heal – Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ

In Our Shoes

I have been wanting to do something like this for awhile. It is just an extremely minuscule snapshot of what gets posted in support groups for Eczema, Red Skin Syndrome, or Topical Steroid Withdrawal.

Many professionals, who are meant to care for a patient, fall (very) short when it comes to speaking about adverse affects with steroids. It is egregious the way some patients are treated in a doctor’s office.

#1

To be laughed at is already demeaning towards someone who is ACTUALLY trying to inform you of a very serious and highly factual condition, but then, as a professional, negate that it is real… this is where the problem lies. We are told to trust in our doctors and that whenever we have a question or concern, they are who we should be going to. BUT, what if our professionals don’t know it all? Red Skin Syndrome is not a joke and certainly isn’t a laughing matter. To be completely written off and spoken down to while the patient was the one who really knew the truth, is astounding. We should not be having to stick up for ourselves at any medical facility. We are going through enough physically and mentally. Most don’t even try to go to doctors anymore because they are tired of being made fun of when they should be getting the care they deserve and need.

Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ will help doctors understand the seriousness behind this condition and how they have it in their power to stop this from ever happening again.

“They told me I would have to use this for life.” And we are called steroid phobic because…?

How outrageous to tell a patient that THIS is the only way to help them. It states it clearly on the inserts that this SHOULD NOT be used for long periods of time. To tell a patient that the health of their skin depends on this drug forever is not only an ill educated prescription, but a lack understanding of what these are truly capable of doing.

Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ will help disseminate correct information about topical steroids and what they are doing not only on the surface of our skin for long periods of time (even 2 weeks!), but what they are doing to the inside of our bodies as well.

Here in lies the problem with Western medicine. They have ONE go to when it comes to skin ailments. Most will stick to that one trick. You most certainly have a chance of getting better without steroids. The problem is that they are taught that only one method, which is meant to help mask symptoms, not offer a healing change towards the cause of your symptoms, works. Now, we do have a few other options, but in my opinion, they are still either so new we don’t have any knowledge on the damage it could also be doing and/or we know the drug is dangerous and comes with risks just like steroids do. But I see in so many posts how doctors asks patients ‘why did you bother coming in if you weren’t going to take the steroids?’ We are paying for their services and care and yet are being treated as if we’ve wasted their time. Perhaps we were hoping for more than just ‘here are some steroids’. It just simply is not acceptable anymore for this to continue to happen.

Preventable: Protecting Our Largest Organ will shatter this opinion of topical steroids are the only method to treat eczema. We have so much new technology and medical advancements that we have the power to truly find out what is causing our skin to lose control. We can test for allergies, irritants, gut problems, stress issues, autoimmune disorders… we can’t go on just nonsensically masking our problems with a medication for long periods of time that can actually cause us detrimental harm in the long run.

Again, this type of condescension is not helpful nor is it particularly kind.

Other posts I tend to see are heartbreaking, ones crying out in desperation as to why this is happening to them. They are losing their jobs, their relationships, their family… ALL from a preventable condition.

This has got to end. And we can do it. If anyone feels moved by this project and wants to help this type of suffering, please visit the sponsorship link above for a tax deductible contribution, or visit the donation link above if you do not need a tax receipt.

Donate Here

Feature #19: Liz & Joana

Elizabeth King

Age: 40

Career: Unemployed due to TSW and fibromyalgia

When did you cease using topical steroids: June 13 2015

What type did you use: Honestly can’t remember them all.

What is your favorite product for comfort? A bath with sea salt, apple cider vinegar, and Aquafor. I also take LDN which helps.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? The pain (physical and emotional) and shedding.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? Swim in the ocean!

Joanna Hinz

Age: 31

Career: Unemployed due to TSW

When did you cease using topical steroids: May 2015

What type did you use: Fucicort, Elomet, Hydrocortizone, Elidel, Protopic, Elocom

What is your favorite product for comfort? Beeswax/Olive Oil, Lavender essential oil as a sleeping aid, apple cider vinegar

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition?

It is very difficult to narrow down only one part which was the hardest since the condition affects all parts of your life. I will just try to say what I feel are the top three hardest things:

* Being bedridden with your life being on hold and the disconnect from the outside world due to physical non-functionality, chronic pain and anxieties, while everyone around you is chasing their dreams and continues with normal day to day life

* Having no relief or break ever and months and months of sleepless and itchy nights, the suffering which goes with it during those hours of no sleep; while my body needed all the rest to re-gain strength and energy for my next day of trying to cope with responsibilities as a mother and wife, with no family support as I do not live in my home country.

* The way the condition affects a previously healthy mind in the worst ways possible and messes with your perception of the world around you, yourself, your loved ones, bringing the darkest and most negative thoughts you never knew existed before.

What is the first thing you will do when healed? I will love pursuing my career, enjoy the warmth of sun rays on my skin, go to the beach and swim with my son in the sea, go back to my passion of being physically active: working out, dancing and yoga.

Feature #11: Gabrielle & Hollie

Gabrielle Guisewite

Age: 23

Career: Unemployed due to TSW, I worked as a Front Desk Manager for an alternative medicine wellness center until 5 months TSW.

When did you cease using topical steroids: End of July 2015

What type did you use: fluocinonide, triamcinolone acetonide, hydrocortisone

What is your favorite product for comfort? As much as I hate using it, Aquaphor – I wish something natural worked better, but not yet.

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? Not being able to look at myself in the mirror because of shame and disgust and pure fear that I would never look like me again. Being in pain and discomfort every single day, leading me down the long dark path of depression and being suicidal; hating your life to an entirely new level where you know you are no longer yourself. When you don’t complain about how you’re doing so others automatically assume you’re doing better, and when you complain too much others get annoyed or don’t really know what else to say to comfort you.

What is the first thing you are going to do when you are healed? TRAVEL, ENJOY LIFE & HELP OTHERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH TSW! I am currently getting my Health Coaching certification (this is partially due to my TSW experience) and I hope to help prevent this debilitating disease while encouraging others who are going through the journey. I will never take life for granted again and will appreciate every single day in an entirely new light.

Hollie Dixon

Age: 38

Career: Teacher and a server

When did you cease using topical steroids: May 20, 2014

What type did you use: I don’t know for sure. I know I used a lot of the mild strength creams for my face, then I used Clobetasol and Mometasone for a bit after the rash had started spreading around my body.

What is your favorite product for comfort? Vaseline and gauze and Cerave lotion

What is the hardest thing to deal with during this condition? The hardest part was the unknown and the loneliness. I also feel inadequate and like I’m not doing my job to the best of my ability. I feel like I’m robbing my students of an education. Waking up, if I was able to fall asleep, and feeling the pain and the itch immediately. From the second I opened my eyes, it began. From the second I woke up I started thinking, “I can’t do this today”. The mental struggle is harder than the physical. Every day I wonder how much longer can I go on, but in reality I don’t have many other options.

What is the first thing you are going to do when you are healed? The first thing I’m going to do when I’m healed is appreciate not being in pain. Appreciate everything around me. Waking up and getting ready to leave the house in 30 minutes. Showering. Getting in and out of the car easily. Not having dead skin surround me 24/7. Get a massage. I’m just going to live and appreciate life.