Briana Rachelle Banos

Do you have a supportive doctor?

Yes, but they are on the fence about TSW

What is/was your favorite comfort product?

Ice packs and oat baths

What is the hardest thing you’ve had to endure during your withdrawal?

Mom guilt

What is one thing you are grateful for during the withdrawal process?

My family

How did you discover you had TSW?

I had a really bad flare when my son was around 8 months old. I remember just feeling like I was burning all over and nothing made the burn go away. I was told it was my eczema and continued to use the cream without any issues for another 9 months. Once I had a second bad flare around the start of Covid I knew something was wrong.

What were the first tell tale symptoms you experienced?

Burning and spreading of rashes.

What is one memory during the withdrawal that you will never forget?

Laying on the floor, rocking back and forth from pain, my mom rubbing my back in a dark room. I felt hopeless.

How is your TSW journey going?

Taking on a healed mindset, doing therapy, able to live life normally!

If you had a call to action for the medical community, what would it be?

Recognition would be huge

What was a pastime you used to help during TSW?

Exercise—especially running long distance in the dead of winter so I didn’t overheat.

What is something you wish to share with the community?

How you feel about your healing affects your healing. I didn’t realize how connected mind and body are until going through TSW

What is a quote you live by?

Little by little, a little becomes a lot

What resources help during TSW?

Preventable (seriously, I watched it 3x in the first month and made my whole family watch it).

What is your instagram handle?

Tsw_itchy_kelsie

Thank you, Kelsie.

We love you. We see you. We are you.