Sometimes we just need a blast of positivity to help us through the hard times. That is why this Huffington Post article is so lovely. It lists a bunch of positive things about TSW. I'm not sure that I'd ever describe TSW as "awesome," but maybe it would help our collective mindset if we started thinking that way!
I did have to laugh at the part about smelling good, though. Anyone who has caught even a tiny whiff of TSW ooze in their nostrils after a sweaty, unsettled night will definitely wonder what that one is all about. Maybe it's time to invest in some clove oil...
Let's all be inspired by the article and try and be a bit more positive today. It will do our minds and our bodies good.
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Big Pharma Make Big Profits
I saw an interesting article in the Daily Mail today about the underhanded methods employed by the big pharmaceutical companies in order to maximise profits.
Of course, those of us going through TSW will be more than aware of this!
Monday, 22 February 2016
Insomnia Part 1: Kalms Night Review
Most people with Red Skin Syndrome will have likely experienced insomnia at some point during their steroid withdrawal. This is likely because of the link between the stress hormone cortisol and sleep. Long term use of steroid drugs interferes with our HPA axis and could explain why insomnia is so common in TSW patients.
In normal people, the cortisol levels are lowest around midnight and highest about 8 am. This promotes a healthy night's sleep. When our natural rhythm is disturbed, problems can occur.
I bought a fitness tracker back in December and one of its functions is recording my sleep patterns. I immediately noticed a recurring pattern with my sleep cycle. It takes me a long time to get to sleep, even if I go to bed early. I dont usually fall asleep until about 11:30 pm. I then go into a very deep sleep for an hour or so, followed by a light, broken sleep. At around 3-4 a.m. I wake up and them I'm wide awake for an hour or more. I'm usually hungry too, which I believe is due to low blood sugar levels. I then drop off again and enter a really deep sleep cycle, which is unfortunate, as it coincides with when I have to wake up. When the alarm goes off, I'm really tired and shaky. If I don't set the alarm, I will have a deep sleep cycle between about 5-8:30 a.m. and then wake up. So basically my sleep cycle is the wrong way around.
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be trying different things to help my insomnia. The first thing I've tried are Kalms Night tablets which cost about £5 for 50 pills. They contain valerian root extract as the main ingredient.
I was surprised that the nightly dose was 4 tablets. This means that each pack only has enough pills for 12 nights. The tablets were sugar coated and easy to swallow and tasted pleasant.
I have nearly finished the pack and haven't noticed any difference in my sleep pattern. The fitness tracker data confirms that my patterns have been exactly the same as when I don't use the tablets.
Therefore the Kalms Night tablets didn't work for me, unfortunately.
Back to the drawing board. I'll be trying more remedies soon in the hope of finding the elusive cure for my insomnia.
On the plus side, my skin is REALLY good right now, but more on that in another post!
In normal people, the cortisol levels are lowest around midnight and highest about 8 am. This promotes a healthy night's sleep. When our natural rhythm is disturbed, problems can occur.
I bought a fitness tracker back in December and one of its functions is recording my sleep patterns. I immediately noticed a recurring pattern with my sleep cycle. It takes me a long time to get to sleep, even if I go to bed early. I dont usually fall asleep until about 11:30 pm. I then go into a very deep sleep for an hour or so, followed by a light, broken sleep. At around 3-4 a.m. I wake up and them I'm wide awake for an hour or more. I'm usually hungry too, which I believe is due to low blood sugar levels. I then drop off again and enter a really deep sleep cycle, which is unfortunate, as it coincides with when I have to wake up. When the alarm goes off, I'm really tired and shaky. If I don't set the alarm, I will have a deep sleep cycle between about 5-8:30 a.m. and then wake up. So basically my sleep cycle is the wrong way around.
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be trying different things to help my insomnia. The first thing I've tried are Kalms Night tablets which cost about £5 for 50 pills. They contain valerian root extract as the main ingredient.
I was surprised that the nightly dose was 4 tablets. This means that each pack only has enough pills for 12 nights. The tablets were sugar coated and easy to swallow and tasted pleasant.
I have nearly finished the pack and haven't noticed any difference in my sleep pattern. The fitness tracker data confirms that my patterns have been exactly the same as when I don't use the tablets.
Therefore the Kalms Night tablets didn't work for me, unfortunately.
Back to the drawing board. I'll be trying more remedies soon in the hope of finding the elusive cure for my insomnia.
On the plus side, my skin is REALLY good right now, but more on that in another post!
Sunday, 24 January 2016
The Dangers of Steroid Cream Addiction in the News
I was glad to see another Daily Mail article featuring TSW today.
A lot of people in the TSW community will know Jake And Libby and their amazing story of Jake's full recovery from dependence on steroid creams. It's a great reminder that it is possible to heal from this condition and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you so much Libby and Jake for all that you do in raising awareness!
A lot of people in the TSW community will know Jake And Libby and their amazing story of Jake's full recovery from dependence on steroid creams. It's a great reminder that it is possible to heal from this condition and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you so much Libby and Jake for all that you do in raising awareness!
Friday, 22 January 2016
Topical Steroid Abuse in Taiwan
In Taiwan, even the most potent steroid creams are available over the counter without a prescription and this is causing big problems for dermatologists who have to deal with the aftermath.
Since a reporting system was set up, hospitals were reporting over 500 cases of topical steroid abuse a month, according to Focus Taiwan News.
We are thankful that organisations like ITSAN exist to support these people through what is likely to be an horrific withdrawal phase.
Since a reporting system was set up, hospitals were reporting over 500 cases of topical steroid abuse a month, according to Focus Taiwan News.
We are thankful that organisations like ITSAN exist to support these people through what is likely to be an horrific withdrawal phase.
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
New Medications for Eczema in the Pipeline
Now that the medical community are becoming more aware of the dangers of steroid rebound, many new and exciting innovations are taking place within the pharmaceutical industry. Targeted medication seems to be the new buzz-word and is generating a lot of interest.
The NEA recently featured an article about a targeted medication that has the potential to change lives. I like the fact that the article actually mentions steroid rebound as a bad side effect of steroid medication.
Wouldn't it be great if these new, targeted medicines became the standard treatment for eczema and steroid creams became a thing of the past? Maybe it's a long way off, but I live in hope. It would be so good if the next generation didn't have to suffer the way that we have from overuse of steroid creams.
The NEA recently featured an article about a targeted medication that has the potential to change lives. I like the fact that the article actually mentions steroid rebound as a bad side effect of steroid medication.
Wouldn't it be great if these new, targeted medicines became the standard treatment for eczema and steroid creams became a thing of the past? Maybe it's a long way off, but I live in hope. It would be so good if the next generation didn't have to suffer the way that we have from overuse of steroid creams.
Monday, 11 January 2016
Cold Weather Hives
I'm going to write about weather-induced allergy today because it is something that affected me badly when I was using steroids.
Back when I used strong steroids on my face, my face became very sensitive to external stimuli. One problem that I had was whenever I would go outside in cold weather, my face would break out in hives. At first, it was just one or two spots, but after prolonged steroid use, the welts got really bad. It became a big problem for me in winter, as I would have to walk my children to and from school, which would result in a messed-up face most days.
Anyway, as readers will know, I've been off steroid creams for 4 years now. I'm on a bit of a fitness kick to lose all the weight I put on during that time (I lost 7lbs already!) and I went for a walk this morning. I walked several miles in the cold, January UK weather and suddenly something occurred to me. My face wasn't itchy. I didn't have hives. The arctic wind was blasting my face and my face was ok!
I find this sort of progress really encouraging. Cold induced hives were a big problem for me for such a long time and they have vanished over time without me even noticing. This must mean that my skin is getting stronger. I'm not fully healed yet, but this is a really big step for me. I dont have to fear the cold any more!
I'd love to know if anyone else has ever had this problem. Has the weather ever affected your skin? Did you think that steroid creams were to blame? Has you skin improved since stopping steroids? Please share your experiences.
Back when I used strong steroids on my face, my face became very sensitive to external stimuli. One problem that I had was whenever I would go outside in cold weather, my face would break out in hives. At first, it was just one or two spots, but after prolonged steroid use, the welts got really bad. It became a big problem for me in winter, as I would have to walk my children to and from school, which would result in a messed-up face most days.
Anyway, as readers will know, I've been off steroid creams for 4 years now. I'm on a bit of a fitness kick to lose all the weight I put on during that time (I lost 7lbs already!) and I went for a walk this morning. I walked several miles in the cold, January UK weather and suddenly something occurred to me. My face wasn't itchy. I didn't have hives. The arctic wind was blasting my face and my face was ok!
I find this sort of progress really encouraging. Cold induced hives were a big problem for me for such a long time and they have vanished over time without me even noticing. This must mean that my skin is getting stronger. I'm not fully healed yet, but this is a really big step for me. I dont have to fear the cold any more!
I'd love to know if anyone else has ever had this problem. Has the weather ever affected your skin? Did you think that steroid creams were to blame? Has you skin improved since stopping steroids? Please share your experiences.
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