My Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Story

I wrote about my own topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (TSWS) journey about 8 years ago. I will never forget the trauma and intensity of that 27 month, dark night in my life. I am committed to telling my story everywhere I go and to help raise awareness of TSWS and to help prevent this preventable travesty in other people's lives. Hubpages recently promoted my article to the "Patient's Lounge" which will raise views and reach more people! Yay! Read my story and see my pics here.

HUGE Shoutout to Preventable Author, Briana Banos!

Give credit where credit is due! 

BIG APPLAUSE!

Briana is an incredible lady and part of the TSW/RSS support community. While suffering Topical Steroid Withdrawal herself, she went above and beyond to raise much needed awareness to this PREVENTABLE condition. Briana found her way to the mother support ship, ITSAN, who gave her much-needed support during her own, difficult withdrawal from steroids. So, it goes to show how one person can move mountains after deciding to do something about it. She is redeeming her suffering and making a difference in the world.

I will forever remember you and your diligence to save the red skin sufferers, as well as the impact you've made to help see that one one ever has to go through this again, because it is indeed, Preventable! Please do watch this incredible video made by Briana, as she traveled the world to gather the critical info for it.

The medical community has taken notice of her mission and it has been published on National Eczema Association website. Good job my friend! Thank you NEA for giving this huge travesty of a disease, public recognition on your site. I hope you'll continue to make it known worldwide. Steroids need to be used very cautiously!

Indian Dermatologists Rejoice as India Bans Several Steroid Combination Drugs

I congratulate the Indian doctors for their diligent work in raising awareness of topical steroid adverse effects as well and the combination of steroids and antibiotics or antifungals. Good for you! May our future children never have to suffer with these conditions!

Several dermatologists from India have been crusading to make their citizens and medical community aware of the serious side-effects of topical steroids being overused or without a prescription.There is now more and more evidence arising from within the medical community that topical steroid indeed have serious side-effects and when combined with other medication, become even more risky to use.

ITSAN has been in communication with some of these doctors and have gotten a thumbs up of support as well in return for our concerted efforts to raise awareness of the potential risks of using topical steroids without the direction of a supportive doctors who believes and understands the side-effects of this drug.

Dr. Koushik Lahiri, a prominent Indian Dermatologist, was appointed two years ago by Dr. Deepak Parikh, the President of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists(IADVL) as the Chairperson of a task-force to deal with the menace of topical steroid misuse and abuse. His concerted efforts along with other doctors has proven to be very effective in the effort to protect their citizens from "Topical Steroid-Dependent Face TSDF." A condition that has been escalating in India citizens. http://www.idoj.in/article.asp?issn=2229-5178;year=2014;volume=5;issue=4;spage=416;epage=425;aulast=Coondoo

 "Misuse of TS on the face is seen all over India and its incidence appears to be increasing rapidly. TSDF has also been described under various names like steroid addiction, dermatitis rosaceaformis steroidica and red face syndrome. In this condition after long term application of TS on the face, there is severe rebound erythema, burning and scaling on the face on attempting to stop the application of TS.[2]"

From now on these following steroid combinations are BANNED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT by the Indian government.

"1. Clobetasol + Ofloxacin + Miconazole + Zinc Sulphate 2. Clobetasole + Gentamicin + Miconazole + Zinc Sulphate 3. Clobetasol + Ofloxacin + Ketoconazol + Zinc Sulphate 4. Clobetasol + Gentamicin + Tolnaftate + lodochlorhydroxyquinone + Ketoconazole 5. Clobetasol + Neomycin + Miconazole + Clotrimazole 6. Clobetasol Propionate + Ofloxacin + Ornidazole + Terbinafine 7. Clobetasol + Neomycin + Miconazole + Zinc Sulphate 8. Betamethasone + Fusidic Acid + Gentamycin + Tolnaftate + lodochlorhydroxyquinoline 9. Betamethasone + Gentamicin + Tolnaftate + lodochlorhydroxyquinoline 10. Betamethasone + Neomycin + Tolnaftate + lodochlorohydroxyquinoline + Cholorocresol 11. Betamethasone + Gentamycin + Zinc Sulphate + Clotrimoazole + Chlorocresol 12. Ciprofloxacin + Fluocinolone + Clotrimazole + Neomycin + Chlorocresol 13. Beclomethasone + Clotimazole + Neomycin + lodochlorohydroxyquinone 14. Beclomethasone + Clotrimazole + Gentamicin + lodochlorhydroxyquinoline 15. Beclomethasone Diproprionate + Neomycin + Tolnaftate + lodochlorhydroxyquinoline +Chlorocresol" http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-bans-350-drugs-including-Phensedyl-Corex/articleshow/51366873.cms

"Doctors and health experts say the spread and misuse of antibiotic combinations may be contributing to antibiotic resistance in India. Some super-bugs, which are strains of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, have been found in patients who traveled from India to countries including the United States and Britain." http://news.yahoo.com/antibiotic-combination-marketed-abbott-india-list-banned-drugs-061739305--finance.html

ITSAN Got a New Spring Makeover!

ITSAN just sprung into spring with a remodeled, brand new look and more helpful info about Red Skin Syndrome!

If you want to show your doctors what withdrawal from topical steroids looks like, this is the site to show them as the new gallery has a great new look and dates of the TSW on the pics when you scroll over them. Something needed for a long time.

Each page offers organized, informative information without being diagnostic or medically advising and there are quotes from different doctors that were gladly offered to ITSAN as support for RSS sufferers.

A big thanks to the site project manager as he is highly skilled and appreciated!

You can read and see a whole lot more in the ITSAN spring newsletter here! ITSAN 2015 Spring Newsletter

Safer Non-Steroid Treatment for Nail Psoriasis

National Psoriasis Foundation is well aware of the effective topical steroid drug but also acknowledges the damages it may cause. The vitamin D based ointment is being researched more but showed higher percentages of effectiveness than steroids. As National Eczema Association just published their quest for safer eczema treatments, so does the NPF. I hope that this will increase the awareness of Red Skin Syndrome as well and new methods of treatment for many skin ailments will be offered first rather than topical steroids.

Safer Nail Psoriasis Treatment

Miss Kitty Rides Again!

I love this Miss Kitty lady who is well known in the ITSAN circuit because of her brilliant ability to communicate well,  relate to and support hurting RSS warriors, study, research,  write, do graphs and comparisons, post funny pics on her blog and just downright entertain us!

I'm geeked that she along with another RSS warrior are helping to build bridges with the medical community on this mysterious condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal or Red Skin Syndrome. We are just over 3 years old as a nonprofit with a mission to raise lots more awareness and build solid bridges of communication and dialogue with the other skin disease organizations. 

I commend Jo and Wendy for their time well spent at the Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology (CEBD) as guest panel patients. Good job and teamwork ladies, keep it going!

Check out her great blog post here!   http://misskittydefeatseczema.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-attended-eczema-patient-panel-event.html