starting with my personal favourite...

Dead Sea Salt

Brands I've used: Westlab, Frontier Natural Products

I could not go a week without these! I love swimming in the sea, it is one of the only things that can really turn my skin around in a flare and this is the next best thing. There are lots of blogs that can inform you about bathing in dead sea but personally, i use about 1 cup of salt per bath, depending how bad my skin is i may use less/more (worse = more, better = less). I run the bath quite hot and put the salt in while it runs. Then, I leave the bath to cool down and hop in! Most people recommend a tepid bath but I have no problems with a hotter bath so that's what I do.

 Some people like to add bicarbonate of soda to the tub to prevent stinging and this really does work. But personally, I feel the stinging eliminates the itch so I actually prefer it. If you have little ones I would recommend adding the soda so it doesn't sting, it's hard for them to understand that it is for the best sometimes! 

I usually soak for about 20 minutes, which is the recommended time for the minerals to really soak into your skin and work their magic. I've actually taken to watching an episode of the simpsons on my laptop (perched safely on a chair across the other side of the room of course!) because they are 23 minutes long and pass the time well! 

Dead Sea Salt links...

• http://steroidfreeskin.blogspot.kr/2014/04/update-dead-sea-salt-baths-for-dry-skin.html
• http://topicalsteroidsurvivor.blogspot.kr/2014/01/how-to-successfully-do-moisturizer.html

Epsom Salt

Brands I've used: Westlab, Boots

I usually only take an Epsom bath if I'm out of dead sea salts as they are generally more readily available. I follow a similar structure to the one above, only I will add less epsom than I usually would DSS (Dead Sea Salt) because it tends to sting me a little more. EVERYONE is different but for me Epsom doesnt sting as much but creates a kind of tight feeling on my skin which isn't my favourite. BUT it does do the trick and softens my skin up nicely.

Epsom links...

• http://www.primephysiquenutrition.com/how-epsom-salts-can-heal-your-eczema-and-bring-you-relief/
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/health-benefits-of-epsom-salt-baths.html

Pink Himalayan Salt

Brands I've used: Westlab, Frontier

A lot of people love pink himalayan and I do too! I find it very similar to Dead Sea Salt, the only difference being that I find DSS leaves my skin ever so slightly softer. Again, I follow the same process as the DSS baths, using the same amount of salt. I don't find this stings as much as DSS but, like I mentioned, I do actually like the sting in terms of the way it eliminates itch for me.

Pink Himalayan links...

• http://homegrownandhealthy.com/simple-detox-himalayan-bath-salts/
• http://empoweredsustenance.com/himalayan-salt-benefits/

Bentonite Clay Baths

Brands I've used: Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, Frontier

I took my first bentonite clay bath yesterday and boy did it feel good :) Things can get a little messy and there are more things to keep in mind than with a sea salt bath but it is worth it.

For a clay bath, I use about 1 cup of clay for a normal sized bath. Many people use more, but I don't like to use too much because it's expensive and I find that 1 cup usually works fine for me. Experiment! There aren't really any set rules for how much you can use.

Instead of just putting the powder into the tub, I mix the amount of clay I'm going to use first with water in a plastic bowl and then mix this wet clay into the water, I find it dissolves much better.

Then I get in the tub and relax for about 30 minutes with this one, to really give it chance to detox me! I spread the water over my body but I'm always careful to keep the clay wet when it's on me, I don't like it when it dries on sensitive skin. I use George's Aloe Vera Spray to keep the clay on my body wet.

Once I've soaked, I rinse off in the shower and then empty the tub, making sure to catch any clumps of clay so they don't block the drain.

And that's it!

Bentonite clay links...

• http://www.mygutsy.com/how-to-detox-with-a-clay-bath/
• http://www.magneticclay.com/guidelines.php

& that's it for all the baths I have tried. I know a lot of people also have a lot of sucess with BLEACH BATHS and ESSENTIAL OIL BATHS (click the links for more info). Phew! I love my tub :) If you've got any more ideas for some great TSW baths please let me know, I'm always happy to spend more time in the bath ;)

Photos coming soon and an LDN 2 week update on Monday

Happy healing 

S x

Allopath...

A great little video, credit to Corinna Lee from one of the great TSW Facebook groups I'm a member of.
Sums up the medical community brilliantly I feel!

The Home Apothecary

So thought I would make a post to say that i have FINALLY made my first order from the cutest little store The Home Apothecary.

I've been in touch with the store owner - who is the sweetest by the way! - since near the beginning of my journey with TSW and have wanted to order for so long, and I finally made my first order today. For those of you who aren't familiar with The Home Apothecary and her beautiful son Isaiah's TSW journey please do have a little look through their blog - Isaiah Quinn

I've ordered the Lemongrass, Grass Fed Tallow and Boo Boo balms, heard amazing things about these handmade totally natural products and I'm super excited for them to arrive. My skin has been doing really really well at the minute, some lovely smooth areas and just a few stubborn areas I want to work on and I think the balms will be perfect for that. I have these weird little bumpy bits that I believe are common in TSW that I really want to get rid of before I get another crazy flare and I've heard the lemongrass can be great for this as well as helping to fight staph infections.

I'll keep everyone updated and if you have a chance go check out The Home Apothecary's store, particularly if you live in the US, I live in the UK so I'm off to harass my postman.

Happy healing everyone x

ps, i plan on doing a photo update in the next few days!

Introduction

Welcome to The Thick Skin, where I document my journey through Topical Steroid Withdrawal in the hope for clear skin! Please read my story and visit ITSAN.org for more information about TSW.

MY STORY
Hi! My name is Sarah.

I am an ex-pat from the UK living in South Korea (just to make things more complicated for myself obviously ;) )

I have suffered from chronic eczema since I was a baby and I have never really found any relief. By the age of 22, I have tried every single kind of eczema remedy you can imagine. ''Have you tried..." YES. YES I BLOODY WELL HAVE. 

I had also used topical steroids ever since I could remember but my skin just kept getting worse. Doctors would prescribe me stronger and stronger creams but nothing would work. I felt like my skin was on fire, I would cry whenever I got out of the shower because I felt like I had severe sunburn all over my body. 

On 10th January 2014, after some frantic googling, I found ITSAN

After a quick browse through the ITSAN website I became educated about something called Red Skin Syndrome, a condition where the skin becomes addicted to topical steroids. The result of red skin syndrome is that the steroids used to improve eczema actually end up making it far worse. This is explained a lot better on other websites, such as the immensely supportive and useful ITSAN website. 

Since finding the ITSAN website, I quit all topical steroids. This blog follows my journey towards healing.

My intention for thsi blog is not only to vent  my frustrations (and believe me there are a lot) but also to spread awareness. If you have used topical steroids for a long period of time and your skin is worsening, there is a good chance you are addicted. PLEASE check out the above links and educate yourself, this journey has been absolute hell but I would not take it back for anything in the world.

It is not easy but while topical steroids might have thinned my skin, my metaphorical one really is thick, most eczema sufferers will be the same. We're used to funny looks in the street and well-meaning strangers suggesting obvious remedies and we're used to being treated differently because of our skin, almost as if we're contagious. So, I know I've got the strength and willpower to give up my topical steroids. And so do you!