We all may be walking beside each other, but our stories are never the same.
Name: Hanna Kurimoto-Fischer
Age: 22
Work: I work for a government agency from home
Date of Withdrawal:
09/23/2022
What type(s) of steroids did you use?
Topical and oral steroids – Elidel, Betamethasone cream and prednisone 3 rounds throughout the years
Are you on any other medication?
No, I only use antihistamines or pain killers if needed
Do you have a supportive doctor?
No
What is/was your favorite comfort product?
My favorite comfort products are the TSW FB pages and loose fitting clothes
What is the hardest thing you’ve had to endure during your withdrawal?
Experiencing the grief of losing my old self and life. It’s been tough watching my peers continue their lives while I continue to suffer.
What is one thing you are grateful for during the withdrawal process?
The support I’ve received from my family, friends and other TSW sufferers – there’s no way I would’ve gotten through everything without them.
How did you discover you had TSW?
My skin was amazing during high school, only the tiny spots of eczema on my arms. However, I went to my GP when I was 17 asking for more moisturizer – she prescribed me steroids too. I thought these were moisturisers so I slathered them all over my face and I reacted badly. Ever since my body flared each year during winter and I thought it was my eczema worsening.
So, I went to my dermatologist and she prescribed more steroids. Only last year I realized I was getting rashes in areas I never had before and knew something was wrong. I discovered TSW after researching heaps on the internet and found TikTok videos of TSW sufferers.
What were the first tell tale symptoms you experienced?
Spreading of rashes to areas I never had eczema before like my legs. I had a higher dependency on the steroids from 2021 – 2022 and I thought this can’t be right since I never used them in high school. I would flare every winter and September when the seasons changed to Winter and Spring so I could tell my skin barrier was compromised
What is one memory during the withdrawal that you will never forget?
I sat in my room looking at my skin for 24 – 48 hours once. I was crying the entire time. I didn’t eat or drink properly that day. I didn’t talk to anyone. I was miserable. I will never ever forget that day.
How is your TSW journey going?
I’m 4 months TSW, it’s been rough. I’ve lost so much sleep, my ability to walk, straighten limbs or do everyday things. I lost my relationship because I was so unwell and I wanted them to leave in order to be happy. However, I’ve recently started the strict NMT protocol and believe this will speed up my healing.
If you had a call to action for the medical community, what would it be?
Seize all use of steroids! Find another way!
What was a pastime you used to help during TSW?
Watch Netflix, be with my family or friends, sleep
What is something you wish to share with the community?
This will be one of the toughest battles of our lives. Find the support you need, take time off work, chat to your peers about what’s going on and keep going. It is inevitable that you will have bad days, the important thing is to figure out how to get through them.
What is a quote you live by?
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced” – Soren Kierkegaard
What resources help during TSW?
ITSAN TSW FB Group, The NMT Healed Club, Support Group for NMT
What is your instagram handle?
n/a
Thank you, Hanna.
We love you. We see you. We are you.
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