We all may be walking beside each other, but our stories are never the same.
Name: Mo Ali
Age: 29
Work: No career yet. Currently in university doing Accounting & Finance. I just took a gap year and will return next year to university.
Date of Withdrawal:
January 2014
What type(s) of steroids did you use?
Started with Eumovate cream & ointment, then Betnovate cream and finally Dermovate cream & ointment. I’ve also had 3-4 rounds of prednisone tablets, several rounds of antibiotics & countless antihistamine tablets.
Are you on any other medication?
No
Do you have a supportive doctor?
No
What is/was your favorite comfort product?
Music and reading
What is the hardest thing you’ve had to endure during your withdrawal?
Loss of self esteem
What is one thing you are grateful for during the withdrawal process?
That it’s not permanent, the belief that I will heal.
How did you discover you had TSW?
I spent several weeks on Google search for natural treatments for skin conditions when the steroids were making me worse. Luckily I found a YouTube video of Dr Rapaport, then discovered ITSAN.
What were the first tell tale symptoms you experienced?
The extreme depressive episodes and recurring rage. I felt very angry and I didn’t understand why until I realised that the steroids were messing with my mind.
What is one memory during the withdrawal that you will never forget?
Being helpless and unable to support loved ones.
How is your TSW journey going?
It’s been an endless hell until the last 3 months. Recently adopted a carnivore diet and saw more healing in those 3 months than I did for the entire withdrawal. I’m currently in the midst of a very bad flare up triggered by consuming lots of coffee and sugar and messing up the diet, so I’m in a bad space at the moment.
If you had a call to action for the medical community, what would it be?
To stop prescribing steroids and to treat patients with respect and most importantly, to research carnivore diet for healing skin conditions and all other ailments.
What was a pastime you used to help during TSW?
Music, music and music! It’s been my therapist.
What is something you wish to share with the community?
Easier said than done but don’t allow your mind to convince you that your life is over. It’s only on pause and that the body is very forgiving, it will recover.
What is a quote you live by?
“Get busy living or get busy dying” – Andy Dufresne
What resources help during TSW?
ITSAN — it’s prevented me from losing my mind. It provided hope when there was none.
What is your instagram handle?
@geraltofrivia431
Thank you, Mo.
We love you. We see you. We are you.
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