Briana Rachelle Banos

Do you have a supportive doctor?

No

What is/was your favorite comfort product?

Balmonds skin salvation, Sorion Cream

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

Sleepless nights, constant pain, itching, and very intense nerve twitching (the latter, the hardest)

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

My body healing itself

How did you discover you had TSW?

I never had eczema.

In 2020, they prescribed Betamethasone for a rash. Used it 2x a day for 10 days and everywhere (it covered most of my body). Little did I know, things got worse — so, stronger creams. After a while, all the doctors declared me as a worsening eczema patient. The more creams, the worse I got. I started googling because I did not want to accept this is my life. I realized I was addicted to this hell. Then I found your blog and I knew I had TSW.

What were the first tell tale symptoms you experienced?

Worsening symptoms and addiction to the creams since the itching was too intense to sleep otherwise.

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

Just too many to pick one — the redness, the flakes, the sleepless nights, all of it.

How is your TSW journey going?

I look normal now, but I still can not exercise because as soon as I sweat, I get heat hives that are very itchy. It is better than last year but I wonder if it ever goes away. I miss exercise so much.

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

Please do not give steroids for a random rash

What was a pastime you used to help during TSW?

Youtube, Netflix, language books

What is something you wish to share with the community?

It will get better. Watch all the videos of the people sharing their stories. It helped me so much to get the strength to keep going.

What is a quote you live by?

Everything happens for a reason.

What resources help during TSW?

• Brwren.com (your old blog)
• Facebook groups
• Tiktok

What is your instagram handle?

n/a

Thank you, Agi.

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