Topical Steroid Withdrawal - CAP Therapy UK

Hello, thank you for reaching my GoFundMe page. I would love to introduce myself and give you a short story of what has brought me to this platform. My name is George Cable, a 28 year old living in London, and for almost a year now I have been living and struggling with a chronic disease called Topical Steroid Withdrawal. A debilitating experience of the body not being able to function without steroids being fed to it. Or in other words, an extreme adverse effect of going cold turkey using steroids for common skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis. Or how I like to explain it: a living nightmare.

What is TSW in more detail?

As described by ITSAN, the charitable organisation for TSW:

“Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome is characterized by red, itchy, burning skin that can appear after ceasing topical steroid treatments, or even between treatments. Topical steroids are effective for a short period of time to treat skin conditions. As time passes, however, applying topical steroids results in less and less clearing.” (ITSAN, 2023).

Withdrawal from Topical Steroids is a worldwide problem. Yet, medical professionals do not generally accept it. Some even go so far as to deny its existence and have no idea how to aid those suffering from this terrible disease. The only option they frequently provide is to prescribe more steroids. Crazy, huh? When you are going through more pain than words can describe, this is not what you want to hear.

You might question how I got to be so dependent on steroids. I suffered from eczema from birth, doctors quickly gave my parents a topical steroid cream with a low strength to treat the affected areas. My skin would settle down temporarily as a result, but it would quickly return, but more aggressively and in more areas on my body than on the first occasion. I eventually received higher and more potent steroids in an effort to stop the rashes from spreading as my body become tolerant of the previous strength. My skin would flare up, scorch, and crack. Why was this happening to me? I was taking the prescription medications that my doctor had given me. I put my trust in the medical and pharmaceutical industry. What a mistake that was.

Despite my persistent efforts, over the course of the last 10 years alone, I was repeatedly prescribed one of the strongest creams in the medical industry. I was able to visit the pharmacy as frequently as I required. No monitoring, no inquiries. I, therefore, continued applying the creams repeatedly. Until I was 27 years old, this pattern continued throughout my entire life.

Then in May 2022, upon research on social media, I came across various accounts talking about a subject called Topical Steroid Withdrawal or syndrome/addition ( TSW / TSA). At that moment, I have that ‘penny drop’ experience. I finally realised what I was experiencing…. I had a serve addiction to topical steroids.

I started my TSW process from that very moment. My body went into shock a few days after quitting steroids cold turkey, and a scorching rage consumed my entire body. I can only compare my flares to being constantly soaked in acid with no relief. My symptoms grew more severe and paralysing over time. Constant body inflammation, nerve damage, insomnia, hair loss, cracked skin, out-of-control body thermoregulation, unbalanced immune system, excessive amounts of dry skin falling off my body, repetitive skin thinning and cracking, elephant skin (a feeling of leather across my entire body), itchy skin, bone-deep itch (a feeling where you can't relieve the itch, to the bone), depression, oozing wounds, and skin infections are just a few of the symptoms I experience daily. Yes, even after almost a year of this.

I have had to take time off work due to being bedridden each and every day. My bed, an electric fan and laying in a cold bathtub for hours have been my only source of relief.

There is no miracle ointment or pill that can treat TSW. While the body recovers, attempts to return to its previous state, and produces healthy skin from the inside out, it is a process of attempting to be as comfortable as possible. Alternative therapies including "No Moisture Treatment" (NMT), dietary adjustments, and extended periods of rest can relieve symptoms, but they don't have a quick recovery time. I tried, based on experience, but I'm still experiencing unimaginable pain and discomfort.

However, THERE IS LIGHT. After months and months of research and speaking with current and past sufferers…… There is an up-and-coming treatment that concentrates on transforming TSW patients back to full health.

Introducing CAP Therapy:

With TSW, time is mainly your best friend. The body is a marvellous engine that heals at it’s own pace. Recovery from steroid abuse can take up to a few years. Years of living in a body that I can only describe as a living hell from the inside outwards. Every part of my body has been poisoned by this toxic drug.

Here is where I am asking for help from you lovely people.

There is just one treatment for steroid abusers that have produced remarkably effective results as my body heals. Thai and Singaporean doctors invented the CAP treatment, also known as Ultra-Pulse Contact CAP.

I'm currently on the waiting list to begin treatment at the Hampshire, UK-based clinic, which is scheduled to begin in June or July 2023. Due to a large number of patients in need of life-saving assistance, there is a great demand for these services.

How does it help TSW skin?

CAP technology is an emerging technology in aesthetic and medical sciences. It is a form of electromagnetic wave therapy and is commonly used in the treatment of chronic wounds. It has been proven popular in applications to skin concerns due to its ability to accelerate healing, while reducing the bacterial load on the skin, without negative effects.

However, treatment comes at a cost as you can imagine. My treatment plan will extend for many months as I will need full body care due to the damage. (2 hours+ per session for my entire body to be treated).

How long I will need treatment is hard to tell, as it will be determined by how fast my body reacts to the therapy. But from past patients, I’ve read it's approx. 4-6 months in total. That’s the timeframe in which I can get my life back…… something I can only reminisce and dream of right now. I cannot express how excited I am to start this journey.

They have a great website for more in-depth information which you can access here

Costs for treatment.

• Per session: £160 (1 hour) – Full body is roughly 2 hours+ each visit.

• Serums needed for post-treatments: £69 per unit (2 weeks worth) - x2 for a months supply £138

• Travel expenses from London to Hampshire: £30 approx. for a return. (train ticket prices can fluctuate)

To be aware: how many sessions I’ll need is hard to tell just yet. The total amount of 10k is a rough estimate I have determined from looking at other patients who are currently receiving treatment.

I have never had such an ambitious goal before, especially not financially. I would want to say from the bottom of my heart that any donations would be highly appreciated. It's insane to consider that my objective is to raise £10,000. Overall though, it will be the price for taking back control of my life.

Any donation, no matter how small, brings me one step closer to changing my life and being able to live a life free from suffering.

So much love to you all. From one dry, flaky individual – I thank you!

George x