‘Our Prescribed Hell’ - A TSW Documentary
Donation protected
My name is Louise King and I have made the brave/crazy decision to move to Singapore from the UK for a healthcare treatment. As many of you will know, I have been suffering with an illness called 'Topical Steroid Withdrawal'. This is an illness caused by *prescribed* Topical Steroids, and although it has been described as a similar trauma to cancer, it still isn't recognised in the UK. The condition can last between 6 months to 12 years depending on length of use, steroid potency and placement of application. After 25 years of topical steroid use, being first prescribed at only 5 years old, my skin has been completely damaged.
To get me through my withdrawal period I had been given a variety of immunosuppressants which helped dull the inflammation but came with their own downfalls & dangers. They didn't provide a cure and rather just masked the issue further. After a failed attempt on yet another medication change and my skin still not up to scratch (excuse the pun) I fell deep into depression, again. I had endless nights of suicidal thoughts and wasn't sure if I could carry on. Most RSS/TSW patients have to decide between going through the Steroid withdrawal naturally (potential years of painful skin) or using medication to dull the inflammation (with terrible health risks). These choices were all a bit crap frankly, "I'm 30 next year and I want to live my life!"
Then one evening a few week's ago, a fellow TSW patient messaged me about a clinic in Singapore treating people like us. Quickly and effectively. Holy Shi*t!! I must have spent about 5 hours researching the place that night and all the usual doubts settled in. However, I booked a consultation with them and sure enough the Doctor knew everything about my condition and he said those golden words - it's treatable. A dream come true - 'maybe my 30's won't be so bad after all' I thought.
I've been very public with my story so far, sharing my skin journey on Instagram under the [email redacted]n for over a year now. I have done my best to raise awareness of this condition, even when very poorly myself. So why stop there?
A film maker Jasmine will be joining me on my trip to Singapore to get treatment for the same condition. We have planned to create a Documentary/mini series on our healing journey - something I know will help raise more awareness of this condition and hopefully give those going through it reassurance and HOPE.
If you are able to sponsor this little movie I would really appreciate it. £1,$5, £20 - whatever you can donate would be amazing. We will be putting all funds received towards the production of this movie. Equipment, filming, editing costs etc etc. If we can raise enough I have a few special bonuses in the pipeline too.
Thank you for reading.
Louise King
29
UK
(It's me in the pic btw - a very poorly me at 3 months withdrawal from topical steroids. At this point the doctors in the UK still tried to convince me it was just eczema and to use more steroids...)
To get me through my withdrawal period I had been given a variety of immunosuppressants which helped dull the inflammation but came with their own downfalls & dangers. They didn't provide a cure and rather just masked the issue further. After a failed attempt on yet another medication change and my skin still not up to scratch (excuse the pun) I fell deep into depression, again. I had endless nights of suicidal thoughts and wasn't sure if I could carry on. Most RSS/TSW patients have to decide between going through the Steroid withdrawal naturally (potential years of painful skin) or using medication to dull the inflammation (with terrible health risks). These choices were all a bit crap frankly, "I'm 30 next year and I want to live my life!"
Then one evening a few week's ago, a fellow TSW patient messaged me about a clinic in Singapore treating people like us. Quickly and effectively. Holy Shi*t!! I must have spent about 5 hours researching the place that night and all the usual doubts settled in. However, I booked a consultation with them and sure enough the Doctor knew everything about my condition and he said those golden words - it's treatable. A dream come true - 'maybe my 30's won't be so bad after all' I thought.
I've been very public with my story so far, sharing my skin journey on Instagram under the [email redacted]n for over a year now. I have done my best to raise awareness of this condition, even when very poorly myself. So why stop there?
A film maker Jasmine will be joining me on my trip to Singapore to get treatment for the same condition. We have planned to create a Documentary/mini series on our healing journey - something I know will help raise more awareness of this condition and hopefully give those going through it reassurance and HOPE.
If you are able to sponsor this little movie I would really appreciate it. £1,$5, £20 - whatever you can donate would be amazing. We will be putting all funds received towards the production of this movie. Equipment, filming, editing costs etc etc. If we can raise enough I have a few special bonuses in the pipeline too.
Thank you for reading.
Louise King
29
UK
(It's me in the pic btw - a very poorly me at 3 months withdrawal from topical steroids. At this point the doctors in the UK still tried to convince me it was just eczema and to use more steroids...)
Organizer
Louise King
Organizer