As autoimmune conditions appear to be becoming more common (WHO knows why?), be cautious about accepting the next “medical certainty” without asking questions.

1. If you’re using steroid creams, don’t stop abruptly without medical advice. Depending on the strength of the steroid, how long you’ve been using it, and where you’ve been applying it, you may need to reduce your use gradually (often called “weaning” or “tapering”) to minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms or other complications.
If you’re planning to stop, speak with your healthcare provider about the safest way to taper off as soon as it’s appropriate for your situation.

2. Inform your doctor of your decision and explain your reasons. If you’ve decided to stop using steroid treatment, make sure your concerns are heard and discuss the safest way to reduce or discontinue it. Stand by your decision, but stay open to informed medical advice.
Remember that a steroid is still a steroid, whether it’s a cream, a tablet, or an injection. These medications can have effects throughout the body, especially with prolonged use or higher doses, so it’s important to understand both their benefits and their risks before making treatment decisions.

3. Focus on maintaining a healthy diet and gut with as much regular exercise as you can tolerate.

4. No matter how bad things seem, No matter how bad the pain is, No matter how alone you feel, Do not revert back to topical steroids of any kind. You are not alone, The pain is making you stronger and Things will get better.

5. Focus on yourself and eliminate stressors from your life. This will probably mean taking control of some relationships you really thought where good & strong partnerships, friends, family and professionals of all sorts.

6. Never forget that you will get better. It will take time but you will get better.

7. If your loved one is going through this, support them. You don’t know how much it means to them.

3 years and counting I have been suffering from this awful condition CAUSED by the medical industry. There were days where I couldn’t physically work through pain. Days where I couldn’t get out of bath due to depression and searing pain. And days where I did not want to leave the house because I thought I looked so hideous. But I am 90% recovered now. At it’s worst I was red raw with raised open sores over both my hands, arms and entire body. I still itch sometimes, but it hardly bothers me, and I can now exercise without wanting to scratch my skin off. I do not moisturise at all even after showering as most moisturisers require a weening process as well not to mention most moisturisers still have low leaves of steroids, and my skin is getting stronger than ever. Each journey is personal but I found stress to be a major factor in making me flare. I went through a vegan diet, and cut out wheat and eggs and dairy but in the end I found what mattered most was having a healthy balanced diet containing lots of fruits and veg. There was no need for me to eliminate whole food groups. But like I said you must try things, and see what works for you. Have faith and don’t give up.

Testimonies:

I started Topical Steride Withdrall (TSW) 7 years ago this July and it’s something I haven’t completely dealt with mentally or emotionally, I’m pretty certain I have PTSD from it. The rawness, pain and truth in this documentary brought me to tears, I was full on sobbing at some points. A huge thank you and congratulations, Briana! This documentary was incredible, YOU are incredible!

This is amazing. Finding ITSAN saved my sons life. He is healthy and strong. He started a horrible TSW journy that started when he was 4. He is now almost 8 and we hardly deal with his eczema at all. This experience was horrible, but had to happen. Thank you so much for your efforts. I will forever feel a debt to this community.

This is amazing! Thank you Briana for giving us sufferers a voice and giving up your time and energy and finances to do so! What a selfless act of kindness and generosity!! It was your videos on YouTube that helped me get through the worst part of Withdrawal. Thank you so much.